Germany beat Ghana 1-0 to qualify for knock-out phase

Published Thu, Jun 24 10 10:26 AM

M R Mishra Johannesburg, Jun 24 (PTI) Germany maintained their proud record of having never failed to qualify from the group stages at a World Cup with a narrow 1-0 win over Ghana and booked a round of 16 berth as Group D winners here. Werder Bremen midfielder Mesut Oezil scored the matchwinner in the 60th minute in a fast and furious match yesterday at Soccer City Stadium to give Germany their second win and six points to top the group. Despite the loss, Ghana also made it to the round of 16 on goal difference though they have the same points four -- with Australia who beat Serbia 2-1 in Nelspruit in another Group D match. Ghana have a goal difference of zero as against minus three of Australia. It was a sweet revival of fortunes for Joachim Loew''s side after their shock 0-1 defeat against Serbia in their last match which also saw the ejection of star striker Miroslav Klose on his second booking. Germany now play England Group C runners-up in the round of 16 in Bloemfontein on June 27 while Ghana take on United States of America the earlier day in Rustenburg. The match was also registered another first in World Cup history with two half-brothers facing each other for the first time. Kevin-Prince Boateng of Ghana faced his brother Jerome in the Germany side. Kevin was roundly booed by German fans as his tackle in the FA Cup final match between Portsmouth and Chelsea led to Germany captain Michael Ballack''s ruling out of the World Cup. The first 45 minutes was played at a frantic pace with both sides having shots galore at the goal though Germany had more ball possession and scoring chances. The first chance came in Ghana''s way in the 20th minute when Kwadwo Asamoah broke down the left of the German box and cut back to striker Asamoah Gyan whose misdirected shot was blocked by a defender. In the 25th minute, Andre Ayew found himself unmarked inside the German box but the young midfielder was one touch too many and it was cleared by a defender. Next minute, Germany got the first clear chance of the match as Mesut Oezil was onside down the right side off a fine pass from his captain Philip Lahm but he shot straight to the Ghana keeper Richard Kingson. Immediately, Asamoah Gyan''s header off a corner was cleared by Lahm at the goal-line. MORE PTI MRM PDS SHN

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