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Mahatma join by colleagues |
The fans of Hearts of Oak who trooped to the Kpando stadium last Sunday were not disappointed as their idol Club managed to wrestle the Lions' and finally subdued it to return to Accra with all three points.
The game itself started with Lions dictating the pace for well over two minutes, with the Hearts players chasing shadows. This resulted in an early corner kick as early as the 3rd minute after Kofi Agyare unyielding in a challenge with Lions striker Fadi Benjamin, kicked the ball out of play, but the eventual corner kick by Solomon Addy was wasted. However, chances were always rare as both teams took much time to steady the formation their opponents were playing, but the game moved from one end to the other. As the game wore on, Lions were still territorially disadvantaged as the Phobians pinned them to their half, but they were able to create more on the break. Hearts huffed and puffed in pursuit of the first goal, but only Mahatma could blow Lions' house down.
The beauty of the goal however cannot be underestimated as it virtually came out of nothing, but midfield general Laryea who together with his colleagues sold a well rehearsed performance to the fans, did all the magic. It started when Laryea received a pass from Moro Abubakar and after watching the back four of Lions who had set an offside trap cleverly set off James Abban on the right flank who sneaked in from the back to beat the offside trap. It was a defense splitting pass and the former Liberty Professional striker who already has six goals to his credit zoomed, into the penalty box of Lions before laying a pass across the face of the goal post. Mahatma was by then lurking in the shadows of defender Prosper Avor and when the defender thought he had everything under control by trying a typical defensive clearance, Mahatma within a lightening second emerged from behind to blast the ball into the right corner of the post to record the first and only goal of the game.
Five minutes later, Mahatma Otoo struck an ambitious volley after seeing Lions keeper out of his line, but truth be told, the player by his action, did a great disservice to the entire team as the likes of Laryea Kingston and James Abban were unmarked and in better scoring positions.
Arguably one of the best performers on the day Philemon McCarthy, appended his 'signature' to the game making some superlative and face saving saves which on most occasions drew applause from both sets of fans. One that easily comes to mind is the brave save he made in the 42nd minute.
Striker Ben Fadi had beat the Hearts offside trap and was racing at goal perhaps for the equalizer, with midfielder Moro Abubakar chasing him. With all eyes fixed on how he was going to plant the ball into the net, confident looking Philemon oozed out of his box to attempt a save. Fooled by the keepers onrushing motion, Fadi decided to round up Macarthy, but the keeper recorded full marks as he thwarted his efforts with two brilliant saves; first, he made the striker fumble in his first attempt, and followed it up with a timely push to the corner post for a corner kick.
The supporters could not help but to put their hands together and clap in admiration for the bravery of the young lad.
Hearts ended the first half on top and Laryea, who had an influential 45 minutes, saw a shot blocked.
The second half started in the same pattern just like the first half. The Phobians had the energy and the urgency but Lions soaked up the pressure. Philemon McCarthy fumbled Emmanuel Anafi's early shot but John Mantey thumped a loose ball just over the bar in reply when Daniel Aqcuaye's free-kick was blocked after a foul on Gilbert Fiamenyo who had a relative quiet day.
It was perhaps Lions clearest chance but it only spurred on the Phobians. For the next five minutes they laid siege to the home goal. However, they could not force Joseph Addo in action as the like of Nana Egyiri made matter easy for him.
Source : Accra Hearts of Oak
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