The FIFA World Cup 2010 Round 1 Group Match between Ghana and Serbia kicked off at 1500 GMT in Pretoria, South Africa on Sunday 13th June 2010. Red and blue football strip against white. The all white Ghanaian football strip carried the Puma logo with black lettering detailing the player name and player number. The smart kit also carried the player number on the left leg of the white shorts. The Red, Yellow, Green stripes, and black Star colours of the Ghana National flag were shown on a wrist band of at least one of the payers and emanating from a football logo on the top left hand-side of the football shirt. This was a fitting bit of football kit; for an African team that played their opening game with skill and vigour. No longer slaves, but equals on the football world stage. By the 18th and the yellow card to the Serbian player Zigic, it was quite clear that England would be no match for Ghana if they can manage to overcome their poor performance against the United States and progress to the Knock Out rounds, and then meet the Ghanaian Nationals. The Ghanaian’s pressed the Serbs and in the 20th minute came close, almost “within a whisker” of opening their account. The Ghanaian football flare was matched by the yellow football boots of their left winger and others. But kit and flare to one side, everyone in ‘Team Ghana’ worked hard to carry the flag for their country. How Algeria and England could have learnt so much from their example and work-rate. By the 25th Minute it was still 0-0 but unfortunately Vorsah picked up a Yellow Card. The colour clashing with the puce coloured kit of the Ghanaian keeper, number 22 Kingson (albeit it has a blue tint shown in the photograph above). It was nice to see that the Ghanaian roving band complete with flag carrier was allowed to walk around at the base of the terrace. The Serbs demonstrated that they could take a clever free kick, but football is not just about set pieces. This is something that the England team also needs to learn. The pitch was immaculate although there is some negativity regarding the football being used in this World Cup and the way in which the ball is flying high. Maybe, just maybe the quality of the ball is the reason for the appalling Goal Keeper mistakes for England and Algeria in their opening games? Apparently, the balls are too round, but isn’t this exactly the shape that a football should be? The Ghanaian’s pressed on and in the 34th minute the scored remained 0-0. The changing advertising hording had more work to do than the almost redundant referee. Looking splendid in his Black strip, he failed to award Zigic a second yellow card in the 36th minute that would have reduced Serbia to ten men. A good save by Kingson in the 39th minute kept the Serbs at bay. There is no doubt that as the players walked to the tunnel at the end of the first half; Ghana had the better first 45 minutes. Maybe this is why they gathered in a circle and held each other’s arms before finding their way into the cool, for a well earned rest. I salute the Ghanaian football team, because whatever the outcome they had shown the World in their first 45 minutes at the 2010 World Cup finals, how to behave, how to work, and how to represent their Country. Look on England, and maybe you can use the Ghanaian example as a training video. Ghana is not constrained by the past glory of 1966, or the false expectations of those who believe that a team is better than it is. The Ghanaian striker, number 13 came close with a flying header in the 53rd minute. And Ghana broke again only one minute later, and followed that with a corner. By the 55th minute Ghana had attacked yet again. The Ghanaian team were let off in the 57th minute when a few of their players seemed to misunderstand that you cannot be offside from a throw in. The experience rattled them and Serbia came close to opening the score in the 58th minute. By the 59th minute Ghana had also come close to scoring at the other end. Zigic left the field in the 69th minute and was replaced by Lazovic. In the 72nd minute, number 10 Stephen Appiah came on for Ghana with Lukovic picking up a second yellow card in the 73rd minute, thus reducing Serbia to 10 players. The problem being that a reduction in team numbers is not always a bad thing. Teams can be spurred on by what they sometimes consider to be wrong, almost finding a second breath. Ghana would need to dig deep for the last quarter of an hour of they were to win their opening game and start their campaign to move beyond the Group Stage. A spectacular save by Kingson in the 78th minute kept Ghana in the game. No wonder the Serbian player who struck the ball held his head in despair. A deliberate hand ball by a Serbian player in the 83rd minute led to a fair penalty which was put away by the Ghanaian number 3. The stadium came to life as the Ghanaian’s danced away. The Serbian number 22 was distraught, but he could not complain about the Referee decision to award the penalty. If the ball had not been handled, then it would have probably fallen to the Ghanain striker that was moving in fast and to his right. In many ways, the Serbian team were fortunate not to have been reduced to nine players. What mattered now, was could Ghana do what South Africa could not? Could Ghana hold onto their 1-0 lead? Lee Addy came on for Ghana in the 90th minute as 3 extra minutes were added to the game by the FIFA fourth official. A Ghanaian attack in the 91st minute led to the Serbian keeper being beaten but the ball bouncing off the post. The last time, Ghana qualified strongly from the Group Stage they were only stopped by Brazil. It is so clear that the emerging African nations will come to dominate World football, but meanwhile this football team is happy to have a good time representing their country and Continent with pride. Ghana were the better side, and not just in terms of football ability. Well done FIFA for awarding the 2010 World Cup Finals to Africa. Oh, by the way, the final Score of the Ghana v Serbia game was 1-0 . The supporters placards were held high and one said “Feel it, Ghana is here!”. Feeling it, I am.
