Uruguay-Ghana: Two Cinderella teams

Two Cinderella teams face off with a place in the semis on the line. After losing Michael Essien to an injury prior to the World Cup, Ghana wasn't exactly a favorite to get this far, but a win over the U.S. proved that coach Milovan Rajevic's Black Stars have responded.

Uruguay, meanwhile, is having its best World Cup run since 1966. Led by Luis Suarez and Diego Forlan, Uruguay has been a consistent performer in this competition. Suarez, a star on the rise for Ajax of Amsterdam, scored both goals in Uruguay's round of 16 win over South Korea. He is joined by Edinson Cavani up front, with Forlan just behind them. Forlan excels in this role, and Ghana will have to be aware of the danger he can create from this deep position.

Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez deserves credit for the way his side has come together at the right time, but now he has to deal with the news that defender Diego Godin could be out with a quadriceps injury. Mauricio Victorino replaced him at halftime of the team's win over South Korea, and Victorino could be set for a starting role on Friday. Other changes seem unlikely for Uruguay, which is missing no players through suspension.

Tabarez will be hoping that Uruguay can keep its three-game winning streak going. The midfield trio of Egidio Arevalo, Diego Perez and Alvaro Pereira will be key to any success. With only three players in midfield, Uruguay needs to make sure it retains possession.

But given the nature of Ghana's game, possession won't be an easy thing for Uruguay. Ghana's five-man midfield is full of strong and hard-working players who press the ball at every opportunity. Ghana will be without Andre Ayew and Jonathan Mensah, who picked up their second yellow cards of the tournament in the win over the U.S. Ghana will also be sweating over the fitness of lone striker Asamoah Gyan and attacking midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng. They were the goal scorers in the Black Stars' triumph over the U.S., but both are hobbling with injuries.

If Boateng is not ready to go, it could mean a start for Sulley Muntari, the Inter Milan midfielder who has yet to start a game for Ghana in this tournament. Stephen Appiah is another experienced player who could fill in.

It's a matchup so even, 120 minutes and penalty kicks is not out of the question.