Soccer News of Monday, 19 April 2004

Source: GNA

Kotoko pip Vipers 1-0 in friendly match

Cape Coast, April 19, GNA- Cape Coast Venomous Vipers played a Spectacular game but ended up succumbing to a 1-0 defeat to champion Club, Kumasi Asante Kotoko in a friendly match at the Cape Coast sports stadium on Sunday.

Kotoko who paraded a full squad spear headed by Charles Taylor at the full to capacity stadium, seized the mid field right from the start of the game entertaining the crowd to 'copy book' soccer amidst applause from the fans and dominating play for most of the first half.

Kotoko's iron -clad defence, pivoted around Aziz Ansah and Daniel Yeboah also rendered the Vipers forward line ineffective as they foiled all the dangerous moves initiated by the homesters.

Their attack at snatching an early lead were however thwarted by Viper's goalkeeper, Kobena Yeboah who did a yeoman's job making dramatic saves.

In the 36th minute, Charles Taylor after collecting a pass, rounded up two Vipers defenders and lobbed the ball past on rushing Yeboah but the ball hit the post and deflected on the path of outside right Kwame Adjabah who had an easy task to tap in the only goal with ease.

Vipers, incensed by the goal, suddenly found their rhythm and pulled their game together in the second half and managed to match Kotoko boot to boot with several attempts to level up but Mohammed Alhassan in Kotoko's post foiled all their attempts.

In the 75th minute, Kotoko's outside left, Kweku Essien was red carded for violent conduct but this did not deter the visitors from holding on to their 1-0 lead until full time.