Kotoko drew 1-1 with Al Hilal
A bad day in Kumasi
With a firsthand info of the outcome between Nkana FC and Zesco United (3-0) before kick-off in Kumasi, Asante Kotoko were conscious of the mission ahead. A win over Al Hilal would move them very close to the quarterfinals. However, things turned out ugly for the home side when they were stunned by a 33rd minute opener from Waleed Bakhet Hamid of Hilal, a team that played with much confidence as though they were at home.
Kotoko had to push and push all through the remainder of the meeting, only claiming the equaliser four minutes to full-time through Burkina Faso international Songne Yacouba. It was probably too late to launch another fray for the winner. Placed second in Group C ahead of Sunday’s game, Kotoko now sit third with 7 points, while Nkana lead the group with 9 points, followed by Al Hilal on 8.
#3 Al Hilal at home in Kumasi
The visitors appeared unfazed at the 40,000-seater Baba Yara Stadium which was filled almost to capacity. They held and used the ball, slightly falling behind in total ball possession (46.7%) as opposed to Kotoko’s (53.3%).
#2 A real cracker, pundits were right
Both teams fought it out, mostly in the midfield, with each side totalling an equal percentage of passing success (75%), but with Kotoko having a superior tackle success (100% to 67%).
#4 Masters of the pitch
Visiting Hilal had a better territorial advantage over hosts Kotoko (52% - 48%), but they lost more balls than the Porcupine Warriors (13-11).
#5 More creativity needed
Despite touching more balls than their opponents of the day, Kotoko lacked what was needed to make the difference hence the final result they settled for. They had (73%) of successful touches while Hilal got (68%).
#6 Their best wasn’t good enough
The Porcupines Warriors poured forth, attacking from all positions, in order to have the last laugh, but it fell short of what was needed. This can be seen from their percentage of attacks from wide positions, (77%), while Hilal had (68%).
#7 Hilal’s spread-out play pattern paid off
The visitors spread their play across the field, using sufficiently both wings and the middle of the park, which contributed to a superior width of play compared to Kotoko, (Hilal-53.3m, Kotoko-48.4m)
#8 Kotoko keep progressing in defence
From their previous game against Nkana FC, in which they kept a clean sheet (3-0), Kotoko showed some more improvement in defence and their entire strategy in ball recoveries, (42.2m), as opposed to Hilal’s (30.7m).
#9 The Porcupines need to win to stay alive
All Kotoko need now is to win their final game against Zambia’s Zesco United who have been eliminated from the competition. Kotoko won the first leg 2-1 in Kumasi but they should expect to face a team seeking to take their revenge and eager to save face in front of home fans after a 3-0 drubbing at the hands of Nkana FC
