John Pantsil has stated that Ghana will stick to their tactics against Uruguay in their World Cup quarter-final.
Ghana defenders want to play it their own way
John Pantsil has stated that Ghana will stick to their tactics against Uruguay in their World Cup quarter-final on Friday.
The Ghanaians became the third African side in history to reach the quarter-final stage and the only team from the continent left in the 2010 tournament after their 2-1 victory over the USA.
It is the furthest the Black Stars have ever progressed at the World Cup, after losing to Brazil in the second round four years ago, but they face less of a challenge against the Uruguayans, who will be slight favourites.
The likes of Luis Suarez and Diego Forlan have proved their undoubted quality during the tournament for the South Americans, but right-back Pantsil insisted that Ghana will not change their gameplan to keep Uruguay's attacking quality at bay.
"I don't think there is anything to change in our game. We are going to stay with our gameplan - just relax and play our normal, good football and keep our positions and heads together," Pantsil told the
Ghana FA website.
Ghana coach Milovan Rajevac has seen his side impress enough to see them in with a very realistic chance of making the semi-finals.
Fitness worries
But he has worries over absentees such as key performers Jonathan Mensah and Dede Ayew, who are both suspended and Kevin Prince Boateng, who is struggling with a hamstring injury and is undergoing intensive treatment to be fit in time.
"We'll try our best on the injured players and make sure they are ready," said Rajevac, who also has defender Samuel Inkoom doubtful for the match.
Mensah, who will have to watch on from the sidelines, stated his belief that they could become the first African team to reach the semi-finals.
"We're not worried about Uruguay. When we qualified to play the USA, we weren't worried and we won, so we're going to do the same thing," said Mensah.
Inkoom echoed Mensah's sentiments, insisting that they believed they could beat Uruguay and had nothing to fear.
"We are ready to live the ultimate dream," the Inkoom told
Fifa's official website.
"I told the coach we would win. I don't think Uruguay will be easy but I think we are capable of winning."
