ISTANBUL — Ebenezer Assifuah scored his second goal in the closing minutes of extra time as Ghana beat Chile 4-3 to reach the semifinals of the Under-20 World Cup Sunday. Assifuah's header completed Ghana's comeback after Angelo Henriquez put Chile 3-2 up in the eighth minute of extra time. Seidu Salifu equalized in the 113th after being set up by Clifford Aboagye. Both teams were locked at 2-2 in regulation. “This was really a cliffhanger match,” Ghana coach Sellas Tetteh said. “That is what this tournament is about, to show good football and to entertain people.” The only African nation to win the event, in 2009, Ghana will next play France while Iraq takes on Uruguay in the other semifinal. Earlier Sunday, Iraq conceded the lead three times to draw 3-3 with South Korea before winning a penalty shootout. Tetteh praised his team for coming from behind for a second straight match. In the previous knockout round, Ghana beat Portugal 3-2 with two late goals. “We didn't panic, we still played our type of football,” Tetteh said. “I have to give credit to the boys ... this was a complete performance from a determined team.” Earlier in the tournament, Ghana narrowly escaped elimination after losing group matches against Spain and France before advancing on goal difference following a 4-1 win against the United States. “It's a wonderful feeling for us to progress to the semifinal,” Tetteh said. “We started from a very low point. The progression of this team is wonderful.” Ghana took the lead in the 11th when Frank Acheampong set up Moses Odjer, who controlled the ball on his chest before hammering it past goalkeeper Dario Melo. Nicolas Castillo scored his fourth goal of the tournament with a fierce strike to level in the 23rd, and Henriquez gave Chile the lead four minutes later with a low shot from just outside the area. Ghana pressed for an equalizer in the second half and got its reward in the 72nd when Ebenezer Assifuah hit the target for his first goal. Uruguay aims high With Brazil and Argentina not present and Chile succumbing to Ghana in the quarterfinals, all South American hopes of another Under-20 World Cup title are now with Uruguay. Coach Juan Verzeri's team will take on Iraq Wednesday, hoping to reach its second final after finishing runner-up in 1997. For the first time since the event's inauguration in 1977, neither Brazil — which won the previous edition in Colombia two years ago — nor Argentina managed to qualify. Those two nations have shared 11 of the previous 18 youth world championships, and Uruguay is eager to become the third South American nation to lift the trophy. In its quest for glory, Uruguay will “always have to combine the technical with emotional skills that have been hallmarks of our football,” coach Verzeri said after his team reached its first semifinal since 1999. Never shy of battling to — and sometimes over — the limit, Uruguay has been known for its never-give-up mentality. It helped the team overcome tournament favorite Spain in Saturday's quarterfinal. The European Under-19 champions dominated ball possession but couldn't match their opponents' fighting spirit, which was ultimately rewarded by Felipe Avenatti's winning goal in extra time. “But just playing hard does not mean playing outside the rules,” Verzeri said. FIFA statistics are proving the coach right. In its five matches so far, Uruguay has committed a total of 57 fouls, far less than any other team still in the competition. Iraq conceded 79 free kicks, Ghana 82, and France 85. Also, Uruguay received fewer yellow cards — five, compared to France's seven, Iraq's 10 and Ghana's 12. On the other hand, Uruguay suffered 93 fouls, well ahead of Iraq (75), Ghana (70) and France (69). “It was an emotional fight but we were also playing good football,” Verzeri said after the Spain game. “We played very concentrated ... I emphasize the unity of all the players and the effort they put into fighting for each ball.” Uruguay drew praise from Spain coach Julen Lopetegui, calling the South Americans “a team that collectively moves well and is very strong in defense.” — AP
