EU and Arab League reaffirm support for two-state solution, urge Hamas to disarm    Japan's Fukushima plant workers evacuate after tsunami warning    EU fails to agree Israeli suspension from research fund over Gaza    Saudi Arabia, Palestine sign three MoUs to support human capital, education, and digital transformation    Magnitude 4.68 earthquake recorded in Red Sea, 150 km off Jazan coast    Fahad bin Nafel steps down as Al Hilal president after historic six-year run    Saudi Arabia marks World Day Against Trafficking in Persons with sweeping reforms and global partnerships    Amazon.sa prime members set to save big during seven-day sale from July 25 to 31    Keeta reaches 11 new cities in Saudi Arabia    Saudi Economic and Development Affairs Council reviews Vision 2030 progress, economic outlook    João Félix unveiled by Al Nassr as €50m move marks bold new chapter in Riyadh    Saudi Arabia approves first Alzheimer's treatment with lecanemab for early-stage patients    Saudi minister explores investment and industrial partnerships with US private sector in Chicago    India's AI-driven tech firings could derail middle class dreams    Saudi Arabia issues 83 new industrial licenses in June worth $253 million    Chris Tucker, Pete Davidson and Aziz Ansari among stars set for Riyadh Comedy Festival    Al Nassr beat Benfica to €50m João Félix signing after Ronaldo, Jesus intervene    Saudi Games 2025 postponed to prioritize athlete readiness for major events    Female HR exec resigns after viral Coldplay concert embrace with CEO    Ithra announces open call for 7th Ithra Art Prize with expanded exhibition format    Sholay: Bollywood epic roars back to big screen after 50 years with new ending    Ministry launches online booking for slaughterhouses on eve of Eid Al-Adha    Shah Rukh Khan makes Met Gala debut in Sabyasachi    Pakistani star's Bollywood return excites fans and riles far right    Exotic Taif Roses Simulation Performed at Taif Rose Festival    Asian shares mixed Tuesday    Weather Forecast for Tuesday    Saudi Tourism Authority Participates in Arabian Travel Market Exhibition in Dubai    Minister of Industry Announces 50 Investment Opportunities Worth over SAR 96 Billion in Machinery, Equipment Sector    HRH Crown Prince Offers Condolences to Crown Prince of Kuwait on Death of Sheikh Fawaz Salman Abdullah Al-Ali Al-Malek Al-Sabah    HRH Crown Prince Congratulates Santiago Peña on Winning Presidential Election in Paraguay    SDAIA Launches 1st Phase of 'Elevate Program' to Train 1,000 Women on Data, AI    41 Saudi Citizens and 171 Others from Brotherly and Friendly Countries Arrive in Saudi Arabia from Sudan    Saudi Arabia Hosts 1st Meeting of Arab Authorities Controlling Medicines    General Directorate of Narcotics Control Foils Attempt to Smuggle over 5 Million Amphetamine Pills    NAVI Javelins Crowned as Champions of Women's Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) Competitions    Saudi Karate Team Wins Four Medals in World Youth League Championship    Third Edition of FIFA Forward Program Kicks off in Riyadh    Evacuated from Sudan, 187 Nationals from Several Countries Arrive in Jeddah    SPA Documents Thajjud Prayer at Prophet's Mosque in Madinah    SFDA Recommends to Test Blood Sugar at Home Two or Three Hours after Meals    SFDA Offers Various Recommendations for Safe Food Frying    SFDA Provides Five Tips for Using Home Blood Pressure Monitor    SFDA: Instant Soup Contains Large Amounts of Salt    Mawani: New shipping service to connect Jubail Commercial Port to 11 global ports    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Delivers Speech to Pilgrims, Citizens, Residents and Muslims around the World    Sheikh Al-Issa in Arafah's Sermon: Allaah Blessed You by Making It Easy for You to Carry out This Obligation. Thus, Ensure Following the Guidance of Your Prophet    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques addresses citizens and all Muslims on the occasion of the Holy month of Ramadan    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Ghana beats Chile in extra time to enter semis
Published in The Saudi Gazette on 09 - 07 - 2013

ISTANBUL — Ebenezer Assifuah scored his second goal in the closing minutes of extra time as Ghana beat Chile 4-3 to reach the semifinals of the Under-20 World Cup Sunday.
Assifuah's header completed Ghana's comeback after Angelo Henriquez put Chile 3-2 up in the eighth minute of extra time. Seidu Salifu equalized in the 113th after being set up by Clifford Aboagye. Both teams were locked at 2-2 in regulation.
“This was really a cliffhanger match,” Ghana coach Sellas Tetteh said. “That is what this tournament is about, to show good football and to entertain people.”
The only African nation to win the event, in 2009, Ghana will next play France while Iraq takes on Uruguay in the other semifinal.
Earlier Sunday, Iraq conceded the lead three times to draw 3-3 with South Korea before winning a penalty shootout.
Tetteh praised his team for coming from behind for a second straight match. In the previous knockout round, Ghana beat Portugal 3-2 with two late goals.
“We didn't panic, we still played our type of football,” Tetteh said. “I have to give credit to the boys ... this was a complete performance from a determined team.”
Earlier in the tournament, Ghana narrowly escaped elimination after losing group matches against Spain and France before advancing on goal difference following a 4-1 win against the United States.
“It's a wonderful feeling for us to progress to the semifinal,” Tetteh said. “We started from a very low point. The progression of this team is wonderful.”
Ghana took the lead in the 11th when Frank Acheampong set up Moses Odjer, who controlled the ball on his chest before hammering it past goalkeeper Dario Melo.
Nicolas Castillo scored his fourth goal of the tournament with a fierce strike to level in the 23rd, and Henriquez gave Chile the lead four minutes later with a low shot from just outside the area.
Ghana pressed for an equalizer in the second half and got its reward in the 72nd when Ebenezer Assifuah hit the target for his first goal.
Uruguay aims high
With Brazil and Argentina not present and Chile succumbing to Ghana in the quarterfinals, all South American hopes of another Under-20 World Cup title are now with Uruguay.
Coach Juan Verzeri's team will take on Iraq Wednesday, hoping to reach its second final after finishing runner-up in 1997.
For the first time since the event's inauguration in 1977, neither Brazil — which won the previous edition in Colombia two years ago — nor Argentina managed to qualify. Those two nations have shared 11 of the previous 18 youth world championships, and Uruguay is eager to become the third South American nation to lift the trophy.
In its quest for glory, Uruguay will “always have to combine the technical with emotional skills that have been hallmarks of our football,” coach Verzeri said after his team reached its first semifinal since 1999.
Never shy of battling to — and sometimes over — the limit, Uruguay has been known for its never-give-up mentality. It helped the team overcome tournament favorite Spain in Saturday's quarterfinal.
The European Under-19 champions dominated ball possession but couldn't match their opponents' fighting spirit, which was ultimately rewarded by Felipe Avenatti's winning goal in extra time.
“But just playing hard does not mean playing outside the rules,” Verzeri said.
FIFA statistics are proving the coach right. In its five matches so far, Uruguay has committed a total of 57 fouls, far less than any other team still in the competition. Iraq conceded 79 free kicks, Ghana 82, and France 85.
Also, Uruguay received fewer yellow cards — five, compared to France's seven, Iraq's 10 and Ghana's 12.
On the other hand, Uruguay suffered 93 fouls, well ahead of Iraq (75), Ghana (70) and France (69).
“It was an emotional fight but we were also playing good football,” Verzeri said after the Spain game. “We played very concentrated ... I emphasize the unity of all the players and the effort they put into fighting for each ball.”
Uruguay drew praise from Spain coach Julen Lopetegui, calling the South Americans “a team that collectively moves well and is very strong in defense.” — AP


Clic here to read the story from its source.