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Overnight recap - 29 May
Ghana sounded a warning shot to it's World Cup opponents as they thrashed Jamaica 4-1 in England overnight.
Ghana's night out started early when Sulley Ali Muntari pounced on a parried ball from Jamaican keeper Donovan Ricketts, netting in just the 5th minute. On 19 minutes, Ghana star Stephen Appiah struck a powerful shot at goal. It took a mean deflection off defender Damien Stewart's head and beat Ricketts once more. The goal was credited to Stewart as the score read 2-0 Ghana.
By half time Ghana had full control of the match, Michael Essien the boss of the midfield all half. However after the break Jamaica made some inroads. Jason Euell pounced on a long range effort to bring the scores back to 2-1 (58th min). For a moment it seemed like Jamaica might make a game of it until Appiah drove his shot past Ricketts (66th min) and Matthew Amoah (68th min) pounced on a loose ball.
Ghana are outsiders in a group containing Italy, Czech Republic and USA but may pull off a surprise or two in this sort of form.
Their group opponents USA, had a less than convincing 1-0 win over Latvia.
Brian McBride was the difference maker for Bruce Arena's men after a first half dominated by the USA. A back post cross from Steve Cherundolo found McBride who slammed home his 30th international goal (43rd min).
USA continued to pile on the preassure all match but to no avail. Their wasteful finishing surely a concern for Arena. They have no more friendlies before the World Cup before facing Czech Republic in their opening match in Germany.
In a double blow overnight for Jamaica, referee Peter Prendergast and his two assistants Anthony Garwood (Jamaica) and Joseph Taylor (Trinidad and Tobago), have been sent home after Prendergast suffered a knee injury.
With FIFA using teams of referees this World Cup to improve familiarity with each other, each member of that team is required to pass fitness tests before being allowed to take charge of matches.
The remaining 21 referees and 42 assistants will undergo a final fitness test on May 31st in Frankfurt.
30 May, 2006 |
