England play Ghana in a friendly for the first time
England and Ghana go into Tuesday’s friendly on the back of convincing wins in championship qualifier.
Both sides on the up
England and Ghana have both won their last two matches coming into Tuesday’s encounter at Wembley.
The Black Stars dispatched Togo 4-1 in a friendly that took place in Belgium during February and sit top of 2012 African Cup of Nations Qualifying Group I on goal difference from the Sudan thanks to a 3-0 victory over the Congo on Friday that sees them undefeated on the road to next year’s finals.
This is form mirrored by the Three Lions who came from behind to beat Denmark in Copenhagen last month and comfortably negotiated the home nations derby with Wales on Saturday to go back to the top of Euro 2012 qualifying Group G ahead of Montenegro.
In the longer term the visitors have the better record, losing twice in a calendar year besides a penalty shootout defeat to Uruguay in South Africa.
Both sides fell at the hands of a common foe in Germany during the World Cup. Whilst the Black Stars were defeated by South Africa after the summer, England went down 2-1 to France in the autumn.
In terms of form then it’s pretty much even.
Highest ranking Africans have Premier League contingent
Ghana are ranked 16th in the world according to Fifa’s coefficient, their hosts are supposedly the 6th best side coming into this one.
Five Black Star players ply their trade in England’s top flight. Goalkeeper Richard Kingson (Blackpool), joins Fulham’s John Pantsil and Sunderland trio centre back John Mensah, midfielder Sulley Muntari and striker Asamoah Gyan should all be involved.
Black Stars’ blend of youth and experience
To add to this core quintet of seasoned campaigners are an array of young talent that coach Goran Stevanovic has assembled.
There are highly rated players in every area of the pitch. In defence there’s Issac Vorsah who plays in the Bundesliga for highly wealthy Hoffenheim and the versatile Samuel Inkoom, signed by Dnipro of the Ukraine during the January transfer window.
Anthony Annan is experienced in midfield with Udinese pair Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu and Kwadwo Asamoah and Marseille’s Andre Ayew to provide precocious flair.
Up front Gyan could line up alongside or be replaced by Prince Tagoe and Dominic Adiyiah, both playing for Partizan Belgrade.
Captaincy saga all for nothing
John Terry, reinstated as permanent captain for the Wales game, was one of five players released from international duty over the weekend.
That left Fabio Capello with no obvious candidate to take over the armband on a one-off basis for tomorrow.
The Italian has since named Gareth Barry of Manchester City as skipper for the match. Terry’s Chelsea teammates Ashley Cole and Frank Lampard and Michael Dawson and Wayne Rooney complete the party allowed to return to their clubs.
A devalued friendly or test for fringe players?
The decision to send this quintet of England internationals away to rest has brought into question the purpose of the Ghana game.
It’s a little bit disrespectful to the opposition and will have upset Three Lions fans who pay a substantial price for tickets to see their nation in action.
The positive spin on this though is that it gives a chance for other players to show what they can do for their country.
Gary Cahill of Bolton Wanderers has been lauded as part of the next generation. Capello confirmed, barring injuries, that he will start at centre back with Everton’s Phil Jagielka.
We won’t see Aston Villa’s Kyle Walker as he has been ruled out of the game with a calf injury and sent back to his club for medical attention.
The Italian also stated Leighton Baines will play at left back and Andy Carroll will start up front.
Bookies back England to remain undefeated against Africa
The Three Lions are odds on to win the Wembley friendly, best priced at 3/4, it’s 11/4 for a draw and 9/2 for Ghana to become the first side to beat the 1966 World Cup winners at home.
The betting community seems to be underestimating the visitors somewhat, especially in light of the withdrawals.
On the other side though the Black Star’s youthful ranks have to begin to start turning potential and promise into success.
It has all the makings of a fine and absorbing encounter.
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Preview: England Versus Ghana