Eric Ayiah of Ghana, center, celebrates with teammates Bismark Owusu, left, and Najeeb Yakubu after scoring a goal against India. Getty ImagesGuwahati: With very little separating the two in strategy and technique, Ghana could count on their better defensive organization against Mali in an all-African quarterfinal of the FIFA U-17 World Cup here on Saturday.
Two-time champions Ghana are seeking to revive their glory days in the tournament, having last won it way back in 1995.
They have shown the intent from the outset, and barring the reverse against USA in the group stage, the Ghanaians have been on the ball.
Ghana were beaten 1-0 by Mali in the final of the Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations, and they would be determined to avenge that loss.
Besides a tight defensive unit and the speed of their attackers, Ghana will be backed up by a handful of vociferous globe-trotting supporters, who had been seen in all the venues so far in the tournament.
After the 2-0 win over debutants Niger in the pre- quarterfinals, Samuel Fabin's boys celebrated the victory with their hardcore fans.
Having topped Group A, Ghana eased into the last eight with goals from skipper Eric Ayiah and Ricahrd Danso. Ayiah has led the Black Starlets from the front.
He will certainly be one of the players to watch out for at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium. Up against their west African counterparts, Ayiah, as well as coach Fabin, know the importance of the occasion.
"Definitely when you come to play a match of this nature, you look at the fans and when you see your countrymen there, it gives you confidence to (perform). They always expect us to beat them. The expectations are very huge, I would say," Fabin said.
He, however, remained concerned about the team's low conversion rate and missed chances against Niger.
"Definitely, it is a concern, the erratic shooting and indecision. We are working on it, it is work in progress. We will keep correcting such mistakes till we get what we want. I am satisfied with the two goals we scored."
Thanks to their rock-solid defense comprising Najeeb Yakubu and Gideon Mensah, Ghana have conceded just one goal in three matches. They have also displayed a pacey brand of football, with Ayiah finding the back of the net against India and Niger.
He has formed a good partnership with the team's attacking midfielder, Sadiq Ibrahim, and they would fancy their chances against Mali.
Mali will certainly be high on confidence having pumped in five goals against Iraq and even though the Iraqi coach had accused them of fielding over-age players, Jonas Komla's side would not read too much into that.
Mali's Lassana N'Diaye has now scored five goals in four matches and he will fancy his chances against Ghana.
Against Iraq, Mali toyed with the rival defense with repeated forays. Ghana are expected to be a different ballgame, though, and heading into the game coach Komla's biggest concern is Mali's defense.
Mali have already conceded five goals in the tournament and they would need to tighten against their strong African rivals.
The teams (from): Ghana: Danlad Ibrahim, John Out, Gideon Acquah, Edmund Arko-Mensah, Najeeb Yakubu, Eric Ayiah, Ibrahim Sulley, Kudus Mohammed, Richard Danso, Emmanuel Toku, Aminu Mohammed, Abdul Yusif, Gabriel Leveh, Bismark Owusu, Kwame Aziz, Rashid Alhassan, Mohammed Iddriss, Sadiq Ibrahim, Isaac Gyamfi, Michael Acquaye.
Mali: Alkalifa Coulibaly, Boubacar Haidara, Djemoussa Traore, Fode Konate, Mamadi Fofana, Mohamed Camara, Hadji Drame, Abdoulaye Dabo, Seme Camara, Salam Giddou, Mamadou Traore, Mahamane Toure, Soumaila Doumbia, Siaka Sidibe, Abdoulaye Diaby, Youssouf Koita, Mamadou Samake, Ibrahiim Kane, Lassana Ndiayne, Cheick Oumar Doucoure, Massire Gassama.
Match starts at 5 pm IST
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