Sports Update

The sports world can be stressful, exciting, but most of all, it creates a parallel between everybody. No better example of this was has been seen for a while, until earlier this morning when Ghana thrilled the nation of Africa with an instant classic vs. Uruguay.

Ghana opened up the scoring on the last play before the half-time whistle. Sulley Muntari (yes, I had to look that up) scored on what some would call a "rocket launcher" shot from the edge of the attacking third of the field. And in sensational fashion, Diego Forlan netted the equalizer in the 55th minute. And that ceased the scoring for the game.

Tied 1-1 after 90 grueling minutes, the game went into extra time. Ghana is accustomed to the extra time format, when they needed the final half-hour to finish off the United States, and they looked to close early today as they did then. When that attempt failed, the game remained a tough draw.

Until the the last play of the game. Uruguay was unable to clear the ball after two corner kicks and Ghana attempted to capitalize on the third. The ball slipped past the punch of the goalie and a shot on goal was blocked at the goal line by a defender. Ghana then rebounded by heading the ball on goal. The number nine of Uruguay, the teams goal-scorer Luis Suarez, intentionally blocked the ball with Uruguay's last hope, his hands. This drew an automatic red card and a penalty kick for Ghana. Already scoring on two penalties this tournament, Asamoah Gyan stepped up to the spot with the weight of the African Nation on his right foot.

The shot glanced off the crossbar and out of play. The game was going into penalty kicks.

The entire world yelled at their television screens. Frustration was shown and dreams were crushed. I knew at that point, Uruguay had the momentum and would win the penalty shootout. Ghana sent Gyan up to take the first shot for the team, which he nailed into the upper right corner, a courageous shot for a player who just missed one. The goalie from Uruguay saved two and even though my favorite player on the Uruguay team, Maxi Pereira (didn't have to look that one up) sailed his shot into the nose-bleed section, they still won the penalty kicks 4-2.

The world feels for Gyan and the black stars. The pain on his face after the game was finished was painful to watch. The announcer described it as "inconsolable". I hope the Ghana team can move on and prove to be the dominant African nation in Rio de Janeiro in the next World Cup.