AL RAYYAN, Qatar: The party started early.It began as the Ghana players trooped into the ground and spilt into the stands as the Black Stars’ exuberantly spirited and extravagantly dressed supporters basked in the occasion.And their team gave them even more reason to celebrate on Monday (Nov 28), after a 3-2 win over South Korea in a must-win clash.At Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan, Ghana took a first-half lead courtesy of goals from Mohammed Salisu and Mohammed Kudus.But for three minutes in the second half, South Korean striker Cho Gue-sung played party-pooper as two textbook headers dragged his side level.Then came the winner, a 68th-minute curling Kudus effort tucked into the bottom corner.Paulo Bento’s side controlled things early on, spreading the play smartly and pulling their opponents all across the pitch.Such was the extent of their dominance that they had amassed seven corners to Ghana’s zero by the 20th minute.South Korea gained a creditable point in their opening game against Uruguay, who are 14th in the world and were semi-finalists in 2010 and quarter-finalists in 2018.
Ghana on the other hand were beaten 3-2 by Portugal in their opening match.But with one free kick and one swing of the foot in the 24th minute, Ghana’s Jordan Ayew caused mayhem at the back for South Korea.In the thick of things was Salisu, who swept home.Even a nerve-wracking wait for VAR would not sully the joy of the Ghana fans who raised the decibels throughout the game.Ten minutes later, Ayew provided more magic as his cross only needed the faintest of touches from Kudus for the net to bulge.One of the Black Stars’ shining lights was Brighton’s Tariq Lamptey.