QATAR: Mohammed Kudus scored twice in a thrilling game as Ghana defeated South Korea 3-2. Ghana registered their first win in the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
The effort from Kudus gave Ghana their first win of the tournament and kept their hopes of qualifying for the knockout stages alive.
Kudus’ blazing shot delivered Ghana’s first victory in world cup
South Korea applied pressure on Ghana early in the game, forcing seven corners in the first 20 minutes. After a goalmouth melee in the 24th minute, Mohammed Salisu gave Ghana the lead against the odds.
Ten minutes later, Kudus scored two goals with a precise glancing header after Jordan Ayew’s cross from the left was beautifully delivered. However, around the hour mark, two daring Cho Gue-Sung headers three minutes apart brought South Korea back to level the tense match.
In the 68th minute, Kudus added his tally of goals of the game, his second, with a well-taken finish to make it 3-2. Ghana returned from the Education City Stadium with three points from the win, keeping their hopes of qualifying for the knockout stages alive, and Salisu had to clear off the line late on.
South Korean players showed immense grit in the game’s later stages, coming close to scoring a levelling goal, but weren’t able to convert the scoring opportunities. Ghana goalkeeper Lawrence Ati denied Cho Gue Song the leveller goal with a great save 4 minutes into the extra time in the end.
With their first tournament victory, Ghana is in charge of their destiny of qualifying for the knockout stages of the FIFA World Cup going into Friday’s final match against Uruguay.
Ghana, ranked 61st in the world, joined Portugal on three points. Uruguay and South Korea each have one point to show from their games. Ghana is the lowest-ranked team in the FIFA World Cup. Later on Monday, Portugal and Uruguay will play each other in their 2nd Group H match.
South Korea can meet all requirements for the World Cup’s knockout stages if they beat Portugal in their upcoming game on Friday. It will be a tall task for the Asian team to conquer the European heavyweights.
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