October 7, 2017 by admin

Ghana make a winning start, beat Colombia 1-0

New Delhi, October 7
Making a return to the FIFA Under-17 World Cup after a hiatus of 10 years, Ghana launched their title quest with a hard-fought 1-0 win against a determined Colombia in the tournament opener here today. Though Colombia enjoyed better ball possession, Ghana proved to be the better team, thanks to their attacking game.
Both the teams enjoyed a fair share of chances in the first half, with Ghana’s Sadiq Ibrahim and his teammate Aminu Mohammed testing the Colombian defence. In the 17th minute, Ibrahim almost breached the Colombian citadel but goalkeeper Kevin Mier made a brilliant one-handed save. The move, however, spurred the Colombians into a counter-attack, and the Ghanaians scrambled to keep them from taking the lead. In the 18th minute, Colombia striker Leandro Campaz failed to convert a sitter, missing by a few inches. In the very next minute, forward Deyman Corrtes fed Campaz with a near-perfect pass, but Ghana goalkeeper Danlad Ibrahim made an excellent save by diving to his right.
For the next 20 minutes, both the teams tried hard to break the deadlock, but couldn’t convert the chances coming their way.
It was in the 40th minute that Ghana moved ahead with a superb goal from Ibrahim. The forward slammed in a cross from his captain Eric Ayiah, much to the relief of their coach Samuel Fabin.
After the break, Colombia tried hard to equalise but the Ghanaians stood firm. Colombia’s forward line comprising Campaz, Deiber Caicedo and Deyman Cortes tried everything — from long shots to crosses — but the Ghana defence thwarted all their efforts. Colombia got a golden opportunity to equalise in the dying moments but Caicedo, who had just the goalkeeper to beat, shot off the target.