General News of Monday, 2 November 2009

Source: GNA

Kotoko share points with Arsenal in Premier League match

Kumasi, Nov. 2, GNA - Kumasi Asante Kotoko settled for a 2-2 drawn game with Berekum Arsenal in their 4th Week Glo Premier League epic encounter at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi on Sunday night.

It was Kotoko who went into action after Accra-based referee R. Biney had whistled for hostilities to begin and nearly took the lead in the 4th minute but Edward Affum's shot was beautifully saved by goalkeeper Thomas Tuah Asare.

Arsenal who played it hard took over proceedings and had a corner in the 7th minute but the effort was wasted. They continued to pile pressure and had a free kick in the 11th minute just outside the Kotoko vital area but the resultant kick by Bennette Ofori ended up with Ernest Obeng hitting the side netting.

With their pride at stake, Kotoko came into the picture and with incessant pressure on the visitors they were awarded a penalty in the 15th minute through Edward Affum after Moro Kabiru's penalty kick had hit the cross bar.

Kotoko continued to pin Arsenals to their own half with short inter- positional passes and nearly increased the tally in the 21st minute but Francis Coffie's shot hit the posts for the ball bounce back into play.

Arsenal also got a penalty but the kick was wasted following a rough play by Ofosu Appiah who was shown a yellow card for rough play to end the half.

On resumption of the second half, Kotoko improved on their game and took the lead in the 52nd minute when Kabiru finished off Affum's cross. With pressure on Arsenal, Affum was put clear on target in 60th minute but the striker missed the posts narrowly. Disaster struck Kotoko when their steward defender Ofosu Appiah who had earlier received a yellow card was giving the marching off orders for a second offence of rough play in the 76th minute.

Arsenal took advantage of the departure of the defender who was a block to their attacking machinery to score the equalizer in the 82nd minute through Albert Bruce.