THE BIG PICTURE
Hands up if you thought this Ghana team would struggle without injured captain/superstar midfielder Michael Essien. Now use that hand to slap yourself in the face. Gently, but still do it. That slap is from the likes of Kevin-Prince Boateng, Kwadwo Asamoah , Anthony Annan and Dede Ayew, all of whom have impressed in midfield for the Black Stars this tournament. The even bigger shock for me has been striker Asamoah Gyan, who was so impotent in front of goal at Africa Cup of Nations 2008 that maniacs started threatening his family, but has looked very much the real deal at World Cup 2010. Just ask Carlos Bocanegra and Jay DeMerit. More at the Ghana blog with Gary.
Uruguay has been a bit of a surprise too. They came into 2010 as theoretically the weakest South American representative, having to win a playoff against Guatemala Costa Rica to qualify. But they’ve impressed going in both directions, with captain Diego Lugano and left back Jorge Fucile catching my eye, if only for the multiple headers, clearances and slide tackles they seem to be performing every time I look at the TV. Going forward the trio of Luis Suarez, Diego Forlan and Edinson Cavani have looked the bees knees. with Forlan and Suarez both proving themselves capable of scoring both near and far distances, and it’s hard to think of another team that has two forwards both scoring regularly (though that may be because not too many teams are playing with more than one forward). More at the Uruguay blog with Esteban.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
It’s still an eye-rubber to think that either Uruguay or Ghana will be in the 2010 World Cup semi-finals. In a good way. Ghana’s presence here in the quarter-finals is already semi-historic, as they’re only the third African team to make the quarter-finals (Cameroon in 1990, Senegal in 2002) and if they win this game Ghana will be the first African team in a World Cup semi-final. Ever. So no pressure then Ghana.
Uruguay won the first World Cup in 1930, and repeated that feat in 1950, but haven’t been this deep into the World Cup since a semi-final appearance in 1970. Winning this game and reaching the final four once more would represent something of a return to the big boy club for Uruguay.
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