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FIFA World Cup 2010 match 7 - Group D Ghana: Kingson, Sarpei, Pantsil, Mensah, Vorsah, Annan, Ayew, Boateng (Addy 90), Gyan (Owusu-Abeyie 90), Tagoe, Asamoah (Appiah 73). Serbia: Stojkovic, Kolarov, Vidic, Ivanovic, Lukovic, Stankovic, Milijas (Kuzmanovic 62), Jovanovic (Subotic 76) Krasic, Pantelic, Zigic (Lazovic 69). I thought Serbia looked like a decent outside bet to do well at this tournament but they showed no conviction in themselves in allowing Ghana to dictate for long periods in this match and their negative approach eventually cost them dear. Serbia look to have one of the strongest defences at the World Cup but they appeared intent to rely on this completely against far more positive opponents. The first half found Ghana consistently attacking with pace and purpose but kept at bay by the rugged and well organised Serbian defence. The most worrying moment of the first half for Serbia came when the lanky striker Zigic was called upon to clear a fierce low cross shot by Gyan at full stretch. He completed the clearance successfully but not, perhaps, with total control. Half Time: Ghana 0 Serbia 0 The second half showed no alteration in the approach of the two teams. Serbia became ever more reliant on their back four while Ghana tried to get players forward from deep to help their strong running forwards. Gradually the weight of pressure began to find the Serbian defence beginning to creak. Ayew should have hit the target with a header from six yards following a fine cross by Tagoe and Gyan might have done better than to head against the outside of a post from Pantsil’s long throw. At the other end a rare break saw Pantelic put over a lovely cross which was horribly miscued six yards out by Zigic. This effort confirmed the impression that his first half defending might have been more luck than judgement. With fifteen minutes remaining Serbia’s negative approach caught up with them. Lukovic, who had begun in dominant fashion but had come under increasing pressure, wrestled Gyan needlessly following a routine punt downfield and was shown a second yellow card to leave his team down to ten men. Perversely Serbia now became much more positive in their approach and had a spell of real pressure. Lazovic nipped in front of a defender to keep the ball in play at the byeline and his cut back found Krasic whose strong shot brought a flying save out of Kingson. From the resulting corner Vidic sent a firm header narrowly over the bar. Then Ivanovic came storming forward for a shot that flashed narrowly past the angle. Serbia’s lack of discipline then settled the game in Ghana’s favour, however. Ayew got away down the left to send over a deep centre which suggested little danger but Kuzmanovic, for reasons only he will know, threw up a hand to deflect the ball away from Boateng. The referee pointed correctly to the spot and Gyan slotted home in cool fashion to give his side a vital victory. With Serbia now forlornly trying to press forward Ghana could have rubber stamped their victory but Tagoe shot just wide and Gyan was desperately unlucky to see his clever effort bounce clear from the inside of a post. Serbia, therefore, were left to ponder what might have been after a depressingly negative approach while Ghana could savour the taste of a deserved victory. Full Time: Ghana 1 Serbia 0 Ghana Ratings: Kingson 7, Sarpei 6, Pantsil 7, Mensah 6, Vorsah 6, Annan 6, Ayew 7, Boateng 7, Gyan 7, Tagoe 7, Asamoah 6 (Appiah 7). Serbia Ratings: Stojkovic 6, Kolarov 6, Vidic 7, Ivanovic 7, Lukovic 5, Stankovic 5, Milijas 5 (Kuzmanovic 2), Jovanovic 4 (Subotic 4) Krasic 5, Pantelic 6, Zigic 3 (Lazovic 6).
Referee: Hector Baldassi (Argentina) 6 Good: Ghana’s positive approach. Bad: Serbia’s negative approach. Ugly: Zdravko Kuzmanovic insisting that he had not handballed the cross that led to Ghana’s penalty. Yes you did, Zdravko. Just watch it on television.
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