Pantsil: Ghana to maintain winning game plan
Reuters - Monday 28 June 2010, 15:33
JOHANNESBURG - Ghana will stick to the
tactics that have proved successful so far in the World Cup when
they take on Uruguay for a place in the semi-finals, defender
John Pantsil said on Monday.
The team, which became only the third African nation ever to
advance to the quarter final stage of the World Cup, also had no
fears about dealing with the attacking qualities the South
Americans had shown so far in the tournament, players said.
"I don't think there is anything to change in our game. We
are going to stay with our game plan - just relax and play our
normal, good football and keep our positions and heads
together," Pantsil told Ghana FA website.
Under Serbian coach Milovan Rajevac, Ghana, the only African
team to make it through the group stage, have impressed many
with their stubborn defence and the creativity in the midfield
of Kevin-Prince Boateng and Dede Ayew.
However, coach Rajevac is racing against time to have his
squad ready for the game in Johannesburg on Friday following
injuries to key players and the suspension of Ayew and Jonathan
Mensah.
Boateng also limped out of their hard-fought second round
game against the United States, and is undergoing intensive
therapy for a hamstring injury.
Rajevac had said it would be a huge problem getting him
ready for the game on Friday, while several other players
including defender Samuel Inkoom are also struggling with
niggling injuries.
"We'll try our best on the injured players and make sure
they are ready," Rajevac said.
ULTIMATE DREAM
Despite the injuries and suspension concerns, the Ghanaians
are confident of making history by being the first African
nation to reach the last four of the World Cup.
"We're not worried about Uruguay. When we qualified to play
the USA, we weren't worried and we won, so we're going to do the
same thing," said 19-year-old defender Jonathan Mensah.
Inkoom was more forthright with his predictions and
confidence, seeing Ghana in the final and winning the trophy.
"We are ready to live the ultimate dream," the 20-year-old
midfielder told FIFA website (www.fifa.com)
"I told the coach we would win," he said of the game against
Uruguay. "I don't think Uruguay will be easy but I think we are
capable of winning," he added.
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