Ghana Earns First-Ever World Cup Victory

Ghana upsets Australia to send China through
PORTLAND, United States, Sept. 28 -- Alberta Sackey scored a pair of goals to lead Ghana to its first-ever victory in Women's World Cup competition, a 2-1 win over Australia on Sunday night.

Ghana, who had already been eliminated, sent Australia packing in their Group D game at the fourth Women's World Cup soccer tournament here on Sunday.

　　Ghana, who lost to both China 1-0 and Russia 3-0 in their firsttwo games, launched the all-round attacks from start and Australia, who need a win to qualify, struggled under enormous pressure.

　　Alberta Sackey scored both goals for the African side. The Ghana captain netted in one of the best goals of the tournament sofar and Ghana's first in the 34th minute.

　　She struck from 25 meters with the outside of her boot into the top corner of Australia's goal.

　　The African Player of the Year was really showing the awesome talent that she has thereafter.

　　In the 40th minute, Sackey doubled Ghana's lead, latching onto a long cross, hitting it left-footed first, followed up with her right after it was saved by Australian keeper Melissa Barbieri.

　　Australia found it hard to breach Ghana's defense in the second and it was the African side who went close to scoring for several times after the break.

　　The Australians finally pulled a goal back in the 61st minute through Heather Garriock but it was far from enough to get them through since they only gathered one point from two matches.

　　Ghana's win sent China automatically through to the last eight. The Steel Roses, who were held 1-1 by Australia, should have got at least one point to progress from Group D if Ghana had lost the game.

　　Ghana head coach said after the match: "We knew we just had to play all out. In the first two matches, we were unaware of what China and Russia had in store. We had to be careful. Tonight, we had nothing to lose whether we won or lost."

　　Australia head coach Adrian Santrac was disappointed with the results and couldn't believe their dismal performance.

　　"The first half was really disappointing. Ghana came to play with the passion and pride we expected and we sat back and waited for things to develop.

　　"I'm still scratching my head wondering what happened in the first half."

　　Australia goalkeeper Melissa Barbieri said: "As a team, I think we strive for more of the play. I think we were trying too hard and we were ineffective with our possession. So instead of going forward and attacking, we were trying to get position and keep possession in midfield."

　　She admitted that Ghana were more experienced with tackling. "We were sometimes surprised by the ways that they were coming at us and by their speed. When they come to challenge you, you think you've beaten them, and then there is a little more pace to them. So not really physically stronger, but in the end, they were physical when it counted."