Luis Suárez once again emphasized on Thursday that he does not regret his infamous handball against Ghana in the quarterfinals of the 2010 World Cup. His much-discussed action is again a subject of discussion twelve years later, because Uruguay and Ghana will face each other on Friday for a place compete in the round of 16 of the World Cup in Qatar.
It is no exaggeration to say that on July 2, 2010, Suárez created one of the most controversial World Cup moments ever. Ajax’s attacker at the time was on the goal line when he hit the ball with his hands like a keeper in the final seconds of extra time against Ghana. He obviously received a direct red card and left the field in tears.
Asamoah Gyan was able to shoot Ghana from 11 meters into a 2-1 lead and with it the semi-finals, but he hit the top of the crossbar. Much to the delight of Suárez, who watched the penalty before heading to the changing rooms. In the ensuing penalty shootout, Gyan did score, but two misses from his teammates meant Uruguay reached the last four.
In Ghana, Suárez has since been called ‘El Diablo’ (the devil), but the former Ajax player has no regrets. “I don’t have to say sorry. Maybe I would have done that if I had injured someone, but it didn’t go that way,” said the veteran at the press conference.
“I’m not the one who missed the penalty”
Suárez emphasizes that the rules were simply applied and Ghana should have benefited. “I got a red card and Ghana could have scored from a penalty. So it’s not my fault. I’m not the one who missed the penalty. Gyan said he would have done the same in my situation. It’s not my responsibility.”
Ghana failed to reach the last four of the World Cup for the first time in 2010. Uruguay was defeated in the semi-finals by the Dutch national team (2-3) without the suspended Suárez. Twelve years later, the Ghana of Ajax player Mohammed Kudus gets the chance for revenge for the World Cup trauma in South Africa.
A point against Uruguay is enough for Ghana to reach the eighth finals, provided South Korea does not win (with big figures) against Portugal, which has already been placed. The 37-year-old Gyan is not there in Qatar, but the two years younger Suárez is. The question is whether the attacker will start. In the previous match against Portugal, Suárez started on the bench.
Ghana-Uruguay and South Korea-Portugal start at 4 p.m. on Friday. Ghana stranded in the group stage in 2014 and did not participate in the World Cup in Russia four years ago.
Stand in groep H
- 1. Portugal 2-6 (5-2)
- 2. Ghana 2-3 (5-5)
- 3. Zuid-Korea 2-1 (2-3)
- 4. Uruguay 2-1 (0-2)
Eerder
28 nov 2022 om 20:30
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28 nov 2022 om 16:02
Ajacied Kudus houdt WK-droom Ghana in leven met twee goals tegen Zuid-Korea
