Soccer News of Monday, 5 July 2004

Source: --

Satellites Beat Hearts

The National U-20 team, the Black Satellites, yesterday dramatically struck two times to beat Accra Hearts Oak 2-0 in a friendly match at the Accra Stadium.

The Satellites exhibited their predatory instincts in the early stages of the game when fast improving Prince Tagoe latched onto a midfield pass from Kweku Essien to beat rushing goalkeeper James Nanor to open the score sheet for the Satellites.

The Satellites thereafter stamped their authority on the game, displaying high marksmanship in all departments of the match. Midfield dynamo, Kweku Essien, on numerous occasions created chances for ubiquitous Ofosu Amoah and Felix Baffoe who combined effectively upfront to the admiration of the sparse crowd.

The Phobians found the well-knit Satellites side too slippery to contend with and it came as no surprise when the youthful team increased the tally in the 25th minute through Prince Tagoe who banged in Felix Baffoe?s cross for his personal second.

In the 28th minute, Emmanuel Osei Kuffour fired a goal-bound grounder but Felix Baffoe?s intervention was timely when he cleared the ball from the goal line. Hearts? Adjah Tetteh?s exit for rough tackle in the 43rd minute affected their game plan, allowing the Oti Akenteng squad to draw circles around Hearts with beautiful interplay .

The game developed into rough play when Accra-based referee, Sampson Quao, lost control over the game, drawing boos and jeers from the spectators for what they perceived to be poor officiating.

In Kumasi, Asante Kotoko were held to a goalless drawn game by Kpando-based Heart of Lions in another friendly encounter.