Kumasi, Nov. 23, GNA - Visiting Wa All Stars managed to clinch a 2-1 victory over Kumasi-based King Faisal Babies in the Glo Premier League match played at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium on Sunday. It was Faisal, who scored first in the 12th minute through Ofosu Micky from a re-taken spot kick after Ishmael Amin had whacked down Frank Acheampong in the box.
With a goal in their bag, Faisal probed for more goals with Prince Arkoh wasting a glorious opportunity in the 19th minute with only goalkeeper Albert Adabuo to beat shot wide. Wa Stars turned the table and had a chance in the 25th minute but a perfect drive from Eric Ofori was brilliantly saved by Osei Boateng in goal for Faisal.
Nathaniel Asamoah, who was flashed yellow card in the 30th minute for rough play, hit the yawning net with a foot push after beating three defenders in a fierce struggle in the box with keeper Boateng sprawling. Inspired by the goal, they pressed on and in the 45th minute Ben Acheampong wasted a chance when his shot was blocked by a defender after receiving a pass from Nathaniel from the left flank to end the half On resumption, King Faisal, determined to carry the day, made series of attacks and in the 51st minute brought in Basit Abraham for Prince Arko to strengthen their attack, while All Stars also brought in Daniel Bomfa for Ben Acheampong in the 62nd minute.
Wa All Stars injured Eric Mensah, was substituted by Ebenezer Adjei in the 76th minute. In the 88th minute, Ofosu Micky hit the post of the foot with a powerful shot in a goalmouth melee while Shaibu Zida also failed to hit the net just in front of the empty net to the surprise of the few fans at the stadium in the 89th minute
Wa All Stars, however, managed to carry the day with substitute Bomfa finishing off with a header from Nathaniel Asamoah's efforts at the 90th minute.
Monday, November 23, 2009
* India eye lead on lively Green Park pitch
India eye lead on lively Green Park pitch
The famed Indian batting line-up both embarrassed and redeemed itself in the Ahmedabad shirtfront, where it collapsed like a house of cards in the first innings and then rose from its ruins in the second to salvage a draw.
But to expect such resurgence everyday would be to invite trouble and Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s men would do well to learn the lessons from their Ahmedabad escapade and mend their way.
The pitch curator here has advised the batsmen to exercise some caution, at least in the first two days’ morning sessions before they embrace extravagance. The hosts have a judicious blend of swashbucklers and sheet-anchors, which makes it so difficult for the opponents to tame them.
Rahul Dravid has always been the bulwark of the Indian line-up and now Gautam Gambhir has also proved that his is not merely a one-dimensional game and he just cannot be dismissed as just another mindless slogger.
Other than that, Dhoni has no major worry with the batting lineup. In the bowling department, however, Dhoni will have some worry as beside Zaheer Khan and Ishant Sharma, none of the Indian bowlers could impress in Ahmedabad.
Sri Lanka, on the other hand, would go into the match believing they had India on the mat in Kanpur but a dull track, coupled with some unimaginative captaincy by the defensive Kumar Sangakkara, robbed them their chance to snap the 14-match winless streak on Indian soil.
Their batting line-up looks in apple-pie order where the top and middle order batsmen have fired in unison. Tillakaratne Dilshan is just too good and his opening partner Tharanga Paranavitana has no issues playing the second fiddle as long as it suits the team.
It is, however, in the bowling unit that the Lankans seem to enjoy an edge over the hosts. Chanaka Welegedera has proved how dangerous he can be even on lifeless tracks and then the Lankans have Muttiah Muralitharan who may have had a low key outing in Ahmedabad but he can’t lie low for long.
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