Satellites beat Uzbek

Ismialia, Sept 27, GNA - Ghana came back from behind to beat Uzbekistan 2-1 in the ongoing FIFA U-20 Youth Championship in Egypt, to give their title aspirations a realistic chance.

The win, which keeps Ghana's clean record of losing no group game in the history of the competition, was a difficult one for the African Champions touted as a front runner for the title and favourite to emerge from the group, courtesy Ransford Osei and Dominic Adiyia.

After a slow first half that saw Ghana close to scoring in several occasions, Uzbekistan stun Ghana and the 12,500 capacity crowd in the 18,500 arena at the heart or Ismailia by drawing the first blood just when recess resumed.

Considered the weakest in the group pitted together with England and Uruguay, the Asians broke from the left flank where a cross was engineered by David Addy. When the cross was airborne, Captain, Shwezodbek Karimov sprinted ahead of sluggish Samuel Inkoom who just joined the team on Friday, September 25 to slot home the opener with goalkeeper Daniel Adjie compromise.

The goal sent the stadium dead but resurrected the Ghanaians from a slumber capable of becoming their doom. Ghana's reaction was gradual but as it gained momentum, a goal appeared in sight with every move. With action centered in the middle where Agyemang Badu excelled on a day that skillful Rabiu Mohammed went asleep, Ghana launched an attack that started from Abeiku Quansah who had just replaced Opoku Agyemang.

Addy controlled well from Quansah's pass, floated one in the area, skipper Andre Ayew attempted a jump but the elusive ball picked out Osei at the far side. Osei well control brilliantly away from goalkeeper Sanjar Kuwatov to pull an equalizer that lit the stadium.

Play will then change from here and Ghana became the benefactors and with another goal beckoning with every move, Adiyiah put Ghana ahead on 74 minutes when he scored from Quansah's set up.

Uzbekistan will stage a fight in search of an equalizer but to no avail. Ghana will next play Uruguay on Tuesday.

Line -up Goalkeeper Daniel Adjie, Samuel Inkoom, Jonathan Mensah, Daniel Addo, David Addy, Agyemang Badu, Opoku Agyemang/Abeiku Quansah, Andre Ayew, Mohammed Rabiu/Gladson Awako, Ransford Osei and Dominic Adiyiah 27 Sept. 09.