Czechs rattled by ruthless Ghana

Czech Republic 0 Ghana 2:   Ghana produced the biggest shock of the 2006 World Cup finals so far by stunning the Czech Republic…

Czech Republic 0 Ghana 2:  Ghana produced the biggest shock of the 2006 World Cup finals so far by stunning the Czech Republic in Cologne.

Asamoah Gyan and Sulley Muntari scored the goals as the Black Stars took all three points to blow Group E wide open.

And if Gyan hadn't missed from the penalty spot the margin of victory would have been even greater.

Gyan it was who supplied the perfect left-foot finish after Stephen Appiah had crossed from the left to open the scoring just two minutes in.

READ MORE

The Czechs were second best throughout and rarely troubled Stars keeper goalkeeper Richard Kingston during the opening period.

Karel Bruckner's team did improve after the break and scored what they thought was an equaliser within 60 seconds of the restart, but Pavel Nedved's powerful header was chalked off after he was correctly flagged offside.

That was to prove the closest they came though as Ghana took total control in the closing stages.

The Czechs had Tomas Ujfalusi sent off for a professional foul on Matthew Amoah to hand Ghana a penalty just over 20 minutes from time.

But Gyan stepped up to fire the spot-kick against the post.

Ghana didn't fall to pieces after that miss though, and wrapped up victory eight minutes from time.  Muntari blasted home with his left foot from 12 yards out to wrap up the win.  PA