Ghana defeated South Korea 3-2 on Monday in a thrilling World Cup match, with Mohammed Kudus scoring twice to keep his team’s World Cup ambitions alive and send Paulo Bento’s team home early.
Ajax midfielder Kudus extended the Black Stars’ lead after Mohammed Salisu scored against the flow of play halfway through the first half at Education City Stadium.
A quick-fire double from striker Cho Gue-sung either side of the hour mark helped the Asian team, which had appeared toothless in the first half, pull level.
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Korea’s fans cheered furiously as Ghana appeared shell-shocked, but they regained the lead in the 68th minute when Kudus calmly converted at the back post after Inaki Williams missed a left-wing cross.
Bento’s team had numerous opportunities to tie the score in the closing minutes, but Ghana managed to hold on and win despite the ten additional minutes.
The Korean players enraged swarmed the English referee for not allowing the Korean to take the corner kick after Lee K’s shot was blocked.
The Korean boss Bento was awarded a red card after joining his players who furiously berated Anthony Taylor.
Dean Ashton told talkSPORT: “Can I understand how upset he is? Yes but I can’t condone it.”
“You had 12 corners and if you hadn’t scored by that point I’m sorry but you’ve had your chances!”
The result takes Ghana into second in Group H on three points with Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal on six points after defeating Uruguay 2-0 to secure qualification for the last 16.
Despite their efforts, South Korea appears certain to exit the World Cup at the group stage for the third time in a row.
Mohammed Kudus reactions after the game: “It’s a good feeling. We wanted the three points and we got them. Everyone was absolutely on top of their game today.”
“They came back to 2-2, we had to come up with more energy and it happened.”
“I want to thank all my team-mates, it’s a team game and they all played a part in my performance.” “The cross in from Jordan [Ayew] and the cut-back from Inaki [Williams].”
“Big up to everyone because everyone played a part.”
Mohammed Kudus on the Uruguay game: “We’re fully confident.”
“We came in with the same mentality, we’ll go in with 100%.”
The assistant coach of Korea Sergio Costa spoke after the game: “We had the opportunity to have a corner kick, the referee took that opportunity away from us.”
“Paulo [Bento] reacted, I was close by and he said nothing that was inappropriate to the referee.”
“It was a reaction from a person that felt a lack of fairness at the end of the match.”
“It is a normal reaction from someone that did everything to win and didn’t. We can feel sad and we can feel a lack of justice. We gave our souls on the pitch.”
Didier Drogba told BBC Sport after the game: “Most of these groups are going to be really, really tight.
“Ghana found the energy to get back in front after losing the two-goal lead. That shows the fight in this team.”
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