Geoff Cameron produced a scintillating performance while goals from John Brooks and Clint Dempsey ensured USA won their unpredictable encounter with African representatives, Ghana in a Group G match on Monday.
With only 29 seconds into the game, ex-Fullham Demsey picked up a pass on the left from Jarmaine Jones, raced past several markers including his marker, John Boye as if they were slalom poles and drove a remarkable shot past a hapless Adam Kwarasey in goals for The Black Stars. This made its way into the FIFA World Cup records as the fifth fastest goal in a tournament. Ghana mounted a comeback attempt almost immediately and the Americans were not to let their lead slide away that easily.
After fifteen minutes of a continuous siege on the USA Gael, the Africans were almost rewarded when a defence splitting pass from Christian Atsu found Gyan but Howard, who was in goals for the American team came off his line and thwarted the African onslaught. Four minutes later the Americans were on the attack and they were almost rewarded when Sunderland marksman, Jozy Altidore fluffed his chance to double the lead. He received a brilliant pass on the right and, when it seemed easier to score than to miss, he crashed his effort onto an oncoming defender. He was to pull up with a hamstring injury a few minutes later. Ghana almost leveled the score just before the break when, from a corner, Atsu fed Andre Ayew, who missed literally from ten yards with a gaping goal at his mercy.
After the break, play swayed from one end to the other but in the fifty-sixth minute, a cross by Ghana from the left found Asemoah Gyan who watched in agony as his header ballooned over the USA goal. Eight minutes from the end, a lovely move on the left saw Gyan with the ball. A lovely back heel pass to team mate, Ayew and a master blaster shot past Howard later and the score was level. The euphoria was, however short lived as only four minutes later, John Brooks rose head and shoulders above his markers to nod home a cross from fellow compatriot Zusi and end the match at two goals to one in favour of the USA.
This match result means different things for the different coaches in this certain group of death. For Ghana, it means they will be going into their toughest assignment against German with their confidence at an all time low. While the USA will have the much needed confidence booster when they face shattered Portugal who have themselves just lost dismally to fellow Europeans, German. For both Ghana and Portugal, a loss in the next round will most certainly mean an early exit from the soccer showcase.
Results from other matches played on Monday night are as follows;
Group G: German 4 – 0 Portugal.
Group F: Nigeria 0 – 0 Iran.
