Two stars of the Ghana team are taking a breather from a rigorous training session in Dresden and talking up their prospects for the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup tournament. They are certainly not here just to make up the numbers, with striker Florence Dadson insisting: “We are here to bring the trophy home to Ghana. If we can get to the quarter-finals we can win the cup.”
A week ago those comments would have brought a smile to those who follow women's football, but not now. Not after Ghana struck a blow for the Africa and the women’s game in the Mother Continent by holding USA to a 1-1 draw on Wednesday. They seized an early lead, defended it confidently, had more chances to score, and then finally succumbed to Sydney Leroux’s equaliser with 20 minutes remaining.
Leroux is a big name at this level. Incredibly this is her fourth FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup tournament. Dadson and Elizabeth Cudjoe might not be at that level just yet but they are talented, effective performers in their own right, Cudjoe scoring the stunning early goal which so delighted the Ghana team and their sizeable band of colourful, noisy supporters.
Sure of success
“The coach always tells us that when we are close to the penalty area and there is no opponent directly in front of us that we should shoot," the midfielder explained. "When I got to that position I knew I had to drive it and from that angle I knew that many goalkeepers whould struggle to keep it out. As soon as I hit it I was sure it was going to end up in the net.”
Cudjoe was constantly probing and prompting behind Dadson and was a threat to the US team before injury forced her off the field. Dadson, taller than her team-mate by 22 cms, used her physical prowess to good effect and also needed close watching at all times. However, both will have to be at their best on Saturday when they take on Korea Republic - who impressed in beating Switzerland 4-0 - in their second Group D fixture.
"Before the game all the talk was about USA, the defending champions, and how they were going to beat us," Dadson said. "We were very happy to score the first goal and we fought hard to score more goals. They equalised but it was still a great experience for us."
Hard training session
It was surprising to see the Ghana team involved in such a lengthy training session the following day but it demonstrates a clear determination to go as far as possible in the tournament. Coach James Dadzie, a former captain of Ghana’s Black stars and a CAF Africa Cup of Nations winner in 1978, is a big reason for their success - they didn't concede a goal in qualifying and beat experienced campaigners the Democratic Republic of Congo - and the players clearly enjoy working under him.
The backing from the band of supporters who have made the long journey from Africa is also evidently playing its part. “It helps our morale when we see and hear them,” said Cudjoe. “With the fans behind us we are always able to push even more. Every time we see our fans it makes us happy.”
source:http://www.fifa.com/u20womensworldcup
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