How much sweeter can revenge be?
Ghana avenged their defeat at the hands of Uruguay at their home World Cup twelve years ago in the sweetest way. After reaching the peak of expectation by hallucinating and bewitching, the enemy leaps to Koka. The death of a chaver who made his dream come true.
On 3 July 2010 in Johannesburg, few will remember when Luis Suarez blocked Ghana’s goal on the goal line in the closing 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 an exultant performance. It was a deadly dance on the chest of African football. Asamoah Gyan redeemed himself by scoring the first kick, but lost on penalties and Ghana managed not to become the first team to reach the semi-finals of the World Cup. What hurt them more than the penalty shootout was Suarez’s bad attempt before the final whistle.
Things were a little more complicated today when the same teams met in their last match in Group H. If they get at least one draw, Ghana and if they win, Uruguay can progress to the quarter-finals. Attention was focused 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 against Ghana, Uruguay are establishing themselves strongly in the preliminaries. Beyond, Portugal score and Korea fight back. Going into the break things were in Uruguay’s favour.
Uruguay are stepping up their attack for the next goal in the estimation that even if Korea topple strong Portugal, they can advance on goal difference. But, forgetting the setbacks in the first half, Ghana are making the game and the road difficult for them.
Luis Suarez, scorer and injured today in Ghana, is leaving the field as Uruguay qualify for the qualifiers in second place.
But who knows the fate of football? In another version of the coups that came all too naturally at the World Cup in Qatar, the equation was turned upside down when Korea knocked out Portugal. A half-time counter from 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 advantage of a higher score!
After the Portugal-Korea match, there were more than five minutes left at the field where Uruguay and Ghana were playing. Uruguay needed one more goal to advance. But the price Ghana paid for those minutes was pride. With Luis Suarez worried on the bench after making the forbidden move between scoring and the semi-final on Thursday ago, they kept Uruguay in line without conceding another goal. Contract the return goal with fierce counter-attacks. The game ends with no movement on the board!
While Ghana exulted in vengeance in defeat, Uruguay stumbled despite their victory!
