Ghana again bar US path
Saturday, 26 June 2010
RUSTENBURG, June 25 (AFP): Four years after sending the United States crashing out of the World Cup, Ghana's Black Stars again block the Americans' path and are the only African team into the knockout rounds.
Former US President Bill Clinton is among the American supporters who will make his way to this rural farm town for Saturday's match after watching Landon Donovan score in stoppage time for a 1-0 US victory over Algeria to advance.
"Hands down the biggest moment in my career. That's something I will have embedded in my mind forever," Donovan said. "I'm so proud of our guys. We kept going and we believed. We're alive. We're not done yet.
"My guess is Saturday is going to be a pretty cool occasion for our country."
Moments from a repeat of 2006's disappointment, the Americans continued a thrill-ride run that has them ranked atop their quarter of the draw with dreams of matching the 1930 US semi-final run from a World Cup with only 13 teams.
The Americans rallied to draw England 1-1, came back from two goals down to draw Slovenia 2-2 with a disallowed winning goal and shook off another controversial no-goal referee call to solve Algeria at the death to advance.
"We're like the 'Cardiac Kids' at the moment," US goalkeeper Tim Howard said. "That emotion, that passion is what American sports fans thrive on."
Several US players have said that the memory of the 2006 flop is in the back of their minds, an exit caused by a 2-1 loss to Ghana in the 2006 group stage.
Former US President Bill Clinton is among the American supporters who will make his way to this rural farm town for Saturday's match after watching Landon Donovan score in stoppage time for a 1-0 US victory over Algeria to advance.
"Hands down the biggest moment in my career. That's something I will have embedded in my mind forever," Donovan said. "I'm so proud of our guys. We kept going and we believed. We're alive. We're not done yet.
"My guess is Saturday is going to be a pretty cool occasion for our country."
Moments from a repeat of 2006's disappointment, the Americans continued a thrill-ride run that has them ranked atop their quarter of the draw with dreams of matching the 1930 US semi-final run from a World Cup with only 13 teams.
The Americans rallied to draw England 1-1, came back from two goals down to draw Slovenia 2-2 with a disallowed winning goal and shook off another controversial no-goal referee call to solve Algeria at the death to advance.
"We're like the 'Cardiac Kids' at the moment," US goalkeeper Tim Howard said. "That emotion, that passion is what American sports fans thrive on."
Several US players have said that the memory of the 2006 flop is in the back of their minds, an exit caused by a 2-1 loss to Ghana in the 2006 group stage.