Go all out and fly high the national flag -Ambassador

Ulsan (SK), Sept. 4, GNA - Ghana's Ambassador to South Korea, Mr Kwadwo Afuakwah Sarpong has called on the players of the U-17 National team, the Black Starlets to "Go-all-out" in their remaining two matches to ensure convincing victories to lift high the national flag. He said the Starlets had already fought "Good fights" and written Ghana's name on conceptual maps in Asia and the rest of the world, but their efforts needs to be crowned with victories in their remaining two matches to bring the trophy to Ghana.

Ambassador Sarpong made the appeal when he addressed the players and officials of the team on Tuesday in Ulsan before ahead of their semi-final crucial encounter with Spain on Wednesday. He said, "You have already made history by coming this far. What is left for you to do now is to bring more glory to the nation by defeating your opponents in the remaining two matches."

The Ambassador advised the players to constantly remind themselves of the sacrifices and legacies that their predecessors achieved and the "spirit" of their ancestors behind the national flag to struggle harder go for the trophy.

Ambassador Sarpong said the Korean sporting public have accorded maximum respect to Ghana football due to the team's remarkable performance in the tournament and urged the boys to do away with complacency and focus on scoring of important goals to ensure straight victories to lift the cup.

"I am sure Ghanaians would give you a rousing welcome back home and you should be proud to present them with the ultimate cup." He said.

Deputy Skipper of the side, Ransford Osei gave the firm assurance that they would do all that it takes to defeat Spain on Wednesday and meet either Nigeria or Germany on Sunday, September 9, and go all out for the cup.

Osei appealed to Ghanaians back home to continue to offer prayers for the team particularly on their final match on Sunday since they are determined to advance to the finals to win the cup for celebrations.

In a related development, Mr. Emmanuel K. Gyimah, Deputy General Seecretary of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) commended the boys for their remarkable performance so far and advised them to repeat the Italy '91 and Ecuador '95 successes to make Ghanaians proud.

In an interview with GNA Sports, Mr. Gyimah said the boys were just good and determined to "rule" the world and expressed the hope that nothing would prevent them from winning the cup.

The Starlets made Ghana proud when they cruised through to the semi-final stage at the ongoing FIFA U-17 World Cup tournament in South Korea.

On their way to the last four, they beat four teams including mighty Brazil and Colombia but were only narrowly humbled by Germany at the group stages.