The Hindu : Sport : Ghana needs to focus on task at hand

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Jun 22, 2006

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Sport

Ghana needs to focus on task at hand

NUREMBERG: Ghana coach Ratomir Dujkovic's main task ahead of the final World Cup Group E clash with United States on Thursday has been to banish dreams of a possible second-round clash with Brazil.

Instead, he wants his team to concentrate on an all-out battle between two strong and attacking sides who retain a chance of advancing to the knockout stage.

Ghana, which bounced back from an opening 2-0 defeat to Italy to beat Czech Republic by the same score, has spoken of the prospect of playing the five-time champion in the last 16.

``We are not afraid to meet the Brazilians,'' said midfielder Michael Essien. ``But first we need to deal with the United States, then we will see who our next opponents are.''

The group is wide open, with all four teams having a chance to progress.

Optimistic

``I'm an optimist,'' Dujkovic said. ``I still believe that the Ghana Black Stars will reach the semifinal.''

Ghana, on three points, and United States, with one, need to win to hope to overhaul Italy and the Czechs, who are first and second in the group with four and three points respectively.

U.S. coach Bruce Arena said he would tell his players to go all out for a win and ignore news from the Italy-Czech Republic match in Hamburg.

``What do I do?'' said Arena. ``Call in the goalscoring machine?''

Powerful team

Ghana has a powerful team whose surging, adventurous football has captivated German audiences.

But the Americans showed in their rugged 1-1 draw with Italy, when three men were sent off, they have immense heart and determination.

Dujkovic said: ``We have won only one match and I should calm our players down and warn them not to be too excited. ``If we take second place we will face Brazil probably and the players have expressed already they would die for this match. We have analysed the U.S. team, received our information (from scouts) and watched them play on DVD and live,'' said Dujkovic. '

Ghana is without striker Asamoah Gyan and midfielder Sulley Muntari. The United States is minus Pablo Mastroeni and Eddie Pope, sent off against Italy. — Agencies

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