Premier League: Sportive beat Arsenal 2-0

Accra, Dec 8, GNA - Tema Real Sportive made certain of their first Premier league victory this season when they decisioned Berekum Arsenal 2-0 in the second week match of the 2007/2008 Onetouch Premier League encounter at the El-Wak Stadium, Accra on Saturday.

The two goals, which were scored in the second half by Sportive through the efforts of Solomon Adjei and Hamza Abdulai ensured that Arsenal remained winless in the two-week old premiership. The match itself started on a low note with both teams displaying average performance as they struggled to discover their rhythm in a poorly attended game.

Led in midfield by Black Satellites midfielder, Abdulai, Sportive launched several fruitless attacks into the Arsenal goal area in their quest for the opener, which remained elusive to end the first half goalless.

The closest they came was in the 32nd minute, but striker Nuhu Fuseini after beating an offside trap shot wide to the dismay of the sparse crowd.

Sportive resumed the second half strongly as they controlled and dominated the game and it came as no surprise when in the 53rd minute, Adjei opened the scoring with a beautiful curling free-kick which left Arsenal's goalie, Thomas Tuah Asare in wilderness after Fuseini was fouled by his marker just outside the box.

Arsenal was dealt a major blow when central defender Murtalabi Mohammed was given the marching off orders on the hour mark and his absence became their undoing.

They however have themselves to blame as they played as if there was nothing at stake and were a pale shadow of themselves as they allowed Sportive to control the game. In the 73rd minute, Hamza doubled the lead by connecting Joel Adjei's cross from the right flank.

The quest of the visitors to at least grab a consolation gaol was further worsened after captain Frank Yeboah was sent off after a second yellow card for dissent.

Arsenal made efforts in the dying minutes of the game of getting a face saving goal but over anxiety cost them the few chances that came their way while their officials blamed the referee for their defeat. Sportive nearly crowned their day with a third goal three minutes into full time but Samuel Nzemaba's grounder ricocheted off the crossbar to the relief of the visitors.