2014 World Cup: Ghana forward Andre Ayew rues early concession in USA defeat

Published on: 17 June 2014
2014 World Cup: Ghana forward Andre Ayew rues early concession in USA defeat
Andre Ayew scored Ghana's consolation in USA defeat

By Ameenu Shardow

Follow on Twitter @alooameenu

Courtesy African Origin Travel and Sports Tourism

Ghana forward Andre Ayew believes the side’s poor start was the main reason behind the shocking 2-1 defeat suffered at the hands of the United States in their opening group game at the 2014 World Cup.

The Black Stars were stunned under just one minute when skipper Clint Dempsey slotted home coolly after an exciting solo run.

Ghana had to fight back thereafter and could only drew level through Andre Ayew with eight minute left to play.

The relief offered by the equalizer was short lived as rookie John Brooks headed in USA’s second and the eventual winner off a cheaply given away corner kick.

It is however the first goal conceded under just one minute that Ghana’s Olympique Marseille talisman rues the most following a disappointing night in Natal.

“We lost, what can we say? What was difficult was our entrance in the game,” he said.

“We are not allowed to take a goal in the first 30 seconds, that is just not possible.

“But we managed to get back into the game, managed to do the hardest part which was to equalize and continue pushing and we took a goal on a set piece when we knew that was one of their strongest points.

“We are disappointed, Ghanaians are disappointed in the result but it is not over.

“It is part of football, we learn from our mistakes and we move on.”

Ghana will now have to secure a favourable result in their next group game against three-time winners Germany on Saturday.

The Black Stars will also need another big result in the final group game against Portugal to have any chances of progression in the tournament being staged in Brazil.

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