Ghana See Off USA

Ghana continued their good form at the World Cup as they saw off a strong challenge from USA as they grabbed a last gap goal to reach the quarter finals.

Ghana are the only African side left in what has been a disappointing World Cup for the continent but they continued to way their flag high after a close battle with the USA, who topped group C.

and Ghana showed that meant business as they found the back of the net after just five minutes after a very lively opening few minutes from both sides.

It was a fine goal from Kevin-Prince Boateng and he nabbed the ball of a half asleep Clark on the half way line and made a run for goal.

As Jay DeMerit backed off instead of challenging Boateng struck a low ball from eighteen yards out, beating keeper Tim Howard to take a 1-0 lead, much to the delight of the crowd.

But it was a poor half from America as the side looked under par and lacked the pace that we had seen from them during the group stages.

Clark made a series of errors during the opening half an hour and he was substituted after just thirty minutes on the pitch and was replaced by Edu.

Edu's introduction to the side gave the USA a much needed burst of pace as, after thirty five minutes, they had their first genuine chance on goal.

Robbie Findley was played in by Clint Dempsey and his strike forced Ghanaian keeper Kingston to save with his feet. But when the half time whistle came Ghana still had the upper edge.

Findley was brought off at half time and was replaced by Feilhaber and the USA came out after the break with a little more urgency and purpose as Feilhaber was involved in the first chance of the half as he forced a save from Kingston.

Langdon Donovan was more in the game in the second half and Ghana were being pushed further and further back as the USA began to push forward.

But they had to wait until the sixty second minute before they finally drew level when Demsey was brought down in the box and the referee pointed to the spot.

Up stepped Langdon Donovan and he once again found the back of the net and the USA were back in the match. The goal was just what they needed to get their juices flowing as they continued to keep possession and push forward and Ghana looked like they were running out of steam.

With Boateng taken off the pitch due to injury the momentum swung in favour of the Americans but it looked like we were going to get our first extra time of the World Cup as they were still locked together at 1-1 at the match entered injury time.

But in the dying minutes of injury time Ghana struck for the second time to break the hearts of the Americans as Gyan beat keeper Howard for a last gasp winner.

Ghana will now face Uruguay in the quarter finals.

FemaleFirst Helen Earnshaw