Ghana overcome Brazil in shootout drama

CAIRO: Ghana’s U-20 African champions last night added the World U-20 title to their trophy cabinet, beating Brazil’s A Selecao on penalties, after extra time ended with the score tied at 0-0.
Ghana, who were reduced to 10 men late in the first half when Daniel Addo was shown a red card, were on the back foot for most of the match, but some resolute defending combined with some great saves made by keeper Daniel Agyei kept the Brazilians at bay. Agyei then continued his good form to become Ghana’s penalty hero, saving Alex Teixeira’s sudden death penalty, allowing Ghana to take the title.
The first half was a tense affair, with many of the players looking daunted by the Cairo crowd of 67,000, who made it clear where their loyalty lay with their vociferous support for Ghana’s “Black Satellites” (or, in the Egyptian commentary, “Black Stars”). Lots of passes went astray, both teams struggled to keep possession, and the game was broken up by a succession of fouls. Brazil perhaps had the greater possession, but clear-cut chances were few and far between – Alex Teixeira narrowly failing to connect with Giuliano’s dangerously swung free kick, in what was probably the best effort of the first half.
In the 37th minute, Ghana defender Daniel Addo was shown a straight red card for bringing down Teixeira on the half-way line, Belgian referee Frank de Bleeckere wrongly judging Addo to be the last man. The Boursa café in downtown Cairo was up in arms – a very poor decision indeed by the referee that could very easily have cost Ghana the match.
Ghana made it through to half-time, although they failed to get a shot on target for the duration of the first half, and after the break Brazil looked to make their numerical advantage count as they cranked up the pressure on the impressive Ghanan defense. Alan Kardec twice should have put Brazil in front, heading the first chance straight at Ghana keeper Agyei, and heading the second over the bar from point blank range. Ghana began to find their rhythm, and put together some nice passages of play, although still failing to really threaten Brazilian keeper Rafael.
The stalemate continued into extra-time, when Agyei made a great save to deny Maicon, and then later to prevent Wellington Junior from stealing a last-gasp winner. The game headed to penalties, where Agyei again proved the hero as he saved from Alex Teixeira, allowing Agyemang-Badu to knock home the penalty that sealed the tournament for Ghana.
Regardless of the circumstances, Ghana will rightly be delighted with their win in a tournament where they have surprised many of the more favored nations to claim a well-earned victory. As the tournament is all about developing future talent, here are a few players picked out from the final that could one day be big stars:
1) Jonathan Mensah – had a great game at the heart of the Ghana defense, and has looked solid and athletic throughout the tournament. He has showed positional play, and an ability to read the game, way beyond his years, and has the potential to be great.
2) Renan – Also looked solid in Brazil’s defense, which only conceded 3 goals in 6 matches. Showed good aerial ability, looked comfortable on the ball, and had that very Brazilian tendency to rampage forward at every opportunity – just what you want in a center back.
3) David Addo – A rangy, rampaging full-back that likes to get forward, Addo looks like the kind of player who could take Europe by storm in a few years.
BM