How sweeter can revenge be?
Ghana has avenged the thrashing at the hands of Uruguay in the World Cup on home soil twelve years ago in the sweetest way. After reaching the pinnacle of expectations by hallucinating and bewitching, a jump to Koka is made by the enemy. The death of a chaver who achieved his dream.
On July 3, 2010 in Johannesburg, few will remember when Luis Suarez blocked Ghana’s goal-scoring effort on the goal line in the final seconds of extra time. Red card and penalty hand of the devil! In the 120th minute, Suarez looked back on his way to the tunnel when Asamoah Gyan missed that penalty on the doorstep of the semi-finals, and there was a jubilant display. It was a death dance on the chest of African football. Asamoah Gyan redeemed himself by scoring the opening kick, but lost in a shootout and Ghana came back short of becoming the first team to reach the World Cup semi-finals. What hurt them more than the shootout defeat was Suarez’s misguided effort before the final whistle.
Things were a little more complicated today when the same teams met in the final match of Group H. If they get at least a draw, Ghana and if they win, Uruguay can go to the pre-quarters. The focus was on the Ghana-Uruguay match as Portugal were sure not to let South Korea win in the same match.
After scoring two goals in the first half once morest Ghana, Uruguay is making a strong claim to the pre-quarters. Beyond, Portugal score and Korea strike back. Going into the break, things were in Uruguay’s favor.
Uruguay is stepping up its attack for the next goal in the estimation that even if Korea overthrows the strong Portugal, they can advance on goal difference. But, forgetting the setbacks in the first half, Ghana is making the game and the road tough for them.
Luis Suarez, who set up a goal and injured Ghana today, leaves the field as Uruguay qualify for the prequarters in second place.
But who knows the fate of football? In another version of the coups that have become all too natural at the Qatar World Cup, the equation was thrown off course as Korea knocked out Portugal. A counter-attack in half-time by Huey Min Song and Hwang Hee Chan’s goal gave Uruguay something bigger than Portugal’s pride: heartbreak! Korea’s goal saw them level with Uruguay on points and goal difference; And ahead of them with the benefit of a higher scoring tally!
After the Portugal-Korea match, there was more than five minutes left on the field where Uruguay and Ghana were playing. Uruguay needed one more goal to progress. But the price Ghana paid for those minutes was pride. With Luis Suarez worried in the dugout following making the forbidden move between goal and the semi-final a Thursday ago, they kept Uruguay on the line without allowing another goal. Bargained for the return goal with fierce counter-attacks. The game ends with no movement on the scoreboard!
While Ghana cheered for revenge in defeat, Uruguay stumbled despite victory!
