In Philadelphia, a little rain never stops the party.
After playing host to the first rain delay in World Cup history on June 22, Philadelphia saw the showers come pouring down again on June 27, as Ghana got set to take on Croatia. And yet, perhaps even more than last time, fans were out in full force in the lots, reveling in the elements.
Ghana fan Yaw Boateng explained that the excitement of the game took away any sense of the weather.
“It’s unbelievable. It’s pouring, and I have a poncho, and this is the first time I’ve thought to put it on,” he said with a laugh. “That’s how great it’s been out here [in the lots].”
For Croatia, a win or a draw here would likely allow the team to advance to the next round, almost certainly securing third place in the respective group. Ghana has already clinched its place in the next round, but could potentially win its group with a win and an England loss. It would be the first time the team has ever done so.
The lots were pretty evenly split between both fan bases, signaling the importance of the contest. For every red-blue-and-white flag of Croatia, there was a yellow jersey with Ghana’s signature black star.
“Rain, snow, it doesn’t matter, both cultures are out here hoping for a win,” Ghana fan Jason Afrifa said.
A large Croatian contingent seeks a win
Entering this match with tournament hopes on the line, Croatia faces a situation that the players have rarely experienced. The team, after finishing third at the last World Cup and second at the one prior, has become one of the biggest soccer powers in the globe.
“It’s been an incredible ride for such a young country,” Croatia fan JP Defilippis said. “We are so proud to see them compete.”
Many fans were quick to point out that the game was perhaps the farthest north Croatia had ever played, the first time the team had played on the East Coast in the World Cup.
“We’ve seen so many family members, family friends here,” Eric and Tim Jones from New Jersey said. “Croatian music is playing; people are dancing. It’s been such a scene.”
With so much at stake for their team, some fans even made the trip from the country itself. Confident they would get to experience something special, Andrea and Toni Knez flew about 4,500 miles to Philadelphia.
“We’re such a little country with less than 4 million people,” Toni said. “But we continue fighting through every generation, and we will win that way.”
Ghana fans hope for a historic finish
With a spot in the next round secured, Ghana enters this match with nothing to lose. That attitude was reflected in the lots, where fans celebrated an incredible run for their team so far.
“We did not expect this, after changing coaches two months before the cup,” Boateng said. Ghana parted ways with coach Otto Addo on March 31, appointing coach Carlos Queiroz.
“This team has shown up, though, and just destroyed people,” he said.
Defensively, that statement is certainly true. Ghana allowed their first goal of the tournament in the 29th minute against Croatia, after suffocating teams for the previous two games. Fan Ciphers Heymann stressed that the team’s success meant a little more, knowing it had been a team effort.
“We are confident because we don’t have one superstar,” he said. “Everyone works together as a team.”
The team has captured the nation, according to Afrifa.
“It’s the biggest sport in Ghana; we eat, sleep and breathe soccer,” he said. “This run means the world.”
Heymann stressed that a win on June 27 would be nice, potentially giving the team an easier opponent in the next round, but that they’d be ready for whomever they faced.
“We’ve waited four years for this, and we are prepared,” he said. “We are going to change everything about soccer in Ghana.”
This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Ghana, Croatia fans prepare for meaningful World Cup match in Philly
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