Ghana kept the chance to reach the round of 16 in the World Cup in Qatar. The Black Stars celebrated their 3-2 win over South Korea at Al-Rayyan Education City Stadium on Monday, their first victory after beating Portugal 3-2 in the opening match. On the other hand, the team from the Far East has only outside chances of securing second place in Group H with one point from two matches. The Group B match between Portugal and Uruguay started at 8:00 pm.
Goals from Mohamed Salisu (24) and Mohamed Kodos (34) gave Ghana a 2-0 lead. Cho Goo-sung equalized with a double kick (58′ and 61′) before Kodos scored the decisive goal in the 68th minute.
Both teams made three changes to their starting lineups compared to their first matches. The South Koreans, and their star player Son Heung-min, made a better start but failed to create any convincing chances.
The Ghanaians took the lead with their first serious attacking action. Jordan Ayew hit a free kick in the middle and the ball landed at the feet of Salisu, who shot from close range. Previously, Andre Ayew had touched the ball with his hand and presented it optimally to Salisu, but the VAR did not recover the goal.
Going behind them, Ghana became the leading team, with South Korea almost completely absent in attack. In contrast, the Africans again hit a high ball in the sixteen. Crossing Jordan Ayew, Kodos sent the ball into the net.
Changing sides, the South Koreans came out of the blocks better, this time with convincing shots. Ghana goalkeeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi had a hard time with a header from Cho (52′). A few minutes later, the striker of the “Taeguk Warriors” scored twice. He headed first past Lee Kang-in, who had just come on as a substitute, (58′), and then headed again after a cross from Kim Jin-su (61′).
Ghana’s response was not long in coming. Former Salzburg player Gideon Mensah brought the ball in from the left and Inaki Williams hit a hole in the air, but Kodos was right away and scored from a low shot (68). As a result, South Korea increased the pressure. Ati-Zigi was on the lookout for a free kick from Lee Kang-in (75 minutes), and a shot from Son from a good position was blocked, as well as a shot from Kim Jin-su (76 minutes each). South Korea’s recent attack also failed to achieve anything, meaning the Asians, who started 0-0 against Uruguay, will probably have to wait for their third participation in the World Cup of 16 (previously in 2002 and 2010).
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