PQF: Uruguay win, to meet Ghana now

The outsiders meet on the first day of the quarterfinals.

(to be updated after the second game)

Uruguay 2-1 (1-0) South Korea
Goals: 1-0,2-1 Luis Suarez (8',80'), 1-1 Chung-Yong Lee (68').

Uruguay overcame a fighting South Korea 2-1 at the Port Elizabeth Stadium to qualify for their first quarterfinals since the 1970 World Cup.

South Korea had the first chance of the day through a Chu-Young Park free kick in the 5th minute, but it hit the post before Uruguay took the lead in the 8th minute through a Luis Suarez goal. Diego Forlan on the left played the ball across the face of the goal with no defender or keeper Sung-Ryong Jung able to intercept with Suarez there to push the ball in from the far post. But South Korea couldn't play their usual running game, often static in their play not able to break down the Uruguay defence which so far hadn't conceded any goals in the tournament.

After the break things changed. Uruguay did have the first chance through Suarez in the 50th minute, but thereafter in the rain South Korea took control of the match in their quest for the equaliser. Referee Wolfgang Stark denied South Korea a penalty in the 64th minute when Sung-Yong Ki was brought down in the box. But only four minutes later the Asians would equalise. And it came off another dead ball situation. A Chu-Young Park free kick was not cleared properly by Mauricio Victorino with Chung-Yong Lee heading in past Fernando Muslera. South Korea looked on fire thereafter and could have taken the lead, but Uruguay came out of its passive phase and took part again in the game with chances for Suarez and Forlan. After a corner in the 80th minute the ball travelled to Suarez on the other side, who moved inwards and curled a beauty into the goal. But the match wasn't over yet with South Korea getting a last chance in the 87th minute through Dong-Gook Lee, he beat keeper Muslera but captain Diego Lugano cleared for the Celeste.


USA 1-2 (1-2) [1-1 (0-1)] Ghana [in extra time]
Goals: 0-1 Kevin Prince Boateng (5'), 1-1 Landon Donovan (62', penalty), 1-2 Asamoah Gyan (93').

Ghana remain the only African side in the tournament with an extra time 2-1 with against the USA at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg.

Ghana had the perfect start as they went ahead in the 5th minute. The US' Ricardo Clark lost the ball in midfield which was picked by Kevin Prince Boateng and the Ghanian midfielder went all the way with the ball before blasting it into the US net past keeper Tim Howard, who hadn't had the short corner covered. Ghana had more of the ball thereafter as the USA looked clueless on what to do to get the equaliser, but the Africans didn't push hard enough for a second goal though having chances through Boateng and Asamoah Gyan. The USA had their best chance of the half through Robbie Findley, but his shot couldn't beat Richard Kingson in the Ghana goal.

After the break the USA came to the party and started to play football looking for the equaliser while Ghana fell back under their pressure. And then the USA were awarded a penalty when Clint Dempsey was brought down by Jonathan Mensah. Landon Donovan scored of the resultant penalty in the 62nd minute to give the USA a deserving draw. And thereafter the Americans looked to be heading for a win, but the necessary goal didn't come their way. First Michael Bradley, then Jose Altidore missed good chances. It ended one-all and for the first time extra time was needed in this tournament to find a winner.

And at the start of extra time Ghana once more took an early lead. In the 93rd minute Asamoah Gyan was able to beat of the challenge from Carlos Bocanegra and Jay de Mit and shot the ball into the net over the head of Tim Howard. Once more the USA had to get an equaliser to take this game into penalties, but it wasn't to be as they looked tired towards the end and Ghana was able to defend their goal.