Ghana defeated South Korea in a thrilling game brimming with surprises in front of a boisterous crowd at Education City Stadium in Qatar.
The African nation took a 2-0 lead in the 24th and 34th minutes of play in the first half thanks to goals from Mohammed Kudus of Ajax and Southampton defender Mohammed Salisu, keeping the Black Stars in contention for a place in the last 16.
South Korea had 60% to 40% more possessions than the Black Stars during the first half of the game, but the Asian team had trouble breaking down Ghana’s formidable defense.
However, Taegeuk Warriors were determined to come back even stronger, shocking their African opponents with two goals consecutively in the second half of the game.
Korea’s Cho Gue-sung completed the team’s comeback into the game by scoring the opening goal in the 58th minute and the equalizer in the 61st.
Seven minutes later, Mohammed Kudus scored his team’s third goal, giving the Black Stars the advantage once more.
For the first time in a World Cup game, Ghana scored three times.
South Korea had more opportunities as they sought a dramatic equalizer, but Ghana managed to hold on despite the addition of 10 minutes of extra time.
Ghana’s determined effort to bounce back from its defeat to the European nation and improve its chances of moving on to the knockout round spurred the African team’s performance.
The scenes at the end of the game demonstrated the significance of the outcome for both teams; however, the full impact won’t be realized until after Monday’s late Group H game between Uruguay and Portugal.
Ghana will now face Uruguay with the assurance that a draw in that fixture and a positive outcome in the other game might advance them to the Round of 16.
The Al Janoub stadium will host this game at exactly 15:00 GMT
It will be a rematch of the stunning quarterfinal loss Ghana suffered at the 2010 World Cup.
Story by: Rashad Usman Sinah | univers.ug.edu.gh | Univers Sports
