Revenge Not on Otto Addo’s Mind as Ghana Beat Korea to Face Uruguay
Ajax Amsterdam forward, Mohammed Kudus scored twice as Ghana defeated Korea Republic 3-2 in another thrilling encounter by an African team at the ongoing World Cup here in Qatar yesterday night.
The victory revived Black Stars chances of making it to the knockout stage despite losing their opening game to Portugal. Ghana temporarily moved to second spot on three points ahead of the group’s second late night fixture between Uruguay and Portugal.
The Black Stars appeared in line for a Group H cruise when they led 2-0 at half-time. The opening 24 minutes were contested almost exclusively in the Korean half, but when Jordan Ayew sent over a freekick from the left, the ball dropped for Mohammed Salisu to force home from close range.
Ghana demonstrated terrific mettle to respond. Mensah flew down the left to cross along the floor. Inaki Williams missed his kick – but Kudus was on hand to clinically restore the advantage.
Ati-Zigi clawed out Lee’s dipping free-kick and Kim Jinsu saw an effort swiped off the line before Ghana
clung on during 10 minutes of time added on to climb above their Asian rivals ahead of Friday’s closing fixtures against Uruguay in what many here have termed a grudge match for the Ghanaians.
But in what appeared a tongue-incheek talk, Black Stars Coach, Otto Addo, dismissed any insinuation that his wards are driven by the spirit to avenge Luis Suarez’s handling of ball to deny Ghana a semi final berth at South Africa 2010 World Cup. The winner of the clash between Ghana and Uruguay will take one of the tickets from Group H to the Last 16.
Speaking at the post match conference yesterday, Addo stressed: “It will be very difficult but I am confident to know that we can win this game," said Addo after his men claimed a thrilling 3-2 decision over South Korea. "I'm not a guy that thinks much of revenge.
"It was really, really long time ago that this incident happened and I am a strong believer if you don't seek too much revenge on these kind of things sometimes you get the blessings."
A long time ago perhaps but still not long enough for many Ghanaians to forget the image of Suarez using his hands to clear away Dominic Adiyiah's header and what surely would have been the extra-time winner.
Suarez was given a red card for the foul but that would not be the end of the heartbreak for Ghana as Asamoah Gyan missed the resulting penalty and the Black Stars eventually suffered a crushing 4-2 loss in the penalty shootout.
Addo pointed out that it is not only his team and approach that will be different this time, but that it will be a completely different Uruguay side as well.
One thing that hasn't changed is Ghana's attacking philosophy and Addo will, as always, rely on an explosive offence that has generated five goals in two games.
"It is a different approach, a different team," said Addo. "They have very good strikers, lots of experience and they are a very compact, very good team.
"It will be very difficult just like every match. "We said before the tournament started every game will be on edge, and we have to be at our best to beat them."