DORTMUND, Germany -- Ghana battled bravely. Brazil scored
effortlessly.
Africa's only team in the second round ended its first World Cup
run Tuesday, losing 3-0 to five-time champion Brazil after
dominating possession and failing to capitalize on chances.
Coach Ratomir Dujkovic said he was proud of the Black Stars, but
said they still lacked the experience to score in big matches.
"If the Brazilians have a chance, they score. That's why they
are the most expensive players in the world," Dujkovic said.
"That's the difference. We need three chances to score ... maybe
another team with more experience and better (strikers) can beat
them."
Ronaldo scored in the fifth minute, leaving Ghana to chase the
game and pressure the Brazilians throughout.
The Black Stars squandered a string of good opportunities before
Adriano added the second for Brazil in first-half injury time from
what may have been an offside position.
Ghana forwards Asamoah Gyan and Matthew Amoah both shot
off-target in front of the net.
Ghana picked up six yellow cards against two for Brazil in the
physical match. Gyan was sent off with 10 minutes remaining.
After Ghana moved players forward, Brazil put the result beyond
doubt when Ze Roberto beat Ghana goalkeeper Richard Kingson on a
solo run.
Kingson, who had several good saves, said he was happy with
Ghana's overall performance.
"I'm disappointed, but we played very well, and I'm happy about
that," the goalkeeper said.
Ghana played without suspended midfielder Michael Essien, while
midfielder Sulley Muntari and Gyan had returned from punishment.
Muntari, who had to pick up much of Essien's workload, said he
badly missed his teammate against the Brazilians.
"We can't do anything. We lost the game and have to keep our
heads up," Muntari said. "We played good and we didn't disgrace
ourselves, that's the main thing.
"I think people in Africa are proud of the way we played."
They were.
Gone were the drums and the street celebrations of earlier
victories. The streets of the capital Accra were largely cleared
after Ghana was knocked out.
But some fans stayed behind.
"For me, the Black Stars have done well," said Joseph Antwi, a
28-year old street vendor, his face painted in the red, green and
yellow of Ghana's flag.
"I'm not downhearted. I think our boys have done well, so we
must get ready to welcome them home."
One Ethiopia expatriate said Ghana had made Africa proud.
"The Ghanaians as African representatives have done well,
although it could have been better. I hope our brothers will not be
distraught by the results; they should just forge ahead," said
Adam Gizaw.
Dujkovic said the referee, Lubos Michel of Slovakia, ejected him
from the game in the tunnel after halftime. He was not on the bench
for the second half, but the match report did not list Dujkovic
with a red card.
Dujkovic, whose team finished second in Group E after beating
the Czech Republic and United States, said he was planning a short
vacation in his native Serbia before returning to Ghana.
He made no comment about his future -- his contract expires at
the end of the year -- but said he hoped to be at the next World Cup
in South Africa in 2010.