I'm begging all not to disturb the team -Doya
WUERZBURG, Germany -- Ghana is getting to know America. At least soccer, American style.

Ghana is doing last-minute homework on its U.S. opponents before Thursday's Group E match from which both teams could advance to the second round. A win for Ghana and it is in the round of 16.

"We have to watch tapes of the last United States matches, make our analysis, talk to scouts, develop our strategy, and practice it for the coming match," Ghana coach Ratomir Dujkovic said.

All teams in Group E are still alive after Ghana stunned the Czech Republic 2-0 last Saturday and the United States tied Italy 1-1.

"All our focus is on the next match. We must leave the Czech Republic behind us," Dujkovic said. "We won 2-0 and I'm satisfied. Our players made a great effort to score more goals. But many things influence that last shot."

Including being undermanned. Ghana will be without suspended Sulley Muntari and Asamoah Gyan, the scorers against the Czechs. That means the Americans, who also will miss two starters, Eddie Pope and Pablo Mastroeni -- can keep a close watch on standout midfielder Michael Essien.

A request to FIFA to lift the suspension on Gyan was turned down. Gyan took a penalty kick before the referee blew his whistle in the Czech game and was cautioned, even though he said he heard a whistle blow, possibly from the stands.

Against the United States, the Ghanaians will have to take initiative from the beginning, as they did against the Czech Republic. The African team must also set the pace with its fast midfielders and use that quickness to find and exploit weakneeses in the U.S. defense.

Ghana's defenders must be aware of the so-far sputtering American attack, taking advantage of their speed to keep Brian McBride and Landon Donovan from getting room near the net.

In the last match, Ghana used that speed to neutralize Czech Republic star Pavel Nedved when he approached the net. Doing that again could keep the Americans from scoring their first goal of the tournament -- and send them home.

"I cannot talk publicly about strategy," Dujkovic said. "We won't play for a draw. We don't want to rely on the results from the Czechs and Italy. ... We always play offensive football and we'll play to win."

Dujkovic said he was confident of victory, but asked Ghanaians to let the youngest team in the World Cup (average age 25) concentrate without distractions.

"All Ghanaians are very happy. They believe, and I agree, that they can do much more than they have done up until now. ... I'm still optimistic and confident the Black Stars can reach the semifinal," the Serb coach said.

"I'm begging all the fans, media and government bodies not to do anything to disturb (us) and affect the concentration of this great Black Stars team."

Essien saw the Italy-U.S. game and was impressed with the Americans.

"They are difficult. I saw them playing Italy and it won't be easy to play them," Essien said. "It's not easy to maintain the level of performance.

"The Americans (have) a very good side. They play good football."