by Tom Allen
Uruguay are quite rightly favourites for their quarterfinal clash with Ghana
on Friday evening but they are plenty short enough and I'll be happy to have the
Africans and the draw on my side in 90 minutes.
South American teams have dominated at these finals, with four featuring in
the last eight, but we saw how tough it was for Paraguay to get past a limited
Japan side, only advancing on penalties after a highly forgettable match, and I
couldn't be backing the first ever World Cup winners at a little over even money
in the Match Odds market.
Uruguay, and in particular their front pairing of Diego Forlan and Luis
Suarez, have impressed everybody at these finals and their best performance came
when trouncing hosts South Africa 3-0 in their second match.
Forlan got a brace that evening but it was strike partner Suarez who was
among the goals in Uruguay's 2-1 win over South Korea in the last 16 and the
pair certainly form a formidable duo.
It was clinical finishing that ultimately saw Uruguay battle past the Asian
side but with so much now resting on the outcome, a likely semi-final with
Brazil awaits the winners, the stakes have been raised significantly and a very
nervy 90 minutes for both sets of players lies ahead.
I had Ghana as likely first round casualties at these finals but they
continue to fly the flag for South African football and just about deserved
their extra-time win over USA in the second round.
Asamoah Gyan, on target three times already in South Africa, has led the line
magnificently on his own in the four matches so far but he faces a race against
time to be fit and his absence would be a huge blow for the Black Stars were he
ruled out.
With doubts about Gyan's fitness, Ghana could turn to an energetic midfield
for goals and they think they'll have the beating of Uruguay in that key area.
It is expected that Ghana's Serbian manager Milovan Rajevac will once again
ask the excellent Kevin Price Boateng and Anthony Annan to do the donkeywork
while extra responsibility to find the net could be heaped upon forward Kwadwo
Asamoah's shoulders should star man Gyan not make it.
Seeking to become the first ever African side to reach the last four at a
World Cup, Ghana look decent value at 4/5 with Ladbrokes
to force at least a draw and it wouldn't be the biggest shock were they to
advance.
The draw has been very kind to this pair and both Uruguay and Ghana will be
hoping to take full advantage.
2pts Back Ghana-Draw Double Chance (vs. Uruguay) @ 4/5 (Ladbrokes)
