Czech Republic 0 - 2 Ghana

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Saturday Jun 17 2006 05:00

Ghana threw Group E wide open after defeating Czech Republic 2-0 in an entertaining clash in Cologne.

After losing their opening game 2-0 to Italy in Hanover, Ghana needed to kick-start their World Cup campaign to avoid elimination with one game remaining and Ratomir Dujkovic's side did exactly that as they took the lead after 75 seconds through Asamoah Gyan.

When the ball was returned to the edge of the box Tomas Ujfalusi mis-timed his challenge, leaving Gyan to dispatch a low left-foot shot under the dive of Petr Cech.

The Black Stars should have doubled their advantage on the half-hour mark first through Matthew Amoah, who drilled over from 15 yards, before Gyan shot weakly at the diving Cech from close range.

Skipper Stephen Appiah came within inches of adding to the lead with a low strike that whistled past the post as Ghana continued to hold the upper hand.

Czech Republic came out after the interval in more determined fashion, but without injured strikers Jan Koller and Milan Baros they often looked toothless in attack.

Skipper Pavel Nedved saw a header from eight yards beat the keeper after 47 minutes only for the effort to be ruled out for offside.Jaroslav Plasil then lashed an angled shot over the bar in the 55th minute after a flowing move led by the twin threat of Nedved and Arsenal-bound Tomas Rosicky.

As Czech Republic pushed forward looking for an equaliser they began to leave gaps at the back and when a long-range shot deflected into the path of Gyan on the edge of the box, Ujfalusi conceded a penalty after tripping Amoah.

Ujfalusi was shown a straight red card, but Ghana failed to take full advantage when Gyan's 66th minute spot-kick bounced away to safety off the post.

Cech came to his side's rescue with quick-fire saves from Amoah and Sulley Muntari as the game became stretched.

But with Ghana opening up the opposition defence virtually at will, Muntari finally sealed the victory after capping a neat three-man move inside the box with a rising shot over the head of Cech in the 82nd minute.

The result leaves Group E wide open, with Ghana and Czech Republic both level on three points with one match still to play.

Live Commentary

  • 90
    FULL-TIME: CZECH REPUBLIC 0-2 GHANA.
  • 90
    Habib Mohammed is booked in injury time.
  • 90
    The Ghana fans are celebrating what will be a famous victory while the Czechs are leaving in droves.
  • 90
    Three minutes of time to be added onto the 90. Ghana have a corner which they use to run down the clock.
  • 88
    Substitute Pimpong breaks behind the Czech backline and as he bears down on goal the ball is squared to Muntari who allowed himself to stray offside. An awful piece of play and typical of the lack of composure Ghana have showed.
  • 85
    Razak Pimpong comes into the game and replaces the first goal scorer Gyan.
  • 84
    The goal scorer Muntari is booked for a foul on Rosicky.
  • 82
    CZECH REPUBLIC 0-2 GHANA, finally Ghana show some composure in front of goal. MUNTARI rifles a left footed shot from inside the area into the roof of the net following some neat build-up play.
  • 80
    The lively Amoah is taken off and Eric Addo comes into the game.
  • 79
    Ghana are nervous in front of goal and Gyan misses a great chance from ten yards hitting the ball straight at Cech's legs.
  • 78
    Essien is denied by his Chelsea team mate Cech after finding space in the area thanks to the vision of Appiah.
  • 75
    Boateng is the fourth Ghana player to receive a caution after challenging Rosicky. With they powerful tackles Ghana have done well to keep it at just four yellow cards!
  • 73
    Appiah crosses the ball from the right and it falls for Muntari who lashes a shot on target that is well stopped by Cech, the Chelsea 'keeper is keeping his country in the game.
  • 72
    Ghana haven't let the missed penalty affect their positive play. They are stretching the Czech defence time and time again but need to create something rather than shooting from long range.
  • 68
    Libor Sionko comes on for Jaroslav Plasil.
  • 66
    Gyan is booked for taking his penalty early and will miss the next game. A moment of stupidity from the striker.
  • 65
    Ujfalusi is sent off after denying Amoah a shooting chance, following mass protests from the Africans.
  • 65
    Amoah wins a spot-kick for the Africans after being brought down by Tomas Ujfalusi in the six-yard box. Gyan hits the post from the spot. An amazing few moments in this game!
  • 62
    The Czechs are struggling to have any impact going forward. Nedved loses concentration and with the ball at his feet he fails to cross and allows the ball to run out of play for a goal kick.
  • 61
    Ghana are enjoying the majority of possession, mainly due to the fact they win the ball so quickly after losing it.
  • 59
    Tha game has continued at the pace set in the first half, the ball is moving from end to end with neither side really making any clear chances.
  • 57
    Nedved is crowded out in the area after a lovely ball was rolled into his path from Rosicky. At the other end Gyan is fed into the box by Essien but can't beat Cech to the ball.
  • 56
    The tired looking Porborsky is brought off and Jiri Stajner comes on in his place.
  • 54
    A Ghana free kick is squared to Appiah but his shot is charged down. Ghana are playing positively and are clearly pushing for a second goal.
  • 52
    Gyan makes a fantastic run forward and after ignoring the shouts from Amoah, who was in a better position, tests Cech with a stinging shot. The resulting corner comes to nothing.
  • 49
    The ineffective Lokvenc is booked for a rash challange on Derek Boateng. He will now miss the next game against the Italians.
  • 47
    Nedved thinks he has drawn his team level but the offside flag denies the Juventus player. It was the correct decision but will give the Czech's a lift to see the ball actually go into the net.
  • 46
    A change for each side at the break. Derek Boateng replacing Addo for Ghana and Jan Polak coming on for Tomas Galasek for the Czech Republic.
  • 46
    Ghana kick off the second half.
  • 45
    HALF-TIME: CZECH REP 0-1 GHANA
  • 45
    One minute of injury time to be added on in this pulsating game.
  • 43
    Poborsky breaks down the right and his pull back seeks out Rosicky but the new Arsenal man can't get a clean contact on the ball and it goes out for a goal kick.
  • 42
    The Czechs are missing the presence of Koller. Lokvenc may have the height but is failing to provide any options for the midfield.
  • 41
    Gyan is down injured and is taken off for treatment but he looks like he will continue in the game.
  • 39
    Ghana are breaking at speed, Appiah receives the ball from Amoah on the edge of the area. His shot goes inches wide of the left post.
  • 38
    Rosicky produces a direct run at pace but is again closed down by the determined Black Cats.
  • 37
    Michael Essien is the second player to go into the Ref's notebook following a challange on Nedved.
  • 34
    The Czechs put Ghana under pressure. A cross from Zdenek Grygera causes panic in the box but they survive the onslaught.
  • 32
    Appiah is providing most of the spark for Ghana and plays a neat ball through to Gyan whose shot from a tight angle falls into Cech's arms.
  • 30
    The game has sprung to life. Poborsky gets into the area and pulls his shot wide of the far post. While at the other end Amoah gets into the penalty area but his shot is rushed and is easily saved by Cech.
  • 28
    The Czechs find some breathing space and a dangerous free kick from Karel Poborsky is pulled back to Jankulovski but his effort on goal is blocked by the Ghana defence.
  • 26
    David Rozehnal clears the free kick for a corner to Ghana which is cleared out for a throw. Still Ghana push forward and win another corner.
  • 26
    Otto wins a free kick in the corner for Ghana but it looked accidental.
  • 24
    Sulley Muntari fires another shot at the Czech goal from the edge of the box but he drags his effort wide.
  • 23
    Rosicky is starting to come into the game and his mazy run gives his team a lift. If he can get more of the ball chances will come for the Czech Republic.
  • 21
    Ghana have given away a number of cheap free kicks these may provide the best way for the Czech's to get back into the game. However a Rosicky's 25 yard attempt on goal is poor.
  • 20
    The Czechs are struggling to win the ball and keep it meaning the creative players in the team haven't been able to produce anything.
  • 18
    Addo is the first player to be booked following a tackle on Jaroslav Plasil.
  • 18
    The corner comes to nothing but the Black Stars will be enjoying this early pressure and should be looking for a second goal.
  • 17
    Ghana are passing the ball well, with confidence, and win a corner.
  • 16
    Vratislav Lokvenc is looking slow in attack for the Czech Republic and a number of long balls have failed to find him.
  • 14
    Appiah finds space outside the Czech box but his shot is poor from a player of his quality.
  • 13
    Otto Addo heads a Stephen Appiah free kick over the bar. It was a very difficult chance though.
  • 12
    Tomas Rosicky feeds Nedved who has a shot on goal from the edge of the box but is no trouble for the 'keeper Richard Kingston.
  • 11
    Ghana are full of early running and have showed how much they like their tough tackles.
  • 10
    A lofted ball into the box from the free kick is easily collected by Chelsea 'keeper Petr Cech.
  • 9
    Ghana win a free kick 20 yards from goal folowing a foul by David Rozehnal.
  • 8
    The Czech Republic are clearly rattled following the early goal and a Jaroslav Plasil long range effort ends up in the stands.
  • 6
    John Paintsil lunges into Pavel Nedved and a free kick is given in the centre circle.
  • 3
    The Czechs look to respond to their terrible start but Ghana are holding firm.
  • 2
    CZECH REPUBLIC 0-1 GHANA, ASAMOAH GYAN gives Ghana an unbelievable start with a cool finish after the Czechs failed to clear their lines following a corner.
  • 1
    Ghana press on early and win a corner.
  • 1
    The Czech Republic get the game underway.
  • 0
    Giant striker Vratislav Lokvenc comes into the Czech side in place of Koller in a familiar 4-5-1 formation. The Black Cat?s have replaced defender Samuel Kuffour, who made an error that led to the second Italian goal, and brought in Habib Mohamed.
  • 0
    Czech defenders Marek Jankulovski and Tomas Ujfalusi will pick up their 50th caps following todays game.
  • 0
    Ghana lost their opening game against Italy 2-0 but will be looking to their midfield to offer more support for their forwards Matthew Amoah and Asamoah Gyan who were often left isolated against the Azzurri.
  • 0
    The Czech Republic will be looking to build on their impressive victory against the USA. However they will be without the services of strikers Milan Baros and Jan Koller who are both out injured.
  • 0
    This Group E clash pairs the Czech Republic against Ghana in Cologne. It is the first time the sides have ever met.

Statistics

Czech Republic
Shots on target 4
Shots off target 11
Shots off bar/post 0
Fouls 17
Offsides 4
Corners 6

Ghana
Shots on target 8
Shots off target 11
Shots off bar/post 1
Fouls 17
Offsides 10
Corners 6

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