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| Brazil Defeat Ghana Again |
4/4/2007 |
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Brazil yet again posted a 1:0 win over Ghana on Tuesday night, however it was the more impressive Ghanaians who won the hearts of football fans. The only goal of the game came off the boot of unmarked Vagner Love, who finished off a corner effected by Ronaldinho in the 18th minute.
The scrappy win for the Brazilians once more rekindled the ever growing hope among Black Stars followers that come another opportunity, the Stars will outshine the South American and world soccer powerhouse.
But for a yet-to-be-fixed blunt attack, the Ghanaians could have registered a better result. However it appears the team will have to make do with the perennial problem for some time to come.
The Black Stars missed an opportunity to jump into the lead in the 14th minute after midfielder Eric Addo’s goal bound header was fisted off the goal line by the Brazilian goalie. The Stars were forced to make an early substitution as striker Asamoah Gyan, failed to continue with the game in the 10th minute after aggravating an injury he carried into the match.
Alex Tachie-Mensah took his place and six minutes later he raced deep into the Brazilian goal area after a long pass but just failed to make contact for an equalizer.
29 minutes into the game and the Stars defensive pillar and skipper, John Mensah nearly gifted Brazil a second goal as he carelessly lost the ball in front of his goal, however Kaka failed to exploit the chance as he blasted wide. The Black Stars were at this stage losing possessions at ease, with Brazil content to make passing runs and intermittent goal attempts.
The Black Stars slightly dominated play to the end of the break, but the Brazilians appeared comfortable with the blunted attack, responding to the threats with hard tackles particularly on Sulley Muntari, Eric Addo and Haminu Dramani.
Missed Chances
Three minutes into the second half, Laryea Kingston, impressive on the night, fired what should have fetched the Stars equalizer, however goalkeeper Julio Cesar was on hand to redirect the ball from goal.
The Black Stars were gaining in confidence, and after Laryea Kingston squandered yet another opportunity, it was the turn of Sulley Muntari to test Cesar with a powerful delivery from a free kick. The goalkeeper just managed to get his fists to the ball arcing menacingly under the bar.
On the Brazilian side Robinho, Ronaldinho and Love were enjoying good spells with the ball and repeatedly appeared likely to add to their goal.
In midfield however, Lucio; Kleber, Gilberto Silva and Mineiro were really playing it hard on the Ghanaians and Mineiro suffered the first yellow card for fouling Sulley Muntari in the 56th minute.
Brazil pressed for their own goals too, and the Ghanaians had Eric Addo putting in a crucial intervention in the 58th minute as he headed a close attempt by Robinho to corner.
On the 60th minute mark, Ghana was yet again presented with a good opportunity when hard running Dramani was clipped just outside the Brazilian box, but Laryea Kingston made a mess of the chance.
Six minutes later it was the turn of the Brazilians to squander a chance as Kaka, unimpressive on the night, shot away from close range.
Dramani himself played it physical and picked the first of two yellow cards in the 70th minute, with the second and subsequent expulsion following in the 77th minute.
Ghana made two quick substitutions in the 72nd minute; bringing on Derek Boateng and Yao Kumordji for Eric Addo and Laryea Kingston respectively. The changes saw the Stars reeling under a Brazil onslaught, however with the defence working overtime, the Brazilians were just spilling goal scoring chances.
Michael Helegbe earned his second cap for the Stars on the night, coming on for Tachie Menson in the 84th minute, while two previously uncapped youngsters, Alfred Arthur of Ashantigold and Ekow Benson of Tema Youth came on for Hans Adu Sarpei and Anthony Annan in the 90th minute.
And just after the final whistle, Ghanaians again boasted freely the scores could have been favourable for Ghana had there regular faces of Stephen Appiah, Michael Essien, Junior Agogo, Shilla Illiasu, Mathew Amoah and Joe Tex Frimpong had shown.
Line up of Black Stars: Richard Kingson; John Paintsil, John Mensah, Francis Dickoh, Hans Sarpei/Alfred Arthur; Laryea Kingston/Yao Kumodji; Eric Addo/Derek Boateng; Anthony Annan/Ekow Benson, Haminu Dramani(red card); Sulley Muntari; Asamoah Gyan/Alex Tachie-Mensah
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