Striker Gyan fires and misfires for Ghana

COLOGNE, June 17 (Reuters) Ghana striker Asamoah Gyan fired his team back into World Cup contention today and then made a bizarre error to rule himself out of their next crunch game against the United States.

The 20-year-old striker, who plays for Italian Serie B side Modena, put Ghana on the way to a 2-0 win over Czech Republic with a goal after just 70 seconds.

With 25 minutes of the match remaining and the score still at 1-0, Gyan was given the opportunity to double his tally when referee Horacio Elizondo dismissed Czech defender Tomas Ujfalusi and awarded the Ghanaians a penalty.

But as Elizondo dealt with Ujfalusi, his back still turned to the goal, Gyan decided to take the penalty kick -- promptly earning his own place in the referee's book.

To make matters worse, he then missed the re-taken penalty, blasting his shot off the right post.

''There was so much whistling all around the stadium and I thought the referee had already whistled for me to take the kick,'' said Gyan.

''It's a real shame but there is nothing I can do about it now.'' Since the yellow card was Gyan's second in two matches, he will now miss the decisive Group E match against the U.S on Thursday in Nuremberg.

That could prove quite a blow for the Africans, with Gyan proving one of their strongest assets in a commanding display against the Czechs.

Ghana's Serbian coach Ratomir Dujkovic will also be without impressive midfielder Sulley Muntari who linked up with Gyan to score the second goal in the 82nd minute before picking up his second yellow card of the tournament for a late, unnecessary foul.

''It will be hard to replace them both, particularly as the next match is crucial,'' Dujkovic acknowledged.

''Gyan is a great young player who I brought in because he suits my tactics. He is a fighter, a good jumper and he scores goals but can also assist.'' After watching what he described as ''a really excellent game'', Dujkovic said he was confident his team would make it past the group stage.

If so Gyan should have a further opportunity to shine -- provided he brushes up on the rules of the game during his enforced time out.

REUTERS PDS RAI0205