Ghana and South Korea produced one of the tournament’s most thrilling games so far in Qatar in a pacey, often end-to-end, Group H encounter. Despite Korea dominating the opening half an hour the opener, or even a shot on target, failed to arrive before a pair of teasing Jordan Ayew crosses led to goals from Mohammed Kudus and Mohammed Salisu. Korea, however, hit back after the break via two goals in three minutes, both committed headers from Cho Gue-Sung. Kudus, however, swept home the winner with 22 minutes to play.
Key Performers:
Son Heung-Min, 5 – Never really managed to impact the game and was swamped by Ghanaian defenders every time he took up any even mildly threatening position and often proved more dangerous in central areas.
Jordan Ayew, 7 – A series of well-placed, swinging crosses made the difference in the first half, creating both of Ghana’s goals for a 2-0 halftime lead. He might have made a third just before the break too only for Thomas Partey to head over from point-blank range.
Cho Gue-Sung, 8 – Eventually provided the cutting edge, after suffering through some wayward first-half service, via two committed headers, outmuscling and out-manoeuvring Ghana’s centre-backs twice in three minutes to equalise around the hour mark.
Tariq Lamptey, 3 – Arguably to blame for Korea’s quick-fire double after halftime which erased Ghana’s lead. Firstly by losing position in his right-back area to allow the cross for 2-1 before being caught out of position for the cut-back that set up the second.
Mohammed Kudus, 8 – Much as he was against Portugal, the Ajax midfielder again proved to be Ghana’s instigator in open play. His pace and skill regularly unsettled the Korean defence and it was he who glanced in a second before sweeping home a third to re-take the lead.
SOUTH KOREA – 2
Kim Seung-Gyu, 4
Kim Moon-Hwan, 3
Kim Min-Jae, 4
Kim Young-Gwon, 4
Kim Jin-Su, 6
Jung Woo-Young, 5
Hwang In-Beom, 5
Jeong Woo-Yeong, 5
Kwon Chang-Hoon, 4
Son Heung-Min, 5
Cho Gue-Sung, 8
Others: Lee Kang-In 6, Na Sang-Ho 5, Hwang Ui-Jo 5.
GHANA – 3
Lawrence Ati-Zigi, 6
Tariq Lamptey, 3
Daniel Amartey, 5
Mohammed Salisu, 6
Gideon Mensah, 5
Thomas Partey, 4
Salis Abdul Samed, 5
Mohammed Kudus, 8
André Ayew, 5
Jordan Ayew, 7
Iñaki Williams, 4
Others: Djiku 5, Kyereh 4, Sulemana , Odoi 5.
GWFN
