Ghana vs Uruguay: The Black Stars look to avenge 2010 FIFA World Cup debacle
As far as settings go, Ghana could not have wished for anything better. Going into their final Group H fixture in the 2022 FIFA World Cup on Friday, the Black Stars not only have the chance to progress to the Round of 16, but also do so by avenging old foes Uruguay.
Ghana were denied a place in the semi-finals of the 2010 World Cup by Uruguay after Luis Suarez saw the red for handing a goalbound shot deep into extra time, but Asamoah Gyan missed the resulting spot kick and the Black Stars went on to lose in the penalty shootout.
But Ghana can progress to the knockout stages at the expense of the South Americans if they defeat Diego Alonso’s side at the Al Janoub Stadium in Al Wakrah. They sit second going into the game with four points while Uruguay are fourth with just one point to their credit.
With group toppers Portugal taking on South Korea in the other game on Friday, Otto Addo’s men have their fate very much in their hands. But the 2010 debacle continues to dominate the headlines as the two teams face each other with plenty at stake.
And speaking ahead of the game, former Liverpool and Barcelona forward Suarez was defiant about the incident that took place 12 years ago in South Africa. “I don’t apologise about that… but the player is gonna miss a penalty,” Suarez said.
“Maybe I can say (I) apologise if I injure the player and take a red card. But in this situation, I take a red card and the referee said penalty. This is not my fault because I didn’t miss. It’s not my responsibility to shoot the penalty.”
Meanwhile, Ghana head coach Addo, surprisingly, came to Suarez’s defence. “It’s all about perspective. If the same incident would have happened the other way around and Ghana would proceed to the semi-finals, everybody would say okay,” he said.
“It’s normal that a player will do anything he can. This is what I wish from every player, to do all he can to help his team qualify to serve and sometimes sacrificing himself with a red card.”
Uruguay, who need the full three points to have any chance of progress, will be without Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo. Alonso will also have tough decisions to make up front as both Suarez and Edinson Cavani have failed to hit form during the tournament.
Ghana, meanwhile, have no injury concerns and come into the game on the back of a thrilling 3-2 win over South Korea in their second outing. Now, they will hope to get the job done and progress to the knockout stages for the first time since 2010.
