The Hindu : Sport : Black Stars enter second round on debut

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Friday, Jun 23, 2006

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Black Stars enter second round on debut

The Africans take on Brazil in the round of 16

NUREMBERG: Ghana reached the second round of the World Cup in its first appearance, beating the United States 2-1 on Thursday in Group E.

LEADING THE WAY: Ghana captain Stephen Appiah (right) celebrates with Razak Pimpong after scoring a penalty against the United States. - PHOTO: AP

Captain Stephen Appiah scored the winning goal, converting a penalty kick in the second minute of first-half injury time after United States defender Oguchi Onyewu was called for a foul in the penalty area.

Haminu Draman put the African team ahead in the 22nd minute, breaking in alone on goalkeeper Kasey Keller after colliding with Claudio Reyna, who crumpled to the field in pain.

The United States, which has never won a World Cup game in which it trailed, equalised when Clint Dempsey scored in the 43rd minute.

Brian McBride nearly levelled again in the 66th, but his diving header inside the box hit the near post. A minute later, Onyewu sent a header off Landon Donovan's corner kick over the crossbar.

Historic moment

``This is a historic moment for us,'' Ghana coach Ratomir Dujkovic said. ``We are very happy. It was a very nervous event for us.''

``We worked real hard to get back in the game. I am disappointed in the judgment of the referee in the penalty call,'' United States coach Bruce Arena said. ``We would have liked to come out at halftime even, with a chance to win the game.''

``We could have been better in the second half with our own opportunities,'' Arena said.

In order to advance, the Americans needed a victory and some help. They got the needed assistance when Italy defeated the Czech Republic 2-0 in Hamburg. But the United States didn't come through and finished the tournament with one point — its first ever in a World Cup played in Europe.

Italy tops group

Italy won Group E with seven points and Ghana advanced with six points. Ghana will take on World champion Brazil in the round of 16. The Black Stars received a pre-game visit from Cameroon's Samuel Eto'o, Africa's player of the year.

Ghana is the first African team to move into the second round in this year's tournament. Tunisia, which plays Ukraine on Friday, also has a chance. Angola, Ivory Coast and Togo have been eliminated.

Drawing first blood

Draman scored after Dempsey played a backpass to Reyna, and the U.S. captain collided with the Ghanaian. As Reyna fell, Draman picked up the ball and came in one on one against Keller, putting the ball onto his right foot and sending it into the corner of the net from about 12 yards, over the diving goalkeeper.

Reyna was taken off the field on a stretcher, grimacing, but returned in the 26th minute. Still looking in pain, he was replaced by Ben Olsen in the 40th minute.

Donovan had a great chance to equalise in the 35th, when he had an open shot, but he got under the ball and his volley attempt went way high.

Equaliser

Dempsey then levelled after DaMarcus Beasley, along the left flank just past midfield, battled Derek Boateng and John Pantsil. Beasley stole the ball from Pantsil and made a left-footed cross in front of the goal. Racing ahead of Habib Mohamed, Dempsey one-timed the ball with his right foot from about 12 yards. Dempsey did his rap dance as the Americans celebrated.

One minute into injury time, Onyewu pushed down Razak Pimpong in the penalty area battling for a header, and German referee Markus Merk immediately pointed to the penalty spot. Keller dived left, but Appiah put the ball high to the goalkeeper's right to put Ghana again in front. — AP

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