Sports

July 6, 2013

FIFA Under-20 W/Cup: No injuries or suspension worries for Ghana

FIFA Under-20 W/Cup: No injuries or suspension worries for Ghana

Members of the Ghanaian team pose for a group picture ahead of a group stage football match between Ghana and the USA at the FIFA Under 20 World Cup Turkey at Kadir Has stadium in Kayseri on June 27, 2013. AFP

Ghana Under-20 coach Sellas Tetteh will have his full squad for Sunady’s quarter-final clash against Chile as he has no suspension worries ahead of the must-win game at the Istanbul Arena.

The Black Satellites will tackle the South American side knowing victory will secure them a semi-final berth at the global showpiece.

Members of the Ghanaian team pose for a group picture ahead of a group stage football match between Ghana and the USA at the FIFA Under 20 World Cup Turkey at Kadir Has stadium in Kayseri on June 27, 2013. AFP

Members of the Ghanaian team pose for a group picture ahead of a group stage football match between Ghana and the USA at the FIFA Under 20 World Cup Turkey at Kadir Has stadium in Kayseri on June 27, 2013. AFP

Sellas Tetteh’s men doused off doubting thomases when they inflicted a shocking 3-2 win over tournament favourite Portugal at the round of 16.

The unexpected victory has heightened expec-tations among Ghanaian local fans as the players have been urged to go for the ultimate.

Chile beat Croatia 2-0 in their last encounter but will have a difficult Ghanaian side to contend with today.

Ghana will set-up a meeting with either France or Uzbekistan in their semi-final clash on Wednesday if they negotiate the tie against the La Rojita. Chile, on the other hand, have had a sterling debut tournament.

This tournament has been dominated by South American heavyweights Argentina and Brazil in previous editions, but this time the Chileans and Uruguayans have flown the South American flag very high in the absence of those two giants.

The Chileans made it to the quarterfinal stage of this tournament in Turkey when they defeated Croatia 2-0 after late goals in the last ten minutes of their encounter. Nicolas Castillo scored for the Latin Americans before a Jozo Simunovic own goal sealed Croatia’s fate.

Both teams play opposing styles of football, with Ghana’s stern and strong defence expected to be worked by the attacking mentality of Chile that has served them well thus far in the tournament. However, the Ghanaians showed for an hour in their match with Portugal that when put under pressure at the back they rise to the occasion.