US seek revenge as Ghana fly the flag for Africa

RUSTENBURG - The United States are out to avenge a defeat to Ghana at the 2006 World Cup and reach the quarter-finals in their last-16 match Saturday.

Ghana, meanwhile, carry the hopes of Africa on their shoulders in the match which will set up a meeting between either Uruguay or South Korea for a place in the last four.

Ghana, led by Serb coach Milovan Rajevac, beat the US in the final group stage match in 2006 to send the Americans home, before then going out 0-3 to Brazil in the Round of 16.

“Now we’re playing for all Africa,” said midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng.

“Ghana is the standard-bearer for the whole continent. The African fans will be behind us as we do everything we can to reach the quarter-finals.”

Defender John Paintsil, who will be facing his Fulham team-mate Clint Dempsey, said: “We are happy that things have gone our way. We know that if we beat the US, we will face Uruguay or South Korea in the quarter-finals and those are matches we could win.”

Ghana lost their final Group D match 0-1 to Germany after beating Serbia 1-0 in the opener and drawing 1-1 with Australia.

Some concern for the Ghanaians will be the fact that both their goals have come from penalties, scored by Asamoah Gyan, and that they have not converted the chances they have created.

“It’s a fact that we haven’t scored from open play, but it does not mean that we can’t play,” midfielder Sulley Muntari said. “We will continue to work hard on it.”

US coach Bob Bradley said his coaching and technical staff had prepared well for the eventuality of meeting Ghana, describing them as a “talented team, athletic team, mobile.”

He added: “We know some of their guys pretty well, we’ve watched them a lot and we expect a really good game.”

Striker Jozy Altidore said: “It’s a good chance for us because it’s a rematch. A lot of the guys were on that team in 2006 that got knocked out by them. They all understand what the game means and how important it is to all of us.”

Landon Donovan, whose last-gasp goal in the 1-0 win over Algeria, set up the encounter, has been impressed with Ghana after initially thinking the Black Stars would struggle without the injured Michael Essien.

“They’re going to be a very difficult team to play with. Clearly their athleticism will be difficult to deal with,” he said.

However, goalkeeper Tim Howard believes a knock-out game suits the US and he is confident the team can get the better of Ghana.

“They’re physical, they’re strong, they’re fast, they can create special moments one-on-one. As individuals, I think that plays to us a little bit because I think we’re strong and we’re fast and we like to go head-to-head,” he said.

“I think, collectively, if we do the same things we’ve been talking about, defending well as a unit, staying compact, I think the game will open up for us.”