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)
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