Ghana beat Swiss, both head home

Ghana did their part in the hopes of reaching the knockout rounds of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Germany, beating Switzerland 2-0 in Bochum. However, Group D winners the USA bested Korea Republic in the other match in the section, sending both the pointless and goalless Swiss home along with the determined and stylish west Africans.

Ghana began the game in lively fashion with Florence Dadson getting hold of the ball in the first minute of play. She fired a chipped shot from near midfield that had the Swiss goalkeeper scrambling, but ended up sailing harmlessly over the bar.

The Swiss hauled themselves back into the game with Ana Crnogorcevic and Samira Susuri both going close, only to be denied by keeper Patricia Mantey and wayward finishing respectively. The Europeans looked the faster of the two teams as the first half wore on, but the Ghanaians were putting together some stylish passes and bossing midfield.

On 31 minutes, the Africans put their possession to work. Elizabeth Cudjoe’s free-kick from the left was volleyed home extravagantly by outstanding playmaker and captain Elizabeth Addo. Just 11 minutes later, they made it 2-0. Edem Atovor’s long pass picked out Cudjoe who slotted easily past Pascale Kueffer.

Ghana continued to dictate the patterns in the second period, but were unable to add to their lead. The Swiss kept the Ghanaian rearguard busy with some snappy countre-attacking, but in the end the game finished 2-0 for Ghana, who go out of the competition with four points from their three Group D games. The Swiss will be less buoyed by their time in Germany, picking up zero points from their clashes.