It was a hard fought victory for Attram De Visser Soccer Academy, as they beat Madina based Division- 2 side Star Makers 4-3 on penalties , at Teshie Mass park on Friday afternoon in round 64 of 2019/20 MTN FA CUP Competition.
Attram De Visser started the game very well by creating several chances in the early minutes, but were either wasted or defend perfectly by Star Makers center backs.
Star Makers forward man, Amoako Jonathan put his side ahead in the 30th minutes when Attram De Visser defenders failed to clear their lines due to miscommunication leaving goalkeeper Abdul Manarf, oppend to Amoako's
Easy tapped in goal.
Coach Godwin Attram swiftly changed his strategy and adopted different tactical formation to get the equalizer but again his men were not clinical and portent enough at goal area in their quest to level before halftime.
Center referee Mawuli Klu, sent both teams to the dressing room with the visitors leading by a goal to nil.
Both side came from the reasserts more determined and focused but Star Makers will stop at nothing to increased the tally but Attram De Visser, were more resolute in their defending and also some great stops by Manarf, making sure they do not concede the second.
Attram De Visser, started their dominance once more and pressed harder from the 75th minutes in their search for that important equalizer but they either end up fumbling at the eighteen yard box in an anxious way or find it difficult to put passes together which is unknown playing style of Attram De Visser Soccer Academy. Coach Attram, introduced fresh legs into the game which saw Godfred Odarmetey a.k.a Nii Amo, taking over the midfield.
Their continues effort was rewarded in the 85th minutes when a striker was brought down in the box which the man in charge referee Mawuli Klu did not hesitate to whistle for spot kick and was simply executed by captain of the side Emmanuel Cudjoe. Both away and home team oppend up searching for match winner but could not avail.
The game went straight to penalty kicks according to officiating officials after 90 minutes plus 4 minutes additional time played.
Both team captains oppend the penalty shoot out with brilliance, but
the goal scorer, Amoako Jonathan, got Star Makers second kick saved by aggressive goalie Abdul Manarf, gven Attram De Visser 2-1 lead.
Nassiru, missed forth kick for the home side which brought so much pressure on the technical team but was welcomed to the center circle with applause and shoulder tap by team mates led by Cudjoe Emmanuel, who had already scored two penalties in the game. One of the best performer of the away team Ofori Lawson, put their fifth ball out giving Attram De Visser, the opportunity to head home victory.
The general captain who came on as a substitute and brought stability to the midfield Godfred Odarmetey a.k.a Nii Amo, took up the challenge and converted it perfectly to give Attram De Visser Soccer Academy, round of 32 slot.
Speaking to Nana Prempeh, sports Editor of Power fm 97.9, in an interview after the match, president and founder of Star Makers, Mr Issah Mohammed Kumai, said he is proud of his boys and said with this performance no team can beat them in upcoming GAFA division-2 league schedule for next month.
The winners side Coach Godwin Attram, congratulated his boys for such a hard fought win. He added that although his men played to instructions they failed to utilize the numerous goal scoring opportunity they created. He attributed his side inability to be criminal at goal front to the long break and have not play competitive game for a while now.
Attram, concluded saying it is his dream to qualify Attram De Visser Soccer Academy to the elite division of Ghana Football, but they are also ready to take the the challenge MTN FA CUP Competition comes with and do well to win because this will put the club to the level they have been dreaming for.
In attendance was Greater Accra RFA Chairman, Mr Samuel Aboabire a.k.a Kataa, he expressed gratitude to both side for exhibiting professionalism and good football for fans to enjoy. He gave Power sports February 29, 2020 as start date for Greater Accra Division-2 League. He also said for the first time in the history of the competition, winners of each zone will receive yet to be disclosed cash prize and other goodies.