Godin out of Ghana clash

01 July 2010 22:00

Diego Godin has been ruled out of Uruguay's World Cup quarter-final clash with Ghana in Johannesburg.

Godin suffered a thigh injury in the last-16 victory over South Korea and is replaced by Mauricio Victorino, while Alvaro Fernandez replaces Alvaro Pereira in midfield.

Jonathan Mensah and Andre Ayew are both suspended for Ghana, but leading scorer Asamoah Gyan is expected to recover from an ankle problem in time to start.

Gyan claims he is not surprised to be one of the stars of the World Cup. The Rennes player has scored three goals in four matches including the winner against the United States in the last 16.

Gyan said: "I did expect to score goals here because I did so well for my club and the confidence is there.

"I've scored many goals for my club. I am not surprised to be a star here. I know what I am worth when I am 100% fit. I thank God for that."

Uruguay only qualified for the finals through a play-off but have been one of the surprises of the tournament under their vastly experienced 63-year-old coach Oscar Tabarez, known to all as 'Maestro'.

Reaching the semi-finals would be the best achievement by the first winners of the World Cup - Uruguay triumphed in 1930 and then again in 1950 - since 1970, but Tabarez has warned against looking back at past glories.

He added: "I don't want to look back and talk about the historical dimension - anything that involves thinking beyond Friday makes us lose concentration. Perhaps later on we will be able to talk about the historical significance.

"First we have to play this quarter-final against Ghana and they are very strong, with very fast players with good dribbling skills. Ghana are getting closer to elite competition and I think they will continue to improve."

Source: PA