[ 2016-02-26 ]

GPL Preview: Can Medeama tame Hearts?
Accra, Feb. 26, GNA - Tarkwa base Premier League
side Medeama SC will play host to 19 time league
winners, Accra Hearts of Oak at the Tarkwa TNA
Park on Sunday at 3:30pm.

Medeama’s opening match day defeat to defending
league champions Ashgold means that they will have
to pick up the three maximum points at home, which
will be crucial for their points build up.

But they will need to do that against no mean a
side than the “Continental club masters” Accra
Hearts of Oak who seem to have discovered their
form and confidence.

A resurgent Hearts of Oak side who have shown
glimpses of quality play already can be a thorn in
the flesh for Medeama on any day.

Though Samudeen Ibrahim is a major doubt for the
Phobians after suffering a foot injury on match
day one in their victory against New Edubiase,
they seem to have adequate quality in their
reserves to cause a havoc in Tarkwa.

The best player of last season’s lower tier
played a fundamental role for his side and was
named man of the match in his debut game.

His addition to the squad of coach Keni will be a
major boost for the Phobians should he be passed
fit for the game, sounding a severe warning to
their hosts.

Accra Hearts Oak are yet to be tested in the
season after their victory on match day 1, more so
many fans are optimistic ahead of the game after a
dazzling display from the Phobia boys in their
home game last week.

A lone goal from former Black Star player Samuel
Yeboah was all the needed to bag all three points
after they had rued several chances upfront.

The TNA Park has been a challenging ground for the
Phobians who are yet to win a game there, with
previous games recorded in draws in subsequent
visits.

Meanwhile Medeama are thirsty for their first
victory of the season and also to improve upon
their efforts to gain stern grounds in the league,
it may prove to be a cagey encounter for both
teams who seek to remain succinct in their
performances.

Hearts of Oak may have to improve upon their
attacking prowess in order to maintain their 100%
form in the season, anything shorter than that
would cost them dearly since Medeama remain
wounded after their defeat to league champions
Ashgold. Medaema will have to show their fans that
they are indeed wealthy Super Cup champions and
that should start on Sunday.

One thing that will be crucial both sides will be
the technical brains behind the two. It will be
interesting to see how Tom Strand battles it out
on the bench with Kenichi Yastuhashi.

The hosts meanwhile have quite a herculean task to
tame the Phobians in order to recapture their
grounds in the league.

MATCH FACTS

•Both sides have played 16 matches in total in
the league with Medeama winning 7 and Hearts
winning 4 out of it.

•19 goals have been recorded between the two
sides.

• Medeama have played 120 home games thus far in
the GPL since they entered in 2007. (W73, D33,
L14).

•Medeama have scored 180 goals and concede 85
goals.

•Medeama are yet to lose a day 2 home game since
2007.

•The first time Medeama lost at home in the GPL
was a match Day 3 game against Liberty
Professionals in 2008/09 season (1-2).

•The last time Medeama lost a game at home in
the GPL was a Day 17 game against Asante Kotoko in
the 2013/14 season (0-1).

•Hearts of Oak have played 232 away games in the
GPL since 1999 and have recorded 86 wins. (W86,
D75, L71).

•Hearts have scored 236 goals away and conceded
211.

•The Phobians last won an away game in the GPL
against Liberty Professionals in match day 26 in
the 2014/15 season, (1-0).

•Hearts were the last side to have stopped
Medeama from scoring at home in the 2014/15 league
season, (0-0).

•Medeama have kept 71 clean sheets out of 241
games in the GPL since 2007.

•Hearts of Oak have kept 201 clean sheets out of
465 games in the GPL since 1999.

Source - GNA

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