Akinola's 75th minute strike makes the difference

The United States put on a brilliant display of resolute defending and clinical finishing to take pole position in Group A after a 1-0 defeat over the much vaunted Ghana at the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium in New Delhi.

The Black Cats started the match on the front foot with their attacking line constantly threatening the Unites States' defence but the Americans grew into the game as the half progressed with Sargent, Timothy Weah, Chris Goslin and Andrew Carleton linking up well with some neat interchanges to cause troubles for the Ghana defence.

Erica Ayiah was sent through by a beautiful ball behind the US defence and managed to beat the onrushing goalkeeper but a last moment slip allowed James Sands to make a last-ditch clearance.

Ayo Akinola was introduced to deadly effect in the second half by USA coach John Hackworth and the attacking midfielder shrugged off Gideon Mensah and Rashid Alhassan to place a beautiful finish in the bottom left-corner leaving Danlad with no chance in the 75th minute.

Ghana played the last few minutes of the match with 10-men after Abdul Yusif was stretchered off with an injury but all three substitutions had already been made.

UCJ, UNILORIN.