Saturday,
June 21, 2014
Folks, the
much-anticipated clash with Germany is over and without mincing any word, let
me say that our Black Star players have made Ghana really proud. I had nursed serious
doubts about their ability to contain a well-organized and tactically efficient
German side; but they proved me wrong.
The 2-2
scoreline is respectable (four goals scored in a span of 20 minutes), even
though I thought that our defence was sloppy in not preventing the German
equalizer. By this feat, our players have posed a huge challenge to Germany
because it hasn't qualified to progress to the next stage. It needs a victory
over the United States for that purpose.
Ghana plays
Portugal next and all lies in the womb of time. All said and done, a huge round
of applause for our BOYS!!
Our team showed
today that it has quality and talent, which should have earned us victory; but
at least, in drawing with the almighty German team, we have proved that our
team is the best in the tournament representing Africa. Having already watched
how the other African teams have performed, I can easily say that the Ghanaian
side has really endeared itself to hearts, judging by the standards raised
today.
I saw how sloppy
the Cameroonian side is and wondered how that team ever qualified for this
tournament. The Algerians too. Nigeria’s draw with Iran could have been turned
into victory but the Nigerian players didn't know what they were doing. In the
match with Bosnia-Hercegovina, though, Nigeria did better and might as well
move on. The Cote d’Ivoire did well in their first match but disappointed me in
the follow-up one.
And one good
thing to note is that the Germans are also sitting on thorns as of now because
their fate is hanging in the balance despite their win over Portugal in the
first match. This group, indeed, is living up to its pre-tournament
characterization as “the group-of-death”.
At a critical
moment when Ghana was leading 2–1, Jordan Ayew made a good dash from the left
and tore German defence apart but chose to try his luck instead of releasing
the ball to the well-positioned Asamoah Gyan to do damage and move Ghana
further ahead. He may be criticized by some for being “selfish”.
True, one
expected Jordan to release that ball to the better positioned player with a
possibility to score. I didn't like it that he hung on to it to deliver a
personal one that didn't give us the moment of joy; but that is soccer. Once we
can't be certain that passing the ball to Asamoah Gyan at that crucial moment
would definitely lead to a goal, we should tone down our criticism of Jordan.
He did his best in the circumstance.
One thing I
didn't like, though, has to do with Sulley Muntari, who I thought was too fond
of dribbling and losing the ball to the opponents. Then, he was too physical
and temperamental, especially whenever he committed a foul to attract the
referee's attention. No wonder he was shown a yellow card that would prevent
him from playing the match against Portugal.
Although Ghana
has a Herculean task in fighting to qualify for the next stage, if it plays
with as much competence and dedication as happened a short while ago, it should
overcome Portugal (which relies on only one man—Christiano Ronaldo). The
Ghanaian players should just take him out of the match with good marking and
tackles; and they should be on top.
From what our
boys demonstrated in this match—and with the hope that they will do so again
against Portugal—I am optimistic that Ghana won't die soon!! Its flag will
flutter in the Brazilian skies until it qualifies for the next stage. Portugal
will fall. Once again, congratulations to our players and technical team. All
hopes aren’t lost yet.
I shall return…
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E-mail:
mjbokor@yahoo.com
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