The Black Stars victory over Korea Republic yesterday sustained Ghana’s record of never losing a second group tie in their four appearances at the FIFA World Cup.
After losing their first game to Portugal courtesy a controversial penalty created and connected by their talisman, Cristiano Ronaldo, many hoped for a better results for the Stars as a loss in the second game would have seen Ghana exit the tournament.
But after a first half Mohammed Salisu-Kudus strike were leveled by Cho Gue-sung few minutes into the second half, Mohammed Kudus’s second and a third for Ghana kept the hopes of the Black Stars, maintaining their record of never losing a second group game at the FIFA World Cup.
Ghana made her first appearance at the World Cup in 2006 in Germany drawing against Czech Republic, Italy and the USA in the same group. After losing their first ever Mondial match to Italy by two goals to nothing, the Black Stars triumphed over the Czech Republic and United States, playing second in their group and got eliminated by Brazil in the round of 16.
In South Africa 2010 which was Ghana’s second World Cup, they were placed in same group with Germany, Serbia and Australia.
After a goal to nothing victory over Serbia in their opener, they levelled with Australia with a goal apiece before losing by a lone goal to Germany to proceed to the round of 16 by placing second in the group. They defeated the USA again and went to the quarter finals before being sent home by Uruguay through penalties, after a direct header from Dominic Adiyiah was blocked by Luiz Suarez with his hand. Asamoah Gyan failed to convert that penalty.
The Ghana Black Stars attended their third consecutive World Cup in Brazil in 2014 which so far is their worst tournament as far as the Mondial is concerned.
Meeting the USA for the third consecutive time at the World Cup, they defeated the Black Stars by 2 goals to 1. They drew with Germany by 2:2 before a Fatau Dauda gifted goal to Cristiano Ronaldo gave the Portuguese a 2:1 urge over Ghana to eliminate them from the competition.
Ghana, has therefore never lost a second group encounter in their four-time appearance at the most valuable football competition on the planet.
The Black Stars play their final group game against Uruguay Friday to determine either their continuous or exit fate in the tourney.
By Felix Anim-Appau|Onuaonline.com
