 |
USA midfielder Emily Ogle (11) and Ghana`s Captain Rasheda (18)
Abdul Rahman contest for the ball in midair
Picture by Post Courier Photographer Mark Talia
|
United States of America and Ghana were both made to work hard in a match that ended in a 1-1 draw Ghana now bows out of the FIFA U20 Womens World Cup.
In a match that was equally contested in almost all aspects of the game, the African Princesses from Ghana needed to win with more than a goal to make it into second place.
USA just needed this draw to edge into the top spot of Pool C, France’s 2-0 win over New Zealand sees them level at the top on points and goals only for USA to finish as group-winners on Fair Play criteria, having picked up one fewer yellow card.
The game was aggressive and Ghana showed their athleticism as USA used its speed out wide to see forwards Ashley Sanchez and USA captain Mallory Pugh push pass the Ghana midfield.
But Ghana scored first when midfielder Ernestina Abambila made a lobbed kick five meters away from the half way line, just enough to fall an inch in from the bar, USA goalkeeper Casey Murphy could only fumble on to the frame of the goal and over the line for an own goal in the 20th minute.
Pugh had a good reply just two minutes later when her speed proved too much for the Ghanaian defense as Pugh did her famous driving run past two defenders before nailing a low shot to the right side of the goal mount, to draw the score 1-1 in the 22nd minute.
The second half saw both teams struggle to get past each other’s backline at times Ghana’s midfielder Wasila Diwura-Soale kept the crowd on their feet with her driving runs out wide but striker Sandra Owusu-Ansah failed to capitalize, both teams had good chances to score but their accuracy was off track, USA managed to take eight shots at goal while Ghana took fourteen shots at goal during the match.
The game was aggressive and Ghana showed their athleticism as USA used its speed out wide to see forwards Ashley Sanchez and USA captain Mallory Pugh push pass the Ghana midfield.
But Ghana scored first when midfielder Ernestina Abambila made a lobbed kick five meters away from the half way line, just enough to fall an inch in from the bar, USA goalkeeper Casey Murphy could only fumble on to the frame of the goal and over the line for an own goal in the 20th minute.
Pugh had a good reply just two minutes later when her speed proved too much for the Ghanaian defense as Pugh did her famous driving run past two defenders before nailing a low shot to the right side of the goal mount, to draw the score 1-1 in the 22nd minute.
The second half saw both teams struggle to get past each other’s backline at times Ghana’s midfielder Wasila Diwura-Soale kept the crowd on their feet with her driving runs out wide but striker Sandra Owusu-Ansah failed to capitalize, both teams had good chances to score but their accuracy was off track, USA managed to take eight shots at goal while Ghana took fourteen shots at goal during the match.
Live Your Goals Player of the Match: USA midfielder Katie Cousins was a stand out in the game controlling the flow of possession, she was happy with the result.
“We knew what we would be up against, but our team was great we had the synergy and we had the opportunity to equalize and we did,”
 |
USA supporters little Carmella Gilbert, Elisha Kore and
Lina Iso were all face painted at Sir John Giuse Stadium, Port Moresby
Picture by Post Courier Photographer Mark Talia
|
USA coach Michelle French added that they had a game plan for the game and the girls delivered what was asked of them.
Ghana coach Mas-Ud Ramani said they knew they were the better side but just couldn’t put the game away with a win.
“It’s a game we knew we had to win, we had the right attitude, and I think if we had the lead going into the second half we would have won, but these girls are still learning and will improve overtime,” Ramani said
Score USA 1 (M.PUGH 22') draw Ghana 1 (C.MURPHY USA 20' Own Goal) Crowd 3070.
No comments:
Post a Comment