Ghana held on for three points in an electric game against South Korea at the Education City Stadium on Monday.
Mohammed Kudus scored a brace for Ghana to inspire the Black Stars to their first win in the tournament.
The African side needed a big response after a spirited performance against Portugal, where they lost 3-2 in their opening group game, and they started well on the day.
It was Salisu Mohammed who opened scoring (24′) against Korea; a first half goal that buoyed the team on. ten minutes later, an inch perfect cross from Jordan Ayew found the head of Kudus to double the lead.
However, the Asians did not roll over and just before the half hour, they pulled one back. A header from Gue-Sung Cho in the 58th minute halved the deficit for Paulo Bento’s men.
Two minutes later the big Forward leveled the scoreline for South Korea leveled with another fine header, as the Ghanaian defence let down their goalkeeper, Lawrence Ati-Zigi.
But Ghana were not done, Kudus sliced home a shot from inside the box as a low cross beat both Inaki Williams and a Korean opponent to fall graciously for the attacker.
In the final twenty minutes of regular time and 11 minutes of stoppage time played, Otto Addo’s men were on the back foot.
A series of clearances and a couple of nice saves from Ati-Zigi kept South Korea at bay.
The final whistle went off, but the drama on the pitch didn’t as Bento was shown a red card for dissent towards the match officials.
Meanwhile, the victory brightened Ghana’s chances of securing a second round berth, but they’ll need a good performance against Uruguay on Friday to confirm that spot.
