Quarter-final number two had Russia meet the talented and popular 
Ghanaians.

Russia : 1. Sergei Alexandrov, 2. Dimitrii Ananko, 3. Murad Magomedov,
	 4. Maxim Bokov, 5. Albert Osolkov, 7. Alexei Savchenko, 8. Igor
	 Zazulin, 9. Denis Kliuiev, 11. Yuri Petrov, 13. Mikhail Murashov,
	 18. Sergei Chudin

Ghana  : 1. Ben Owu, 2. Emmanuel Asare, 5. Isaac Asare, 6. Muhammed Gargo,
	 8. Nii Odartey Lamptey, 9. Augustine Ahinful, 11. Emmanuel Duah,
	 13. CK Akonnor, 14. Osei Kuffour, 15. Ransford Banini, 18. Daniel
	 Addo

Referee : Rodrigo Badilla Sequeira (Don't know where from but I'd say 
				    somewhere in South or Central America 
				    is a good guess)

	Yeah well I came to see this one live but after the earlier match
my heart just wasn't in it. I think the Russians were doing very well to have
got as far as they did considering their problems. They had no money to go
and play warm up matches, domestic competition was in recess due to winter,
they had plane problems with a hold up in Tashkent, and missed a connection
in Singapore. When they got here two days before their match they had no
kit and Bestchastnykh was not being released by Spartak Moscow. To add
to their woes two players were out of the tournament with illness and injury
before a ball was kicked. I don't want to offer an excuse but this sort of
thing will kill any teams chances, they did well to get as far as they did.
	The support for Ghana was colourful and vociferous. For some reason
they all got seats in bays 12 and 13. I was in Bay 12. I was surrounded by
an incredible number of Africans. In Australia you would be very unlikely to
see a black African during a normal day. I was urrounded by them. Each one
carried the national colours of Ghana, sang songs, beat drums and had a
ripping good time. I wish I knew what they were saying. The cameramen knew
a good photo when they saw it and surrounded the area.
	The game itself got underway and though the first shot at goal was
made by the Russians the main flow of play went Ghana's way. Infact apart
from the crowd and occasional breaks by both sides this game was deadly boring
in the first half. My mind was somewhere else maybe but it was a case of
the irresistable force (Ghana) meeting the immovable object (Russia). Russia
reigned supreme in defence and Ghana, more creative in attack, found little
to boost their goal tally. Don't get me wrong, the play was excellent, it's
just that nothing really happened.
	The second half went a lot further to interest the crowd who, in the
meantime, had entertained themselves with a wave or two and various chants,
as well as getting beer to dull expectant senses. I believe there are many
fans of Ghanaian football out there as well as African football generally
and this match showed what it can do. After, what must have been a frustrating
period of goal drought, Ghana broke through. Earlier two scrambling saves 
from Russia's defenders held out a determined attack which should have been
Ghana's lead. Rather than hang their heads Ghana redoubled their efforts and
after 72 minutes of football Augustine Ahinful broke the will of the Russians.
	A long ball was fought for by a Russian and a Ghanaian and came off
their heads and into the path of Ahinful. With chasers behind him he
approached goal and put the ball left of the keeper, who just got a touch, and
into goal. This was too much for the hardworking Russians and from here on they
never looked like winning. Basically they went through the motions and only
Sergei Chudin showed any resilience. 
	Ghana sensing the finish went for broke and it paid off only 3 
minutes later, though it could have been sooner. Emmanuel Duah fought his
way through a weary defence and passed left to Addo who had enough time to
measure the shot into the top left corner of the goal with the outside of
his left foot. The Russian keeper was totally lost and stood there more a 
spectator than a player.
	The Ghanaian fans now in good voice and celebrating happily, picked
up a couple of Australian customs chanting 'Bullshit, Bullshit' at decisions
against their team and generally enjoying the moment. Russian fans were less
obvious, especially at this stage, and basically accepted their fate.
	The crowd generally, just under 17000, was good for a non-Australian
game and shows the kind of interest this team is showing. As I say there's
not exactly a lot of Russians and Ghanaians living in Sydney. I must mention
this one old guy who was supporting Russia. He dressd like a derelict, was
very skinny, and his mouth was solid gold, not a natural tooth left. I'd seen
him before and he seemed very strange.
	After 82 minutes Russias coffin was sealed shut when a corner by
Duah was flicked on to Asare who chested the ball down, went past two
defenders and made no mistake as Ghana made their way into the last 4. It
was a case of how many they would score after the initial goal by Ahinful
and the answer was 3. Ghana can be proud of themselves and they way they 
came to thank the supporters around me showed they were happy and grateful.
As they partied on hugging each other over the fence, and slapping them on the
back I made my way home knowing the winner of the Cup would probably have
to beat Ghana to get there.

	Ghana 3 (A Ahinful 72) - Russia 0
		(D Addo 75)
		(I Asare 82)