The Ghanaian national football team keeps its chance of reaching the knockout stages of the World Cup by beating South Korea. After an early lead, Gue-sung Cho only briefly put the Africans under pressure. Otto Addo's team vehemently repels all South Korean attacks in the final phase.
Otto Addo gesticulated wildly, whipped his team forward - and as a "temporary" can now continue to dream of the big hit: Ghana's national team beat South Korea 3: 2 (2: 0) with will and efficiency, interim coach Addo and his Black Stars turned that around premature end at the World Cup with it. Also because they had exceptional player Heung-Min Son largely under control.
For the former Bundesliga professional Addo it was a pleasant reunion, 13 years ago he had promoted the then youth player Son - on Monday the South Korean star remained without a goal. Mohammed Salisu (24') and Mohammed Kudus (34'/68') scored for Ghana, who can reach the knockout stages of a World Cup for the third time. Gue-Sung Cho (58th/61st) had meanwhile equalized with a quick brace.
Ghana are in tight Group H after one loss and one win on three points, leaving the strongly rated South Korea (1) behind - and now have a rendezvous with history: Ironically, against Uruguay on Friday it is all about progression. Ghana were dramatically eliminated by the South Americans in the 2010 World Cup quarter-finals.
One of the stories of that game had been the connection between Addo and Son even before kick-off. As a youth coach at Hamburger SV, Addo looked after the then 17-year-old, recommended him to the pros and helped him make his Bundesliga debut. At the World Cup, Addo said, his team must now try to stop Son: "It's a difficult task."
The fact that South Korea still has other talented footballers was evident in the early stages. In front of 43,983 spectators, Ghana initially hardly found their way out of their own half, the Asians played powerfully in depth, Son was often in the middle.
The clear chances were missing, but Ghana seemed helpless at times - and then scored a goal out of nowhere. There was a tumult after a free-kick, but Salisu's goal was counted after a VAR check. And he changed the game. South Korea suddenly lacked security, while Ghana found it. Kudus hit his head before the break, and the Africans' second shot on goal was also on target.
South Korea rallied successfully during the break. Son's team broke through again and again, especially on the left, the flanks sailed dangerously into the penalty area. Cho used two of them heavily. Once again everything spoke for the Asians - and Ghana scored again, Kudus got the ball freely in the penalty area.
