Tolon Tournament: Ghana held in opener

A late Dutch goal denies Ghana a win in the Black Satellites' opening group game in the on-going Toulon Football Tournament in France.

Ghana, making a her appearance in the youth competition and the Dutch thus settle for a point apiece in their 1-1 drawn game played at the Stade Mayol in Group B on Friday.

Attacker, Eric Bekoe who paired well with Emmanuel Clottey upfront put the Black Satellites in the lead in the early minutes of the first half from a Clottey lay off.

Ghana successfully defended the early minute goal till proceedings ended after 40 minutes of play, thus per tournament regulations.

Back from recess, Holland dominated possession pushing the Ghanaians for the equaliser but good defending by the central pair of Hannan Giwah and Yahaya Mohammed.

However, as the minutes ticked for the end of the game, the Dutch finally made inroads as Kees Lucijek nodded in past Ghana goalkeeper, Patrick Antwi for the equaliser.

Ghana, who are has been paired in Group B together with Japan, Holland and Portugal for the biggest youth football competition in Europe play Portugal next on Sunday, June 3.

Ghana’s line up: 1. Patrick Antwi 7. Solomon Addy 6. Samuel Nzemaba 15. Yaya Mohammed 5. Hannan Giwa 17. Samad Oppong/ 8. Mubarak Wakasu 18. Seidu Yahaya 13. Ekow Benson/ 11. Alhaji Sanni 12. Douglas Nkrumah 10. Eric Bekoe 9. Emml Clottey