by Craig Laycock
Original article:
Colombia 1 - 0 Ghana
Arias (14')
After the highs of Argentina v Cape Verde, I suppose it was inevitable that a correction was on the cards. No light could burn so brightly for so long, and so it proved in this relatively drab encounter played in challenging conditions.
An early goal from Jhon Arias set up a last-16 game against Switzerland after Ghana proved devoid of inspiration in a game that seemed more than slightly affected by the sweltering 30c+ temperatures of Kansas City.
The scoreline ended 1-0, but in reality it could have been far greater had Colombia not spurned their many chances to put the game to bed.
Ghana, on the other hand, registered an appalling four shots on target in all of their games, and, having seen the much more proactive exploits of Cape Verde, will no doubt look back on this World Cup as an opportunity missed.
It looked like Ghana were going to start brightly when Thomas Partey flashed a long range strike wide of the post in the opening minute. The withdrawal of Jhon Cordoba minutes later with groin strain looked to have dented Colombia’s hopes somewhat, but bizarrely Ghana also lost Marvin Senaya to a hamstring injury in the opening stages. Was the heat a factor?
Colombia put their noses ahead, however, in the 14th minute and didn’t really look back from there. Sub Luis Suarez delivered a cross for Arias to catch Ghana off-guard, guiding his effort into the goal.
Colombia had multiple other chances in what was a drab game from that point onwards, and almost suffered from their profligacy as Ghana went up the other end and dragged wide from Partey.
The game felt like a free win for Colombia after that, with the supremely disappointing Ghana not threatening by any measure. Manchester City’s Antoine Semenyo had a shocking tournament by his standards, failing to register a single shot on target in the entire competition.
Although we’re getting ahead of ourselves, if Colombia beat Switzerland in the last 16 they open up the potential for a fantastic fixture vs Argentina in the Quarter Finals. I wouldn’t bet against them getting there.
Ghana go home wondering what might have been had they taken a more proactive approach to the tournament.
5 min read
Last 32: Arias strike secures Colombia passage
A disappointing Ghana limp out.
5 min read
Colombia 1 - 0 Ghana
Arias (14')
After the highs of Argentina v Cape Verde, I suppose it was inevitable that a correction was on the cards. No light could burn so brightly for so long, and so it proved in this relatively drab encounter played in challenging conditions.
An early goal from Jhon Arias set up a last-16 game against Switzerland after Ghana proved devoid of inspiration in a game that seemed more than slightly affected by the sweltering 30c+ temperatures of Kansas City.
The scoreline ended 1-0, but in reality it could have been far greater had Colombia not spurned their many chances to put the game to bed.
Ghana, on the other hand, registered an appalling four shots on target in all of their games, and, having seen the much more proactive exploits of Cape Verde, will no doubt look back on this World Cup as an opportunity missed.
It looked like Ghana were going to start brightly when Thomas Partey flashed a long range strike wide of the post in the opening minute. The withdrawal of Jhon Cordoba minutes later with groin strain looked to have dented Colombia’s hopes somewhat, but bizarrely Ghana also lost Marvin Senaya to a hamstring injury in the opening stages. Was the heat a factor?
Colombia put their noses ahead, however, in the 14th minute and didn’t really look back from there. Sub Luis Suarez delivered a cross for Arias to catch Ghana off-guard, guiding his effort into the goal.
Colombia had multiple other chances in what was a drab game from that point onwards, and almost suffered from their profligacy as Ghana went up the other end and dragged wide from Partey.
The game felt like a free win for Colombia after that, with the supremely disappointing Ghana not threatening by any measure. Manchester City’s Antoine Semenyo had a shocking tournament by his standards, failing to register a single shot on target in the entire competition.
Although we’re getting ahead of ourselves, if Colombia beat Switzerland in the last 16 they open up the potential for a fantastic fixture vs Argentina in the Quarter Finals. I wouldn’t bet against them getting there.
Ghana go home wondering what might have been had they taken a more proactive approach to the tournament.
Last 32: Arias strike secures Colombia passage
A disappointing Ghana limp out.
Original article:
Colombia 1 - 0 Ghana
Arias (14')
After the highs of Argentina v Cape Verde, I suppose it was inevitable that a correction was on the cards. No light could burn so brightly for so long, and so it proved in this relatively drab encounter played in challenging conditions.
An early goal from Jhon Arias set up a last-16 game against Switzerland after Ghana proved devoid of inspiration in a game that seemed more than slightly affected by the sweltering 30c+ temperatures of Kansas City.
The scoreline ended 1-0, but in reality it could have been far greater had Colombia not spurned their many chances to put the game to bed.
Ghana, on the other hand, registered an appalling four shots on target in all of their games, and, having seen the much more proactive exploits of Cape Verde, will no doubt look back on this World Cup as an opportunity missed.
It looked like Ghana were going to start brightly when Thomas Partey flashed a long range strike wide of the post in the opening minute. The withdrawal of Jhon Cordoba minutes later with groin strain looked to have dented Colombia’s hopes somewhat, but bizarrely Ghana also lost Marvin Senaya to a hamstring injury in the opening stages. Was the heat a factor?
Colombia put their noses ahead, however, in the 14th minute and didn’t really look back from there. Sub Luis Suarez delivered a cross for Arias to catch Ghana off-guard, guiding his effort into the goal.
Colombia had multiple other chances in what was a drab game from that point onwards, and almost suffered from their profligacy as Ghana went up the other end and dragged wide from Partey.
The game felt like a free win for Colombia after that, with the supremely disappointing Ghana not threatening by any measure. Manchester City’s Antoine Semenyo had a shocking tournament by his standards, failing to register a single shot on target in the entire competition.
Although we’re getting ahead of ourselves, if Colombia beat Switzerland in the last 16 they open up the potential for a fantastic fixture vs Argentina in the Quarter Finals. I wouldn’t bet against them getting there.
Ghana go home wondering what might have been had they taken a more proactive approach to the tournament.
5 min read
Last 32: Arias strike secures Colombia passage
A disappointing Ghana limp out.
Colombia 1 - 0 Ghana
Arias (14')
After the highs of Argentina v Cape Verde, I suppose it was inevitable that a correction was on the cards. No light could burn so brightly for so long, and so it proved in this relatively drab encounter played in challenging conditions.
An early goal from Jhon Arias set up a last-16 game against Switzerland after Ghana proved devoid of inspiration in a game that seemed more than slightly affected by the sweltering 30c+ temperatures of Kansas City.
The scoreline ended 1-0, but in reality it could have been far greater had Colombia not spurned their many chances to put the game to bed.
Ghana, on the other hand, registered an appalling four shots on target in all of their games, and, having seen the much more proactive exploits of Cape Verde, will no doubt look back on this World Cup as an opportunity missed.
It looked like Ghana were going to start brightly when Thomas Partey flashed a long range strike wide of the post in the opening minute. The withdrawal of Jhon Cordoba minutes later with groin strain looked to have dented Colombia’s hopes somewhat, but bizarrely Ghana also lost Marvin Senaya to a hamstring injury in the opening stages. Was the heat a factor?
Colombia put their noses ahead, however, in the 14th minute and didn’t really look back from there. Sub Luis Suarez delivered a cross for Arias to catch Ghana off-guard, guiding his effort into the goal.
Colombia had multiple other chances in what was a drab game from that point onwards, and almost suffered from their profligacy as Ghana went up the other end and dragged wide from Partey.
The game felt like a free win for Colombia after that, with the supremely disappointing Ghana not threatening by any measure. Manchester City’s Antoine Semenyo had a shocking tournament by his standards, failing to register a single shot on target in the entire competition.
Although we’re getting ahead of ourselves, if Colombia beat Switzerland in the last 16 they open up the potential for a fantastic fixture vs Argentina in the Quarter Finals. I wouldn’t bet against them getting there.
Ghana go home wondering what might have been had they taken a more proactive approach to the tournament.
5 min read