World Cup matches are extra nervy affairs than free-flowing soccer. Brazil or Spain often are the exceptions. Ghana confirmed on Monday it needn’t be unique territory, after which defended like their life relied on it in the long run.
The Black Stars outran South Korea within the first half after which withstood an incredible comeback to win the Group H thriller 3-2 on the Training Metropolis Stadium in Al Rayyan. The end result left the 2022 FIFA World Cup’s lowest-ranked crew in an incredible place earlier than dealing with Uruguay within the final group recreation.
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In a recreation settled solely by left-wing assaults, Ghana ahead Mohammed Kudus scored first for a 2-0 half-time lead after which produced the winner after Korea got here roaring again to attract stage with two headers from Cho Gue-Sung within the area of three minutes.
It was a mad scramble within the final 20 minutes, together with 10 minutes of added time, as Korea stored on lobbing the ball into the field, however they might not discover their means by the crowded Ghana defence. The sport led to controversy after referee Anthony Taylor blew the ultimate whistle with Korea trying to take one last nook.
Korea’s Portuguese coach Paulo Bento was proven the crimson card after remonstrating angrily with Taylor.
Ghana sprang to life late of their 2-3 defeat in opposition to Portugal on Thursday, and time paid their early enterprise paid off. Son Heung-min, nonetheless sporting a face masks to guard his therapeutic eye socket, couldn’t make early corners depend and as soon as the African aspect took management, their rhythm and play down the flanks made him peripheral.
Skipper Andre Ayew managed the midfield. A free-kick after Daniel Amartey’s right-wing run was stopped got here to naught earlier than Ghana struck twice.
Jordan Ayew was the supplier for each objectives. Within the twenty fourth minute, he despatched a left-wing free-kick deep into the field. The ball got here off a defender’s head, bounced off Andre Ayew’s arm and one other defender’s foot, dropping in the midst of 4 Ghana gamers. Mohammed Salisu reacted first to faucet in on the far put up. Ghana appeared fortunate as a VAR examine for a Ayew handball didn’t get Korea reduction.
One other Jordan Ayew supply from deep on the left couldn’t be dealt with by Korean defenders and Mohammed Kudus headed in, making it 2-0.
Ghana had reached the Spherical of 16 in Germany (2006) and the quarters in 2010. With that era fading out, they have been out within the group stage in 2014 and didn’t qualify for Russia in 2018. The present bunch had struggled for type, however the combating win ought to enhance their confidence.
Korea, the 2002 semi-finalists, roared again within the second half. Bento despatched in Lee Kang-in and his cross from the left within the sixtieth minute was headed in by Cho Gue-Sung. Korea, taking part in at the next gear now, equalised three minutes later with one other Cho header. This time the left-wing cross got here from Kim Jun-su and Cho rose behind two defenders to go dwelling.
Ghana regained the lead within the 68th minute after a left-wing cross rolled throughout the field. Inaki Williams missed on the first put up however Kudus despatched in a swerving left-footer unchallenged on the far put up. Korea’s late flurry of assaults have been thwarted by the good Ghana goalkeeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi and the defence.
Ghana face Uruguay of their final group recreation and Korea, who drew 0-0 in opposition to Uruguay, run into Portugal.