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 Washington saids it will not spark a diplomatic row between them and Moscow after CIA busted 11 Russian spies. Moscow has responded to the arrest blasting the USA. What do you make of the US-Russian relation? Is there a developing cold war? Will President Obama rethink his new relations with Dmitry Medvedev? Lets discuss these issues passionately as they affect us indirectly.

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GHANA TO APPEAL AYEW SUSPENSION

Ghana will appeal against the decision to show influential midfielder Andre Ayew the yellow card during Saturday’s 2-1 win over the United States at the World Cup, Ghanasoccernet can exclusively reveal.

The booking, which is Ayew’s second of the tournament, will rule him out of the quarter final clash with Uruguay on Friday.

The youngster was booked by referee Viktor Kassai of Hungary for a tackle on American striker Jose Altidore but television replays showed that he did not clip the player from behind.

But Ghana Football Association (GFA) boss Kwesi Nyantakyi says they want Fifa to rescind the decision because the referee got it wrong.

“We are going to Johannesburg where Fifa has its tournament headquarters to appeal the decision to show Ayew the yellow card,” Nyantakyi told Ghanasoccernet.com exclusively.

“We have noted that the decision taken by the referee was a hasty and unfair one and this will be the basis for our appeal.
“With the evidence we have from television replays we are confident that we will be successful with the appeal.”

Ayew’s absence will be a massive blow for the Black Stars as he is one of the key players for the team in the tournament in South Africa.

The son of legend Abedi Pele says he is delighted that the Ghana Football Association have decided to take up the booking with Fifa.

“I am happy that the Ghana FA chiefs want to pursue the booking with Fifa because it is the right thing to do,” Ayew told Ghanasoccernet exclusively.

“As you can see I didn’t injure the player or go with an intention to injure him so I will be very happy if Fifa looks into it.

“I will be very happy if I am available to help my country Ghana and Africa progress because the quarter final is a crucial stage of the World Cup.”

Ayew incurred the one-match suspension as a result of a stoppage time yellow card, shown after his feet entangled Jozy Altidore, sending the US forward to ground as he moved up-the-field with the ball.

Ghana will definitely miss defender Jonathan Mensah for the game against Uruguay as he was also given his booking of the tournament during the game against the United States.The Ghana FA will not appeal that decision.

The Black Stars have joined Cameroon and Senegal at the only African countries to have reached the quarter finals of the World Cup.

Source: Ghanasoccernet.com

GIGYANTIC STRIKE PUTS GHANA IN QUARTER-FINALS

An extra-time strike from Asamoah Gyan secured a quarter-final berth for the Black Stars of Ghana against the Yankees of the USA.

Ghana opened the scoring through Kevin-Prince Boateng on the fifth minute and Landon Donovan slashed away the deficit through a spot kick.

Asamoah Gyan snatched the winner for the Ghanaians just after three minutes of regulation time.

The Black Stars started on a brighter note and dominated play right from the start of play. Kevin-Prince Boateng scored just after five minutes.

Kevin-Prince Boateng lashed onto an Asamoah Gyan pass, run out at four defenders before unleashing a powerful right foot low drive to beat Tim Howard in the USA goal.

The Ghanaians looked comfortable in the driving seat and outplayed the Yankees. Their midfield brought out the best of the USA defence men. Tim Howard pulled a superb save to denied Kwadwo Asamoah the doubler.

Kwadwo Asamoah again skied a glaring opportunity to put Ghana two nil up. The remainder of the first half was uneventful and the Hungarian match official brought proceedings to a close.

The Yankees took control of the second department and brought the game to their Ghanaian counterparts. Their midfield begun to click into gear putting more men forward. Jozy Altidore and Maurice Edu put John Mensah and Jonathan Mensah under pressure.

Donovan stormed forward freely, cheekily beating John Mensah before supplying the ball to Clint Dempsey who was hacked down by an uncertain Jonathan Mensah. Referee Kassai pointed to the spot, yellow carded Jonathan Mensah to put him out of the Stars' next game.

Landon Donovan, the man, stepped up to convert beautifully. He side-footed the ball to the extreme right sending a superb Kingson the wrong way.

After the equaliser, the game became an open for all affair with the USA unleashing more men into attack but the Ghanaians were able to contain the attack from  the Yankees. Matters worsened for the West Africans when Kevin-Prince Boateng, the engine for the team, was subbed after picking a knock.

Substantive captain Stephen Appiah was brought on by Milovan Rajevac to hold the midfield together. Hans Adu-Sarpei was also replaced by Lee Addy. This obviously injected more strength into the team as they came back strongly into the game.

Both teams proved little to show urgency in attack as the game headed for extra time.

Ghana powered themselves into the game and did not waste too many chances. Asamoah Gyan scrolled between two defenders to control an Andre Ayew's  45-yard pass with his chest, before unleashing a powerful half volley to beat an already committed on rushing Tim Howard. 2-1, Ghana up. A repeat of the what happened in 2006.

Andre Ayew, produced some wizardry down the flanks to kill the mocking birds off.

But the end, it was President Mills of Ghana who smiled deep into the night. Former President Bill Clint will join his men back home to Washington.

Andre Ayew won man of the match award.

United States: Tim Howard, Steve Cherundolo, Carlos Bocanegra, Jay DeMerit, Jonathan Bornstein, Landon Donovan, Michael Bradley, Ricardo Clark (Maurice Edu, 31), Clint Dempsey, Jozy Altidore (Herculez Gomez, 90), Robbie Findley (Benny Feilhaber, 46).

Ghana: Richard Kingson, Hans Sarpei (Lee Addy, 73), Asamoah Gyan, John Pantsil, John Mensah, Anthony Annan, Samuel Inkoom (Sulley Muntari, 113), Jonathan Mensah, Dede Ayew, Kwadwo Asamoah, Kevin-Prince Boateng (Stephen Appiah, 78).

Akyereko Frimpong Emmanuel (standardcommunications.blogspot.com)

EXTRA TIME ACTION GHANA 2-1 USA

ASAMOAH GYAN THE SCORER

KEVIN-PRINCE BOATENG'S GOAL PUT GHANA AHEAD

Kevin-Prince Boateng fired from long rang just after five minutes to put Ghana in the lead on the fifth minute. The Black Stars clicked into gear after the Hungarian match official signalled proceedings to begin. Ghana wasted no time in putting their noses in front. It was Kevin-Prince Boateng who took on four American defenders, out-run them and fired a fierce drive to beat Tim Howard.

Ghana took control of the game and searched for more goals after the goal but the USA defence were resilient and solid. Kwadwo Asamoah had a glorious opportunity to double Ghana's lead but skied his 16-yard effort.

Ghana's free flowing football is at its best and it is expected to continue in same fashion in the second half of the game.

Standardcommunications.blogspot.com will keep you posted on all the latest from the game. First half, Ghana 1-0 USA.

Akyereko Frimpong Emmanuel (standardcommunications.blogspot.com) 

BREAKING NEWS- INKOOM HANDED DEBUT WORLD CUP START

Ghana coach Milovan Rajevac has handed young defender Samuel Inkoom his first World Cup start when the Black Stars when they take on the United States on Saturday night.

The Swiss-based right back has been muscled out of the position because of the presence of experienced John Paintsil.

But with Prince Tagoe unimpressive in the right wing position, Inkoom has been brought in to take over the place.

Apart from that change, the Black Stars team will remain the same as the starting line-up that started against Germany in their last Group D game.

This means Inkoom will be alternating the position with Paintsil but he is expected to provide the crosses for the strikers in the game.

Ghana will qualify for the quarter finals of the World Cup if they manage to beat the United States on Saturday.
This means they will equal the African World Cup record set by Cameroon and Senegal who played in the quarter finals.

Line-up: Richard Kingson, John Paintsil, Hans Adu Sarpei, Jonathan Mensah, John Mensah, Anthony Annan, Samuel Inkoom, Kevin-Prince Boateng, Asamoah Gyan, Kwadwo Asamoah, Andre Ayew

Source: Ghanasoccernet.com

SPECULATIVE LINE-UP STARTS LEE AHEAD OF JONATHAN

Line-up released by livescore.com a renowned live scores provider, says Bechem Chelsea defender Lee Addy has been handed a start for the round of 16 clash with the Yankees of USA ahead of the much impressive Jonathan Mensah.

Addy received some chastisement after his sloppy show against Australia in the Stars' second game against Australia. Jonathan Mensah, a defender for Granada FC in Spain impressed against Australia and was even more delightful to watch against the Germans on Saturday.

Also gaining a starting role is AC Milan's young striker Dominic Adiyiah to replace Kwadwo Asamoah. However, the much criticised Prince Tagoe maintains his position despite scalding attacks from the Ghanaian fans and media and will be playing from the right of midfield.

A cry for a two top system yielded nothingness as the Serb gaffer still maintains his favourite 4-2-3-1 diamond formation, playing Asamoah Gyan as the lone ranger.

Ghana would seek to nick a repeat of what happened in Nuremberg virtually four years ago. Ghana have six of the players that sandwiched that win in the current squad in South Africa but only three are likely to start.

FIFA have confirmed Hungarian center referee Viktor Kassai to handle the game.

Line-up: Kingson, Pantsil, Adu-Sarpei, Addy, Mensah, Annan, Prince,Tagoe, Ayew, Adiyiah, Gyan

Akyereko Frimpong Emmanuel (standardcommunications.blogspot.com) 

GHANA VS USA - SATURDAY

LIVE ON standardcommunications.blogspot.com.
Catch all the latest team news, game build-up and team line-ups in the Black Stars second round dicey duel with the USA.

Akyereko Frimpong Emmanuel (standardcommunications.blogspot.com) 

MENSAH RETURNS BUT VORSAH OUT

 

Milovan Rajevac has named defender John Mensah in his starting line-up to face Germany in tomorrow's Group D's final clash but Isaac Vorsah could not win the fitness test.

The pair missed the tie against the Socceroos of Australia on Saturday but returned to training on Sunday and John Mensah has been named in Ghana's first eleven in a dicey encounter with the Germans.

Vorsah who was hoping to recover before the clash has been ruled out and will not available for selection according to the team doctors. Youngster Jonathan Mensah who impressed in the Aussies' game is stepping in for the Vorsah.

The Black Stars looked shaky in defence against the Aussies but with the two returning, this will definitely put some sense of urgency into the defence of the Black Stars.

Ghana are just a point away from a causing one of the major upsets in the history of the world cup should they nick a draw and Serbia manage a win against Australia. This will mean the Germans face first round elimination.

But Ghana needs to very careful as the Germans are fully aware of the dangers of a loose or a draw.

Milovan Rajevac, the Ghana coach has named a squad that is no different from the one that defeated his homeland; Serbia in the opening game Group. Fulham's John Pantsil who was rushed to hospital on Saturday has been cleared to start the game for the Black Stars. Sulley Muntari and Stephen Appiah will start from the bench. 

Milovan Rajevac will maintained his much criticised 4-2-3-1 diamond formation playing playmaking trequartista Andre Ayew at the left side of midfield while under siege Hoffenheim striker Prince Tagoe plays an unconventional role from the right side of midfield.

Marksman Asamoah Gyan will seek to increase his tally in the tournament against the Germans as he plays a lone striking role.

Kevin-Prince Boateng the virtual talk of this game. The Portsmouth attacking midfielder gave a cynical tackle to German captain Michael Ballack in the FA Cup final and that ruled him out of the tournament. Kevin Boateng, a former national U-21 player for the Germans has become a public enemy number in Germany after the tackle and has speculatively fallen out with his half-brother Jerome Boateng who is a member of the German team for this tournament but will not be starting tomorrow's game.

Ghana will need at least a point at the Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg to stay in the tournament but a loose could prove disastrous for the Black Stars. The Germans are in a must win situation and will go all out for a win after Joachim Leöw watched the entire game between Ghana and Australia on Saturday to map a tactical strategy for the Ghanaians.

Line-up: Richard Kingson, John Pantsil, John Mensah, Jonathan Mensah, Hans Sarpei, Anthony Annan, Kevin-Prince Boateng, André Ayew, Prince Tagoe, Kwadwo Asamoah, Asamoah Gyan.


                                               GAME PLAN

                                               Richard Kingson  

                         J. Pantsil                                     H. Adu-Sarpei

                                        J. Mensah       J.Mensah

                                                  A. Annan

                            P. Tagoe       K-P. Boateng     A. Ayew

                                               K. Asamoah

                                                   A. Gyan
                               Standardcommunications.blogspot.com

AYEW SHAMES CRITICS

 The world Cup has always been the stage for the big names to flex muscles and show what they are made up of.

So it was supposed to be an arena for Sulley Muntari to justify the reason why he helped Inter Milan to that historic treble or Stephen Appiah to show the world the kind of experience he has acquired in the past years.

Well that has not proven to be so in this year's world cup. Cristiano Ronaldo is still struggling to impress after a poor showing in their group opener. Only Lionel Messi has so far done something little to prove his worth.
 
For Ghana, Sulley Muntari has been allowed a place on the bench while Stephen Appiah has done very little to convince Milovan Rajevac of a starting role.

Meaning there are always ways for new talents to emerge. One of such is Andre Ayew- the song of Ghana's soccer legend.

Andre Ayew put in a sterling show again for the Black Stars as they came from a goal down to nick a one-all draw with the socceroos of Australia.

The Arles man gained selection ahead of Inter Milan's Sulley Muntari in the first game and played impressively  to maintain his place in the Ghana starting line up for the game against Australia.

Just as many thought Kwadwo Asamoah was going to be Ghana's man for the tournament, Andre favourately referred to as 'Dede' just burst into the limelight and has become the main man for Ghana.

His pace, skill, resilience, relentlessness, tackle and teamwork has delighted the technical team and Ghanaians. He has become the toast for the travelling fans and Ghanaians back home.

For Ghana, the progress of the team to the next stage of the competition depends very much on Andre Ayew and his ability to torment the Germans on Wednesday.

FULL TIME SCORES- GHANA 1-1 AUSTRALIA MATCH REPORT

Asamoah Gyan converted from the spot after Harry Kewell used his hand to deny Jonathan Mensah the leveler.

Brett Holman opened the score on the eleventh minute from a rebound after Richard Kingson failed to make a first time catch from a Mark Bresciano free kick.

The Black Stars clicked into gear after a poor start with fluid attacking football. Kevin-Prince Boateng and Anthony Annan combined well in midfield to help the Stars take control of the game after conceding an early goal.

Asamoah Gyan had most of efforts denied by the Aussies' Fulham goalie Mark Schwarzer. Kwadwo Asamoah fired wide from thirty yards. And Kevin-Prince Boateng also saw his 25-yard effort closely parried away by Schwarzer.

Hans Adu-Sarpei brought down Mark Bresciano in the Ghanaian half just after ten minutes. Bresciano sent in a lofty one with Kingson failing to make a first time save. Brett Holman emerged unmarked to put the ball at the right corner of the net to put the socceroos ahead.

Ghana picked up the pieces and worked more effectively in midfield. Andre combining well with Kevin-Prince Boateng.

The Ghanaians had an answer for their questions when Andre Ayew drilled his way through the Aussies defence.

The 19-year-old dribbled four defenders before sending a through pass for Jonathan Mensah to unleash a thunderbolt. But former Liverpool playmaker Harry Kewell blocked the ball with his hand and the Italian referee sent him for an early shower.
 
Gyan stepped up and sent Schwarzer the wrong way to defray the deficit.


With the socceroos down by a man, Pim Verbeek reshuffled his tactics and changed the formation. Milovan Rajevac edged his men on for the killer but the stubborn Aussies defence could not give in as they defended spiritedly.

Gyan had most of his efforts denied.

This results however live the group open with Ghana topping with four points. Joachim Leow will be very much delighted as he watched the game from the stands. He now knows the how to down the Black Stars to stay in the tournament.

Asamoah Gyan was voted the man of the match.

LIVE FROM ROSENTBURG GHANA 1-1 AUTRALIA- HALF TIME

Asamoah Gyan converts a spot kick after Harry Kewell used his hand to deny Jonathan Mensah the Opener. Brett Holman opened the score from a rebound after Richard Kingson failed to make a first time catch from a Mark Bresciano free kick. However a resilient and relentless Andre Ayew took on four defenders before sending a through pass for Jonathan Mensah to unleash a bullet. But Harry Kewell used his hand to block the ball and was shown a straight red card. Asamoah Gyan stepped up to convert for his second goal of the tournament and to draw Ghana on level terms. 1-1 first half scoreline.

standardcommunications.blogspot.com will keep you posted with all the latest from the game. Good luck Ghana, Good luck Black Stars.

BREAKING NEWS- MENSAH REPLACES MENSAH, LEE GETS A START

Milovan Rajevac has named the seventh youngest player in the South Africa 2010 World cup to replace injured John Mensah for the clashed with the socceroos of Australia this afternoon.

Jonathan Mensah who plays for FC Granada in Spain replaces Sunderland center-half John Mensah who is suffering from a recurrent back problem. 

  John Mensah and Isaac Vorsah who gelled in Ghana's opening triumph over Serbia both took injuries in training and will not be available for this afternoon's showdown.

However, the Serb gaffer has maintained all other players that started the first game with Sulley Muntari and substantive captain Stephen Appiah failing to nick a starting role.

The Black Stars are determined to down a team they have never won a game against. Milovan has maintained a formation he stuck to in the first game adhering to a one top formation. Richard Kingson will lead the team into the game. John Pantsil and Hans Adu-Sarpei will be at lateral defence. German-born Kevin-Prince Boateng will partner Anthony Annan in deep midfield role while Kwadwo Asamoah plays behind Asamoah Gyan-the team's marksman. Prince Tagoe will be playing from the right and Andre Ayew from the left to support the attack.

 Line up: Richard Kingson, John Pantsil, Hans Adu Sarpei, Jonathan Mensah, Lee Addy, Anthony Annan, Prince Tagoe, Kevin-Prince Boateng, Asamoah Gyan, Kwadwo Asamoah, Andre Ayew

                             FORMATION- 4-2-3-1 Diamond Formation
                                                 Kingson (C)

                            J. Pantsil                                 H. Adu-Sarpei

                                        L. Addy              J.Mensah

                                   A. Annan               K-P. Boateng

                                                  K. Asamoah

                                 P. Tagoe                             A. Ayew

                                                        A. Gyan

                                                             

PICTURES OF BLACK STARS PLAYERS

GHANA VS AUSTRALIA

Catch all of Black Stars game here. We report with energy, bring you all the actions with passion and piece together in-dept analysis to aid your understanding of the game. Standardcommunications.blogspot.com.
your one stop blog........

WATCH THE HIGHLIGHS OF ALL OF GHANA'S GAMES HERE

   JUST COPY AND PASTE THE BOOKMARK ADDRESS ONTO YOUR BROWSER
                http://rd3.videos.sapo.pt/7nHvWz5LgCl0UZautQzb                   
        GHANA VS SERBIA

THE FLAIR OF PASSION-TWO BROTHERS GO HEAD TO HEAD

Heart and soul design....................... only on standardcommunications.blogspot.com, the body language, the flair, the passion............

Ghana Face Uphill Task Without Essien

Michael Essien has been at the heart of the Ghana national team since he first joined the youth program in 1999 but the Black Stars will have to find a way to win without the influential midfielder when the World Cup kicks off in South Africa.

By Akyereko-Frimpong Manson

Michael Essien has been at the heart of the Ghana national team since he first joined the youth program in 1999.  The midfielder helped the Black Stars to the bronze medal at the 1999 FIFA U-17 Championship in New Zealand were runners up to Argentina at the 2001 FIFA World Youth Championship.

At the African nation’s first World Cup appearance in 2006, Essien was influential in the center of the field along with team captain Stephen Appiah helping the team advance along with Italy to the second round.

But Essien was suspended for the Round of 16 match against Brazil and Ghana was quickly dismantled by the Samba Kings 3-0.  And while 4-years have past since that loss, Essien has been critical for Ghana and the questions still remain on whether it will be possible to replace him.

Essien, an influential player for the West African giants was ruled out of the tournament when both doctors from his national team and Chelsea confirmed that he would not be able to recover before July.

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“It’s a big blow, not only to the team but to the country,” coach Milovan Rajevac said last week. “He is an instrumental player, he is important to this team. Michael is a winner, he is a big asset and we are all sad about the fact that we will go to South Africa without him."

This indeed spells a big blow for the West African who have some core members of their squad struggling to recover from various degrees of injury; Sunderland’s Olympique Lyon loanee John Mensah is suffering from a recurrent back problems while Udinese combative youngster Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu also lost the battle against a knee injury he suffered in Le Zebrette’s penultimate match in the Serie A.

Although the Black Stars reached the grand finale in Angola in January without Essien, the challenge is much more difficult at the World Cup leading to many headaches for Milovan Rajevac without Essien.

This indeed has dealt a big blow to Milovan Rajevac who has explained that he will have to change his whole tactical formation for the tournament. With a player like Essien missing from his team, there has been a big hole in the entire team and he needs to change his tactics and assign unconventional roles to Getafe’s Derek Owusu-Boateng and Anthony Annan.

The game against the Netherlands left the Serb gaffer with more questions than answer. It is now clear that Essien’s absence in the Ghana’s squad is going to have a telling effect on the performance of the Black Stars. Derek Boateng in the game was disappointing. The former Beitar Jerusalem playmaker who joined Getafe at the beginning of last season from German side FC Koln won the club’s fans player of the season playing in a deep midfield role and from his days with the U-20 team that won silver in the world Youth Championship in Argentina in 2001, he has always been played as an orthodox attacking midfielder. He was to compensate for Essien’s role in midfield but failed to deliver. This has added to the headache of Milovan as he has to find another player to do the damage in midfield in South Africa. Even against Latvia in the second half, Derek’s performance was unsatisfactory for most of Ghana’s soccer fans. According to Milovan, Kevin-Prince Boateng still needed time to adapt to his tactics and the Ghanaian style of play. And this was quiet evident in the 67 minutes he lasted on the pitch against Latvia. Kevin did averagely well but most definitely below the expectation of Milovan Rajevac.

The unconventional 4-2-3-1diamond formation has received huge criticisms from sports analysts and soccer fans in the country. They find it difficult to understand the tactics; declaring it as unwelcoming.

Anthony Annan, Andre Ayew, Kwadwo Asamoah and Samuel Inkoom proved that they can play more aggressively to aid Milovan’s course. But certainly he needs a player of Essien’s caliber to beef up his midfield. Essien can play in all various positions in midfield and even sometimes in defence. Jose Mourinho in his days at Chelsea switched the former Lyon man round; even sometimes playing lateral defence. His speed, creativity, tactical discipline, team work, and even in difficult moments, his ability to carry the game on his shoulders is a great miss to the Ghanaians.

Essien is among the top five midfielders on the planet if not the best in his position and would be a threat to any opposition on any day. The Serbs, the Germans, and the Australians can now breathe a sigh of relief now that Mr. Essien is out of the world. But certainly, there is not point trying to underestimate the potentials of the West African giants.
Source: Soccer365.com