By Anna Italia
Covering the 2010 World Cup South Africa from an Italian Perspective


  48% Ball Possession Uruguay  and  52% Ball Possession  Ghana
             Uruguay 1 - 1 Ghana
                                                        (4)   - (2)
                               54' Diego Forlan            45' Sulley Muntari

URUGUAY in Semifinals of the World Cup After 40 years! ;

Uruguay making already history by reaching  a World Cup Quarterfinals after 40 years since the 1970  World Cup in Mexico. The target is to continue writing history by passing  now to the Final.  It 'was a fierce battle because Ghana also looking to make history and now the only African team remaining in the World Cup putting a strong front.   Game extended to 120 minutes after the 1-1 draw continue and the final result decided in penalty shootouts resulting in Uruguay converting 4  penalties and Ghana failing 2 stopped by  Uruguay  goalkeeper Muslera.  Result with penaly shootouts 5-3.   


I am wishing both teams Uruguay and Ghana the best as both have players from our Italian Serie A Uruguay with 4 while Ghana called up 6 Serie A players. hip hip hurrah.  Stats in favor of Uruguay winning already 2 World Cups and 10 appearances while Ghana first appearance in a World Cup.  Though, in football we never know what might happen....
 Uruguay  unbeaten in their last six World Cup games while keeping 4 clean sheets.  Uruguay winning three consecutive World Cup games for the first time since 1954. 

There are 4 Italian Serie A Players with Uruguay National football  team:  Lazio goalkeeper Fernando Muslera, Juventus defender  Martin Caceres, Napoli midfielder Walter Gargano, and Palermo forward  Edinson Cavani.     

Uruguay Soccer Team Gear - La Celeste  Uruguay 10/12 Home Soccer Jersey I Heart Uruguay Soccer Cap Ghana National Soccer Team Gear  - The Black Stars were one of four African teams making their World Cup debut in Germany 2006. Ghana Muntari jersey, Essien jersey, I love Ghana t shirt, and more. Ghana 10-12 MUNTARI Home Soccer Jersey

Ghana is the third African country to reach the World Cup quarters the others two are Cameroon in 1990 and Senegal in 2002.  It will be the first time if Ghana win and pass to the Semifinal....


   4 Italy Serie A  players with URUGUAY National Football team

 Lazio goalkeeper Fernando Muslera  played all game and saved 2 penalties in  the shootouts from Mensah and Dominic Adiyiah.

 Palermo forward  Edinson Cavani  played 76 minutes substitutes by Sebastian "El Loco" Abreu.

 Juventus defender Martin Caceres  did not play, but listed in the substitutes

Napoli midfielder Walter Gargano  did not play, but listed in the substitutes



There are 6 Italy Serie A players with Ghana National Football  team  in the World Cup.

 Bologna Midfielder Stephen Appiah starting from the bench substituting Samuel Inkoom in the 74th minute and converting a penalty in the shootouts in the 122nd minute.

 Udinese Midfielder Kwadwo Asamoah 

 Inter Milan Midfielder Sulley Muntari played 88 minutes and substituted by Adiyiah.

 AC Milan Forward Dominic Adiyiah starting from the bench in the 88th minutes when substituting Sulley Muntari.  Adiyiah failed to convert a penalty when Muslera saved in the 126th minute.

Udinese Defender JonathanMensah  did not play.

Udinese Midfielder EmmanuelAgyemang-Badu   did not play




Here is the official starting lineup from URUGUAY national team by coach Oscar Tabarez:

  URUGUAY (4-2-3-1): 1-Fernando Muslera; 2-Diego Lugano,6-Mauricio Victorino, 4-Jorge Fucile, 16-Maximiliano Pereira, 15-Diego Perez, 17-Egidio Arevalo, 7-Edinson Cavani, 20-Alvaro Fernandez, 9-Luis Suarez, 10-Diego Forlan.

Victorino is replacing injured defender Diego Godin while Tabarez preferred for this game Alvaro Fernandez instead of Alvaro Pereira.
 
Here is the thing.  Uruguay Luis Suarez if scoring today will become the third Uruguayan to score in three consecutive World Cup games.  The first two  were Pedro Cea in 1930 and Alcide Edgardo Ghiggia in 1950 scoring in four consecutive games.  Get this one in these 2 occasion Uruguay won the World Cup.  wow... is this a deja vu?
 

Here is the official starting lineup from GHANA national team by coach Milovan Rajevac:

  GHANA (4-2-3-1): 22-Richard Kingson; 4-John Pantsil, 5-John Mensah, 15-Isaac Vorsah, 2-Hans Sarpei; 6-Anthony Annan, 23-Kevin-PrinceBoateng, 7-Samuel Inkoom, 11-Sulley Muntari; 21-Kwadwo Asamoah,3-Asamoah Gyan 




We are getting set for the match....  players will warm up.

Players now in the pitch.   Captains from both teams reading a statement against racism.  Uruguay Captain Diego Lugano first and then Ghana Captain.....

National anthems now playing with Uruguay first .....   wow, whohooooooooooooooooooooo there is close up from players and Edison Cavaniiiii there with Musleraaaaa...

We are getting ready for Ghana national anthem.... close up from players and helloooo whohoooo Muntari....

Both teams posing for the banner "Say no to racism"

Referee Olegario Benquerenca whistles the beginning of the game.... close up from Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez and Ghana...like posing the question "Who will be the winner?"

In the 3rd minute Uruguay pressing with Maurizio Victorino making a long range shot  towards Luis Suarez but he is caught offside.

There is  Diego Forlan now pressing with a fast run....

In the 5th minute first corner for Uruguay conceded by Isaac Vorsah......  immediately another corner... Second corner for Uruguay conceded by Inkoom .....Forlan akes the corner and the goalkeeper anticipates''

In the 8th minute there you see Ghana and Udinese midfielder Kwadwo Asamoah with a left footed shot  from outside the area missing the target to the right.....

In the 11th minute a right footed shot from forward Luis Suarez coming from the left side..... ... ..

Ooops Asamoah  Gyan with a handball  and referee warns him while Gyan protests.. he needs to cool down or risk getting a yellow card.....

In the 13th minute a long range shot from about 30 meters  and it is saved.....

In the 14th minute another corner for Uruguay.... 


Photo Reuters

First yellow card of the match in the 20th minute for Fucile  for a foul on  Kwadwo Asamoah  on the ground.....

In the 22nd minute Vorsah commits a foul on Luis Suarez and is free kick from the right side... taking the free kick is Forlarn.....

Gosh guys, Forlan having at least 3 long range shots already but missing the target... this is getting exasperating.... both in need to score first to gain that boost of confidence. 

Muntari and Inkoom switching positions  ...


In the 26th minute a right footed shot by Luis Suarez forcing Ghana goalkeeper  to super stretch and deflect for corner... Forlan taking the corner.....

Forlan in the ground and seems injured.....  

It is the 6th corner for Uruguay now.........  Forlan to take the shot.... 

wow, wow, wow... in the 29th minute wowwww guys a corner for Ghana and   Vorsah  missing t his headed hot  after the assist by  Sulley Muntari    so close to the net scaring Muslera....

A minute later, again, Gyan causing  trouble, danger to Uruguay delivering a right footed shot from the center of the area... missing to the  right after the assist by Boateng.


Ooops another close  shot from Asamoah Gyan with a right footed shot and missing it..... He can't believe it.....

In the 37th minute a forced substitution for Uruguay  with injured DiegoLugano,time for Scotti.

In the 39th minute an assist by Kwadwo Asamoah to Sulley Muntari heading the ball from the center of the area and missing it to the right...  Muntari cannot believe it.

So far, guys, up to the 40th minute it is Ghana taking control of the game..... 

free kick again for Uruguay with Forlan.......

Oops guys...   Fucule on the ground looks unconscious when  crashing with Inkoom trying to get the ball  but  falling on his head like twisting his neck... ooopssss sopainful..... match delay......  and he is   like unconscious...   gaining now  conscious......  geeee... gosh.. things  not looking bright for Uruguay  in case  there is another  forced substitution.... geeeee Fucile is out the field.. but seems he will get back and drinking water right now... in the meantime 2 players warming up from Uruguay...... 

In the 44th minute oops guys another chance for  Ghana  with  an assist from Asamoah to  Boateng making king of a bicycle  to finally deliver a right footed shot and scaring  every Uruguay fansss but luckily missing the target while goalkeeper Muslera was following the direction of the ball like hypnotizing it......

  Uruguay lose ball possession and Ghana seems like dancing a rock and roll......  taking the ball away... and finallyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy  in the 45th minute and assist by Asamoah Gyan and  there you go a long range shot from Ghana and Inter Milan midfielder  Sulley Muntari  with a smacking power cowabunga  delivering a left footed shot all the way to the bottom right corner... and guys, maybe Muslera was not expecting this shot  because he looks like out of position.. oh
Uruguay 0 - 1 Ghana



Photo AP

Ghana players celebrate after Ghana's SulleyMuntari scored a goal during the WorldCup quarterfinal soccer match between Uruguay and Ghana at SoccerCity in Johannesburg, South Africa, Friday, July 2, 2010

This is it for the first half. Referee Olegario Benquerenca whistles the end of the first half ending with 51% ball possession Uruguay and 49% ball possession Ghana.
 
Second half start....

In the 48th minute guys,  Uruguay asking for a penalty after a clash between  Vorsah and Edison Cavani in the box but Referee runs towards Cavani asking him to  get up and continue  playing...
 
In the 49th minute Referee Olegario Benquerenca gives a yellow card to Uruguay  Arevalo for a late foul on Boateng.

In the 54th minute  Oopsss guyssss what a bad foul from Ghana John Pantsil on Jorge Fucile    and he gets a yellow card.  Free kick  and Forlan taking the shot..

 OH MY GOSHHHHHHh guysk yea yea yea...  in the 55th minute all Uruguay fans  jumping because out of this free kick  Forlan with a right footed shot   smacking goalkeeper Kingson  in the upper right corner and there is gooaaaalllllllllllllllllllllllll    immediate celebration and close up from  coach Tabarez shouting this goal... now it is an open game. The reaction from Kingson like asking where did the ball go???? 
Uruguay 1 - 1 Ghana

Another yellow card guys and this match is collecting  YELLOWWWWW... in the 58th minute Referee Olegario Benquerenca books Diego Perez for a foul on Asamoah.

Ghan is reacting and now going all forward... presssing.. there you go in the 57th mintue Gyan  with a a shot from the edge of the box and Muslera with his wide open eyes and his hands ready  parrying this shot... rebound.. but  Sulley Muntari  cannot  make it.. and  suddenly a scary moment... but the match is not boring at all.. is super  interesting....   both teams pressing, fighting...

In the 73rd minute Ghana making a substitution Inkoom out, time for our Bologna midfielder Stephen Appiah in

Oh no. guys, Uruguay making the last substitution in the  75th minute and the one leaving the pitch is Palermo forward Edison Cavani.   Taking his place is Sebastian  "El Loco" Abreu.

This is getting crazy....   going both ways... and time running by, it seems we are heading to extra time?    and we keep collecting yellow cards in this game....  like selling them by the dozen...

In the 76th minute guess what?  what.. well another yellow card... this time for Ghana Hans Sarpei for hauling back Suarez.... free kick
 
In the 77th minute wow, Uruguay so close to deliver a winning goal with  Diego Forlan free kick  though at the momen of Suarez heading the ball and Ghana goalkeeper Kingson punching the ball away.....
 
In the 82nd minute,  Gee... Maxi Pereira  with a long range shot trying to surprise goalkeeper Kingson but missing it... over the bar...
 
Looks like we are going to extra time....   8 more minutes....

In  the 88th minute Ghana making a substitution.  Guys,Inter Milan midfielder Sulley Muntari out while taking his place is AC Milan forward Dominic Adiyiah.
 
Three minutes added time....

 Last attempt  in counterattack from Ghana in the 92nd minute and  I am telling you guys.. looks like we are ready for extra time.....  come on.....    now  counterattack with  Uruguay... and time is running 92 minutes and a half.....  and only  waiting for Referee to whistle the end of the regular  time....   we are going like ping pong...  here, and there.. now back.... and this is it.......  regular time over...  now we are going to 2 sides of 15 minutes each.

Regular time ends in 50% ball possession Uruguay and 50% ball possession Ghana.

I am getting  hungry .. .so I will pop some popcorn..... three minutes in the microwave and get some fresh fruits.....  

We are set for the first 15 minutes...

In the 98th minute a right footed shot from Asamoah Gyan.  .. then tacke by Scotti on Gyan

ooopps In the 99th minute match delay for  injury Asamoah Gyan on the ground...  

This is madnesssssssssssssssssssss    no goals yet in this first extra time...  and refereree

Gyan continues and he is not leaving the pitch while there was a Ghana player ready for action...

In the 102nd minute Pantsil commits a foul bringing down Sebastian Abreu... though no punishment from the referee....  and this looks like a penalty....  Abreu protests.. like asking for the penalty...
 
Last attempt in the 103rd minute with Lodeiro and Ghana goalkeeper deflects....

Ok this is it... we are going now for the other extra 15 minutes...

In the 110th minute Appiah with a cross to Gyan heading the ball but goes over the bar.....

In the 113th minute guys Diego Forlan coming from the left side to make a desperate left footed shot but missing it... and  it is clear both teams are exhausted and not thinking clear but just  playing with their heart for a last minute goal.

Immediatel Ghana.... in the 114th minute Gyan...   Maxi Pereira  running fast   to clear the danger...  ...

 waht an agonizing ending...

Corner for Ghana and in 2 times  very  very extremely  close but Ghana missing.... with Abreu clearing..... 

I am telling you.. we are going to penalties   but this is desperatinggggggggggggggggggggggggg

This is  A G O N I Z I N G..............................................

Free kick for Ghana .......  in the last minute of the extra time

And  to make a dramatic  ending  there is a clear penalty in the 120th mintue when  Luis Suarez with a handball to  clear the ball like playing a volley ball.....  Suarez sent off....   and MAMMA MIAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA   He missed itttttttttt and Muslera kissing the  cross bar........    a dramatic end when   Asamoah Gyan  delivering a right footed shot hitting the cross bar........  the reaction from Muslera thanking his luck.. and this is it we are for the penalties........

PENALTIES SHOOT OUT

Uruguay coach embracing goalkeeper Fernando Muslera like telling him "I trust you, don't fail me now" 
Uruguay players gathering together for a group motivation.... pep talk...

Uruguay shoots first

121' Uruguay  1 - 0 Ghana  ... Diego Forlan taking the first penalty looking concentrated  ready and a right footed shot to the bottom right corner and Kingson   going to the other side.

 121' Uruguay 1 - 1 Ghana ... Asamoah Gyan valiantly takes the first penalty for Ghana and converts with a right footed shot on the right..

 122'  Uruguay 2 - 1 Ghana ... Mauricio Victorino converting with a right footed shot.

 122' Uruguay 2 - 2 Ghana ... Stephen Appiah converts and Muslera dives to the right direction but  not able to stop.

 123' Uruguay 3 - 2 Ghana  ... Andres Scotti now delivering  a right footed shot to the center and kissing his jersey  to celebrate

 XX 123' Uruguay 3 - 2 Ghana ...  John Mensah  failed! STOPPPPEDDDDDD  Muslera Savessssssss    with his right hand.....

 125' Uruguay 3 - 2 Ghana... Maxi Pereira  just blew it his right footed  shoot  over the bar!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Way too high!!!


XX  126' Uruguay 3 - 2 Ghana ... Dominic Adiyiah with a right footed shot in the bottom right corner OH MY GOSH hold me guys... .  Muslera saves with his left hand diving to the right direction

 127' Uruguay 4 - 2 Ghana... now it is up to Sebastian LOCO Abreu....  if he scores Uruguay win...  come on...  AND HE DID IT with a left footed shot towards the centerrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr   Yeah he did itttttttt

GOOOOALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL
GOOOALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL
GOOOOALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL EL LOCO ABREUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU  converted the penaltyyyyyy
and URUGUAY making historyyyyyyyyyyy y going to the semifinalsssssssssssssssssssss   
 


Photo Reuters

Here are Uruguay players united sending positive energies to each of the player shooting the penalties...



Photo Getty Images

Uruguay goalkeeper Fernando Muslera saves the penalty from Ghana John Mensah in the 123rd minute.

Oh my gosh, this is cruelty...  watching our AC Milan player Adiyiah crying out of desperation while on the other side we see our  Lazio goalkeeper Muslera celebrating for Uruguay... oh my gosh....  guys, but what a spectacular  performance from Muslera....... saving two penalties...


Photo Ap

Here is the smacking moment when Ghana forward Dominic Adiyiah failed to convert his penalty in the shootout out after Uruguay and Lazio goalkeeper Fernando Muslera saves  with his left hand.



Click the video to watch the penalty shootouts of the 2010 World Cup Quarterfinals Uruguay vs Ghana Friday July 2, 2010.


 



Photo Reuters

Ghana fans  ready to root for the team with the logo "Ghana Our African Hope"



Photo Reuters

Soccer fans hold up scarves before the start of the 2010World Cup quarter-final soccer match between Ghana and Uruguay atSoccer City stadium in Johannesburg July 2, 2010.

Related stories

- List of Italy Serie A and Serie B players Called up for the 2010 World Cup South Africa by their Respective National Teams.

-  Click here for   World Cup Gift  Ideas, World Cup Hats, Italy Flag Eyeblacks, World Cup DVDs,World Cup Gear, World Cup 2010 Book, EA Sports 2010 FIFA World Cup Game-PS3,The History of the World Cup Audio book,Official WorldCup2010TradingCard Pack and more 

-  Result  MEXICO0 - 1 URUGUAY Goal by Luis Suarez, World Cup Group A with 4Italy Serie A Players in Uruguay National Soccer team

-  Result  SOUTH AFRICA 0 - 3 URUGUAY with 4 Italy Serie A players in Uruguay National Football team, Goals by Diego Forlan and Alvaro Pereira


    2010World Cup South Africa Quarter Final
  Match 58

   Uruguay  - Ghana  
 Friday, July 2, 2010
 Soccer City  Stadium
 Johannesburg, South Africa
 20:30
  11:30 a.m. USA Pacific time

Referee: Olegario Benquerenca (POR)
 
Attendance: 84107

Scorers: 

OFFICIAL FORMATIONS

URUGUAY (4-2-3-1): 1-Fernando Muslera; 2-Diego Lugano, 6-Mauricio Victorino, 4-Jorge Fucile, 16-Maximiliano Pereira, 15-Diego Perez, 17-Egidio Arevalo, 7-Edinson Cavani, 20-Alvaro Fernandez, 9-Luis Suarez, 10-Diego Forlan.

GHANA (4-2-3-1): 22-Richard Kingson; 4-John Pantsil, 5-John Mensah, 15-Isaac Vorsah, 2-Hans Sarpei; 6-Anthony Annan, 23-Kevin-Prince Boateng, 7-Samuel Inkoom, 11-Sulley Muntari; 21-Kwadwo Asamoah, 3-Asamoah Gyan Match Statistics

2010World Cup South Africa Quarter Final   Match 58    Uruguay  - Ghana    Friday, July 2, 2010  Soccer City  Stadium  Johannesburg, South Africa  20:30   11:30 a.m. USA Pacific time Referee: Olegario Benquerenca (POR)
Uruguay (URU)	Match Statistics	Ghana (GHA)
14	Shots	26
7	Shots on goal	10
1	Goals Scored	1
23	Fouls Committed	23
20	Fouls Suffered	22
12	Corner kicks	8
9	Free kicks Shots (scored)	10
0 / 0	Penalty Kicks (Goals/Shots)	0 / 1
6	Offsides	1
0	Own goals	0
3	Yellow cards	3
0	Second yellow card and red card	0
1	Red Cards	0
42	Actual playing time	46
48%	Possession (%)	52%

Buy your Soccer Gift ideas, EPL,English Premier League Gear, La Liga Gear,MLS Gear - Major League Soccer Gear, Champions League Gear,Italy Serie A gear,  Shop by your Favorite teams gear. Shop by your favorite players.


 

World Soccer Gift Certificates for Soccer fans.  Perfect soccer gift ideas for men,women and children passionate about soccer. Champions League Gear,Italy gear, World Cup Gear and more

What do you think of the results? Which players surprised you or disappointed you and  why?



ShareThis

blog comments powered by Disqus