Ghana’s 3-2 win over South Korea gives the Black Stars hope of advancing to the knockout stage at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Ghana implemented the changes
Following Ghana’s 3–2 loss to Portugal, head coach Otto Addo made three changes to the starting line-up. The 4-3-3 replaced the 5-3-2 formation. Fullbacks Gideon Mensah and Tariq Lamptey replaced Baba Rahman and Alidu Seidu. The central Alexander Djiku made way for Jordan Ayew.
Of its 26 players, only two have previous experience participating in the biggest tournament in the sport. The two are captain Andre Ayew and his younger brother Jordan, sons of legendary player Abedi Pele.
While Muhammad Kudus is awarded the Budweiser Player of the Match award after the game, Jordan is arguably the most decisive athlete on the field.
In the opening stages of the match, the Taegeuk Warriors assert their dominance by conceding six corners in short succession. However, none of the set pieces create a shot on goal. In the 24th minute, Jordan uses a free kick to send a cross into the box and centre-back Mohammed Salisu saves the loose ball to give Ghana the lead. Ten minutes later, the Crystal Palace striker delivers another delicious pass into the 18-yard box and Mohammed Kudus’s header provides a 2-0 lead.
South Korea strikes back
At the start of the second half, South Korea responded with two goals in three minutes to tie the game. The first comes in the 58th minute when Lamptey wins a ball but is dispossessed after a short time and Lee Kang-In’s cross is headed by Cho Gue-Sung. The second comes after a rapid progression of passes that ends with an aerial header from Gue-Sung. The Education City Stadium erupts. Once again Ghana find themselves in an action packed high score affair. This time, they will prevail.
Kudus saves the day
In the 68th minute, Mensah overlapped Jordan down the left flank and received the ball and struck a low cross. Iñaki Williams’ shot attempt misses. His misfortune becomes Kudus’s second goal. Goalkeeper Kim Seung-Gyu’s right hand touches the ball but can’t prevent it from going into the net. The Taegeuk Warriors overwhelmingly dominate possession for the duration of the match as they chase an equalizer. never comes
According to the FIFA ranking, this is the second biggest upset in the tournament. It is only surpassed by Saudi Arabia defeating Argentina. Ghana now heads into their third match against Uruguay on Friday with a chance to advance to the round of 16.
