Slavko Matic makes perfect start at Hearts of Oak
Newly-appointed Hearts of Oak coach, Slavko Matic, has maintained a perfect start to his reign at the club when he won his second straight game at the Cape Coast Stadium on Saturday.
The 46-year-old Serbian gaffer guided the Phobians to a 1-0 win against Kotoku Royals courtesy Daniel Afriyie Barnieh’s strike from the penalty spot. The narrow win comes just a week after he led the team to beat Bibiani Gold Stars 2-1 at the Accra Stadium.
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Speaking in a post-match interview on Saturday, the coach was, however, not happy with his team’s performance despite the victory and said his players missed a lot of chances and could have played better.
According to him, the team could have run a lot more with the ball to create more chances and score more goals but they didn’t do that which was really disappointing.
“We must play more with the ball like we did in the first half. We created more chances in the second half but we sat back a little we should have changed the system and formation but we did what is necessary for the team,” he said.
“We did what is good which is to keep a clean sheet, but for a better performance for the team, I think we should run more with the ball.”
The Serbian coach is excited at the developing partnership between Gladson Awako and Salifu Ibrahim
Speaking on the partnership between Gladson Awako and Salifu Ibrahim in midfield, the coach said he was looking at introducing competition into the team where players wound not feel too comfortable playing in a specific role or with a particular player, but wanted to develop a team where there would be competition for positions.
“I want to bring competition in the team, I have said I want to get a better option for us, we have a lot of games and every player would play. We want to try the best combination for each game, you saw Gladson Awako and Salifu Ibrahim in the first half with the best combination”, he said.
Augustine Agyapong (bare-chested) is mobbed by his teammates after smashing home the winning goal against FC Samartex in Kumasi
Yesterday, Kumasi Asante Kotoko came back from a goal down to beat visiting FC Samartex 1996 2-1 at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi yesterday.
The Porcupine Warriors faced redemption after losing 2-0 to Bechem United last Thursday and a second defeat looked almost certain when Samartex took the lead in the early minutes of the game.
Forward Prince Antwi put the visitors ahead four minutes into the second half with a powerful long-ranger beyond the reach of Kotoko goalkeeper Ibrahim Danlad. The premier league newcomers held onto the lead and tested Kotoko’s resolve until the 78th minute when attacker Nicholas Mensah scored the equalising goal.
Kotoko pressed for the winner after Samartex had a man sent off and their pressure paid off in the 86th minute when Augustine Agyapong smashed home a free kick much to the delight of the home fans.
The win moved Kotoko to the third spot on the log with 10 points behind leaders Aduana Stars and second-placed Accra Lions who defeated Nsoatreman FC 2-0 on Saturday.
Elsewhere, Karela United beat Bechem United 1-0 at home, while visiting King Faisal lost 1-2 against Bibiani GoldStars at the Dun’s Park, Bibiani.
At the Golden City Park, Berekum Chelsea lost 1-2 to visiting Real Tamale United, while Aduana beat Legon Cities 1-0 at the Nana Agyemang Badu Park at Dormaa-Ahenkro.
