Paraguay and Ghana play at the Kaftantzoglio Stadium today, 15 August, at 20:30 local time
The Black Meteors, carrying Africa?s hope of a third successive Olympic football gold, confront South American surprise packets Paraguay this evening knowing only a win would suffice. The Meteors drew 2-2 with Italy on Thursday and know any poor outing against Paraguay, who ensured Brazil did not qualify, will greatly abbreviate the chances of the west Africans reaching the knock-out stage.
Ghana is still one of the favourites for a medal and they are going to try and prove that by all means.
Although managing only a tie in their first game against Italy last Tuesday 2-2, they have a young and very talented team that carries a lot of the African continents hope for an Olympic success.
Emmanuel Pappoe and Stephen Appiah got the goals against Italy but then the team became complacent and allowed the Europeans, who won the football gold at the 1936 Games in Berlin, to level up with two second-half goals.
Having eight team members playing for European leagues, they seem to have a knowledge of top class Football, having players of the likes of John MENSAH, Stephen APPIAH and Razak PIMPONG.
Portuguese coach Mariano BARRETO, says he is confident that his team will live up to expectations and achieve its goals. Probably all the more now, that the Ghanaian Minister of Sports declared a $5,000 bonus for the players, if they win the gold medal.
Ghana must approach today?s game with a different mentality as Paraguay would be ready to throw everything into it.
On the other hand, Paraguay has set a solid foundation in its quest for the qualification ticket to the next round by beating a very ambitious Japanese team on 12 August at the Kaftantzoglio stadium.
They also proved to be able to play an offensive style of Football, despite being thought a very good defensive team up to now.
By scoring four goals, they achieved three valuable points and coach Carlos SEGUIRA JARA (PAR) seems very optimistic for the next game.
Paraguay, having no injury worries, is keen in trying to secure a result tomorrow against Ghana, that will secure the team a qualification spot.
Captain Carlos GAMARRA (PAR), the most experienced player for the Latin Americans along with sensation Jose CARDOSA, state they are confident about their team?s chances and hope to continue pleasantly surprising the football world, after eliminating the heralded Brazil in the pre-Olympic tournament.
Group B: Standings & Results
--- W T L GF GA PtsParaguay 4, Japan 3
Paraguay 1 0 0 4 3 3
Ghana 0 1 0 2 2 1
Italy 0 1 0 2 2 1
Japan 0 0 1 3 4 0
Ghana 2, Italy 2, tie
Paraguay and Ghana play at the Kaftantzoglio Stadium today, 15 August, at 20:30 local time
The Black Meteors, carrying Africa?s hope of a third successive Olympic football gold, confront South American surprise packets Paraguay this evening knowing only a win would suffice. The Meteors drew 2-2 with Italy on Thursday and know any poor outing against Paraguay, who ensured Brazil did not qualify, will greatly abbreviate the chances of the west Africans reaching the knock-out stage.
Ghana is still one of the favourites for a medal and they are going to try and prove that by all means.
Although managing only a tie in their first game against Italy last Tuesday 2-2, they have a young and very talented team that carries a lot of the African continents hope for an Olympic success.
Emmanuel Pappoe and Stephen Appiah got the goals against Italy but then the team became complacent and allowed the Europeans, who won the football gold at the 1936 Games in Berlin, to level up with two second-half goals.
Having eight team members playing for European leagues, they seem to have a knowledge of top class Football, having players of the likes of John MENSAH, Stephen APPIAH and Razak PIMPONG.
Portuguese coach Mariano BARRETO, says he is confident that his team will live up to expectations and achieve its goals. Probably all the more now, that the Ghanaian Minister of Sports declared a $5,000 bonus for the players, if they win the gold medal.
Ghana must approach today?s game with a different mentality as Paraguay would be ready to throw everything into it.
On the other hand, Paraguay has set a solid foundation in its quest for the qualification ticket to the next round by beating a very ambitious Japanese team on 12 August at the Kaftantzoglio stadium.
They also proved to be able to play an offensive style of Football, despite being thought a very good defensive team up to now.
By scoring four goals, they achieved three valuable points and coach Carlos SEGUIRA JARA (PAR) seems very optimistic for the next game.
Paraguay, having no injury worries, is keen in trying to secure a result tomorrow against Ghana, that will secure the team a qualification spot.
Captain Carlos GAMARRA (PAR), the most experienced player for the Latin Americans along with sensation Jose CARDOSA, state they are confident about their team?s chances and hope to continue pleasantly surprising the football world, after eliminating the heralded Brazil in the pre-Olympic tournament.
Group B: Standings & Results
--- W T L GF GA PtsParaguay 4, Japan 3
Paraguay 1 0 0 4 3 3
Ghana 0 1 0 2 2 1
Italy 0 1 0 2 2 1
Japan 0 0 1 3 4 0
Ghana 2, Italy 2, tie
