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Super-sub Brooks scores late winner for the US

Super-sub Brooks' late winner gives US coach much to cheer about in his 50th match in charge

GROUP G

GHANA 1

(Andre Ayew 82)

UNITED STATES 2

(Clint Dempsey 1, John Brooks 86)

United States coach Juergen Klinsmann celebrated his 50th game in charge with a memorable 2-1 win over Ghana in their World Cup Group G clash this morning (Singapore time).

Clint Dempsey scored the opener after just 32 seconds and German-born John Brooks headed in a dramatic winner in the 86th minute.

Andre Ayew equalised for Ghana eight minutes before the end.

But Brooks' first goal for his adopted country avenged defeats by the same opposition in the past two World Cups, the latter when Ghana went on to the quarter-finals.

The US had got off to the dream start as Dempsey sent defender John Boye the wrong way and cut inside the penalty area before unleashing a sweetly-struck side-footed effort into the far corner of the goal.

WASTED CHANCE

Dempsey's strike partner Jozy Altidore wasted a terrific chance in the 17th minute as he dithered too long when well set up and a Ghanaian defender managed to divert his shot for a corner.

Five minutes later, Altidore saw his part in the match and probably the World Cup end when he pulled up clutching his left hamstring and collapsed to the ground in agony.

Dempsey, too, almost joined him in the dressing room later in the first half when he required minutes of attention after Bowe's knee connected with his nose as they both went up for the ball prompting a furious reaction from Klinsmann (above) on the sidelines.

Ghana came out with much more purpose in the second half.

Ghana eventually got the goal they had been threatening to score when a brilliant backheel by Gyan teed up Ayew and he fired it past Howard.

The Americans, though, refused to lie down and Brooks' brilliant downward header restored their lead for good this time. - AFP.

MATCH STATS

Total shots: Ghana 21, US 8

Shots on target: Ghana 8, US 7

Corners: Ghana 7, US 3

Offsides: Ghana 5, US 1

Fouls committed: Ghana 10, US 12

Yellow cards: Ghana 2 US 0

Ball possession: Ghana 59%, US 41%

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