ZL's Bursa Themes: URUGUAY vs GHANA >>> Match Preview : Updated commentaries and charts of FKLI, FCPO, FOREX and Bursa Stocks

STARRY STARRY NIGHTS

SHINE ON GHANA
A billion Africans demand history rewritten

Uruguay and Ghana are first quarter finalists in World Cup 2010. They had a hard time getting here of course, Uruguay had to beat South Korea and Ghana broke their way through by beating USA. Ghana have the talent and ability to be the first African team in a World Cup semi-finals. Maybe even the first World Cup winner. They are now pride of Africa are assured of no less the 1 billion supporters rooting them for a victory.

Guess whom the match referee Olegario BENQUERENCA from Portugal will "sokong" in secrecy?History in the making .......
Uruguay on the other side plays solid latin football. Suarez, Forlan and company are in best shape even though Ghana players seem stronger physically. Uruguay may be the most aggressive team in the world but I think in this match it will not help them against such strong Ghana players, I think that this is kind of a handicap for Uruguay, they are used to playing aggressive football but what will you do if you just can’t bring the player down to the ground because he is too strong like Asamoah Gyan? We will see if Uruguay have a solution to finish off the Black Stars in regular 90 minutes of play.

Should the match goes into extra time, the Ghanian's stayiing power and physique will be the telling factor. Penalties decider are nothing more than nerves bender - just like Russian Roulettes. The Ghanians too will try avoiding that too.

Uruguay have conceded just one goal so far in South Africa, but their defensive solidity could be hindered by an injury to centre back Diego Godin, who has been ruled out. Fortunately for Uruguay, more significant is the continued presence of strike duo Diego Forlan and Luis Suarez who have contributed five goals between them already. Suarez scored 3 in the last 2 games and Forlan got a brace against South Africa. The Black Stars defence will have their handful keeping these two in-form strikers from destroying their dreams of a lifetime.

Uruguay player to watch

Luis SuarezLuis Suarez is one of the stars of the Uruguay team for obvious reasons: he is a world-class finisher with remarkable technical ability, is blessed with a powerful shot and has the ability to outjump opponents, which means he also poses a serious aerial threat. He scored 49 goals in 48 games for Ajax, and he has now found his goalscoring touch on the biggest stage. His goals have now seen off Mexico and South Korea already, and a clinical touch tends to make all the difference at the World Cup.

Ghana have the youngest team in the tournament. A side boasting several players who won the FIFA U-20 World Cup last year, they finished runners-up at January's CAF Africa Cup of Nations on the back of three consecutive 1-0 wins. They also held their nerve in a dramatic 2-1 extra-time victory over South Africa 2010's comeback kings, USA, in the second round.

Asamoah Gyan has scored three of the side's four goals, and despite being hampered by an ankle injury, should be the fulcrum of the Ghana attack.

Kevin-Prince Boateng also appears likely to win his fitness race, though the loss of starlet Andre Ayew to suspension will be painful. The door might now be open for the comeback of little-used Inter Milan midfielder Sulley Muntari, and the possible return of previously injured centre-half Isaac Vorsah could also be a major boost.

Ghana player to watch: John Mensah

Giant defender Jonathan Mensah has been Ghana’s regular captain over the last two years and the rugged backbone of the team. A veteran anchor at the back for the Black Stars, John will need to call on all of his experience to stop the speed and creativity of the Uruguay attack. Although the powerful Mensah should have the advantage in the air, he could well be challenged for pace on the counter-attack, though the potential return of Vorsah could provide him with significant assistance.

Key battle: Diego Forlan v Richard Kingson

Richard Kingson was the only player to compete in all of Ghana’s 12 qualifying matches en route to the 2010 FIFA World Cup. While few expected Wigan's third-choice goalkeeper to become a hero in South Africa, Kingson excelled against USA and he may need to turn in a repeat performance given Uruguay's firepower.

The spearhead of the Uruguay side, Diego Forlan is at the peak of his footballing powers and has the opportunity at South Africa 2010 to strengthen his position as one of the foremost strikers in the game today.
Nicknamed Cachavacha because of his likeness to the Argentinian cartoon character of the same name, over the years Forlan has forged a reputation as a technically gifted centre-forward and deadly finisher. As well as being two-footed, he is also a genuine threat in the air and rarely gives his markers much in the way of respite.

Forlan scored a brace in the 3-0 dismantling of the hosts but has not scored since his 2 goals against South Africa but still, El Diego remains a real danger.

Prediction

Ghana should be able to rely on the support of the majority, but Uruguay have progressed by keeping things tight while taking their chances. They were on the back foot for long periods against South Korea but rarely allowed them any clear-cut opportunities, and a stalemate with extra time looks the most likely outcome here. Ghana will want to appease 1 billion Africans in 90 minutes and rewrite the history books.

THE PICK