Richard Kingson rues curse of the Jabulani
Kingson rues curse of the Jabulani
Posted: 2010-06-20 08:41
Ghana goalkeeper Richard Kingson has pointed a finger of blame at the uncertain nature of the infamous Jabulani World Cup balls for the poor goal he conceded against Australia even though admits he could have done a lot better.
Kingson admitted to KickOffGhana.com that he saw Mark Bresciano's initial effort from the initial free-kick late but says dealing with the ball has been an absolute nightmare.
The Ghana stand-in captain made a hush of what should have been a routine save from the free-kick on 11 minutes allowing Brett Holman to pounce and shoot Australia into the lead.
Ghana fought back to draw level and Kingson played his part in a thrilling finish pulling a point save to deny the Aussies all three points.
But Kingson knows it is his part in the opening goal that will attract the headlines from a game he says Ghana should have won.
"I am a little bit disappointed we did not take three points. Most people expected us to win and we expected to win but I am okay with one point so long as we did not lose," the goalkeeper said.
On the goal Kingson said: "I did not see the ball early and when I did, I wanted to control the pace before taking it and unfortunately it got away and they reacted earlier."
"The ball is so fast and so light so it is very difficult to take it once. You have to be very careful. I don't know if it is synthetic or leather."
In a country where such mistakes are scrutinised over and over again, Kingson is aware the error will hunt him for years even though he says he will be forgetting about it quickly.
"I am not worried about the goal. Every goalkeeper makes a mistake so I will not let turn into pressure. I am just thinking about how we are going to beat the Germans."
Ghana need at least a point from the final game against Germany at the Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg to be certain of a place in the last 16.
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