Ghana Dominates The Battle For Third Place, Clinched A 1-0 Victory Against Iraq

Istanbul—Ghana’s “Triple A” thrashed Iraq to clinch the 3rd spot of FIFA’s U-20. Adding more honor to the squad is Ebenezer Assifuah who won the coveted Golden Boot Award for scoring the most goals in the tournament. 

Iraq showed its dominance early in the match. The Young Lions of Messopotamia had several attempts in the 5th minute. However, none of their efforts were duly converted, much to the disappointment of its supporters.

Aware of Iraq’s failed attempts, the Black Satellites patiently took their time and on the 35th, Joseph Attamah broke Ghana’s half an hour silence when he scored a header off Moses Odjer’s corner.

Iraq pressed to get even and pull off an equalizer. However, just when the first half was about to end, Assifuah doubled Ghana’s lead.

The second half saw another scoring attack from the Young Lions. Ali Adnan rose up to the challenge and began to target the net. However, Richmond Nketiah, spotting Adnan’s motive, denied him at once. 

Unwilling to wave the white flag, Ammar Abdulhessein lead another scoring rally for Iraq. Yet, his aggressiveness simply landed the ball into the Ghanian side. Iraq was running out of time and true enough, by the 78th, Frank Acheampong scored Ghana’s final and winning shot in the tournament.

Ghana’s victory can be considered as one of FIFA’s Cinderella stories. After surviving a death-defying qualifier, it trampled Portugal and Chile, but succumbed to France. Nevertheless, although Sellas Tetteh and his men failed to defend its 2009 crown, still, the Black Satellites remained true to the promise of giving something to Mother Ghana that she can be proud of.



Source: World Cup Result
Photo Credit: Ghana Soccer Net

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Match Preview: Ghana VS. Iraq (Battle For Third Place)

Date: 13 July 2013, Istanbul
The Verdict: Ghana Claims Another FIFA trophy

Seeing Ghana vie for the top spots in FIFA’s U-20 is rather expected. They are one of the tournament’s heavy favorites and if not for Florian Thauvin’s half-time goal, they could have marched their way into the finals. But going for the 3rd spot is not that bad either. The Black Satellites have had its taste of U-20’s championship title and this year, still, it was able to showcase its power and strength.

In their battle against Iraq, Sellas Tetteh and his men are more than prepared to face their opponents. They have been here before. Rallying for 3rd place is no different from defending a title and given what they have to endure prior to this match, the Black Satellites are in a much better position to secure victory.

Ghana struggled in the beginning of the tournament. It was the dark horse that trampled USA and left the so-called “Group Of Death.” It ended Portugal’s bid and caused a major upset to Chile.

The likes of Ebnezer Assifuah-Inkoom, Richmond Boakye and Michael Anaba can put up a relentless counter attack against Iraq’s Ali Adnan’s seemingly unstoppable goals.

Iraq is an aggressive attacker on the field and the Black Satellites know that. In their upcoming match, expect the squad to pressure Mesopotamia’s Young Lions heavily. Expect Tetteh and his men to build an impenetrable wall, force mismatches, and convert. Ghana is aware that the squad solely depends on Adnan’s scoring and for sure, Eric Antwi shall be on his toes to protect the goal or at best, keep a clean sheet.

As mentioned, since this is not the very first time that Ghana is boiled in hot waters, there is no doubt that it shall employ its experience to have the edge in the match. From a dark horse to a fairy tale spoiler, indeed, this is how Ghana evolves in the tournament. But being a spoiler or dark horse barely matters now. It is the trophy, pride and honor at stake and the heavy favorite shall not pass up on the opportunity to add another title into his belt.

Photo Credit: Zimbio

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Thauvin Redeems Himself, Brings France To U-20 Finals

France is just a match away from being the next European title holders of FIFA Under-20 World Cup tournament after clinching a 2-1 victory over the brave Ghana.

Florian Thauvin, Bastia’s midfielder, turned into an overnight hero after scoring Les Bleuets’ two (2) important goals. Amidst the Black Satellites’ aggressive play, Thauvin netted his first goal several minutes before half-time and on the 74th, Thauvin ended Ghana’s U-20 campaign.

Despite of losing the match, Ghana refused to wave the white flag. Immediately after Thauvin took the lead for France, Ebenezer Assifuah delivered the equalizer. Despite of Geoffrey Kondogbia’s strong defence, Assifuah’s left-footed shot was unstoppable. However, Ghana failed to keep the momentum on the second half. The Black Satellites had several attempts, but to no avail and by the 80th, Samuel Umtiti received a red card and left the field.

A blessing in disguise
Thauvin admitted his “self-doubt” during the tournament. France’s new hero had his share of shortcomings at the onset of the competition. In their first encounter against Ghana, Thauvin had a minor agreement with Pogba that sent him off the field. When they faced USA, his dribbling attempts went too far that Pierre Mankowski needed to pull him out.

But these (blunders) no longer matter. Thauvin redeemed himself with class and style. France is going to the final and it could be the next European team to lift one of the most coveted silverware in football history.



Photo Credit: Spox

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U-20 Match Preview: Ghana Vs. USA

Venue: Kayseri

The Verdict: Ghana Continues In U-20 Feat as USA exits, 2-1

A hard-fought victory is Ghana’s only option to advance in FIFA’s U-20. The Black Satellites is at the edge of exiting Turkey when it lost its opening match against France and just recently, Spain. After clinching the championship trophy last 2009, Ghana struggles for failing to snatch a point and being pushed at the bottom of the Group stage.

USA’s situation is no different from the Black Satellites. The squad was also thrashed twice in the tournament. Luckily, for the Stars and Stripes, they managed to force a draw against France. However, the team merely hangs by a thread. Beating Ghana is their best option to advance.

Both trapped in a “do or die” situation, the encounter in Kayseri tend to favor Ghana.

Black Satellites sported a stronger defence. Sellas Tetteh and his men brag four (4) GAs, whereas Tab Ramos takes the runner-up spot with five (5). The latter’s defence ruckus caused a costly penalty in France’s favor.

Meanwhile, despite its lost against Spain, Ghana’s game control was evident. This is most especially true during the equalizer rally in the second half. The mere fact that Spain was pushed to change its strategy to penetrate through the Ghanaian wall was a massive display of impressive defence.

Ghana’s scoring prowess shows more teeth than that of USA. Team USA’s Alonso Hernandez and Luis Gil have yet to find their chemistry in executing winning passes. Gil even failed to convert a penalty that could have shifted the momentum to their side. A cloud of doubt looms as to whether Gil and Hernandez can put up a challenge against the Black Satellite’s Clifford Aboagye and Yiadom Boakye.

Ghana is definitely a heavy favorite by both supporters and bookies. As for the betting side, Asian handicaps are already given to Team USA. 

Photo Credit: Zimbio

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