Sport

Ghana pulls off a decisive 5:1 win over Qatar in friendly

11 Nov, 2020

Andre Ayew and Thomas Partey were impressive during the Black Stars’ incredible performance on Monday 12 in Turkey. The match took place at the Mardan Sports Complex. Qatar is the next host of the 2022 world cup and its national side rocked new kits recently unveiled by Qatar Football Association. What began as a promising game for Al-Annabi turned into a disappointing performance.

The first goal came in the 22 minutes from Tarique Fosu. Almoez Ali equalized 22 minutes later before both teams hit the changing rooms for the half-time break. The second half was tilted towards the West Africans. Ghana sent four goals past Saad Al Sheeb the Qatar keeper. Andrew Ayew registered a brace for the night, at the 63rd and 83rd minutes. Ayew is a winger for Swansea City and their top scorer for the 2020-21 season heaping a tally of 18 goals. He previously left West Ham United in 2018.

In an incredible display of Ghanian football, the Black Stars decisively triumphed over the 2022 World Cup hosts at a neutral venue. A brilliant volley of assists from Thomas Partey, the new Arsenal midfielder inspired the Ghanian team to a 5-1 win over their Qatar competitors. Goals from Caleb Ekuban and Samuel Owusu also made it to the scoreboard.

The game was a fine opportunity for Al Anabi to test their strength against another successful African team. Having dominated Asia last year, this was a match where they would gauge themselves on a different frontier.

Ghana made it to the 2010 World Cup quarter-finals, only the second time an African team has made it thus far in football’s top competition. Qatar previously won the 2019 Asian championship registering an impressive unbeaten run. This was one of their best performances, conceding one goal and scoring 19.

This was a welcomed performance from the Black Stars who earlier on trounced Mali 3 goals to nil. The friendly was part of preparation before their Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifiers held in November where Ghana would face Sudan. Ghana’s team manager CK Akonnor made five changes to the starting lineup in anticipation of Monday’s tie.

Goalkeeper Razak Abalora, Benson Anang (Slovakia-based), Joseph Aidoo (Celta Vigo center-back), Mohammed Iddrisu Baba (Real Mallorca midfielder), and Samuel Owusu (Saudi Arabia based) all received starting berths.

At the start of the game, Qatar almost bagged a point when Almoez connected to a decent cross from the right, hitting it against the upright. Afif Akram was inspired by this shot and powered a shot on goal after a counter-break, unfortunately, this effort landed squarely into Abalora’s arms.

Ghana’s first opportunity was in the 14th minute when Ayew was picked up by Partey with a through ball and beat three opponents inside the box before sending his shot straight into Saad Al Sheeb’s arms.