Stars going into Saturday's match like wounded lions - Gyan

Culled from FIFA Official website with GNA Sports slant

Accra, June 17, GNA - Ghana Black Stars' iconic goal poacher Asamoah Gyan says the Team is going into Saturday's match against Australia like wounded lions and would definitely maul the "Socceroos" at the end of the 90 minutes.


He told FIFA.com: "In 2006 we did quite well, we went to the next stage, but this time Ghanaians are expecting more from us. That is why we are also going like wounded lions. Like a wounded lion, you know? So I'm hoping we just qualify for the next stage and then we see what happens fr om there."


Gyan is being hailed as a hero throughout Ghana after scoring the late penalty that saw off Serbia 1-0 in Group D. In fact Gyan has been scoring significant goals for Ghana from the very start - scoring on his international debut to seal victory in a FIFA World Cup qualifier against Somalia, just days before his 18th birthday.


He has opened the Black Stars' account at each of the last four major tournaments, including the match against the Czech Republic at Germany 2006. Gyan said: "If you see the past record, I was the first guy to score for Ghana in the World Cup - ever," he told FIFA.com proudly, adding that he scored Ghana's first goals at both Ghana 2008 and Angola 2010 African Cup of Nations tournaments.


He said he was determined to continue to do what he has been doing, adding "I was saying to myself, 'if you score once again you can be the happiest man', you know. So when I was playing I was just concentrating, and I knew, I knew, I would score. I knew I would score, definitely".

Scoring is what Gyan does best. He registered three goals, including two match-winners in the knock-out rounds of Angola 2010. He was named among the African Team after tournament and having had a fine season in the French Ligue One has left him brimming with self-confidence.


"I've scored quite a lot of goals with my club and with the national team, and I've regained my confidence," said the man who now has a strike rate of one goal in every other one of his 40 internationals. "For a lone striker to be scoring all the time boosts your confidence," he added.


Smiles, song and determination Gyan is not only growing in stature on the pitch, he has become one of the "elder statesmen" in what is the youngest team at South Africa 2010. But he sees his role as less of that of a Taskmaster than jester. "I'm the leader," revealed Gyan with a sly smile. "I'm the one who leads the singing. It makes people happy. I make people laugh to forget about football. Sometimes there might be pressure on you, but if you just forget it, you will gain confidence.


"We are really enjoying it because, for me, this is my second time at a World Cup and I'm the funniest guy in the team, you know. So I make people laugh, it is fun when we are together," he said, adding that the relaxed attitude was what made the Team close".


Gyan was quick to point out that this version of the four-time African champions has a bite behind its smile. He said the 0-3 defeat Brazil handed down to the Team at Germany 2006 taught Black Stars a lesson.

"We learned a lot of things in the match against Brazil," he said, when comparing the present Team to four years ago.


"I think this time we went in calm and relaxed because we had studied


before, so we knew what we were going to do. I think there is a big difference in that we've gained a bit of experience in the World Cup." Gyan also dismisses the idea that complacency might now creep into t he Team after beating Serbia, a team many tipped as dark horses in the tournament, saying: "We are better in the world now."