Stars advance despite Germany loss

...Ghana will face U.S. on Saturday

Johannesburg, South Africa, June 24, GNA - Ghana advanced to the round of 16 despite a lone goal loss to Germany, in their ultimate Group D clash on Wednesday at the Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg. Midfielder Mesut Oezil scored the only goal of the match in the second half of the closely contested encounter watched by more than 80,000 fans, including Vice President John Mahama.

The Germans by virtue of the victory assume the top spot of the group with six points with Ghanaian trailing behind with four points. Australia who beat Serbia 2-1 recorded the same four points in the other Group D match in Nelspruit, whilst Serbia finished at the bottom with three points.

Ghana is the first African team to advance to the next round and will face the USA in a rematch of their ultimate group phase clash four years ago in Germany.

Ghana's Black Stars who needed at least a draw to confirm their place at the next round started the game cautiously allowing the Germans to dominate proceedings from the onset.

The Germans made clear their intent for the maximum points with marauding runs on the flanks and long passes, which unsettled their West African opponents.

Striker Lukas Podolski displayed a teaser of the goal ambition of the Germans with an effort that went wide on the sixth minute, before Ghana defender Jonathan Mensah intercepted his effort three minutes later. Ghana's maiden attempt at goal came during the quarter-hour mark but Asamoah Gyan teasing volley went wide. The brightest chance of the first half fell to the Germans came in the 24 minutes but midfielder Mesut Oezil made a mess of it as Ghana goalie Kingston saved the one-on-one situation with his feet. A minute later, the tide swung in favour of the Ghanaians and Gyan was denied the opener after Germany captain Phillip Lahm cleared his header on the line.

The Germans resumed with their passing game and their efforts yielded dividends in the 59 minute as Ozeil slammed home from a Mueller pass at the edge of the penalty area.

The Black Stars best chance of the second half fell to Kwadwo Asamoah during the 50 minute, but German goalie Neuer proved equal to the task by saving with his feet on the one-on-one situation.

The Ghanaians fought on but their attempts to draw equal remained elusive as the Germans thwarted most of their efforts upfront.

Ghana will face USA in the second round clash on June 26 in Rustenburg. Ghana - Richard Kingston, John Pantsil, Hans Sarpei, John Mensah, Jonathan Mensah, Anthony Annan, Kevin Prince Boateng, Kwadwo Asamaoh, Prince Tagoe/Sulley Muntari, Andre Ayew/Dominic Adiyiah and Asamoah Gyan/Matthew Amoah

Germany - Manuel Neuer, Arne Friedrich, Sami Khedira, Per Mertesacker, Jerome Boateng/Marcel Jansen, , Philipp Lahm, Bastian Schweinsteiger/Toni Kroos, Mesut Oezil, Thomas Mueller/Piotr Trochowski, Lukas Podolski and Cacau.

From: William D. Ezah, GNA Special Correspondent, Johannesburg, South Africa