Accra, Aug 11, GNA - Defending League Champions, Accra Hearts of Oak beat the Beninois national team, Squirrels 2-0 in an international friendly match played at the Ohene Djan Sports Stadium on Thursday. The encounter, which is to serve as an important warm up for the two sides, saw the Phobians surprising their opponents when they opened up right at the blast of the whistle and nearly scored the leader in the first minute but for the alertness of the Arouna Aframane in post for the Squirrels.

Hearts did not relent as they applied more pressure on their opponent's goal area and it came as no surprise when Anthony Annane intelligently redirected a free kick from Skipper Amankwah Mireku, with a volley into to the roof of the net, catching Aframane in the post unawares in the seventh minute.

The game settled down after the early frantic activity from the Phobians, who still maintained their grip on the midfield but lack of firepower up front ensured that most of the forays yielded little dividends.

The Beninois team, made up entirely of locally based players preparing for their next World/Africa Cup qualifier in September, pushed forward in a bid to redeem their dented image but resolute defending by Dan Quaye kept Hears lead intact till half time.

Hearts from the break made a couple of substitutions to test the strength of their players in view of their crucial 20th week GT Premier league match in Berekum against Arsenal. They continued to dominate but were not able to increase the score line.

On the stroke of full time, Bernard Don Bortey, who was one of the substitutes that came on during the break, put the icing on the cake with a deft touch through the legs of the Benin goalkeeper for Hearts' second goal. 11 Aug 05