Monday, May 11, 2009

KOTOKO DRAW AT HOME (BACK PAGE)

Kumasi Asante Kotoko yesterday struggled at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi to hold Kessben FC to a 1-1 draw in the Glo Premier League second leg match.
After losing 1-0 to Kessben in their first leg match played at the Abrankese Sports Stadium, the numerous followers of Kotoko anticipated a massive home win yesterday.
However, it was the home team that had their back to the wall for more than 65 minutes after going down 1-0 on the half hour mark through a beautiful goal scored by Emmanuel Adu Gyamfi.
Before Kessben scored their goal, Referee Mercy Tagoe who handled the game had shown no mercy to Iddrisu Yahaya in the 19th minute when he showed him the red card.
Yahaya, who had shown prominence in defence, slapped Alex Asamoah of Kotoko without provocation and the referee, who was watching closely, showed him the exit.
Notwithstanding their numerical disadvantage, Kessben took the game to Kotoko, pinning them in their half on most occasions, and it was one of such attacks that saw Adu Gyamfi outpacing two Kotoko defenders to open the scores.
Kessben increased the tempo of the game, winning most of the 50-50 balls and coming close to increasing the tally but Isaac Amoako kept faith by saving some of the goal-bound shots.
Alex Asamoah also came close in the 36th minute to equalise for his side, but Frank Andoh proved too swift and pushed the ball to corner, which was wasted.
Later in the game both teams made a series of changes but it was Kotoko who benefited as Kwadwo Poku, who came on for Alex Asamoah, equalised for his side in the 66th minute with a 25-metre shot.

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