World Cup 2010 Quarterfinals: Uruguay vs. Ghana
By Ty Duffy
Ghana: The Black Stars will field a super defensive lineup. It’s a 4-5-1, but, with Muntari in for Ayew, it’s four holding midfielders and Samuel Inkoom, a converted right back. Their key will be shutting down Forlan. They let Ozil roam in between the midfield line and the defense. He burned them. Forlan can do the same. Uruguay are far more organized defensively than the United States. They should be able to handle balls from Gyan over the top. Ghana must counterattack quickly from midfield to press Diego Lugano’s lack of pace.
Uruguay: Uruguay should continue their current style. They have been impeccably positioned at the back, allowing only one goal in four matches. They have thwarted attacks and broken up opponents passing in midfield, providing a firm base to support their superstar strikers. Isolating Gyan up front will be crucial. With Forlan’s distribution, they have been efficient going forward, 22/55 shots on target and six goals. Luis Suarez is blazing right now.
Prediction: The only goals Ghana has scored fin the World Cup came from defensive mistakes. Uruguay don’t make them. I think they sit back and control the game, unleashing just enough of their firepower to win. 2-0 Uruguay.
[Photos via Icon, Getty]