Soccer News of Wednesday, 2 April 2014

Source: goal.com

Gyan: I’m not under pressure ahead of World Cup

Ghana striker Asamoah Gyan has admitted that the Black Stars have an uphill task at the group stages of the World Cup, but he is under no pressure to deliver.

The in-form Al Ain goal poacher said Brazil 2014 “is going to be a challenge” as Ghana prepare for battle against US, Germany and Portugal at the group stage.

The ‘Baby Jet’ noted he is aware Ghanaians are expecting a lot from the four-time African champions, assuring that the Black Stars will better their performance at the last edition, despite being placed in a ‘Group of Death’.

“In 2006, we were in the same group with Italy. Italy went through to win the Cup and we made it instead the US, who were rated 4th in the world around that time and Czech Republic was rated 5th in the world at that time and Ghana was the underdog. And we were able to deliver,” Gyan was quoted on the GFA site.

“The same thing happened in 2010. We were the same underdog and we were able to deliver. So, it has happened before and I don’t feel any pressure at all.

“We’ve got a lot of experience in the World Cup. We’re going to make sure we make every Ghanaian proud by playing our normal game and we’ll see what happens.”

He added: “Portugal has got a great team. Germany, of course, is the favourite; that’s what people are saying. Statistically, they are the favourite in the group, but you might not know what is going to happen.

“Any country that qualifies for the World Cup is a good one. That is where it’s a bit tricky, so we have to just watch out.”

“We’ve done it before; Ghana has done it before,” he said.