African Nations' Cup: Ghana Is Latest Winner

Upset of Czechs Scrambles Group E: Ghana 2, Czech Republic 0

Ghana's John Pantsil, right, consoles Czech Republic's Pavel Nedved at the end of the World Cup, Group E soccer match between Czech Republic and Ghana, at the Cologne stadium, Germany, Saturday, June 17, 2006. Ghana won 2-0. The other teams in Group E are Italy and the United States. (AP Photo/Murad Sezer) (Murad Sezer - AP)

COLOGNE, Germany, June 17 -- In less than 24 hours, the fortunes of African soccer at this World Cup changed dramatically. It started with Angola's surprising 0-0 tie with Mexico on Friday night, keeping alive the wartorn country's hopes of reaching the second round, then reached new heights Saturday afternoon, when Ghana provided the first real upset of the tournament by toppling the Czech Republic, 2-0, before 45,000 fans at Rhein Energy Stadium in Cologne.

Ghana has long been a power on its continent, sending players to top European clubs, but reached the world's elite event for the first time this summer. Its World Cup started with a brave effort in a 2-0 loss to Italy, but yesterday, Ghana snatched a lead in the second minute and rolled from there. The Black Stars (1-1) stymied what had been a dominant Czech midfield for long stretches, then dominated when the Czechs went down to 10 players following a red card in the second half.

The win would have been more emphatic if not for a Ghana penalty kick rattling the post, and the repeated remarkable saves of Czech goalkeeper Petr Cech. As it stands, the two goals put a significant dent in the Czechs' goal differential and threw a difficult Group E, including Italy and the United States, into disarray. Most importantly to Ghana, however, it can make the second round with a victory over the United States on Thursday in Nuremberg.

"We are happy, because we continually fought and battled to get to the next round," Ghana Coach Ratomir Dujkovic said, "and we still believe we can pass the group stage. This is perfect for us, this victory, for the mentality of the group and to continue on in the competition."

Through the first week of the World Cup, Africa was faltering. Its perennial giants -- Cameroon, Nigeria and South Africa -- failed to qualify, with five teams making their first appearance here instead. Ivory Coast, considered by many the best African team in this draw, performed well against Argentina and the Netherlands, but suffered close defeats to those world powers, and African teams were 0-5-1 in the tournament before Angola tied Mexico.

"First, this is for the team," Ghana midfielder Michael Essien said, "and then our country, and then for all the African teams in the world."

Striker Asamoah Gyan, who scored the opening goal, added: "We wouldn't be here without the massive support, not only from Ghana, but from all the African nations."

Gyan's goal came less than 120 seconds in, when Czech defender Tomas Ujfalusi badly mistimed a clearing attempt with his head, and Gyan chested the ball down and fired to the corner of the net (the Czechs' central defense was too soft and allowed Ghana to work the ball at will around the box). Gyan tapped each of his shoes before his teammates mobbed him, and ran toward a group of Ghana supporters.

"When I heard them shouting, 'Ghana! Ghana!' I almost cried," Gyan said.

The Czech's midfield maestros, Pavel Nedved and Tomas Rosicky, who rampaged the United States, were far less effective Saturday, and with strikers Milan Baros and Jan Koller injured, their attack broke down in the final third of the field, leaving them to rely on long shots. Ghana, meantime, continued to counterattack with its speed, piercing the defense. Ujfalusi fouled Matthew Amoah from behind in the 65th minute, earning a red card, and Gyan smacked the ensuing penalty kick off the post.

Cech, a star with Chelsea in London, was great for the next 20 minutes, making saves with impeccable reflexes, as if his 6-foot-5 frame were wired to predict the direct of each shot. "He saved the Czechs from maybe having a five-goal loss," Dujkovic said.

Finally, though, the tired and undermanned Czech defense relented in the 82nd minute. Sulley Muntari picked out the top corner from 12 yards out. While the Czechs went through the motions in the final minutes, all of Ghana began to celebrate.