Germany and Ghana through
Posted: Jun 23 2010
Germany took a narrow 1-0 victory over Ghana on a gorgeous night in Johannesburg's magnificent Soccer City Stadium. Both teams qualified for round two.
The European side played a very aggressive attacking nature, allowing the Ghanaians to respond with swift counter attacks. Neither side managed to score before halftime, but playmaker Mesut Oezil struck on the hour mark to lift the Germans to victory and a first place finish in Group D. Following Australia's defeat of Serbia, Ghana took second.
Having lost to Serbia in their second group match, the Germans faced a must-win scenario against Ghana. Nonetheless, coach Joachim Loew opted not to take a more aggressive stance than in previous matches, preferring his 4-2-3-1 shape rather over a multi-striker system. For the Germans, Cacau replaced suspended striker Miroslav Klose Loew replaced unimpressive left back Holger Badstuber with Jerome Boateng.
Ghana, by contrast, needed just a single point to advance to the Round of 16, and coach Milovan Rajevac chose his starting lineup accordingly. The Serbia native retained his conservative 4-2-3-1 formation, and made just one change to his starting XI: John Mensah replaced Lee Addy, joining his namesake, Jonathan Mensah, in central defence.
The Ghanaians used their pace to counterattack their over committing opponents, and instead it was they who earned the better chances on goal. The Ghanaian midfield was superbly industrious, and Gyan, Kevin-Prince Boateng, and Kwadwo Asamoah all did very well pressure the Germans deep and force counterattacks.
Germany were nearly gifted an own goal inside ten minutes, but goakeeper Richard Kingson reacted quickly to parry Lukas Podolski's deflected cross out for a corner. In the 25th minute, the increasingly influential Mesut Oezil was played through on goal, but the 21-year old was unable to finish as Kingson made a comfortable save.
Moments later, Ghana should have had a goal following a corner. Andre Ayew headed the set piece past goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, but Germany skipper Philipp Lahm cleared the shot off the goal line.
As the second half began, the two sides took to the pitch unchanged, and Germany resumed their uncompromising attacking style, while Ghana defended and looked stellar on the break. The first five minutes of the second half were played almost entirely in Ghana's defending half, but the Africans were first to create a clear scoring opportunity. Asamoah was first to a through ball, but Neuer was quick off his line and blocked the midfielder's effort.
On the hour mark, Oezil finally broke his scoring duck with a gorgeous volley from the edge of the D. His shot sliced just enough to beat Kingson at the left post for a 1-0 lead.
Ghana responded immediately with a strong spell in attack. Ayew first delivered an exquisite cross to Tagoe, but the attacker's close-ranged header was cleared off the line by Jerome Boateng. Next, Gyan played a perfect back-heel to set up Ayew, but Lahm intervened at the last moment to deflect the resulting shot over the bar.
Both sides played to a rather lacklustre conclusion, with Germany finishing first, and Ghana second in Group D. The two teams now advance to the Round of 16 to face England and the United States, respectively.
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: 2010-06-23 22:31
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