US coach warns Ghana over Germany's smashing form

United States coach Jurgen Klinsmann has warned Ghana that they must get a result in their next World Cup match against Germany on Saturday or forget about progressing in the tournament in Brazil.

The Black Stars face Germany in their next match in Fortaleza on June 21 after losing their opening match 2-1 to the Americans in Natal on Monday night.

Ghana were stunned after just 30 seconds when Clint Dempsey finished off a great move down the left by weaving through the Africans’ defence to beat Adam Kwarasey at the keeper’s far post.

Andre Ayew struck an 82nd minute equaliser for the Black Stars but only four minutes later second-half substitute John Brooks headed a late corner through the defence and past Kwarasey to send the huge USA support at Estadio das Dunas wild.

Ghana, quarter-finalists in 2010, now face a huge task to qualify from a group which includes Germany and Portugal. Earlier, Germany thumped Portugal 4-0.

Klinsmann, who is German, is heaping pressure on the Ghanaians by claiming that their next opponents can be dangerous following the demolition on Portugal.

USA coach Jurgen Klinsmann — who led the Mannschaft to third place as coach in 2006 — warned: “I think Germany is the favourite in this Group. Ghana will face Germany next, and they have to get a result.

“We watched the Germany game today and I can only give them huge compliment. Impressive, no doubt about it.”

Ghana came to Brazil hoping to improve on their performance in 2010 when they narrowly failed to make the semi-finals when striker Asamoah Gyan missed a penalty against Uruguay after Luis Suarez stopped the ball with his hand on the line.

Uruguay went on to win the penalty shoot-out, and later claimed a fourth place finish.