Soccer City, Johannesburg is the venue for the second quarter-final as Ghana look to become the first African side in history to reach the last 4 of a World Cup against 2-times winners Uruguay.
Both sides have surpassed expectations in this tournament to date and the incentive is huge for both to reach the next level. Uruguay have the chance to return to the big stage by reaching their first semi-final since 1970. Ghana carry the hopes of a continent on their shoulders after a disappointing showing from the African teams, and can enhance their growing reputation in the game as well as writing their names into the history books by reaching the semis.
The draw has been reasonably kind to the South Americans to this point. The Uruguayans drew 0-0 with France in a match they should really have won, before comfortably beating South Africa and Mexico (3-0 and 1-0) and fighting back well to win their knockout clash with South Korea 2-1. Ghana escaped a far tougher group by beating Serbia 1-0, drawing 1-1 with Australia and losing 1-0 to Germany before their marathon last 16 win against USA in Rustenburg last weekend.
Uruguay were not expected to make the impact they have in South Africa, especially after scraping through qualification with a controversial play-off victory against Costa Rica. They have cruised into the quarter-finals – winning 3 consecutive World Cup matches for the first time since 1954 – and have conceded just a single goal in their 4 matches. Uruguay are now unbeaten in their last 6 World Cup matches, keeping 4 clean sheets in the process, and could appeal at 15/8 ‘to win to nil’, or evens ‘to keep a clean sheet’ in our team specials market.
Though possibly not as skilful, the Uruguayans are not dissimilar to Dunga’s Brazil in their approach. Oscar Tararez’s side are extremely tough to break down and have plenty to offer going forward, with Edinson Cavani, Diego Forlan and Luis Suarez all potential match winners.
The form of Luis Suarez has been a major factor in Uruguay’s success in South Africa. Suarez has scored a staggering 55 goals in 61 appearances for club and country so far this season, and is 11/2 with Blue Square to open the scoring in this one. Diego Forlan has been extremely effective playing off Suarez in the ‘number 10’ role and could appeal at 9/2 for the first goal. The Atlético Madrid man is certainly not adverse to a shot from distance and could offer value at 7/1 ‘to score from outside the box’, especially as he’ll be on free kick duty for the South Americans.
In reaching the quarter-finals, Ghana have already improved on their performance in Germany 4 years ago, and will make history here if they can go one further than Cameroon and Senegal and book a place in the last 4.
The Black Stars’ route to the last 8 has been somewhat fortunate; 2 penalty kicks were enough to earn them a win and a draw in the group stages and they were lucky to survive a barrage of late USA chances after Kevin Prince Boateng had put them ahead in Rustenburg. Ghana’s defence could barely contain the Americans late on and could struggle against the more clinical South Americans here.
Asamoah Gyan has been the focal point of Ghana’s success at this World Cup, but lacked support for long periods against the US. His extra-time winner against the Americans was his first in open play, and showed incredible strength and skill, as he held off a crunching challenge to bury the ball past Tim Howard. Gyan is only the second African player in history to score 4 or more World Cup goals, and is priced at 9/4 with Blue Square to equal Roger Milla’s record of 5 with another goal here.
No African side has ever won a World Cup knockout match within 90 minutes, and you can get 29/10 about The Black Stars becoming the first. Ghana are priced at 6/4 to reach the semis by any means, 14/1 to win it in extra time and 9/1 on penalties. Uruguay are 21/10 to win it in 90 minutes, and 1/2 to qualify.
