In a very entertaining match of attacks and counter attacks Ghana and Germany shared points and shared four goals. All the goals being scored in the second half. Miroslav Klose equaled Ronaldo Record of highest number of goals in the world cup. There was very little to choose between the sides as ball kept moving from side to side with neither team looked dominating each other . A score sheet of 2-2 is possibly the justice done to both teams as neither deserved to loose .Germany is more or less sure to advance now and Ghana’s chances cannot be completely ruled out. If Ghana can keep up the momentum they can beat a depleted Portugal in the last match. One the other hand USA may also cause a problem or two for Germany. Ghana could be in a far better had it not been an injury time heart break against USA in the dying minutes of the first match.
Going into game two Germany perhaps a little bit less aggressive having already won against Portugal by a huge margin of 4-0. Only a draw could have served their purpose .While it was do or die for Ghana losing the first match to USA 1-2 .The US goals were scored within the first and the last minutes of the match. The teams started very cautiously as such .There were few attacks and counter attacks though Germany had more share of ball possession. Germany realized well though they could be punished by the fast moving Ghaneans in counter attacks if they throw more players up in the attack. Germans were also aware that in few times in the past Germany could not follow up a brilliant first match with a consistent second one. There was not only a Christiano Ronaldo to bottle as Ghaneans have a few even if not of CR7 class. However, Germans techniques of speeding up the attack as they penetrate deep was something which Argentina lacked earlier on the day in their match against Iran.
In the first half of the game neither side had a clear opportunity with both teams making a few long distance drives at the rival goals. Germany threatened a few times with silky smooth coordinated attacks of Khedira, Muller, and Lahm but Ghana defence and goalkeeper were equal to the task. On the other hand Asamoah, Boateng and Ayew made some combined attacks deep into German territory and fired few hot drives testing the German keeper. The tussles for possession of Boateng half-brothers – Jerome appearing for Germany and Kevin Prince for Ghana were another talking point of the match. The first 45 minutes was definitely not one way traffic. Germans were definitely stressed as Ghaneans also attacked with ferocity. Ghana could avoid the pitfall of the first game of absorbing early goal even before teams could settle. Hot humid condition and a bit uneven surface of the ground also caused some difficulties. Ghana defended well and always outnumbered Germans in own defence to cut out German attacks before these could threaten the last line of Ghana Defence.
1. Second half also started in the same fashion with teams making cautious moves ensuring tight defence as prime priority. However much against the pattern of play Germany scored through an innocuous looking move through Mario Gotze in the sixth minute of the second half 1-0 . The match became absolutely riveting as soon as the first goal was scored. Ghana responded strongly moving into a sweet well-knit attack and a brilliant header from Andre Ayew within three minutes of the German Goal neutralized the German lead 1-1. Ghana kept pressure mounting on Germany and Asamoah Gyan dodged past German defender to put Ghana on the lead 2-1 in the 63 rd minute. Ghana’s blistering pace kept German defence honest.Geraman possesses such a rich resource of quality forwards that it could bring in Klose and Schweinsteiger at this critical stage. This move immediately paid off as natural striker Miroslav Klose immediately made it 2-2 heading from a German Corner at 71 st minute of the match. With this goal Klose equaled Luis Nazario de Lima Ronaldo the Phenomenon of Brazil as the scorer of highest World Cup Goals.
2. Germany is more or less secured for a second round for its 4-0 win over Portugal. The four good goals in the second half made it a very spectacular match of World Cup 2014. Germany’s second match syndrome of World Cup a great first match and ordinary second continued. Ghana was equal to what Germany offered. But the final result was possibly the real culmination of a fascinating world cup match with honors even. Ghana is also with a chance of going through if they can manage to beat Portugal in the last match.
BDST: 0623 HRS, JUNE 22, 2014
