Gwangyang (SK), Aug. 27, GNA - Ghana's U-17 team, the Starlets has once again found themselves in a difficult web trying to find a way to victory, just like the senior national team, the Black Stars at the last World Cup in Germany.

The Stars were drawn in a very difficult group, which analysts thought Ghana was going to be run over by Italy, USA and the Czech Republic based on their poor performance in the Cup of Nations in Egypt and the high rankings of their opponents by FIFA.

It however became a different story after the team lost its first game to the disappointment of all Ghanaians and in a "Never say Die" attitude they came back strongly to defeat the Czechs, who were by then the second best team in the world.

The euphoria that greeted the win was obvious with the hope their next opponents USA could easily be defeated and the players really set the world rolling to ensured that Ghana's name was written in gold in Germany and for reckoning to the rest of the world.

It was after the euphoria by the soccer crazy of the country that it dawned on all the Stars were to meet the dreaded and world champions Brazil in the round of 16 after placing second. And as somebody pointed out it was like, "From a frying pan to fire" syndrome that had engulfed the nation with hush comments and uncertainty about the ability of the Stars to hold their own against the Samba boys.

The brave ones however still were full of hope with comments such as, "We would score them", "we shall score them" and "we can score them" as the obvious refrains on the lips of the die hard Ghanaians before Brazil defeated the Stars 3-0.

This time round the Black Starlets are in a similar position but have gone through "deep and hot waters" only to realize that the journey had just begun. The boys have so far shown a lot of resilience and courage so far in their matches in Korea and if they continued in that fashion then victory would be for Ghana on Wednesday.

With the likes of Ransford Osei, Abeiku Quansah and Sadik Adams finding their scoring boots, victory can definitely not elude us this time round.

The statistics has Brazil dominating over Ghana in the Under-17 level. The last time the two teams met in competitive soccer was in New Zealand where they eliminated Ghana in the semi finals and went ahead to win the cup that Ghana won in Ecuador '95. The two sides met again in 1999 in Egypt when the competition was hosted in Africa for the first time. The Brazilians beat Ghana 2-1 at the finals to retain the cup.

Ghana on the other hand only managed to defeat Brazil in Ecuador 3-2 in 1995 to lift the cup for the second time. So any time the two teams meet there is always the expected tension and so it is very difficult to predict the winner. Already soccer fans in Korea have termed the Ghana-Brazil encounter as the finals of finals and the Gwangyang Sports complex is expected to fill to capacity to watch the two 'Brazil's perform their soccer artistry. The history of the tournament has the following data. In Brazil: Mexico beat Brazil in Peru 2005 to lift the cup. Brazil beat Spain to lift the cup in 2003 in Finland. Ghana did not qualify for the event in that year.

In New Zealand 1999, Brazil beat Australia to lift the cup while Ghana placed third after beating USA. Brazil beat Ghana in Egypt 1997 at the finals to lift the cup. Ghana beat Brazil in Ecuador 1995 to lift the cup the second time. Ghana reached the finals in Japan 1993 but lost to arch rivals Nigeria. Ghana defeated Spain by a lone goal to lift the cup for the first time in Italy 1991.

This is therefore the time for revenge and all eyes would be focused on the Ghanaian lads to this time round defeat Brazil. With a well focussed strategy it is the hope of many that with determination and resilience the boys can do it and progress to the finals.