Preview: Ghana Vrs Spain

The Spaniards are riding on cloud nine after a dream start to the competition with a 4-1 demolition of minnows the United States whilst their opponents, the Black Satellites stuttered in a 3-1 loss to the French.

A lot has changed in the last forty eight hours though as the two teams prepare to do battle at the Turk Telecom Arena in Istanbul.

While the Spaniards have qualification to the Round of 16 on their minds, the Black Satellites are desperate for three points to keep them in the competition.

Ghana coach Sellas Tetth has come under a barrage of criticism from supporters back home after his sides second half capitulation against the French.

The team simply had no answer to Pierre Mankowski’s second half game plan as they tore the Ghanaian defence to shreds with three second half goals from Geoffrey Kondogbia, Yaya Sanogo and Jean Christophe Bahebeck.

A consolation goal from striker Richmond Boakye-Yiadom only added a degree of respectability to the score line.

The pressure to deliver on the part of the Satellites could not have been bigger. Coach Tetteh and his charges are aware that only a victory will be good enough to keep his side in the competition and this he re-echoed at the pre-match press conference.

“We are going into a game where nothing but three points will be enough. We are up against a side that is fleet footed and technically one of the best. They have some fantastic players in Deulofeu, Jese and Suso to give any defence a run for their money and we know we have to step up our game to get a result.”

The Spaniards on the other hand are not allowing themselves to be carried away by their performance against Obama’s boys.

Coach Julen Lopetegui is keeping his charges grounded. He has a lot of respect for the Ghanaian team as a result of what they have achieved in the competition over the years.

“Ghana has developed some young exciting talents over the years through this competition. That we respect very much as we don’t intend to leave nothing to chance. We will approach the game with the strongest mindset and hopefully we can get a result from the game.”

With no serious injury worries from both camps, the two sides are set to parade their strongest starting X1. It’s a match of destiny for one side while the other will look to continue with the provision of normal service. Let the games begin.

Probable starting X1 Ghana-Antwi, Attamah,Baba Rahman,Lartey,Nketia,Duncan,Narh,Boakye-Yiadom,Acheampong,Odjer. Spain-Sotres,Manquillo,Derik,Puerto,Campana,Suso,Jese,Bernat,Saul,Oliver and Deulofeu.