Ghana powered into two-goal half-time lead.South Korea hit back with 168-second Cho Gue-sung double.Mohammed Kudus added to his first-half strike with winning goal.
Attacking sensation Mohammed Kudus scored twice for Ghana to emerge on top from a thrill-a-minute encounter with Paulo Bento’s spirited Korea Republic on Monday.
Ghana appeared in line for a Group H cruise when they led 2-0 at half-time. The opening 24 minutes were contested almost exclusively in the Korean half, but when Jordan Ayew sent over a free-kick from the left, the ball dropped for Mohammed Salisu to force home from close range.
Kudus quickly doubled the Africans’ lead, ghosting behind the Korea backline to apply a deft flick to another tremendous Ayew delivery. Cho Gue-sung had Korea Republic’s first attempt on target of the tournament when the striker worked Lawrence Ati-Zigi with a header from six yards.
Cho suddenly had his tail up and in the space of 168 dizzying seconds, the 24-year-old scored twice to pull his team level. He stole in front of Salisu to head home a cross from substitute Lee Kang-in for his first goal. The second was the product of a leap above Gideon Mensah to power Kim Jin-su’s wonderful delivery past the helpless Ati-Zigi.
Ghana demonstrated terrific mettle to respond. Mensah flew down the left to cross along the floor. Inaki Williams missed his kick – but Kudus was on hand to clinically restore the advantage. Ati-Zigi clawed out Lee’s dipping free-kick and Kim Jin-su saw an effort swiped off the line before Ghana clung on during 10 minutes of time added on to climb above Korea, ahead of Friday’s closing fixtures. Frustrated Korea Republic coach Bento received a red card following the final whistle after taking issue with Anthony Taylor, the referee.
Ghana forward Andre Ayew said, “It was great – great game, great feeling, great everything. I enjoyed it. we all enjoyed it. We need to keep the spirit high, keep the devotion high and try to make things happen like we did today. It’s a hard tournament – you can see there are a lot of surprises, you can’t predict any game. I am very happy and, hopefully, now we are in the race to get into the Round of 16.
“We wanted the three points and we got it,” Kudus said in his post-game interview.
“It was a collective game and they all played a part in my performance,” he adds about his Man of the Match showing today.
Player of the Match: Mohammed Kudus
Bengali