Uruguay vs. South Korea
Uruguay continued a fine run of form for the South American teams as they beat an eagre and talented South Korea side 2-1 to go through to the Quarter Finals.
The Koreans started well and nearly took the lead within five minutes when Park Chu-Young ‘s free kick came off the Uruguayan goalpost.
But the Uruguay squad came back quickly and a low Diego Forlan cross from the left in the 7th minute passed through a no man’s land in front of the Korean goal and found Ajax striker Luis Suarez who promptly scored from a tight angle.
The Koreans gave it their best
The Koreans are a spirited bunch though and despite the attentions of a robust Uruguay defense they managed an equalizer on a header from Lee Chung-Yong in the 67th minute.
But Suarez wasn’t done. He curled a fine shot into the Korean net off a corner in the 79th to give his country the lead and ultimately the win.
The Koreans played well for stretches of the match, and showed occasional flair to compliment their endeavor. In the end though, they simply weren’t as good as the South American squad on the day.
With the win, Uruguay passed through to the Quarter Finals and undoubtedly spent the remainder of their day mentally preparing for their next opponent: the winner of the clash between Ghana and the USA.
Ghana vs. USA
USA did nothing easy in this World Cup, having to come from behind against England and Slovenia to salvage draws, and then making tough work out of a last-gasp win over Algeria.
True to form the USA gave up an early goal to the Ghanaians today when Kevin Prince Boateng picked Ricardo Clark’s pocket in midfield and scored to ‘keeper Tim Howard’s near post from the edge of the penalty box.
The Ghana goal put the Americans on their back foot where they remained for the entire first half, seldom looking like a team likely to wrest control from the sole surviving African nation left in the tournament.
USA manager Bob Bradley clearly new he’d gotten his lines crossed early in the match as he desperately tried to solidify his shaky midfield by yanking Clark out after only 30 minutes in favor of Glasgow Rangers defender Edu.
The second half was a different game for the USA, though, as Bradley brought in Feilhaber whose insertion made an instantaneous difference to the quality of the USA’s play.
Whereas Ghana controlled the first half, the second belonged to the Americans and their control and persistence paid off just after the hour mark when Dempsey was brought down in the box for a penalty by Jonathan Mensah.
Fittingly it was Landon Donovan who took and scored the spot kick, giving Ghana ‘keeper Kingson no
chance with a shot that grazed the ‘keeper’s left goalpost before it found the net.
Desperate defending at both ends near the end resulted in overtime and Ghana were quick to make the difference when Gyan scored the winner from a fine volley just three minutes after play resumed.
Ghana is through to the Round of 8 now, with the distinction of having sent the Americans home in two consecutive World Cups.
Next up for today’s two winners
Uruguay and Ghana will meet on Friday and the winner will go through to the Semi-Finals. It should be an entertaining contest as Ghana’s youth and speed meet up against Uruguay’s solid defense.
