Black Stars win over South Korea keeps World Cup hopes alive
Ghana’s Black Stars defeated South Korea 3-2 in their second match of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar with goals from Mohammed Salisu and Mohammed Kudus, who also scored twice.
Otto Addo’s team won all three points to keep them in the running for a spot in the Round of 16 despite a brief second-half comeback by the South Koreans.
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The Black Stars needed to win against the Koreans to prevent early elimination from the tournament after the opening-day loss to Portugal.
The fact that the South Koreans dominated the first few minutes of the game indicates that this was on the players’ minds.
Seven corners were taken by South Korea, but none of them really tested Ghana goalkeeper Lawrence Ati Zigi.
The Black Stars recovered from the initial attack, grew into the contest, and quickly took the lead.
Mohammed Salisu scored after South Korea failed to deal with a Jordan Ayew corner.
Salisu and his colleagues were finally able to enjoy their goal after a tense wait during which the VAR investigated a potential handball by Andre Ayew.
Ten minutes later, the Stars doubled their advantage, with Jordan Ayew once more playing a significant role.
Kudus Mohammed’s head received his left-handed inswinging cross and glanced the ball in.
Despite Partey’s valiant effort to score with his header, the Ghanaians led by a comfortable margin at halftime despite the Black Stars’ close call on a third goal.
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Thirteen minutes after the half, a three-minute blitz erased the two-goal lead.
Korean forward Cho Gue-sung leapt to head in two goals from identical positions in the 58th and 61st minutes to tie the game.
The Black Stars regained the lead just seven minutes after giving up the equalizer, so the Ghanaians weren’t in shock for very long.
A left-handed ball was entirely missed by Inaki Williams, but it fell at Kudus Mohammed’s feet and was scored.
There were opportunities for South Korea to score the following goal, but Ati Zigi was in excellent form.
For their first victory of the 2022 World Cup, the Stars held on despite the addition of 10 minutes of extra time.
Ghana will now face Uruguay with the knowledge that a draw, together with positive outcomes in the other games, might advance them to the Round of 16.
Source: Citinewsroom