[ 2014-10-13 ]

Hearts of Oak 1-1 Asante Kotoko - Robin Gnagne's late penalty saves Hearts' blushes
Accra Hearts of Oak laboured to hold rivals Asante
Kotoko to a 1-1 draw at the Accra Sports Stadium
in the Super Two clash on Sunday afternoon.

Frank Gyamfi caused defender Vincent Atinga to
score an own-goal in the 23rd minute but Ivorian
defender Robin Gnagne converted from the spot in
the 92nd minute to earn a point for the Phobians.

Hearts missed early chances but Kotoko capitalised
on a defensive mishap to score the opening goal as
winger Frank Gyamfi tore the defense apart and
attempted a lobbing cross which came off
Atinga’s body for the opening goal.

The Phobians pressed, but were listless and
outplayed by Kotoko in midfield until youngster
Isaac Mensah came off the bench to inspire their
comeback. The 17-year-old winning a penalty in the
91st minute for Gnagne to send Joseph Addo the
wrong way.

Hearts of Oak coach Herbert Addo made five changes
to the side that suffered a 2-0 loss in the
reverse fixture as Emmanuel Hayford returned from
injury while Thomas Abbey, Kwame Kizito, Gilbert
Fiamenyo and Kwaku Andoh were all handed starting
role.

Togolese international Komi Foovi Aguidi also lost
his place in the starting line-up as he joined
youngster Isaac Mensah on the bench.

Tetteh Luggard remain in goal while Robin Gnagne
remained as captain, pairing with Vincent Atinga
in central defence. Addo stuck to his favourite
4-1-2-1-2 formation.

Asante Kotoko Didi Dramani was forced to alter his
line-up with defender Abeiku Ainooson being
replaced Akwasi Acheampong in central defence. He
partnered Ohene Brenya in a 4-1-3-2 formation.

Ahmed Toure returned to the Accra Sports Stadium
to face Hearts of Oak, a club he scored for during
the GHALCA Top4 competition just four weeks ago.

Toure dominated talks before kick-off as the
red-jerseyed lads from Kumasi tossed onto the
pitch for warm. And, when the game got underway,
he managed to consume the attention of Kwaku
Andoh, Gnagne and Atinga who were on guard at the
back for Hearts.

In one moment, he managed to outwit Hearts’
chief sentinel and locate Obed Owusu who missed
narrowly. This was still early days yet. And as
the tie wore on, Hearts continued to discover more
problems posed by Kotoko trident in attack.

One of such orchestrations involving Owusu and
Toure fetched the opener. The Burkina Faso
international of Ivorian descent artfully circled
the ball and found Owusu whose tailor-made pass
found Gyamfi. His electrifying pace allowing him
to outrun Andoh before trying to cross the ball
which deflected Vincent Atinga to give Kotoko a
1-0 lead.

Gilbert Fiamenyo fluffed his lines on a couple
times before the half ended.

The second-half was no different story for Hearts.
Kotoko perpetuated their dominance in the middle
with former Aduana Stars midfielder Leonard
Tawiah’s influence dwarfed in the middle. Toure
was replaced by Latif Amadou midway through the
half, a change that somewhat gave Hearts some
breathing space.



Kotoko Line-up: Joseph Addo – Rahim Ayew, Amos
Frimpong, Akwasi Acheampong, Ohene Brenya –
Kwadwo Poku, Richard Mpong, Frank Gyamfi, Obed
Owusu – Larbi Koomson, Ahmed Simba Toure.

Hearts of Oak Line-up: Tetteh Luggard – Kwaku
Andoh, Isaac Oduro, Robin Gnagne, Vincent Atinga,
Leonard Tawiah, Emmanuel Hayford, Richard Yamoah,
Gilbert Fiamenyo, Kwame Kizito, Thomas Abbey.

Source - Ghanasoccer

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