WU17 WC: Ghana Through to Semi-Finals

... Spain next
...Video Highlights
Changwon, (SK), Sept. 1, GNA - Ghana's U-17 National team, the Black Starlets on Saturday completed their task of adding another South American team to conquest when they beat Peru 2-0 to advance into the semi finals of the FIFA U-17 World Cup competition.

The 2-0 score line has put the Starlets in a poll position to actually "knock out" any team that they meet on their way to annex the ultimate to be presented with the cup come September 9.

Even though it was a forgone conclusion by both soccer fans and analysts in Korea that Ghana were favourites in the match, the Ghanaians refused to be swayed and never exhibited any complacency as they put on every thing to deserve the victory.

The Peruvians could not just march the Starlets, as they dominated the game and exhibited intelligent and entertaining show of good soccer at the Changwon Sports Complex to the admiration of the few spectators.

The entertaining match was nearly marred by continued rain, which was blamed by some of the Ghanaian players to have interfered in their scoring chances, while the Peruvians blamed their defeat to the slippery nature of the playing field.

The Starlets had the glorious opportunity to open scoring as early as the fifth minute but aspiring goal king Ransford Osei failed to find the net, which the Peruvian goalkeeper made a timely save of the shot at goal.

Midfielder Sadick Adams went on to deliver a surprising shot at goal in the 20th minute but the goal- keeper again jumped to direct the ball to corner.

The Starlets from then on kept mounting the pressure on the Peruvians and as the first department of the game was heading goalless, Adams had an opportunity in the minute of the time added on to slot home the ball to register the first goal to ease the pressure on the anxious players and supporters.

Just after the goal referee Yuichi Nishimura from Japan whistled for end of the first half. Right from the recess, the Ghanaians came back with the same strength, determination and resilience with accurate passes as they made "nonsense" of the Peruvians defensive game plan.

Ransford Osei was on target to add to scores for Ghana in the 53rd minute after Isaac Donkor's scissor kick hit the post and bounced back, which the striker made no mistake to easily slot into the net to send the whole stadium into wild jubilation.

As more goals were expected from the Starlets after the second goal, luck seemed not to smile their way as all their efforts to increase the goal tally proved futile.

With this sweet victory the Starlets have thus qualified to progress into the semi finals and would next meet Spain who also beat France on penalties in an earlier on encounter.

The two teams would lock horns at Ulsan on Tuesday, September 4, the same venue the Starlets pipped Colombia 2-1 to finish second at the group stage.