Soccer News of Sunday, 13 September 2009

Source: GNA

Kotoko draw against Faisal in Top 4 Tournament

Kumasi, Sept. 13, GNA - Kumasi King Faisal held their city rivals Asante Kotoko to a pulsating goalless drawn game in their second leg MTN Top Four tournament at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium on Sunday. Kotoko who had not won a match in the on-going competition and thus lie at the bottom of the competition have now got a point. The Porcupine Warriors needed to have won the match to save their face but the strikers failed to translate the many opportunities that came their way into goals in a match which was watched by a sparse crowed following their unimpressive performance in the competition. Kotoko had a chance to score in the 11th minute but a shot from Stephen Manu in the box hit the foot of the wood work and to corner with the resultant kick wasted.

They continued to raid the vital area of Faisal with accurate passes but could not find the net with Faisal also making some dangerous moves for the leader.

In the second session, both teams made substitutions to find the leader but it was still Kotoko who continued to dominate the proceedings.

Faisal nearly took the lead in the 51st minute but Kwadwo Boateng's shot was parried to corner by keeper Eric Nii Baah. Disaster struck Faisal in the 62nd minute when skipper Awudu Nafiu was giving the matching off order by referee Thomas Nunoo after he received a second yellow card in the 52nd minute.

This is the second time the player has been flashed red in the competition. The first occurred in the first leg between the two teams when he fouled a player of Kotoko in the match which ended 2-1 in favour of Faisal.

Stephen Manu of Kotoko was had to leave the pitch unceremoniously when the heel of his boot peeled off after a shot at goal in the 87th minute for his place to be taken by Francis Akwaffo but the change failed to bring any goals till the final whistle.