Soccer News of Sunday, 24 August 2008

Source: GNA

Liberty pip Lions in Glo Top Four opener

Accra, Aug. 24, GNA - Dansoman Liberty Professionals got off their campaign in this year's Glo Top Four Tournament on a bright note when they managed a lone goal victory over Kpando Heart of Lions on Sunday at the Ohene Djan Stadium in Accra.

Midfielder Samuel Ayew Yeboah's 29th minute header was all that Liberty needed to be on course for their first ever Top Four title. The clash between the second and third placed Clubs at the end of last season's Premier League was expected to be hotly contested but it failed to live up to expectation as the sparse crowd at the stadium also did not help to create the necessary rivalry for a good match. Both teams displayed a below par output which could partly be attributed to less competition and did not befit as an opener for the competition.

Lions who paraded a team weakened by the absence of key players including Dominic Adiyiah, Emmanuel Banahene, John Boye and Jerry Akaminko could hardly string their passes together as they gave the Liberty duo of Tuaha Khamix and Yeboah the upper hand to control the mid field.

Liberty made occasional inroads into the Lions half and during one of such moves in the 29th minute, right back Emmanuel Osei delivered a tailor-measured cross which Yeboah who was unmarked soared high to connect home for the opener and the only goal of the match.

Lions from then lifted up their game and came close to drawing parity on the stroke of half time but Bright Nsiah's thunderbolt from a free-kick ricocheted off the cross bar with Liberty's goalie Dan Agyei completely beaten.

Liberty resumed the second session in a strong manner as they probed for more goals but Khamix blasted wide an opportunity after he was put through by Yaw Antwi on 67 minutes.

Lions introduced William Adu and Allan Shearer for George Yamoah and Addoquaye Addo in the 55th and 62nd minutes respectively, but they still lacked the cutting edge upfront to cause any havoc.

As the clock ticked on, Lions were gifted with a perfect chance to draw equal but substitute Adu's toe chipped effort missed the posts by inches on stoppage time letting Liberty off the hook. Liberty's captain Daniel Yeboah was adjudged the Glo Most Valuable Player of the match.