Ghana player expects U.S. to fight hard in World Cup opener

Ghana has eliminated the U.S. from the last two World Cups -- which is either a good sign or a bad sign for Ghana, depending on how you read it.

Black Stars’ midfielder Kwadwo Asamoah is leaning toward the negative for his country, which was drawn into a tough group that includes Germany and Portugal in addition to Ghana and the U.S.

When the pairings were announced, Asamoah told Gold Ghana he “didn’t even think about Germany and Portugal. What came into my mind was ‘these USA people again?’ ”

Ghana opens World Cup play against the Americans on June 16 in Natal, Brazil, and Asamoah, who plays for Italian side Juventus, says the match will be about revenge.

“It is going to be war because they won’t sit back and lose three times to Ghana,” he said. “It is not going to be easy for only us, but Germany and Portugal too. There is no group favorite. Individuals don’t matter in football anymore but how the team plays on the field.”

If the Africans survive group play, Asamoah likes their chances.

“No one knows who is going to win the World Cup,” he said. “With team spirit we can move forward. We have to approach every game seriously and that will determine where we’ll finish. It is all about hard work.

“Let’s think about our group games first, then we look at what happens next.”

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