Accra Hearts of Oak beat rivals Kumasi Asante Kotoko 4-2 on penalties to advance to the final of the GHALCA G8 preseason tournament following a 0-0 draw at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi.
Captain Eric Donkor and Jackson Owusu missed their kicks while Ben Mensah and Felix Annan both saved a kick each as Hearts marched on to the final in Cape Coast on Sunday.
Both sides started the game with high intensity looking to get the early break. But it was Hearts of Oak who got the first real chance of the game.
Reginald Thompson dispossessed Augustine Sefa on the edge of the area before crossing to the Cosmos Dauda who was inches offside.
The Porcupine Warriors took control of the game with veteran Jordan Opoku controlling the middle but it was the Phobians who came close again with a swift counter attack.
The final ball fell to Francis Morton who turnped Wahab Adams before unleashing a shot from 20 yards that went just inches wide off Felix Annan’s goal.
Earlier, Annan showed he’s no ball playing goalkeeper by making a mess of a simple back pass that he eventually kicked out for corner.
Jordan Opoku fired a corner straight into the hands of Ben Mensah in goak before anither swift counter attack from Hearts of Oak for their best chance of the first half.
Reginald Thompson controlled Samudeen’s pass and turned beautifully to set up the on-rushing Cosmos Dauda who sent his shot over the bar.
Moments later, Asante Kotoko were awarded a free-kick which Eric Donkor sent wide from 30 yards before referee Maxwell Hanson brought a tumultuous first half to an end with the score level 0-0.
The second half started with Hearts of Oak continuing where they left off.
Felix Annan was immediately put to work after recess tipping an outrageous Inusah Musah effort over the bar.
Five minutes later substitute Patrick Razak, who had replaced Reginald Thompson, set up Christopher Bonney with his first touch of the game.
But Bonney somehow shot over the bar from 5 yards, much to the bewilderment of the Baba Yara crowd with virtually everyone with their heads in their hands.
Both sides continued to press for a goal. Kwame Boahen sent a shot wide from a Jordan Opoku knock down inside the box before Daniel Kodie shot wide on the other end.
Kotoko dominated the closing stages after Steve Polack brought on Baba Mahama and Akwasi Nti but they only had an Eric Donkor shot from outside the box to show before the referee whistled took the game straight to penalties.
Hearts won the shoot out 4-2 after Jackson Owusu and Eric Donkor missed their spot kicks for Kotoko while Richard Akrofi was the only one to miss his kick for the Phobians.
Francis Morton , Christopher Bonney, Patrick Razak, and Malik Akowuah all converted their spot kicks while Baba Mahama and Awudu Nafiu were the two who scored their kicks for Kotoko.
Medeama Sporting Club will face Dreams FC in the second semi final on Thursday at the Cape Coast Sports Stadium.
By: Fentuo Tahiru
