Sunday June 13, 2010 Group Stage: Group D Finished Loftus Versfeld Stadium
-
Gyan guides Ghana past Serbia
Asamoah Gyan's late penalty saw Ghana defeat Serbia 1-0 in the World Cup Group D opener at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria. More
-
Live Commentary
Time:90'- Serbia
- Ghana
90+4' FULL-TIME! The first African victory of the first African finals goes to Ghana and met with scenes of rapturous joy.
90+3' Gyan is replaced by Quincy Owusu-Abeyie.
90+3' Gyan could have put some icing on the cake but his curling effort comes back off the inside of the post.- 90+2' Lee Addy replaces Boateng.
- 90+1' Kingson makes a bit of a meal of a cross from the left but rides his luck and claims at the second attempt.
90' The offside flag was already up and Tagoe is booked. Could he hear the whistle?- 89' Tagoe takes the ball down his chest and shoots wide.
- 88' Kuzmanovic has a chance to make amends for his blunder but smashes his shot over the bar.
- 87' Vidic gets there first but can't make clean contact with his header.
- 86' Vital clearance at full stretch from Mensah, corner to Serbia.
- 85' The place is rocking!
- 84' Extravagant celebrations but who would begrudge the Black Stars.
83' GOAL GHANA! Gyan calmly rifles the spot kick down the middle and into the roof of the net.- 82' Space for Ayew down the left, Boateng is setting himself for the volley and it is a clear handball from Kuzmanovic. PENALTY!
- 81' Marauding run from Branislav Ivanovic and a good hit from distance but off target.
- 80' The last 10 minutes and still very much anyone's game.
- 79' And from the resulting corner Vidic climbs highest but his header is over the top.
- 78' Serbia are still going for three points. Lazovic gets to the by-line and cuts back, an unintentional step over from Pantelic and a shot on goal by Krasic but it is too close to Kingson who tips over.
- 77' Serbia have lost their last four World Cup matches. They are looking to shut up shop now in a bid to end that run.
- 76' Serbia bring on a central defender almost immediately with Neven Subotic replacing Jovanovic.
75' Lukovic is sent off for a second yellow card. The centre back tugs back Gyan and becomes the third player dismissed in these finals. A needless challenge 45 yards from goal.- 74' Appiah has barely played in two seasons after a botched knee operation.
- 73' Asamoah is replaced by their captain in Germany, Stephen Appiah.
- 72' Space for Lazovic down the left and he opts for the early cross and wins a corner.
- 71' Match Image Ayew spurns Ghana's best chance.
- 70' Serbia conceded more goals than any other nation in 2006 but a clean sheet so far.
- 69' Zigic cannot control his header and that is the end of an ineffective afternoon. Danko Lazovic comes on.
- 68' Serbia are preparing to make a second change.
- 67' Ghana have the youngest squad at the 2010 World Cup and have impressed today. Can they grab a winner in the final quarter.
- 66' Rampaging run from Boateng but he is penalised for barging into Lukovic some 30 yards from goal.
- 65' hardson nyasha: "Ghana 2 Serbia 0. World Cup is going to remain in¬ Africa. Show them your skills Black Stars."
- 64' Tagoe goes down on the edge of the penalty area but the free-kick goes against him somewhat harshly for the slightest of tugs on Kolarov.
- 63' The first change as Zdravko Kuzmanovic replaces Wolves midfielder Milijas.
- 62' A deep cross finds Tagoe whose volley fails to test Stojkovic. If he had attacked the ball with his head that would have been an easier.
- 61' Chances at both ends! Pantsil's long-throw is met by Gyan who beats Vidic but strikes the outside of his post with his header.
- 60' Serbia's best chance. Great cross from the left by Pantelic and Zigic should score but makes no sort of contact with his volley from six yards.
- 59' Ghana are caught napping at a throw-in but Pantelic, after levering his marker off the ball, fails to pick out a team-mate from the by-line.
- 58' Ghana are winning every 50-50 but Ayew screws his shot well wide.
- 57' Lukovic booked for a late tackle on Asamoah.
- 56' Good punch out by Vladimir Stojkovic from the corner and Boateng lashes the follow-up way over.
- 55' Tagoe has got his tail up and beats Kolarov comfortably before Lukovic aborts his run in the penalty area.
- 54' Ghana's best chance! What a cross from the right by Tagoe but Ayew fails to get his header on target from six yards.
- 53' Tricky run from Jovanovic but aborted on the edge of the penalty area.
- 52' Nervy moment from Vidic who almost allows Asamoah to slip in behind him following a seemingly innocuous knockdown from Gyan.
- 51' Ghana were the only African nation to advance from their group in 2006.
- 50' Ghana are at just their second World Cup after making their debut in the competition four years ago. In Germany in 2006, Ghana successfully negotiated the group phase and were knocked out in the Last 16 following a 3-0 defeat against Brazil.
- 49' A speculative long-range effort causes consternation in the Ghana defence and the ball falls to Jovanovic who jinks into a good position but no composure and he shanks his left-footed effort well wide.
- 48' A swift counter from the Black Stars led by Asamoah but Gyan's cross is wasteful.
- 47' Krasic's cross reaches Jovanovic but the Standard player gets caught in two minds and Ghana clear.
46' We are underway for the second-half. No changes to either side.- - Today's Venn answer is that Jose Altafini (left), Ferenc Puskas (right) and Robert Prosinecki (bottom) all played for two different countries in a World Cup finals. Altafini: Brazil and Italy. Puskas: Hungary and Spain. Prosinecki: Yugoslavia and Croatia. Another Venn tomorrow
- - International Press Review - check out the headlines and stories from around the globe + World Cup Gallery - all the best pictures from the tournament + World Cup Venn - can you work out what links the men in the pictures. Every morning in the World of Sport blog
- - The ticker is the definitive one-stop shop for everything that is going on in South Africa. Don't miss anything with links to more than 100 stories from 7am to 11pm every day. LIVE ticker
- - During half-time, a little reminder of all our special content we are running during the World Cup. Arsene Wenger, Robbie Earle, Paul Parker, Jim White, the Armchair Pundit and Early Boers - direct from South Africa - will be blogging throughout the tournament. Plus regular opinion from Eurosport's Soccer Live panel - Roger Milla, Giovane Elber, Patrick Kluivert, Enzo Francescoli and Franck Leboeuf - and discuss all the contentious decisions with former FIFA referee Gilles Veissière. View all bloggers
- 45' Half-time! A lively first-half and a bright Ghana side have been the better without creating any clear-cut chances.
- 44' A curling cross from Ayew just eludes Tagoe at the back post.
- 43' Prince Dep: "Serbia have a great team, Ivanovic and Vidic at the back are world class, and they have talent all over the pitch, if they had stayed as Yugoslavia with Macedonia, and had Jovetic and Vucinic up front, they'd be even better. But still a great team, and I'd like to see Tosic brought on."
- 42' Tagoe looks to outrun Lukovic in the penalty area but fouls the strong Serbia defender in the process.
- 41' Pantelic caught on his heels and the ball runs out for a goal kick.
- 40' Great acceleration by Milan Jovanovic but he eschews the shooting opportunity, the ball does drop to Dejan Stankovic and his skidding shot bounces in front of Kingson but the keeper has his whole body behind it and is able to claim at the second attempt.
- 39' Great cross from the left by Ayew but it is met with an equally good clearing header from Aleksandar Lukovic.
- 38' Ghana were breaking but it was curtailed by a Zigic foul - he has to be careful having already been booked.
- 37' The delivery from Milijas misses the hordes in the penalty box and Boateng comes away with it.
- 36' Vorsah comes across swiftly to tackle Pantelic in the penalty area but it's Serbia first corner.
- 35' Match Image Vidic and Stankovic battle for the ball with Tagoe
- 34' Ghana quick to get bodies behind the ball when they don't have possession and the Black Stars are snappy in the tackle.
- 33' Kingson is off his line smartly to hack clear a long pass.
- 32' Pantsil's cross is headed away. The Fulham man is captaining the side today.
- 31' Eight attempts on goal in a lively opening half-hour.
- 30' Ambitious effort from way out on the left by Pantelic but Kingson has his near post covered.
- 29' Serbia have drawn their 23 players from 23 different club teams. They are the only side in the World Cup to do this.
- 28' From the resulting free-kick, a ecent effort from Aleksandar Kolarov but the left footer just curls his 25-yarder over the corner of post and bar.
- 27' Anthony Annan, who has something of a bad-boy reputation in Norwegian football, is penalised for a foul on Zigic that annoys the new Birmingham striker.
- 26' Another clever Serbian free-kick and a great delivery by Nenad Milijas but Pantelic's first touch is poor and a decent opportunity is lost.
- 25' Zigic brought down from behind by Vorsah and that is a regulation yellow card.
- 24' Match Image Vorsah fights for the ball with Ivanovic
- 23' Gyan needs treatment after a collision with Branislav Ivanovic, playing in the heart of the Serbia defence.
- 22' Ghana boss Rajevac hails from Serbia. In the group phase, this is the only instance in which a coach takes on his own native country. The last time a coach defeated his own country was when Bruno Metsu’s Senegal defeated France 1-0 in the opening match of the 2002 World Cup.
- 21' Delicious centre from Boateng and Gyan is just a fraction away of meeting it with his head from six yards.
- 20' Asamoah's superb free-kick is met by John Mensah but the big Sunderland defender can't direct his header on target - half a chance.
- 19' Dede Ayew blocked off cynically by Zigic as he tracks back and the tournament's tallest player is booked.
- 18' On the vuvuzela decibel count, this is the second loudest game.
- 17' Asamoah rifles in an angled shot and Zigic turns it behind. That could easily have nestled in his own net.
- 16' Kevin-Prince Boateng's effort is deflected for a corner.
- 15' Richard Kingson comes off his line to claim a ball over the top intended for Nikola Zigic. Kingson, who has been released by Wigan Athletic after an unhappy two-year stay at the DW, is 32 today.
- 14' Krasic's cross cleared by the diving Vorsah.
- 13' Aleksandar Lukovic leaves his mark on Asamoah who needs treatment.
- 12' Kwadwo Asamoah is blocked off on the edge of the penalty area but surprisingly no free-kick.
- 11' The corner is too long for the giant Ghana central defender Isaac Vorsah.
- 10' Prince Tagoe shows a burst of pace and wins a corner.
- 9' Hans Sarpei's cross towards Asamoah Gyan in the penalty area but his header harmlessly goes out for a goal kick.
- 8' A cleverly worked free-kick by Serbia but the cross is cut out.
- 7' Serbia have won only one of their last seven World Cup openers, a 1-0 triumph over Iran in 1998. This includes Yugoslavia.
- 6' Milos Krasic gets to the by-line but is unable to whip a cross in.
- 5' Plenty of pace and whip in Asamoah Gyan's free-kick but over the top.
- 4' Bright start from Ghana and Prince Tagoe is scythed down on the edge of the penalty area by Nemanja Vidic.
- 3' Important header away from Aleksandar Lukovic and Anthony Annan's volleyed follow-up goes wide.
- 2' Inside 10 seconds Marko Pantelic unleashes an audacious 35-yard effort which isn't miles away.
1' And we are underway in the clash of contrasting footballing cultures.- 14:55 The teams come out in sun-baked Pretoria at the home of the Super 14's Bulls franchise to hear the anthems.
- 14:50 Today's referee is Hector Baldassi from Argentina.
- 14:45 Serbia’s first World Cup confrontation with opponents from Africa was a 9-0 rout over Zaire in 1974. The nine goal winning margin is still the joint biggest in World Cup history.
- 14:40 Serbia have faced opponents from Africa twice in the history of the World Cup, including their most recent World Cup match, a 3-2 defeat against Ivory Coast. That match marked the eighth time in World Cup history that a side had taken a two goal lead only to lose the game.
- 14:35 These two nations have met once before. In the 1997 Korea Cup in Seoul, Serbia, then Yugoslavia, triumphed 3-1. After falling behind 1-0, a Slavisa Jokanovic penalty and a Rade Bogdanovic brace sealed the win for Yugoslavia.
- 14:30 Aleksandar Kolarov was picked ahead of Ivan Obradovic at left back while centre-back Nemanja Vidic starts his first World Cup match after missing the entire 2006 tournament through suspension and injury.
- 14:25 There are no surprises in Serbia's starting line-up as coach Radomir Antic has deployed his preferred 4-4-2 formation with a flat midfield and two out-and-out strikers.
- 14:20 Hans Sarpei returns in the right back slot while Asamoah Gyan will lead the line up front, with Kwandwo Asamoah playing in a deeper role behind him.
- 14:15 Rajevac has opted for an attacking 4-4-2 formation with Prince Tagoe and Dede Ayew on the flanks while Anthony Annan and Kevin-Prince Boateng have been deployed in a holding role to protect the back four.
- 14:10 Ghana's Serbian coach Milovan Rajevac reshuffled his starting line-up for their opening World Cup Group D match against his compatriots after leaving out stalwarts Stephen Appiah and Sulley Muntari.
- 14:05 Teams - Serbia: 1-Vladimir Stojkovic; 6-Branislav Ivanovic, 5-Nemanja Vidic, 13-Aleksandar Lukovic, 3-Aleksandar Kolarov, 17-Milos Krasic, 10-Dejan Stankovic, 11-Nenad Milijas, 14-Milan Jovanovic, 15-Nikola Zigic, 9-Marko Pantelic. /// Ghana: 22-Richard Kingson; 4-John Pantsil, 5-John Mensah, 15-Isaac Vorsah, 2-Hans Sarpei, 6-Anthony Annan, 21-Kwadwo Asamoah, 13-Dede Ayew, 23-Kevin-Prince Boateng; 3-Asamoah Gyan, 12-Prince Tagoe.
- 14:00 Serbia and Ghana kick off their World Cup Group D campaigns at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria.
-
Summary
- 90+3' Gyan could have put some icing on the cake but his curling effort comes back off the inside of the post.
- 83' GOAL GHANA! Gyan calmly rifles the spot kick down the middle and into the roof of the net.
- 82' Space for Ayew down the left, Boateng is setting himself for the volley and it is a clear handball from Kuzmanovic. PENALTY!
- 81' Marauding run from Branislav Ivanovic and a good hit from distance but off target.
- 79' And from the resulting corner Vidic climbs highest but his header is over the top.
- 78' Serbia are still going for three points. Lazovic gets to the by-line and cuts back, an unintentional step over from Pantelic and a shot on goal by Krasic but it is too close to Kingson who tips over.
- 75' Lukovic is sent off for a second yellow card. The centre back tugs back Gyan and becomes the third player dismissed in these finals. A needless challenge 45 yards from goal.
- 61' Chances at both ends! Pantsil's long-throw is met by Gyan who beats Vidic but strikes the outside of his post with his header.
- 60' Serbia's best chance. Great cross from the left by Pantelic and Zigic should score but makes no sort of contact with his volley from six yards.
- 54' Ghana's best chance! What a cross from the right by Tagoe but Ayew fails to get his header on target from six yards.
- 49' A speculative long-range effort causes consternation in the Ghana defence and the ball falls to Jovanovic who jinks into a good position but no composure and he shanks his left-footed effort well wide.
- 40' Great acceleration by Milan Jovanovic but he eschews the shooting opportunity, the ball does drop to Dejan Stankovic and his skidding shot bounces in front of Kingson but the keeper has his whole body behind it and is able to claim at the second attempt.
- 28' From the resulting free-kick, a ecent effort from Aleksandar Kolarov but the left footer just curls his 25-yarder over the corner of post and bar.
- 21' Delicious centre from Boateng and Gyan is just a fraction away of meeting it with his head from six yards.
- 20' Asamoah's superb free-kick is met by John Mensah but the big Sunderland defender can't direct his header on target - half a chance.
- 17' Asamoah rifles in an angled shot and Zigic turns it behind. That could easily have nestled in his own net.
- 14:05 Teams - Serbia: 1-Vladimir Stojkovic; 6-Branislav Ivanovic, 5-Nemanja Vidic, 13-Aleksandar Lukovic, 3-Aleksandar Kolarov, 17-Milos Krasic, 10-Dejan Stankovic, 11-Nenad Milijas, 14-Milan Jovanovic, 15-Nikola Zigic, 9-Marko Pantelic. /// Ghana: 22-Richard Kingson; 4-John Pantsil, 5-John Mensah, 15-Isaac Vorsah, 2-Hans Sarpei, 6-Anthony Annan, 21-Kwadwo Asamoah, 13-Dede Ayew, 23-Kevin-Prince Boateng; 3-Asamoah Gyan, 12-Prince Tagoe.
Team lineup & ratings
-
Lineup
Live Team Line-Up
Starting line-up
- V. Stojkovic
- B. Ivanovic
- N. Vidic
- A. Lukovic
- A. Kolarov
- D. Stankovic
- N. Milijaš
- M. Krasic
- M. Jovanovic
- M. Pantelic
- N. Žigic
Subs
- D. Lazovic
69′ - M. Ninkovic
- Z. Kuzmanovic 62′
- D. Mrdja
- N. Subotic 76′
- Z. Tosic
- A. Rukavina
- R. Petrovic
- I. Obradovic
- G. Kacar
- B. Isailovic
- A. Djuricic
Starting line-up
- R. Kingson
- J. Pantsil
- J. Mensah
- I. Vorsah
- H. Sarpei
- A. Annan
- K. Boateng
- P. Tagoe
- K. Asamoah
- A. Ayew
- A. Gyan
Subs
- S. Appiah 73′
- S. Muntari
- M. Amoah
- Q. Owusu-Abeyie 90′
- S. Inkoom
- J. Mensah
- R. Ayew
- D. Boateng
- D. Adiyiah
- L. Addy 90′
- S. Ahorlu
- D. Agyei
-
Rate Players
Am proud to be a Ghanaian and an African. I believe in the Ghana Black Stars. Go Ghana, Go......... . Go all out for the World Cup.
Ghana has taken its place in world football after years of wandering in the desert.........well done Black Stars of Ghana & Africa. Continue to announce your presence in world football and i know the best is yet to come. Congrats.............................
We congratulate our black brothers from Ghana. You played well and won fair and square. Serbs did not play so good today. With love from Serbia.
I thought Serbian players were slacking off most of the time, while Ghana players were always attacking, maybe Serbia thought it would be easy to beat Ghana since the last time these two teams meat Serbia beat Ghana 3-1. I think Serbia plays well against tough teams but it slacks off when it comes to easier teams and today Ghana realized that and took advantage of it.
Live with yourself Manhatman. A goal is a goal, be it penalty or not. If you cant stand it, jump off your roof. Im sure no one will miss except they'd be forced to read a nice tribute. Stop being backward. Africans this africans tht....sicko
reat
COME ON BOYS MAKE THE MOST OF THE WORLD CUP
Ghana rock the field high and make Africans proud. Just keep the spirit, the Ashantehene is hanging above you. Okomfo has brought from the sky the golden world cup and is rested on Osei Tutu,s kneel ready to be placed in the hands of the president. This golden world cup contains the spirit, might and unity of Africans. So play for it and unite Africa this blessed 2011. By Bockarie Lansana
Gyan, everyone in this world says i look like you and play like you i am very much proud about that God bless you come and see how my people have cheered me up saying i have made ghana so happy i really love you and wish we could meet one day for dinner Gyan, look alike,,,,
Well done Ghana.
Bravo Ghana ! I hope world cup trmph will remain in Africa keep up guys
Is me Leonard Rwebangila in indiaGhana bravo!U have made mother Africa proud.Go Ghana....Ghana must go.....
WELL DONE, GHANA BLACK STARS.
DO IT EVEN BETTER THAN YOU DID IN GERMANY AND BRING THE CUP TO ACCRA.today i am the happiest person ,proud of you
samuel from Ethiopiatoday i am the happiest person ,proud of you
samuel from Ethiopiatoday i am the happiest person proud of you
samuel from Ethiopiaghana is in the house and we are going to rock it all the way
Gyan you are the man....... i love u so much ... Rauf in Mexico
Yes, go ahead the blak stars...go ahead the rest of the other African teams..
We are all Africaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa..Gyan, u've made us proud n we appreciate that. Keep it up!
Match ratings
Y! Users
0 ratings
- / 10
FOOTBALL Latest
-
Live Now
-
Results
Football| International friendlies Match Poland 1 - 0 Slovakia Republic of Ireland 1 - 0 Bosnia-Herzegovina Denmark 1 - 3 Brazil Belgium 2 - 2 Montenegro Football| League One Match Huddersfield Town 0 - 0
(8-7) Sheffield UnitedFootball| Serie B Match Crotone 4 - 1 Brescia Football| Copa del Rey Match Athletic Bilbao 0 - 3 FC Barcelona Football| Primera A Match San Martín (San Juan) 3 - 2 Olimpo -
Coming Up
May 27
Football | International friendlies Time Match 19:00 Netherlands v Bulgaria 19:00 Finland v Turkey 19:15 Czech Republic v Israel 19:30 Greece v Slovenia 19:45 Norway v England May 27
Football | International friendlies Time Match 01:00 USA v Scotland May 27
Football | Segunda División Time Match 19:00 FC Barcelona B v Las Palmas May 27
Football | Serie B Time Match 19:45 AlbinoLeffe v Torino 19:45 Bari v Gubbio 19:45 Pescara v Nocerina 19:45 Empoli v Cittadella 19:45 Reggina v Vicenza 19:45 Padova v Ascoli 19:45 Livorno v Grosseto May 27
Football | Brazilian Série A Time Match 22:30 Goianense v Ponte Preta 22:30 Flamengo v Internacional 22:30 Portuguesa v Vasco da Gama May 27
Football | Brazilian Série A Time Match 01:00 Náutico v Cruzeiro May 27
Football | MLS Time Match 19:30 Houston Dynamo v Los Angeles Galaxy 21:30 Toronto FC v Philadelphia Union May 27
Football | MLS Time Match 00:00 Columbus Crew v Chicago Fire 00:30 DC United v New England Revolution 02:00 Real Salt Lake v FC Dallas 03:00 Portland Timbers v Vancouver Whitecaps 03:30 Chivas USA v Seattle Sounders May 27
Football | Primera A Time Match 20:10 Lanús v All Boys 22:15 Argentinos Juniors v Banfield May 27
Football | Primera A Time Match 00:20 Atletico Belgrano v Racing Club
Man of the match
Kwadwo Asamoah - Ghana
Has the potential to be the next big name of African football on this evidence.
World Cup Group Tables
-
A
-
B
-
C
-
D
-
E
-
F
-
G
-
H
Uruguay
Mexico
South Africa
France
Argentina
Korea Republic
Greece
Nigeria
USA
England
Slovenia
Algeria
Germany
Ghana
Australia
Serbia
Netherlands
Japan
Denmark
Cameroon
Paraguay
Slovakia
New Zealand
Italy
Brazil
Portugal
Ivory Coast
Korea DPR
Spain
Chile
Switzerland
HondurasWorld Football 2010
Global World Cup coverage
Yahoo! News Network
This site is Copyright © 2012 Yahoo! and Eurosport. All rights reserved.
- Terms of Service
- Updated Privacy Policy
- Copyright/IP Policy
- Remarks and Suggestions
- Corporate info
- Jobs at Eurosport
Notice: We collect personal information on this site. To learn more about how we use your information, see our Privacy Policy | About Our Ads.
This site is neither endorsed by nor affiliated with the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA).