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Advancing into the Round of 16 Ghana was facing a USA team which mastered the ninety minute
come back drill. USA was as tough as nails both mentally and physically and made their living in
South Africa by scoring late goals to gain result and win their group.
But Ghana managed to beat the Americans at their own game in the Round of 16. Asamoah Gyan
scored three minute into overtime allowed Ghana to win 2-1 and advanced into the quarter finals
against Uruguay.
It was the second time in back to back World Cups that Ghana had beaten USA. On their debut at
Germany in 2006, Ghana defeated the Americans 1-0 to advance out of the group with Italy, the
eventual champions.
But nothing prepared them for what was in store at quarter final thriller against Uruguay. Ghana’s
striker Asamoah Gyan missed a penalty kick in the last minute of overtime for the win. Instead,
the Black Stars lost 4-2 in the ensuing penalty shootout.
It is something that Gyan will have to live with for the rest of his life, but he should also be mindful
that he was the one who gave Ghana the best chance of winning during the course of the
tournament.
The 25-year-old striker can focus on the positives, especially after winning the British Broadcasting
Company's (BBC) African Soccer Player of the Year ahead of fellow Ghanaian Andre Ayew,
Cameroon’s Samuel Eto and Ivorians Yaya Toure and Didier Drogba.
SSR Magazine