THE ONETOUCH special knockout matches played yesterday, recorded interesting results with Accra Hearts of Oak, King Faisal and Sekondi Hasaacas cruising to the semi finals stage at the expense of Real Sportive, AshantiGold and Arsenals respectively.
The other quarter-final game between Kotoko and Heart of Lions at Kpando was rescheduled for today.
At the Len Clay stadium in Obuasi, Alhaji Grunzah's King Faisal proved their superiority over AshantiGold when they defeated them 1-0.
King Faisal placing third in last year's premier league was given an automatic qualification into the quarterfinal stage, with AshGold advancing to that stage after eliminating Bofoakwa Tano.
AshGold went into yesterday's game with the hope of adding the visitors to their casualty list after defeating Kumasi Asante Kotoko and Accra Hearts of Oak 2-0 each in separate encounters this year.
King Faisal played a constructive game by all standards in the first half to at least merit a goal, but poor marksmanship robbed them of the much-needed goal to the disappointment of their coach, Karim Zito, who has been under pressure from his teeming supporters for non-performance recently.
After placing last at the just-ended GHALCA Top 4 tournament, the visitors' coach had nothing to appease their supporters than victory and his mission into the game became manifest as his boys entered the game the more determined side.
As if nothing was at stake, players of AshGold played one of their poorest games ever at the Len clay stadium, giving faulty passes anytime the ball came their way.
In the midfield for instance where Prince Antwi always operated well, his passes yesterday were mostly not finding their targets, allowing the visitors taking over the midfield.
The two sides however denied the numerous spectators the much-expected good soccer that always characterized their encounters.
The effort by the visitors' coach Karim Zito was crowned in the 65th minute when Edmond Owusu Peprah scored the match winner, after placing the ball beyond the reach of Fatau Dauda, who was in post for AshGold.
In the 85th minute, the homesters were given the chance to pull even, but Valentine Atem, with only veteran goalkeeper Osei Boateng to beat, uncharacteristically fired off target.
Elsewhere at the Tema Sports Stdium, Hearts played a determined game to overpower Real Sportive. Burly striker Ruben Senyo opened the scoring after 28 minutes before defenceman, Mohammed Adam put the homesters on level terms on the 30th minute mark.
Joe Louis restored Hearts lead in the 55th minute through a spot kick. At Sekondi, Hasaacas beat Arsenal by 2-0.
