Tony Becca
FORTY YEARS ago, Portugal went to England for their first campaign in the World Cup. Led by the great and now legendary Eusebio, they marched into the semi-finals and looking on in amazement, old men shook their heads and said never again.
Well, it is still a long way to go but Ghana, also appearing in their first World Cup, could dance their way to the semi-finals, probably even beyond.
So far, Ghana have won only one match in Germany and to make it to the semi-finals they will have to defeat the United States of America in their final group match, they will have to win their round of 16 match and they will also have to win their quarter-final match.
Based on their performance in their one victory, however, they certainly can defeat the USA and with Argentina, England, Holland and Germany in the other half, with Italy, Brazil, France and Spain in their half, once they do not come up against Brazil in the round of 16 or the round of eight, they can, with a little luck, make it through to the last four.
NARROWING GAP
Ghana's Michael Essien
And all this is based on two things - on the fact that the gap between the once mighty teams and the once weak teams has narrowed significantly and the manner in which Ghana destroyed the Czech Republic in Cologne.
After losing 0-2 to Italy in their opening match Ghana, who played quite well in that game, returned in style on Saturday and in a magnificent display, in a display during which they ran rings around the world number two-ranked team, in a display that reminded, to an extent, of Brazil at near their best, they tagged the Czech Republic 2-0 - and but for a little bad luck, but for a missed penalty, it could have been worse.
Yes, it is a long way to go but Ghana, led by Michael Essien and Stephen Appiah with support from others like Asamoah Gyan, Matthew Amoah, Sulley Muntari, Illiasu Shilla, Emmanuel Pappoe, John Mensah and goalkeeper Richard Kingson, could be the Portugal of 2006.
While Ghana have been impressive so far, however, while Spain, Holland and to an extent Germany, Italy and Portugal - who have made it to the second round for only the first time since 1966 - have also been impressive.
And while Argentina have simply been amazing, the disappointments have been England and Brazil and to an extent France, who it appears, have been depending on one man, Zinedine Zidane, to set up their goals, and on one man, Thiery Henry, to score their goals.
England, one of the favourites, have been too defensive and they have looked uncertain. But for when Wayne Rooney and Aaron Lennon appeared as substitute during their 2-0 victory over Trinidad and Tobago, they have been too slow on and off the ball.
But for Lennon and Jermaine Jenas they lack players with the skill to beat defenders and unless they come to life, unless they can inject some urgency in their game, they probably will not be around long after the first round.
Brazil, the starting and still favourites to win the Cup, appear jaded and like England they appear slow. But for Kaka, none of their top players have been in dazzling form and they could be in trouble.
GETTING HOTTER
The difference between England and Brazil, however, is this: while Brazil have in their midst some of the most skilful players on the planet, England do not and while Brazil are used to winning, England are not. And while Brazil, as they have done many times in the past, can suddenly turn it on and waltz to victory, England simply cannot.
The World Cup is getting hotter and hotter but although the gap between the strong and the weak is narrowing, although it would be foolish for any team to take any team for granted, it does seem at this point in the proceedings that apart from Ghana making a surprising run, it will be, as usual, between the best of Europe and the best of South America - between England, Holland, Italy and Germany, probably even Spain and Portugal, and of course, Brazil and Argentina.
