Amputees Draw With Iran

Report by Theodore M. K. Viwotor, Kaliningrad-Russia

The Ghana National Amputee Football Team, the Black Challenge failed to run over Iran in spite of two first half goals, as they draw 2-2 in their penultimate group game.

The Black Challenge now have their destiny in their own hands in the last group match if they want to qualify to the semi finals of the Amputee Football World Cup in Kaliningrad, Russia.

The Ghanaians scored what could end up as the fasted goal of the tournament within a minute after kick-off when a Richard Arthur Opentil free kick went straight into the posts for the first goal of the match.

They kept the pressure on the Iranians, claiming another goal through Emmanuel Yemoh, that could have cushioned the team but a penalty and a red card changed the fortunes of the Ghanaians when Iran converted the spot kick to pull a goal back before half time.

With the numerical advantage, the Iranians took control of the game, pinning the Black Challenge to the wall till they caved in to make the scores even. The players were compelled to play beyond their strength to contain the pressure and this they did with perfection, maintaining the scores at 2-2 with a destiny match tomorrow against Argentina, to whom they lost 0-5 in their last match in Argentina in 2010.

Ghana are still second with seven points behind Russia who have a maximum 12 points from four matches. El Salvador and Argentina drew 3-3 so are on the same 5 points. A win for Ghana in the last match would automatically land them in the semi final alongside host Russia who play El Salvador. Iran would take on Poland. Poland lost 1-5 to Russia.

In Group B, Turkey beat Japan 12-0, whilst Uzbekistan sealed their semi final berth with a 4-2 win over England. Liberia lost their fourth match 0-4 to Ukraine.