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Sports News of Saturday, 9 June 2018

Source: ghanasoccernet.com

Iceland ace Gylfi Sigurdsson reflects on draw against Ghana ahead of World Cup

Gylfi Sigurdsson and Ghana's Opoku in a tussle for the ball Gylfi Sigurdsson and Ghana's Opoku in a tussle for the ball

Iceland playmaker Gylfi Sigurdsson has reflected on his side's Thursday's friendly encounter against Ghana at the Laugardalsvöllur Stadium.

Iceland took a two goal lead against the Black Stars courtesy strikes from Kari Arnason and Alfred Finnbogason.

But the four-time Africa champions romped back from the jaws of defeat to pick following second half goals from Kssim Nuhu and interim captain Thomas Partey as the game ended 2-2 draw in Reykjavik.

The match was Iceland's sendoff for the World Cup, where they will come up against Argentina, Nigeria and Croatia in Group D.

"The first half of us was very good," Sigurdsson told Mbl.is.

"We were dangerous and were well-behaved."

"This was completely reversed in the second half."

"We were slowed down. We never picked up any [loose balls], especially towards the end of the game and we were really lucky not to lose this."

Coach Heimir Hallgrimsson added his thought to the outcome of the match - insisting that Ghana were a good preparation for them ahead of the global mundial.

"The defence game worked well in the first half and people were ready. It needed a team like this [Ghana]," coach Hallgrimsson added.

"These are great athletes with a lot of runners and they are good at the ball. This will be our opposition against Nigeria.

"People were struggling in the second half and we were unable to connect defence and attack."

Deputy coach of the side, Helgi Kolvidsson commended the Black Stars for their performance.

''We have picked a lot of positives in these two friendly games against Norway [3-2 loss on Saturday] and Ghana," Kolvidsson remarked.

''Ghana has a very strong team and they are not at all different from Nigeria.

"It was good for Our Boys to play this game."