World Cup exchanges: How are Ghana and Uruguay doing?
A victory for Ghana will surely lead them. If South Korea fails to beat Portugal, a draw will be enough for the Black Stars. If South Korea beats Portugal by another goal and Ghana loses, then South Korea will lead on goal difference.
For Uruguay, anything other than a win would put them out. If they beat Ghana by one goal more than South Korea (in the event they beat Portugal), they advance.
Ghana seeks revenge
Ghana hasn’t forgotten what Luis Suarez did, as billboards in the African nation urge their team to “take revenge” on Uruguay for 2010.
The scars remain on the Black Stars ahead of Friday night’s Group C game.
Emotions run high after Suarez defiantly gave the pre-match press conference and refused to apologize for saving an out-of-control goal in the final moments of extra time 12 years ago.
He reignited the competition after Suarez accused Ghana of missing the resulting penalty kick and the ensuing penalty shootout loss.
Arguably he saw the only African team good enough to win the World Cup.
Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey recalls watching the heartbreak from Ghana: “It was very difficult. We had our goal and we thought we could make history and in the end we couldn’t and everyone was sad or depressed at the time.”
Ghana can now eliminate Uruguay after beating South Korea last time around, leaving them in second place with three points.
Uruguay, who only have one point and failed to score in the World Cup, must win and hope to improve Korea’s result against Portugal at the same time.
Harry Maguire debated in the Ghanaian Parliament
This is not something you see every day….
taunted England defender Harry Maguire in the Ghanaian Parliament
Suarez refuses to apologize for the 2010 Handball World Cup against Ghana
Uruguay star Luis Suarez has refused to apologize for his infamous handball against Ghana on the eve of the World Cup encounter, insisting: “It’s not my fault – I didn’t miss the penalty kick.”
Suarez was involved in one of the highlights of a World Cup match when the two teams met in the quarter-finals of the 2010 tournament in South Africa.
And the striker was sent off in the last seconds of extra time after clearing him with his hand, as the score was tied at 1-1, but Asamoah Gyan missed the resulting kick, and Uruguay went on to win the penalty shootout, denying Ghana a historic moment. As the first African country to reach the semi-finals.
The two teams have not met since then, and in a bold move, Uruguay chose Suarez as a designated player to face the media and review Friday’s match. He told the 35-year-old Ghanaian journalist that he was nicknamed “the devil himself” in the country and asked why Suarez never apologized for his actions.
Read his comments in full here!
Chris Hughton, a quiet but vital part of Ghana’s World Cup success
Chris Hughton sat high in the stands, caught between the media in his training green in Ghana, and tipped over two-way radio to the bench as West Africa beat South Korea on Monday to win their first points at the World Cup in Qatar.
The former Brighton boss and Republic of Ireland international full-back is a key but almost invisible component of the coaching staff, and is now looking to plan Uruguay’s fall on Friday and earn Ghana a place in the last 16 of the tournament in Qatar.
Hughton, who turns 64 next month, has kept a low profile in Qatar in his role as technical advisor, but there is no doubt that he is an integral part of the confidence of the Ghanaian masterminds.
“He has a lot of experience and knowledge and always tries to give his best for the team,” said coach Otto Addo, who was a surprise pick for Ghana after the disastrous AFCON final in January and parachuted in. after a few weeks. From a World Cup play-off match against Nigeria in March.
Addo did not have much coaching experience but had worked at youth level in Germany for over a decade. Hughton, whose father was born in Ghana and was visiting the country at the time, was asked to help.
Ghana managed that equalizer with Nigeria, with some luck, and the coaching staff stayed in place for the World Cup.
“We have a very good relationship, Chris Hughton is a very experienced coach,” Addo added earlier this week.
Prediction: Uruguay victory
Ghana has been a huge entertainment value at the World Cup so far, escaping to survive Korea Republic after narrowly losing to Portugal in another thrilling five-goal game.
Drama, goals and action galore seem guaranteed whenever Otto Ado’s side are involved, but will that always be the case against Uruguay?
La Celeste have yet to score a single goal in this tournament and have already produced two very poor performances.
But three points are an absolute must, they can let go of the handbrake here and show its quality.
Uruguay’s winner, 2-1.
Uruguay team news: Suarez may participate
For Uruguay, it will be interesting to see if Suarez plays against the team he probably doesn’t like the most, after he was dropped to the bench and limited to a late substitute against Portugal, with Edinson Cavani on start. Along with Darwin Nunez at the top instead.
Key defender Ronald Araujo has yet to appear in this tournament, as he recently underwent hip surgery, and reports suggest Uruguay and Barcelona are at odds over his recovery.
Team news in Ghana: Mensah is pushing to leave
Ghanaian defender Gideon Mensah insisted he would be fit for Friday’s game after he left late in the thrilling 3-2 win over South Korea, revealing he was simply suffering from a cramp.
Mensah was brought in to replace Baba Rahman, on loan from Chelsea, at left-back.
Where to watch the Ghana vs Uruguay match
TV channel: In the UK, the game will be broadcast free-to-air on BBC Two, with coverage commencing at 2.45pm.
Live: Fans can also watch the match live online via BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport.
Live blog: You can follow all match day action on the Standard Sport live blog.
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