Hearts hold Kotoko 0-0

Accra, March 9, GNA - Defending league champions, Hearts of Oak earned a point against leaders and archrivals Asante Kotoko in their outstanding 12th week Onetouch Premier League match played at the Ohene Djan Sports Stadium in Accra on Sunday.

Hearts, perched a place above the bottom before the encounter started as underdogs on the form guide due to their uncharacteristic poor run in the premiership.

The performance of the former African Super Champions on Sunday, however, confirms the belief by pundits that matches between the two sides do not respect logical analysis.

For runaway league leaders Asante Kotoko fans, who had anticipated an annihilation of their hosts in their quest to break the 15-year old record of not winning a game at the Ohene Djan Sports Stadium, they had to leave the venue the more disappointed following their side's inability to snatch victory.

Parading a squad dominated by the old guards, with midfielder Solomon Amoasi as the only new generation player, Hearts set off on a bright note much to the astonishment of the Kotoko fans, who stormed the venue in their numbers.

Throughout the match, gangling defender, Daniel Coleman heavily policed Kotoko's top marksman Eric Bekoe, and ensured the latter remained unproductive for the greater part of the game.

Hearts were the first to come close after 22 minutes, but defender Hassan Mohamed who profited from Ekow Ghansah's brilliant pass saw his effort hit the foot of Kotoko's Burkinabe goalkeeper Abdoulaye Soulama on a one-on-one situation.

The Porcupine Warriors replied six minutes later through Kwadwo Poku, whose volley from right full back Samuel Inkoom's cross missed targets by inches.

Kotoko thence raided Hearts' half consistently and in the process Jordan Opoku, Daniel Nii Agyei and Francis Akwafo became victims of rough playing.

This led to as many as three Hearts of Oak players being cautioned by Sekondi-based referee Cecil Fletcher by the 25th minute mark. The caution list comprised Michael Donkor (6th), Amoasi (22nd) and Ghansah (24th)

Kotoko introduced burly striker Nana Arhin Duah for an out of shape Prince Amponsah in their bid to ward off attention from Bekoe and Poku who were given no breathing space by their markers.

And it nearly paid off in the 59th minute, but Duah, after being well fed by Opoku, who was a thorn in the flesh of the Hearts defence shot poorly into the waiting hands of goalkeeper Laud Quartey. Kotoko's coach Bashir Hayford brought on Ofosu Amoah and Francis Cofie for Akwafo and Poku respectively, but their efforts to break the deadlock failed to yield the expected fruits as the Hearts defence responded very well.

In the 75th minute, substitute Kofi Abanga nearly raised the curtain for the Phobians against the run of play, and four minutes later, Bekoe had the brightest chance of the day but drove his shot into the side netting. 09 March 08