We watched the FIFA World Cup 2010 match between Ghana and Serbia in the balcony of a hotel in Irving,TX.,just before church service at 0900CST. Our pastor had graciously allowed us to watch the match which coincided with our church service.Ghana won 1-0.
What had caught my eye on the screen was how our coach Milovan Rajevac aka 'Milo' had refused to celebrate with his assistant Kwasi Appiah after the Ghanaian victory.Appiah who stretched out his arms for an embrace was turned away by the scowling Serb.I believe the reason he did this was to signal to his countrymen that he just needed to take care of business and did not want to gloat over the victory.
Keeping in mind that his house in his homeland had been burnt down after the World Cup draw that pitched his country against his employers . I felt he at least should have acknowledged Appiah instead of that classless snub.
Perhaps he was fearful of reprisals from his countrymen downplaying Ghana's win"Perhaps we were lucky... it was difficult playing Serbia..."All of this was an attempt to placate and pacify his homeland.Tough luck!This is the way it is and he just has to realize that his allegiance lies with the piper-Ghana Football Association.
Anyways[!],Ghana and Serbia took turns in dominating the match so I determined that possession was at 50% apiece.However what seemed to have turned the tide was Serbian defender Kuzmanovic's handling of a flighted ball meant for the itching boots of Germany-born Kevin Prince Boateng.Asamoah Gyan sent goalie Stojkovic the wrong way in the resultant penalty kick.I think Kuzmanovic should have been sent off instead of Lukovic who although had committed a bookable offence on Gyan could have been reprimanded.
Asamoah who had earlier in the second-half grazed the Serbian post with his header,saw his shot in the dying minutes again come off the same post that had denied him earlier.Another revelation was Andre Ayew who ripped apart the Serbian defence several times and was unfortunate to see his diving header miss the post by inches.Shot stopper Richard Kingston killed off Serbian hopes with a stupendous double save around the 75th.
I do think Ghana missed the virtuosity of Essien and a finisher although they have an embarrassment of midfielders.Milo has been able to craft together a team who are capable of great things.However, this tournament is all about scoring goals and this what they must try to accomplish against Australia whom they meet next on Saturday June 19.Good job though and more foot or rather boot grease.C'mon y'all!
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