Hearts edge out Kotoko 6-5 on penalties to meet Aduana in G6 final
Accra Hearts of Oak yesterday beat their arch rivals, Kumasi Asante Kotoko, at their own Kumasi turf (the Baba Yara Stadium) to book a place in the final of the GALCA G6 tournament. Hearts won 6-5 on penalties after a 1-1 stalemate in 90 minutes.
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Though the first half was full of chances created by strikers of both sides they produced no goals until the second half during which their efforts were rewarded when both sides utilised penalties awarded them.
In a bizarre and cocky decision by the match officials at the end of the match Referee Prosper Addo of Bolgatanga gave no indication of the game being decided on a penalty shoot-out.
But to the shock of the two teams and their managers, as well as the spectators, who were leaving the stadium, Referee Prosper Addo and his two assistants suddenly returned indicating it was game-on.
This was about eight minutes after the players had bid their teeming supporters farewell with some supporters and media practitioners gone out of the stadium, ambulances and the corner flags removed, and the referee and his assistants probably changing their gear at the changing room, when there was announcement that the game would continue.
Some supporters and journalists doubted the announcement till they realised that the ball boys were mounting the corner flags they had removed earlier and sent to the tools room, coupled with the entry of referee Addo and his two deputies.
Little wonder, spectators booed at the officials but that did not stop the game.
And in the ensuing penalties, Eric Donkor who took Kotoko’s second kick missed it, while Daniel Kordie played Hearts fourth kick straight into the waiting arms of Kotoko goalkeeper Felix Annan
The first five kicks from each side recorded 4-4 but Prince Acquah who had played very well for Kotoko missed the seventh penalty to hand victory to Hearts who utilised their remaining two penalties.