Kotoko draw 2-2 draw with King Faisal in last Premier match

Kumasi, July 19, GNA - Kumasi Asante Kotoko on Sunday were held a 2-2 drawn game by city rivals King Faisal in the last Glo Premier League match played at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi.

Faisal were the first to score under two minutes through prolific goal poacher Samad Abdul Oppong when he connected home a perfectly laid pass from Enoch Ebo Andoh with goalkeeper Isaac Amoako pants down. Kotoko accepted the challenge and played it hard and levelled up the scores two minutes later by Louis Agyeman who headed into the yawning net from a free kick taken by Jordan Opoku.

After the equalizer, Kotoko continued to probe for the leader and earned a corner in the ninth minute but Opoku who had moved deep into the vital area of Faisal headed over the bar. Faisal who were determined to carry the day scored their second goal to make it 2-1 when Samad Oppong beat a jittery goalkeeper Amoako with a shot against the run of play.

The confident-looking Faisal lads from then piled pressure on the 'Porcupine Warriors' and had a corner in the 25th minute and nearly increased the tally with keeper Amoako again failing to make a first hand save from Mickey Ofosu's header. In the 40th minute, Jordan was shown the yellow card for rough play on Ebo Andoh while Kwadwo Boateng was also flashed a yellow for indecent act in the 42nd minute.

Faisal came into the picture in the latter part of the first half and had a free kick just outside the box but the resultant kick taken by Daniel Addo sailed over the bar with Ofosu Mickey also hitting the foot of the woodwork in the 45th minute.

On resumption of the second half, Kotoko strengthened their attack with Alex Asamoah replacing Louis Quinoo while Stephen Oduro also took over from Francis Akwaffo.

The changes paid off for Kotoko and nearly got the equalizer in the 56th minute but Kwabena Yaro's header missed the post narrowly. Faisal's coach Polak who was determined to win the day, brought on Ibrahim Azziz for Thomas Avergbedor in the 73rd minute with Prince Arkoh also comimg in for Samad Oppong in the 75th minute while Bashiru Osman's header went off target.

Faisal surprisingly recoiled into their shell and played defensively coupled with delay tactics thus allowing Kotoko whose pride was at stake to exert incessant pressure on them. Kotoko however failed to utilize the few chances that came their way until substitute Asamoah found equalizer for his side in the 80th minute after goalkeeper Samuel Okyere had failed to make a first time save of a shot from veteran Oduro.

Kotoko brought on Stephen Manu for Yaro with a minute to full time but I failed to change the score until the final whistle.

Kotoko's line up: Isaac Amoako, Louis Quinoo/Alex Asamoah, Harrison Afful, Ofosu Appiah Godfred Yeboah, Daniel Nii Adjei, Francis Akwaffo/Stephen Oduro, Jordan Opoku, Kwabena Yaro/Stephen Manu, Louis Agyeman and Samuel Nzemaba. 19 July 09