Cruel Blow for Ghana as they Bow Out of the FIFA World Cup
Ghana should have been the first African team to have reached the semifinal stage of the FIFA World Cup however an intentional handball followed by a missed penalty in the dying seconds of extra-time denied them a win. They then lost the match after going down 4-2 to Uruguay in a penalty shoot-out.
An intentional hand ball saw Uruguay’s Luis Suarez sent off as he cleared the ball from the line seconds after legally blocking a goal bound shot. As he left the field in tears his mood quickly changed to one of joy as he turned to see Ghana’s Asamoah Gyan send his penalty shot crashing against the crossbar and into the crowd.
The penalty would have seen Ghana advance 2-1 after both teams were locked at 1-1 and the end of regulation time and extra-time.
Ghana had opened the scoring when Sulley Muntari blasted a long range left-foot shot that moved wickedly away from the keeper. In time added-on at the end of the first half Muntari connected with the ball from 35-metres out.
At the 55-minute mark Diego Forlan beautifully struck a free-kick from the left side of the field and beat Ghana’s keeper Richard Kingson.
As time wound down in extra-time Ghana pushed for the win and had a few shots saved that were on target.
Right at the end we saw the handball. Unlike Harry Kewell’s in the match between Australia and Ghana it clearly was an intentional act. In Rugby League or Rugby Union an act like that would result in a penalty try. Perhaps FIFA should think about the same. The goal should have been awarded without the need for a penalty.
Unfortunately for Ghana it does not work that way and they are a heartbroken nation after seeing their football teams run end at the World Cup.
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