Kotoko draws with Bechem Chelsea

Kumasi, Jan. 11, GNA - Defending League Champions Kumasi Asante Kotoko were to a 1-1 drawn game against Bechem Chelsea in their Glo Premier League match played at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi on Sunday. It was the surprise of the day when Chelsea were the first to score in the 58th minute through Yaw Alexander whose scissor kick zoomed into the yawning net with goalkeeper Sanni Mohammed sprawling after a rebound shot from Jackson Owusu. It took Kotoko about 30 minutes before they could come to level terms when they were awarded a spot kick which was converted by Francis Coffie after Stephen Manu was heavily challenged in the box by a Chelsea defender.

Kotoko were the first to take the kick-off after Referee Charles Dowuona whistled for hostilities to begin and took the ball to the vital area of the visitors but Stephen Manu's feeble shot was easily saved by goalkeeper Nana Bonsu. Chelsea quickly took over the game with Samuel Kyere moving deep into the vital area of Kotoko but he got injured in the process when he was confronted by Kotoko's skipper Godfred Yeboah while Abdul Basit was shown the yellow card for rough play on Prince Anokye.

Chelsea who were determined to carry the day from then took absolute control of the game and exerted pressure on the Kotoko defence forcing them to commit unpardonable blunders. Poor finishing however denied Chelsea an early goal with the midfield of Kotoko totally lacking cohesion. Let off the hook, Kotoko's Alex Asamoah who was given close marking by John Owusu wasted an opportunity in the 22nd minute when he broke loose from his marker but failed to connect home a pass with Prince Anokye following a minute later to waste another chance when he also headed away a cross from Francis Coffie.

Chelsea with a packed defence made series of incursions but the defence of Kotoko managed to hold them in check to end the first half. On resumption of the second half, it was Chelsea who again improved on their game but a chance that came their way in the 52nd minute was brilliantly saved by keeper Sanni.

Sensing danger, Kotoko brought on Eric Opoku for Prince Anokye in the 53rd minute but it was still Chelsea who were on top and it came as no surprise when they took the lead in the 54th minute through Alexander Yaw in a goalmouth melee. The 'Porcupine Warriors' with their pride at stake again sent on Fredrick Quayson to replace Yahaya Sanni Abdul but the change failed to improve on their performance the Chelsea boys still piling pressure on them. Disaster hit Chelsea when injured goalkeeper Nana Bonsu had to give way to Lovelace Nii Quaye in the 72nd minute.

The game from then on saw the Kotoko players been reduced to ordinary players by the Chelsea lads with the teeming supporters of Kotoko sitting on thorns, with Coach Cooreman forced to exhaust his substitution with Kwadwo Opoku taking over from Alex Asamoah in the 75th minute.

The change brought a measure of new blood into the team and this paid off for them with Stephen Manu combining beautifully in attack as they mounted a strong attack on the defence which eventually brought the equalizer in the 88th minute through the spot kick.