JOHANNESBURG, (Reuters) – Uruguay beat Ghana in the cruellest of circumstances to end African hopes at the World Cup today and Netherlands knocked out perennial favourites Brazil in yet another shock of a fascinating tournament.
Twice former champions Uruguay’s “La Celeste” now go into their first World Cup semi-final in forty years against Brazil’s surprise conquerors, Netherlands, who hope to bury their history of producing entertaining teams but no trophy.
At Johannesburg’s Soccer City, the highest drama of the tournament unfurled when Ghana, the only African team left, won a penalty right at the end of extra time with the score at 1-1.
Striker Luis Suarez got a red card for handling on the line and blocking what would have been a certain match-winning goal.
Up stepped Asamoah Gyan with a chance to put Africa’s first ever team in a World Cup semi-final — but he hit the bar.
After that, in a penalty shootout dreaded by players but compelling for millions watching worldwide, Uruguay held their nerve to win the shootout 4-2 and shatter the Ghanaians.
Gyan wept uncontrollably as the African majority in the 84,000-strong crowd went horribly quiet.
“All I can say is this is football,” Ghana’s coach Milovan Rajevac said. “We didn’t deserve to lose in this way.”
In contrast, the Uruguayans danced for joy as they stirred memories of long-past World Cup wins in 1930 and 1950.
“We played a great game, we made history!” beamed Sebastian Abreu, who scored the decisive penalty with a cheeky kick over goalkeeper Richard Kingson.
Fellow South Americans Brazil’s departure from the tournament spelt the end of coach Dunga’s term.
“It’s sad, it’s difficult, nobody prepares to lose,” he said. “As Brazil’s commander, I have to take most of the blame.”
Dunga’s four-year term included winning the Copa America in 2007 and the Confederations Cup in 2009 but many Brazilians did not appreciate his team’s physical, disciplined approach.
Dunga must be furious with the nature of today’s 2-1 defeat to Netherlands.
His team went 1-0 up early on through Robinho but lost their cool and organisation in a disastrous second half.
First, Netherlands equalised through an own goal when Felipe Melo flicked a Wesley Sneijder free kick into the Brazilian net. Then Sneijder nicked in front of Brazil’s defence to head in a close-range winner on 68 minutes.
END OF THE WORLD?
From then, Brazil uncharacteristically lost the plot.
Melo was sent off for stamping on Dutch winger Arjen Robben, a constant thorn in their side, and the Brazilians abandoned their flowing passing-game for long punts up field.
“If you eliminate Brazil, one of the biggest, best teams of this championship, the feeling is relief,” said man of the match Sneijder, who patted his bald head in delight after what he said was a first headed goal.
Brazilian goalkeeper Julio Cesar tried to put on a brave face. “It’s not the end of the world,” he said, a tear rolling down his face. But in soccer-mad Brazil, it will feel like that.
The Netherlands, whose teams have thrilled down the decades without ever bringing the trophy home, will surely start to believe that this could be their time at last.
Off the pitch, soccer’s global governing body FIFA threatened to suspend Nigeria for political interference after President Goodluck Jonathan pulled the under-performing “Super Eagles” from international competition for two years.
Secretary general Jerome Valcke gave Nigeria’s government a deadline of Monday to reverse its decision, but a presidency source in Abuja said that was unlikely to happen.
FIFA suspension would mean the blocking of funds and the banning of all Nigerian teams, including club, junior and female sides from international tournaments.
FIFA is also anxious about political repercussions of the tournament in France, where the humiliating exit of 2006 runners-up “Les Bleus” has prompted an official inquiry.
