Ashgold Silence Stubborn Feyenoord

AshantiGold yesterday piped a well-drilled side Gomoa Feyenoord that confidently stormed the Len Clay Sports Stadium with a purpose to at least pick a point back to their base but kudos to Shaibu Yakubu?s cleverly converted spot kick in the 28th minute that separated the two sides.

Though the players of Feyenoord were diminutive in structure but were physically and mentally fit to match the likes of experienced Emmanuel Osei Kuffour, Kwaku Wiafe, Adamu Mohammed, Tony Baffoe, Kofi Amoako and others. They won most of the fifty-fifty balls, tackled so well and made things so difficult for the Aboakese lads.

Ofosu Amoah in the early part of the game dummied two defenders of Feyenoord and blasted an unusual left shot but was nicely grabbed by the goalie of the visitors. Feyenoord sensing dander resorted to delay tactics and rough plays that attracted the referee?s attention with the goalie of the visitors given verbal cautions on several occasions.

In the 12th minute Shaibu Yakubu beat his marker and laid a perfect pass to Alfred Arthur in the 18yard box but hesitated for the defenders of the visitors to clear the ball away. A scary moment was witnessed in the 18th minute when AshGold made a defensive blunder that was capitalized upon by the attackers of Feyenoord but kudos to Kwaku Wiafe who made a timely intervention to redeem his side.

In a similar situation Osei Kuffour?s intelligent pass meant for Shaibu was neatly blocked when Shaibu was in a good position to score relieving the visitors from conceding another goal. Feyenoord who were very good in all the departments of the game seized the midfield making the work of Adamu Mohammed and Kwaku Sarpong very difficult.

A beautiful move by AshGold in the 26th minute saw Adamu Mohammed laying a perfect pass to speedster Ofosu Amoah at the right flank who beat two defenders of Feyenoord in the 18yard box but was brought down in the process for the referee to whistle for a penalty. The skipper of Feyenoord who challenged the referee?s decision was yellow carded. Shaibu Yakubu however elected himself for the kick and confidently displaced the goalie of Feyenoord for the opener in the 28th minute setting the Stadium alive.

The visitors lifted their game and threatened AshGold goalmouth on several occasions but the well-knitted defence of AshGold prevented all the dangerous balls. Adamu Mohammed was shown a yellow card in the 30th minute for a dangerous play.

AshGold?s newly signed striker Emmanuel Osei Kuffour who staged his maiden appearance for AshGold blasted a 30yarder shot that was saved by the goalie of the visitors attracting applause from the fans. Feyenoord came close to scoring again in the 54th minute when Tony Baffoe could not head the ball away allowing an opponent to take control of the ball but Baffoe was able to save the situation to the relief of the home team.

AshGold made substitutions when Kofi Amoako, Opoku Agyemang and Issiahaku Zakari replaced Kwaku Wiafe, Alfred Arthur and Wakasu Mubarak respectively but the changes could not increase the tally.

Kofi Amoako was yellow carded in the 64th minute for a rough play. Feyenoord who exhibited great fighting spirit came close to scoring in the later part of the game but kudos to agile George Owu who made a wonderful save depriving the visitors from finding the needed equalizer.

Chief tormentor Opoku Agyemang was brought down in the 18yard box of Feyenoord but was shown a yellow card to the disappointment of the fans until the referee brought proceedings to an end.

When George Owu was interviewed after the match he made the following comments. ?The match was not an easy one looking at how long Feyenoord have grouped for a longer time but by the Grace of God we were able to clinch all the vital points at stake.?

He also hinted that their next match against Hearts of Oak in Accra will be a cracker and urged all the supporters to rally behind the team. He said he joined AshGold with an intention to make a mark and would work very hard to uplift the image of AshGold alongside his colleagues.