FIFA U-20 World Cup Egypt 2009

FIFA U-20 World Cup Egypt 2009

Ghana on Top of the World

Football is a game of emotions. Some might say that the lows experienced following a penalty shoot-out defeat are so crushing that an alternative to spot-kicks must be found. But, in contrast, it gives the victors a moment that they will remember for the rest of their lives, especially when they have the majority of their professional careers ahead of them.

It was a David versus Goliath encounter, in historical terms. Ghana, the African challengers who had never lifted the trophy before, met Brazil, four-time winners. A further gulf was added between the two teams when Black Satellites defender, Daniel Addo was shown the red card with just 37 minutes of the game gone.

Eighty-three minutes later, added time notwithstanding, the game needed a penalty shoot-out to separate the two teams, but with the advantage appearing to lie with Brazil, something remarkable happened. With Brazil leading 2-1 on spot kicks, Maicon, the two-goal hero against Germany only needed to score to win the trophy for his team. But the striker blasted the ball high over the bar, giving Ghana the chance.

"I had a feeling that Maicon might miss, or I might have saved his penalty, because he took such a long time to take it," said Black Satellites stopper, Daniel Agyei in an exclusive chat with FIFA.com after the match. "I knew I'd save a couple of penalties, so when I missed, I thought we might have the advantage. This is a win for Africa, not Ghana. I hope it brings people happiness all over the continent. This is our night."

After Dominic Adiyiah scored and Alex Teixeira missed, it was up to Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu to take the match-winning spot-kick. Africa drew its breath. He did not disappoint.

"I knew I was going to score the penalty," he smiled when speaking to FIFA.com." I always had confidence when I stepped up to take it. But during the match when we went down to ten men, we never lost that confidence, we never stopped believing. It's the best moment of my career."
We fought like dogs to win it, but we're world champions and all the tiredness goes away when you climb those steps to collect the gold medal.
Andre Ayew, Ghana captain.

Cue wild celebrations. The players ran to the player, while the technical staff and substitutes embraced as one. Soon it was time to climb the steps at the Cairo International Stadium to receive the trophy from FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter. The man leading Ghana up those steps was captain Andre Ayew, who battled through the pain barrier to take part in the game.

"It was absolutely great," he told FIFA.com afterwards. I'd collected the trophy for the team at the African U-20 tournament, but tonight it felt extra special. We fought like dogs to win it, but we're world champions and all the tiredness goes away when you climb those steps to collect the gold medal. To be the first African country to win this cup is absolutely fabulous."

And what of the coach? Sellas Tetteh had a smile as wide as the Nile when stepping off the pitch, but the colourful coach was fulsome of praise for his opponents.

"The two best teams reached the final and it took a sudden-death penalty shoot-out to separate us," he said. "It was a final that had everything: good football, passion, and emotion. But to win it? Well, it's a great feeling. I'm emotional, but I'm happy. We ended this tournament so well and I am so proud of my boys, especially as they were down to ten men for the vast majority of the match."

Triple triumph for Adiyiah
Dominic Adiyiah is destined never to forget the FIFA U-20 World Cup Egypt 2009. The Ghana striker ended up with a phenomenal team and individual treble when the awards were handed out after the dramatic final. FIFA.com presents a full analysis of all the accolades after the absorbing event in North Africa.

adidas Golden Ball: Dominic Adiyiah (Ghana)
The Ghanaian marksman topped the poll for Best Player at the FIFA U-20 World Cup 2009, amassing 38% of the votes cast by the tournament's accredited media representatives. Adiyiah's star shone brightly in Egypt, not just for his prodigious goalscoring, but also for his ability to pose a permanent threat in the final third and rattle even the most composed of defences. His reward for consistent excellence is the adidas Golden Ball.

adidas Silver Ball: Alex Teixeira (Brazil)
Brazil's Alex Teixeira came off second-best in the nerve-shredding Final, but that in no way takes the gloss off the 19-year-old's accomplished showing in Egypt. A tireless worker with the uncanny ability to turn up in the right place at the right time, he showed bags of talent both as a finisher and a provider.

adidas Bronze Ball: Giuliano (Brazil)
The Brazil captain oozed genuine leadership quality at the FIFA U-20 World Cup, combining the best attributes of a classic playmaker and a hard-working midfield dynamo. Giuliano's dream of the trophy was not to be fulfilled, but he takes home the consolation prize of the adidas Bronze Ball.

adidas Golden Glove: Esteban Alvarado (Costa Rica)
The FIFA Technical Study Group selected the Central Americans' shot-stopper as the best goalkeeper of the tournament, earning him the coveted adidas Golden Glove. Alvarado emerged as a star in a well-balanced team unit, thwarting an array of opposing strikers with a string of fine reaction saves as Costa Rica battled through to the last four. He and his team lost the semi-final and the third-place play-off, but can still be fully satisfied with a creditable showing at the finals.

adidas Golden Shoe: Dominic Adiyiah (Ghana)
Adiyiah finished as top scorer with an impressive eight goals, adding the adidas Golden Shoe to his overall winners' medal and the Golden Ball for best player. The triple triumph emulates the feat achieved by Argentinian hitman Sergio Aguero, who also lifted the FIFA U-20 World Cup trophy, Golden Ball and Golden Shoe in Canada two years ago.

adidas Silver Shoe: Vladimir Koman (Hungary)
The Hungary captain crowned a scintillating performance at the FIFA U-20 World Cup Egypt 2009 by claiming the adidas Silver Shoe. Koman, playing as a pivot in a slightly withdrawn role, racked up five goals and three assists as he made a major contribution to the Hungarians' storming run to third place.

adidas Bronze Shoe: Aaron Niguez (Spain)
The Spaniards packed for home after the Round of 16, but Aaron Niguez netted four times in as many games and laid on another two goals for team-mates. We will never know where he would have finished had the Spaniards avoided elimination, but it was still sufficient to win the adidas Bronze Shoe.

FIFA Fair Play Award: Brazil
Brazil missed out on the trophy by a wafer-thin margin, but they will be at least partly consoled by the FIFA Fair Play Award. The South Americans conducted themselves in a scrupulously fair manner throughout the tournament, and thrilled the crowds with their silky skills too.

Source: http://www.fifa.com/u20worldcup/news/index.html