Ghana Slump To Late Goal Against USA

 

The Black stars of Ghana conceded the second goal of the game late in the game to kick-start their World Cup campaign on a back foot despite a very impressive showing on the night.

Clint Dempsey scored the fastest goal of the ongoing FIFA World Cup, fifth fastest in World Cup history, when he skip past the Ghanian defence before rolling the ball past the goalkeeper with just before Andre Ayew equalized after a good exchange of pass in the box, but a stunning header by Brooks in the closing minutes of the game sealed the win for the Americans.

 

Ghana Coach, Kwesi Appiah, opted to leave the experience duo of Micheal Essien and Kevin Prince Boateng on the bench for the encounter but that did not stop the stars from living up to expectation.

Dempsey collected a pass from Jermaine Jones from the touchline just outside the Ghanian 18 yard box, dribbled past central defender John Boye before drilling the ball inside the far post with his left foot after just 32 seconds at the Dunas arena becoming the first American to score in three World Cups.

Ghana settled well into the game and showed that at the other end of the pitch they were an altogether different proposition with right winger Christian Atsu looking particularly dangerous in all but the final ball.

Captain Asamoah Gyan squandered a string of opportunities for an equalizer but he was not alone with Jordan Ayew, son of Abedi Pele, passing up an excellent chance just before halftime.

It was left to his brother Andre to get Ghana back into the match in the 83rd minute, latching on to his skipper's neat back flick and lashing the ball into the net with the outside of his left foot in almost the same position Dempsey had scored from.

 

The Americans would not be denied, however, and the unheralded Brooks proved the unlikely winner to send the red, white and blue half of the stadium into raptures.

Juergen Klinsmann's side will now go onto their next match against Portugal, who were beaten 4-0 by Germany in the Group G opener earlier on Monday, with renewed belief that they can reach the last 16.

The Black Stars, quarter-finalists in South Africa four years ago, who will rue their profligacy in front of goal now face a huge task if they are to get past the group stage for the third straight tournament.