Carlos Queiroz broke his own rule after Ghana’s 0-0 draw with England on Tuesday, praising goalkeeper Benjamin Asare while insisting the Black Stars’ World Cup point was won by 26 players ready to perform. The Ghana coach, who usually never discusses individuals, said Asare deserved the plaudits after a composed display at Gillette Stadium that included a first half save from Harry Kane and a late strike from Bukayo Saka.
“Usually, I don't like to talk. Never, never. I avoid talking about individual players,” Queiroz said. “But I think he deserves applauds. He was brilliant because he's in a specific position in the team and this is only due to the quality of the player, first of all, and the work that we did with all of them.” Queiroz said.
Asare started in place of Lawrence Ati-Zigi and anchored a disciplined Ghana side that limited England to few clear chances. But Queiroz stressed the clean sheet belonged to the entire group.
“I know and I learned in this business that we can win a couple of games with 11 players, but we can never succeed if we don't have a team ready to fulfil all the obligations,” he said. “As you see today, he comes out, he performs. Other players also come and they did well. This is the most important thing.”
Queiroz said the 90-minute effort against one of the World Cup favourites came down to unity, not tactics alone.
“When 11 men go inside one pitch and they share a common dream, things can happen,” Queiroz said. “All my players, they play for each other. They don't play for the scoreboard. They don't play against the watch. They don't play against the history. They just play for each other, to the teammate that was side by side with them.”
“And when it was necessary to go forward, they knew they have a team behind them. That's why I was very pleased with them.”
Ghana and England both move to four points in Group L. The Black Stars face Croatia in their final group game on June 28, with qualification for the Round of 16 still in their hands.
“We have 26 players ready to perform,” Queiroz added. “Congratulations to them.”
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