Ghana got their first win at the 2022 FIFA World Cup with an emphatic 3-2 win over South Korea in Monday’s Group H encounter.
The Black Stars suffered a 3-2 loss to Portugal in their opening match while the Koreans held maiden world champions Uruguay to a goalless draw.
The Ghanaians showed determination against the Portuguese and did that again at the Education City Stadium, having more of the ball and controlling proceedings in the opening minutes.
Very little was created from all that but things finally came to life in the 24th minute when Mohammed Salisu headed in Jordan Ayew’s free kick. VAR ran a check for a possible foul in the build up to the goal, the goal ultimately stood.
The four-time African champions doubled their lead 10 minutes later, Jordan Ayew the provider of a sublime cross which Ajax Amsterdam sensation Mohammed Kudus headed home.
The Koreans were chasing shadows from this point but did have a golden opportunity to net their first goal of the tournament in the 53rd minute, Gue-Sung Cho’s header was however saved by Ghanaian number one Lawrence Ati-Zigi. Cho’s moment finally came in the 58th minute, another header going in this time.
It was not long after that the 24-year-old Jeonbuk forward sent in another header to equalise for the Koreans.
Ghana were still in the game and scored their third goal of the afternoon, Kudus latching on to a pass and sending a low shot into the bottom left corner of the net for his brace.
Korea pushed for the equaliser in the 90th minute but the Ghanaian defence was alert to block the threat twice in succession. Ati-Zigi then made a brilliant save in added time to stop Sang-Ho Na’s header from going in. The St. Gallen shot stopper needed to be on high alert again to stop Cho from banging in a hat trick.
The South Koreans piled pressure on the West African giants in the 10 additional minutes in search of an equaliser but Otto Addo’s men held firm for all three points.
Ghana will conclude their group outings against Uruguay on Friday.
