The Ghana national football team became the fist Africa team to register a victory in the ongoing 2010 FIFA World Cup by beating Serbia national football team 1-0 in Sunday’s Group D opening match.
A superbly taken 85th-minute penalty by Asamoah Gyan ensured Ghana began their Group D campaign with victory against 10-man Serbia whose defender Aleksandar Lukovic was red carded for his second bookable offence in the 74th minute.
Asamoah Gyan celebrates scoring for Ghana
Raddy Antic, the Serbian Tactician had seen his side resist committed Ghana attacks until substitute Zdravko Kuzmanovic handled the ball in an attempt to clear a dangerous cross, and the black Stars were awarded the penalty.
Asamoah converted superbly and sent the Ghana fans in wild cheers at Loftus Versfeld Stadium where 38,833 people were in attendance.
Ghana created the first genuine opportunity of the match when a stinging goalbound left-foot strike by Kwadwo Asamoah was deflected wide by the sprawling right leg of striker Nikola Zigic, while John Mensah and Asamoah Gyan failed to capitalise on half-chances shortly after.
Serbia’s best opportunity came from a set-piece when Aleksandar Kolarov’s superbly struck 30-yard left-footed free-kick curled past the left-hand post. Ghana once again dictated the tempo at the start of the second half, with Andre Ayew miscuing a header wide with his marker Vidic well beaten. Gyan went even closer soon after when he leapt elegantly to meet John Pantsil’s long throw into the 18-yard box, only for his powerful six-yard header to skim the outside of Vladmir Stokjovic’s left-hand post.
Ghana Coach Milovan Rajevac, playing his countrymen the Serbs, omitted European Cup-winning midfielder Sulley Muntari in midfield, while Kevin-Prince Boateng, who represented Germany under-21s, lined up for only his second appearance in a Black Stars shirt.
Now Ghana is in vintage position in Group D as they await the result of the match between German and Australia laiter on Sunday.
See Results of matches so far played at FIFA 2010 World Cup