After the spectacular draw (3-3) between Serbia and Cameroon, the second day of the group stage of this 2022 World Cup continued, this Monday at 2 p.m. Defeated by Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal (2-3), Ghana faced South Korea, held in check by Uruguay (0-0) during the first day of Group H. Aligned in 4- 3-3, the Black Stars, led by brothers André and Jordan Ayew, had to raise their heads since in the event of another defeat, Otto Addo’s men risked elimination.
For its part, South Korea, carried by its captain Heung-min Son, had the opportunity to temporarily take the lead of the group. To do this, Paulo Bento bet on a 4-2-3-1 where Cho Gue-sung (Jeonbuk Motors) was preferred to the former Bordeaux player, Ui-jo Hwang, on the front of the attack. At the Stadium of the City of Education of Al-Rayyan, the Koreans were quick, moreover, to highlight themselves. On a first block, Chang-hoon Kwon undermined the Ghanaian defense and found Gue-sung Cho but the latter missed his recovery (5th). Dominating in the first moments, the Taeguk Warriors suffocated the Ghanaians. However, despite the incessant waves, the Black Stars resisted… before striking.
Eye-catching Taeguk Warriors…
On a free kick struck on the left by Jordan Ayew, Mohammed Salisu took advantage of a deflection of the head to seize the leather and follow up with a pivot shot from the left foot (1-0, 23rd). Finally accepted, after the usual checks, this opening of the score logically calmed the South Korean ardor. Stunned, Heung-Min Son’s teammates sank moments later. On a new cross from Jordan Ayew, left side, Mohammed Kudus was ahead of his opposite to deceive Seung-Gyu Kim with a header (2-0, 34th). If Chang-hoon Kwon sounded the revolt with a fine strike, repelled by Lawrence Ati Zigi, Ghana, opportunistic and realistic (2 shots on target, 2 goals), took the lead at the break.
Returning from the locker room, Sang-ho Na replaced Woo-yeong Jeong (Freiburg) and Paulo Bento’s troops quickly showed up. On a cross from Jin-Su Kim, Gue-Sung Cho placed a superb header but fell on an imperial Lawrence Ati Zigi (53rd). Under pressure, the Ghanaian rearguard was finally going to crack for the first time. Just entering the game, Lee Kang-In found Gue-Sung Cho who reduced the gap (2-1, 58th). Buoyed by this achievement, Son’s teammates went on the attack and came back to match. After another breakthrough on the left side, Jin-su Kim served Gue-Sung Cho. Scorer three minutes earlier, the latter rose higher than everyone and offered himself a double (2-2, 61st).
Mohammed Kudus frees the Black Stars!
In shock, Ghana was quick, however, to react. On a cross from Mensah, Kudus, opportunistic, took advantage of the missed volley from Iñaki Williams to resume and deceive the last South Korean rampart (3-2, 68th). With this double, the Ajax striker allowed his team to regain the advantage but did not prevent the new waves of Taeguk Warriors. While Zigi was still decisive on a direct free kick from Lee Kang-In, Mohammed Salisu saved him, on his line, a recovery from Jin-Su Kim (76th). In the last quarter of an hour, Kamaldeen Sulemana, Daniel-Kofi Kyereh, Denis Odoi, Abdul Rahman Baba or even Alexander Djiku, author of a few confidences for FM, appeared on the lawn. Despite two final attempts by Jin-Su Kim (84th), very active on his left side, and Gue-Sung Cho (90 + 5th), untenable, the Black Stars, suffering, resisted to offer themselves a precious success (3 -2). With this result, Ghana temporarily takes the lead in Group H. South Korea, last, sees the specter of elimination approaching.
– Relive the entire meeting in live commentary
The official line-ups at kick-off
South Korea XI
South Korea’s XI against Ghana! ?
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— Foot Mercato (@footmercato) November 28, 2022
Ghana starting XI
Ghana’s XI against South Korea! ?
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— Foot Mercato (@footmercato) November 28, 2022
