Kumasi: Kotoko whip All Blacks

Kumasi Asante Kotoko produced a terrific second-half outburst to beat Swedru All Blacks 3-1 in their premier league match at the Kumasi Sports Stadium on sunday. Kotoko had to conjure their proverbial strong finishing power to outscore All Blacks, who gave them the scare as they proved stubborn and defiant. The twice Africa champions, found in the determined youthful all Blacks side a hard nut to crack but managed to survive through elusive Prince Adu Poku, whose deft touches and incisive passes created the chances for the "Porcupine warriors".

Kotoko launched a bristling attack after kick-off forcing three corner-kicks in the first, second and fifth minutes as All Blacks struggled to find their rhythm but failed to capitalise on these. Courageous All Blacks goalkeeper Patrick Mensah dashed forward to save a shot by Kotoko's diminutive centre-forward Essuman Dadzie in the 11th minute when the visitors were pressurised. Six minutes later All Blacks returned the attack, boring holes in the jittery Kotoko rear-guard but centre-forward Evans Quaye, shot wide when goalkeeper Constant Mantey was teased out of the posts. Kotoko could not break the deadlock in the 21st minute when a two-man Essuman Dadzie - Adu Poku move sliced open the All Blacks defence but right-winger Ernest Boateng shot wide. Rampaging Kotoko wasted a glorious chance when inside-right Mohammed Polo, the brightest spot in the Kotoko attack shot off target after a brilliant dribbling session.

All Blacks shot into the lead in the 43rd minute when a free- kick awarded them outside the "18", taken by left-winger Willie Brown bounced off the chest of goalkeeper Mantey and dropped at the feet of inside-right Chief Appiah for him to tap it into the net. Kotoko started the second half in a fiery mood as substitute George Arthur inspired his side with quick runs from the right wing. In one of his daring raids, Arthur ran past the defence and chipped the ball, which was handled in desperation by a defender of All Blacks. Substitute Emmanuel Ampiah, who elected to take the kick hit a low shot which was punched by the goalkeeper but was not enough to prevent itfrom rolling into the net.

Goalkeeper Mensah over-stretched himself in the attempt to save the penalty and the match was held up for four minutes to enable him to receive attention. When the game re-started Kotoko, urged on by massive cheers from the packed crowd, laid siege on the goal-area of All Blacks and was awarded another spot-kick when Prince Adu Poku was fouled in the box. Substitute Mohammed Polo converted the kick to give his side the leader in the 69th minute. From the 75th minute All Blacks had to play with 10 men when Accra Referee E. N. Adjei, red-carded inside-left Nii Aryee Hammond for a second bookable offence. Mohammed Polo sealed the doom of All Blacks in the 77th minute when his sizzling shot beat goalkeeper Mensah, who dived too late to save the 30-metre shot.