KOREA FIGHTBACK FALLS SHORT
Kudos to Kudus as Ghana keep their World Cup Round of 16 hopes alive after a stunning 3-2 win against South Korea
MOHAMMED Kudus scored twice, including a 68th minute winner, to help Ghana seize a thrilling 3-2 World Cup win over South Korea on Monday after they had earlier squandered a two-goal lead.
Mohammed Salisu and midfielder Kudus had combined to give Ghana a well-deserved first-half lead with the Koreans badly off the pace.
But two quick second-half headers from Cho Gue Sung looked to have snatched a point for South Korea in the Group H clash.
Kudus had the last laugh though when he guided his finish into the net for Ghana’s first World Cup match win since 2010 after team-mate Inaki Williams had completely missed his kick.
“Everyone was on top of their game today. I want to thank my team mates, it is a collective game,” Kudus said. “We’re fully confident (v Uruguay), we go with the same mentality and the same intensity.” More drama followed the finish, with South Korea coach Paulo Bento sent off for protesting that the final whistle had been blown when his side were about to have a corner.
“We made stupid mistakes, but a draw would have been deserved. We had many chances to score,” he said.
Ghana, who would have been eliminated with a defeat, finish the group stage against Uruguay on Friday with last-16 qualification on the line. South Korea - on one point - meet Portugal, with their coach set to miss the game against his native land.
South Korea star Son Heung Min, coached as a young player by Ghana boss Otto Addo at SV Hamburg, again wore a protective mask following a broken eye-socket. But he again struggled and
Ghana are attempting to make the last 16 for the first time since reaching the quarter-finals in 2010
his side now risk going out in the group stage for the third straight World Cup.
Ghana are attempting to make the last 16 for the first time since reaching the quarter-finals in 2010, which was also the last tournament where they tasted World Cup victory.
Both sides made three changes from their opening game in Qatar, where the Koreans drew 0-0 with Uruguay and Ghana lost 3-2 to Portugal. The opening exchanges were cagey until Salisu netted following Jordan Ayew’s free-kick into the box.
A lengthy video assistant referee check took place as the ball struck older brother Andre Ayew on the hand before dropping for Salisu, but the officials deemed it to be unintentional.
It meant Ghana have scored in their last eight World Cup matches.
Crystal Palace forward Jordan Ayew then became the first Ghana player to have two assists in the same World Cup game when his excellent cross was flicked home by Ajax Amsterdam’s Kudus.
South Korea finally had their first effort of target in one and a half games after the break through Cho’s header, which was saved.
But he went one better with his next header on 58 minutes as he stopped to score and then did the same just three minutes later, amid more poor Ghana defending both on the left flank and in the box.
The momentum seemed to have shifted South Korea’s way but the Black Stars were not done as Kudus struck his second.
Everyone was on top of their game today. I want to thank my team mates, it is a collective game.
Mohammed Kudus