First African Win in 2006 World Cup Finals

Home: World Cup Finals: Germany 2006: 1st Round: Match Schedule: Czech Republic vs Ghana

Saturday, 17th June 2006
First African Win in 2006 World Cup Finals

Previous Encounters:
Czech Republic and Ghana have never met before the Germany 2006 World Cup Finals.

The Match:
The game had just kicked off in Cologne when Ghana took the lead, in the second minute; as a failure in the Czech Republic defence allowed Asamoah Gyan to chest the ball into his stride and fire to the left of the usually reliable Petr Cech.

Ten minutes later, Tomas Rosicky and Pavel Nedved combined to try and bring the Czech Republic level but the final shot didn't have enough sting, enabling Richard Kingston to hold it easily.

Just before the half-hour, Karel Poborsky came close for Czech Republic and at the other end, Asamoah Gyan again threatened for Ghana.

Gyan tested Cech once more, two minutes after his last turn in the box.

Half-time: (0:1).

Pavel Nedved headed in straight from the re-start but the Czech goal was disallowed for offside.

Vratislav Lokvenc then received his second yellow card of the group stage, which means Czech Republic's striking options against Italy are further limited.

Ghana continued to pose Czech Republic problems and then there was high drama in the 65th minute.

Tomas Ujfalusi tripped Matthew Amoah in the penalty area and Ghana were awarded a penalty. Before the kick was taken, two Ghana players ran after the referee to protest that the player should be sent off. Horatio Elizondo sheepishly went over to Ujfalusi and showed him the red card, then turned around and booked Asamoah Gyan for taking the penalty before he was ready.

Gyan took the penalty again, sent Cech the wrong way but the ball cannoned off the post.

Petr Cech played out of skin to keep Ghana from scoring as they continued to push forward seeking the second goal that would wrap up the game.

Eventually, Czech Republic folded to the pressure as the Ghanians split their defence with swift movement on the right, Gyan releasing Sulley Muntari to score with his left foot; with just eight minutes to go.

Richard Kingston made two fine saves in the final seconds of injury time as Ghana became the first African team to get a win at the 2006 World Cup Finals.

Final Score:
Czech Republic 0 - Ghana 2

Goalscorers:
0:1 Asamoah Gyan (2)
0:2 Sulley Muntari (82)

Teams

Czech Republic: (Captain Tomas Galasek)
1 Petr Cech; 2 Zdenek Grygera, 6 Marek Jankulovski, 21 Tomas Ujfalusi, 22 David Rozehnal; 4 Tomas Galasek, 8 Karel Poborsky, 10 Tomas Rosicky, 11 Pavel Nedved, 20 Jaroslav Plasil; 12 Vratislav Lokvenc.

Ghana: (Captain Stephen Appiah)
22 Richard Kingston; 5 John Mensah, 7 Illiasu Shilla, 13 Habib Mohamed, 15 John Pantsil; 8 Michael Essien, 10 Stephen Appiah, 11 Sulley Muntari, 20 Otto Addo; 3 Asamoah Gyan, 14 Matthew Amoah.

Referee:
Horatio Elizondo (Argentina)

Substitutions:
45 Mins (Ghana) - 9 Derek Boateng on for 20 Otto Addo
46 Mins (Czech Republic) - 19 Jan Polak on for 4 Tomas Galasek
55 Mins (Czech Republic) - 17 Jiri Stajner on for 8 Karel Poborsky
68 Mins (Czech Republic) - 7 Libor Sionko on for 20 Jaroslav Plasil
80 Mins (Ghana) - 18 Eric Addo on for 14 Matthew Amoah
85 Mins (Ghana) - 19 Razak Pimpong on for 3 Asamoah Gyan

7 Yellow Cards:
18 Mins - Otto Addo (Ghana)
37 Mins - Michael Essien (Ghana)
50 Mins - Vratislav Lokvenc (Czech Republic)
66 Mins - Asamoah Gyan (Ghana)
75 Mins - Derek Boateng (Ghana)
84 Mins - Sulley Muntari (Ghana)
93 Mins - Habib Mohamed (Ghana)