Czech lost 2-0 to Ghana

What an upset!!

Ghana was in devastating form as they destroyed the Czech Republic 2-0 to record the first win by an African team at the 2006 World Cup finals.

Ghana stunned the Czechs with a second-minute goal in their Group E match, Asamoah Gyan netting from a Stephen Appiah cross that Czech defender Tomas Ujfalusi failed to intercept. The Africans attacked persistently and missed a hatful of chances, including a Gyan penalty in the 66th minute after Ujfalusi was sent off, but sealed their win eight minutes from time through Sulley Muntari.

Soccer Pundit saw the Czech Republic being made to look ordinary or even amateurish in this match. They were under pressure from an energetic Ghana team throughout the game and it was a different side to the one that demolished USA 3-0 in the previous game. They were unable to penetrate the Ghana defence and they also ceded the midfield supremacy to the Ghanians.

When Ghana attacked, it was a joy to watch as the players poured forward and it was exactly what the Czechs had done previously, simple through passes which split the defence apart. The Czechs did not find their rhythm and were on the back-foot most of the time. This match also propelled Michael Essien onto the world stage after his exceptional performance. Soccer Pundit wonders why he was not given a greater role in Chelsea with his vision and skills (maybe things will change after this match..)

To say the least, a 2-0 score-line was flattering; had the Ghanians being more clinical in front of goal, Czech Republic would have lost by a bigger margin. Maybe the effect of missing first-choice forwards Jan Koller and Milan Baros is beginning to show. And now that their top defender Vratislav Lokvenc is suspended for the final group game against Italy, their chance of progressing into the second round looks dim.

Soccer Pundit feels that the last match will require the Czechs to go all out and they really need their midfield general, Pavel Nedved, to inspire them, probably for the last time in his decorated career.