Mohammed Kudus scored twice as Ghana beat South Korea 3-2 in a pulsating World Cup encounter on Monday to maintain their World Cup hopes alive and go away Paulo Bento’s facet dealing with an early exit. Mohammed Salisu opened the scoring towards the run of play halfway via the primary half at Training Metropolis Stadium and Ajax midfielder Kudus doubled the Black Stars’ lead. However the Asian facet, who regarded toothless within the first half, roared again after the break, pulling stage via a quickfire double from ahead Cho Gue-sung both facet of the hour mark.
Ghana regarded shell-shocked because the Korean followers celebrated wildly however they have been again in entrance within the 68th minute when Kudus completed calmly on the again put up after Inaki Williams failed to attach with a cross from the left.
The consequence takes Ghana into second in Group H on three factors.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal can have six factors and safe qualification for the final 16 in the event that they beat Uruguay within the later kick-off in Qatar.
Regardless of their efforts, South Korea look more likely to crash out of the event on the group stage for the third straight World Cup.
The Asian facet, captained by Son Heung-min, have been faster to settle, forcing a succession of corners as they dominated possession however they have been unable to trend a shot on course in the whole first half.
Son regarded uncomfortable within the black face masks he’s carrying after having surgical procedure for a facial harm he suffered whereas enjoying for Spurs, continually readjusting it.
Ghana, who misplaced their opener 3-2 to Portugal, struggled to realize a foothold within the sport.
However the match completely modified complexion within the twenty fourth minute when the spectacular Jordan Ayew, enjoying down the left for Ghana, swung in a cross following a free-kick.
South Korea didn’t clear and Southampton centre-back Salisu completed together with his left foot, sparking wild scenes of celebration among the many Ghana followers decked out in crimson, white and inexperienced.
The purpose revitalised the African nation, who reached the quarter-finals in 2010, with South Korea struggling to cope with their physicality and direct strategy.
Now enjoying with aptitude and confidence, Ghana poured ahead and doubled their lead within the thirty fourth minute when Kudus powered a header residence after a pin-point Jordan Ayew cross from the left.
Captain Andre Ayew — the brother of Jordan — known as his males right into a staff huddle on the pitch and the gamers acquired soaked by the sprinklers earlier than they went off for his or her half-time beak.
The Koreans eventually produced an effort on course within the 53rd minute, when goalkeeper Lawrence Ati Zigi punched away a header from Cho.
However the Korean discovered the online simply minutes later, heading residence a cross from substitute Lee Kang-in, who had simply been introduced on by Bento.
And so they have been stage simply three minutes later when Cho headed residence Kim Jin-su’s ball from the left, sparking scenes of delirium among the many Korean followers.
Now Ghana have been rockinghowever they restored their lead halfway via the second half via Kudus.
South Korea got here again once more. Zigi was pressured right into a scrambling save to push away a free-kick whereas Salisu cleared off the road.
The fourth official held up a board for 10 minutes of added time. South Korea continued to pour ahead however they may not discover the online and plenty of their gamers collapsed to the turf on the last whistle.
Bento was despatched off for protesting on the finish of the match.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV employees and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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