Ghana take a hectic game against South Korea

They started out dominating South Korea, but two goals from Ghana in ten minutes knocked out the Asian side who, despite equalizing in the second half, ended up succumbing thanks to a goal from Kudus.

Thomas Osborne
Thomas Osborne
28 November 2022 Monday 10:33
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Ghana take a hectic game against South Korea

They started out dominating South Korea, but two goals from Ghana in ten minutes knocked out the Asian side who, despite equalizing in the second half, ended up succumbing thanks to a goal from Kudus. A crazy game with alternatives on the scoreboard that was decided in favor of the 'black stars', who added their first three points of the tournament, although both Ghana and South Korea will play their place in the round of 16 of the World Cup on Friday, in the last day of the group that they share with Portugal and Uruguay.

South Korea, with the same eleven that had been able to resist against Uruguay on the first day (0-0), jumped into the Education City stadium in Doha with clear ideas and quickly became the absolute dominator of the match. Led by an omnipresent Heung-Min Son, they accumulated dangerous arrivals at Zigi's goal. The Tottenham player monopolized the left flank of the Korean attack to neutralize a Ghana who had a hard time getting into the game.

Iñaki Williams, who in the first twenty minutes of the game had to put more effort into defensive tasks, would take part in the first dangerous chance for the 'black stars'. A steal from Ayew who teamed up with the Athletic player on a great occasion for the Ghanaian team, which seemed to wake up thanks to this occasion. A minute later, Ayew himself would be in charge of serving a dangerous free kick to the heart of the area that, poorly defended by the Korean defense, would end up fishing for Salisu to send her angrily to the back of the net, overtaking the Africans.

The goal completely changed the script of the game. Ghana took the reins of the match and insistently sought the second against a completely knocked out Korea. Thus, ten minutes after the first goal, Kudus would widen the gap with the 0-2 thanks, once again, to the assistance of an immense Jordan Ayew. The Crystal Palace striker was undoubtedly one of Ghana's best players in the first half and even dared from a corner to try with the Olympic goal.

The forces were equalizing a bit until the break, but Korea did not fully recover from the terrible blow that Ghana's two goals brought in just ten minutes. The panorama would change completely after passing through changing rooms. The entry of the Mallorca player Kang-in Lee revolutionized the Korean attack and, on the first ball he touched, he stole the ball and set it up for Gue-sung Cho to close the gap to make it 1-2 at minute 58. Just two minutes later the Korean would score a double to equalize the score, entering from behind and heading the ball into the back of the net with power. 2-2 and half an hour ahead to decide the winner in a final stretch of authentic heart attack.

Ghana was not scared off by the Korean comeback and continued to believe in their chances. A faith that was rewarded in a cross that Iñaki Williams did not reach, but Kudus did, who appeared in the second row to finish off with a powerful header and put the 'black stars' ahead again.

Korea's reply could have come shortly after, but the Mallorca player Lee's shot was saved by a huge Zigi, who avoided the third of Asia's 'tigers'. The African goalkeeper was the great star of the team in the final stretch and the great responsible for Ghana being able to add their first victory in the tournament. It was not the only occasion for Paulo Bento's men, who ended up expelled after the game for protesting to the referee. Korea insisted endlessly in search of a tie, but they ended up leaving empty. Their options to go to the quarterfinals are complicated, but they are still virtually in the fight.