The Black Stars comprehensively thrashed South Korea 4-0 in a friendly that served as both sides final preparatory game before the World Cup kicks off on June 12, 2014.
A stunning hat-trick from youngster-Jordan Ayew and a low drive just before half time from Asamoah Gyan sealed the comfortable win in a game held in hot and humid conditions in the Sun Life Stadium in Miami.
During the week, coach Kwesi Appiah had hinted that Kwadwo Asamoah and Michael Essien might occasionally be called on to fill in at the back, and the starting line-up named by the manager had Kwadwo Asamoah as the side’s left back.
The game started in a far too lively fashion, as after barely 3 minutes, Ki Sung-Yeung was booked after viciously hacking down Majid Warris, who was unable to continue and had to be replaced by Jordan Ayew.
The younger Ayew wasted little time in making his presence felt, as in the 11th minute he gave Ghana the lead after good work down the left flank by his elder brother.
Andre ran down the left flank, and sent in a low cross which Jordan connected with, beating the goalkeeper via a slight deflection off Ki.
The goal however barely lifted the game out of its scrappy nature as both sides failed to string too many passes together. South Korea gained a great chance in the 15th minute, striker Lee Chu Young cutting in and narrowly missing with his low drive.
Ghana fashioned a few half chances as the game wore on, but South Korea remained the better side, and a prolonged spell of pressure just before half time almost yielded an equaliser.
A free kick was headed way over the top by Tae-Hwi. And another subsequent chance yielded a corner after a shot came off the post! Then a cross got bundled in by Tae-Hwi but there seemed to be a foul during the build-up, leading to the goal being disallowed.
Despite their pressure, a quick break just before half time saw Ghana grab her second, Asamoah Gyan grabbing his 40th international goal after a scintillating run through the Korean defence and beating the goalkeeper with his low drive.
The 2nd half began much like the first, with an early goal for Ghana, once again scored by Jordan Ayew.
The on-loan Sochaux attacker hit a low drive from just outside the box into the bottom right corner after swift build up play from the Stars, leaving the South Korean goalkeeper Jung completely stranded.
The goal seemed to knock the wind right out of the sails of South Korea, and the subsequent standard glut of substitutions disrupted the flow of the game, as both managers brought on several players to give them a last run out before the world cup.
Afriyie Acquah, Emmanuel Agyeman Badu, Christian Atsu, Mubarak Wakaso, and Albert Adomah all had a chance to come on and make their presence felt.
South Korea had several chances on the counter, but their crossing remained poor whilst John Boye and Jonathan Mensah continued to clear most of the balls coming their way.
Korea’s best chance of the half fell to Lee in the 67th minute, who hesitated in pulling the trigger and the chance was lost as the subsequent shot went narrowly wide.
Ghana maintained a tight grip on the game then, with relaxed play to wear down the clock.
However just before full time, winger Adomah went charging down the right, and his low cross was turned in by Jordan who completed his hat-trick.
Scarcely a minute later, the referee blew his whistle for full time, giving the Black Stars a huge morale boosting win before their first game against the USA on June 16 in Brazil.
Waow, a very vivid description of exactly how the match went. I think the results of the game was so exaggerating, to say it didn’t reflect what actually transpired on the night. Although we won the match, the black stars under performed. We will not even secure one point if we put up such a performance against our strong group opponents. I still think we have the players who can face any opposition but the problem is the coach. I personally like Kwasi Apiah and will always wish him well, but it is clear he has problem when it comes to positioning players at the right positions to get results. I still don’t understand why he has decided to use Kwadwo Asamoah at the left back. To me Kwadwo Asamoah is the only creative midfielder in our team now and this was clear in the Holland’s game. When he was moved to the middle there was creativity in our play. At Juventus, K Asamoah actually does not play at the left back as we are made to believe. Juventus plays 3-5-2 formation when attacking and revert to the traditional 4-4-2 when defending. So in actual fact, they play 3 defenders when attacking but kwadwo who plays as left winger joins the defenders when they are defending. Juventus has Pirlo at the middle who brings creativity to the play of team and that is why Kwadwo plays at the wings but his best position is the middle. Another thing is that the coach picks players by name and not the role they can play. I don’t see why he played two defensive midfielders in Sule and Rabiu. I will chose Rabiu to play ahead of Sule though. That explains why we hardly created chances even with S Korea as opponent. I think it will do as good if one of them is dropped (Sule) for an offensive midfielder like Asamoah to bring the the creativity the team was lacking. Wakaso can play at the left back position. Also KP Boateng seems unfit and therefore should start from the bench. We were virtually playing 10 against 11 because he never came to the party. We can play somebody like Arstu or Adomah instead of KP Boateng.
well said Kofi!!