10-man Gambia hold World Champions to a draw

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10-man Gambia hold World Champions to a draw

Thursday, 21 April 2011 17:45

Cafonline - The Young Scorpions of Gambia held the World champions, the Black Satellite of Ghana to a 1-1 draw in their second group B game at the Dobsonville stadium in Johannesburg on Thursday.
A result which gives Cameroon a maiden qualification for the World cup in Columbia, with one game to go.
Coming into this game, both teams had lost their opening matches and needed to get maximum points to ensure a better chance of qualifying especially after Cameroon’s victory against Nigeria in an early encounter. Gambian_player

Playing with one man down, the Gambians refused to be fazed by their deficit and kept pressing for a goal.
The high stake involved in this game where no mistake is forgiven pushed both teams to pressure each other for a positive result.
Attacks and counter attacks, shots on target and misses from both sides made this encounter quite a breath taking one until the 22 minute of the game, when Gambia’s striker broke the deadlock to put the young Scorpions ahead.
The 10-man team had so far succeeded in gaining a crucial advantage to get back in the contest for one of the semi final places in this competition.
Ghana fought back relentlessly to level before the end of the first half but met with an impermeable defence of the Scorpions.
Back from the restroom and with nothing to lose, Ghana reorganised themselves offensively, and took over the domination while the Gambians changed tactics, stayed back to protect their defence and their 1-0 advantage while occasionally troubling the Ghanaian goal on counters.
It was to be unfortunate for the U20 World and African champions that Gambia was hungrier for a positive result as they continuously frustrate Ghana’s attempts at a comeback.
The Black Satellites’ efforts paid off with two minutes regular time to play.
In a Ghanaian offensive, a cross from the left flank of the Gambian box found Jarju Ousman’s stiff header for the much sought after equaliser.
Encouraged by the goal, the Ghanaians made several attempts at wining all points, but the game soon became more interesting as they play from post to post.
Both teams missed several attempts but Ghana was to regret the most, with three golden attempts saved by the Gambian goal post.
The game ended 1-1 for both teams to share the spoils much to the dissatisfaction of both coaches.
“We are disappointed by the results. I told you coming into this game that Gambia will not be a push over. With ten men they succeeded in having a draw against us. However we still have a chance to qualify,” said Orlando Wellington, coach of Ghana.
Lamin Sarr expressed the same disappointment and respect for the opponent, Ghana but promised a win in their game against Nigeria
As it stands, Cameroon is the second country to have qualified for the semis and the world cup, behind group A’s Mali.
This leaves Nigeria, Ghana, and Gambia to fight for the second place in their last games on Sunday.
Cameroon meets Ghana while Gambia clashes with Nigeria.