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Korea Republic 2-3 Ghana: Match Report, player ratings, expert analysis and more

All the reaction as the Black Stars get their first win of the 2022 World Cup

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Ghana got their first win of the 2022 World Cup as they survived a Korean comeback and late barrage to come through a tight affair 3-2 victors, and leave them still in with a shout of qualifying for the last 16.

South Korea dominated the early minutes of the encounter, racking up an astonishing seven corners in the opening 20 minutes as Ghana looked all at sea following their massive effort against Portugal.

However, the Black Stars grew into the game, and took the lead midway through the first half when Mohamed Salisu reacted first to a loose ball to prod home from a free kick. 10 minutes later, they doubled their lead against a shellshocked Korean side, this time Mohamed Kudus glancing a Jordan Ayew cross into the far corner and leaving Heung Min-Son and co. with a mountain to climb.

The Asian side made two changes in the opening minutes of the second half, and gave Ghana a warning sign when Cho Gue-sung headed a dangerous cross from the left hand side into the arms of Lawrence Ati-Zigi.

Five minutes later, they repeated the trick, with Cho rising highest to grab one back, before Ghana again switched off and the same route handed Korea an equaliser on the hour mark.

But it didn’t last long. A cutback from the left was missed by Inaki Williams, but Kudus was on hand to steer home his second, and restore the lead of the Black Stars. They survived a late barrage, thanks in part to heroics from Salisu, along with 10 minutes of added time to leave them poised to go through provided that they can get a result against Uruguay in their final game.

Player ratings

Korea Republic

  • GK: Kim Seung-gyu (6) – Conceded three from three shots on target but couldn’t have really prevented any of them.
  • RB: Kim Moon-hwan (7)- Got forward well in support of his side and put in several good crosses.
  • CB: Kim Young-gwon (5) – Mopped up okay but generally looked off the pace.
  • CB: Kim Min-Jae (5) – Didn’t look fully fit and the Napoli man was far from his usual imperious best.
  • LB: Kim Jin-Su (6) – Looked solid enough and kept Kudus quiet for the most part while he was stationed with him. Stood up a great cross for South Korea’s second goal.
  • CDM: Jung Woo-Young (6) – Tidy but lacked any real penetrative passing.
  • CDM: Hwang In-beom (7) – Solid in midfield for the most part and kept possession well.
  • RM: Kwon Chang-Hoon (5) – His side were immediately more dangerous when he went off, and he never got any joy out of the Ghana fullbacks.
  • CAM: Jeong Woo-Yeong (4) – Couldn’t get into the game and was taken off after 45 minutes having had just 20 touches.
  • LM: Son Heung-min (5) – Another quiet game for the Tottenham man, who saw two shots blocked but couldn’t really make an impact on proceedings.
  • ST: Cho Gue-Sung (8) – Won three powerful headers in the box, scoring twice and forcing a good save. Korea’s biggest threat.

Substitutes

  • Na Sang-Ho (6) – Came on at half time but couldn’t have too much of an impact on proceedings.
  • Lee Kang In (7) – Made an immediate impact by grabbing an assist and looked bright.
  • Hwang Ui Jo (5) – Hardly had a touch when coming on.
  • Kwon Kyung-Won – (N/A) – Came on in added time.

Ghana

  • GK: Lawrence Ati-Zigi (6) – Will feel like he could have done better for the second goal but was otherwise impressive if theatric.
  • RB: Tariq Lamptey (4) – Both goals came down his flank and he really struggled against the Korean attack.
  • CB: Daniel Amartey (6) – Relatively untroubled in the first half. Struggled a little more in the second as Korea dominated.
  • CB: Mohamed Salisu (8) – Took his goal well but was caught out for the Korea goals. Redeemed himself with a goalline clearance and was excellent against Korea’s late barrage.
  • LB: Gideon Mensah (7) – Kept Korea very quiet down the right-hand side.
  • CM: Thomas Partey (5) – Misplaced several of his passes and was far from his Arsenal best.
  • CM: Salis Abdul Samed (7) – Quietly effective in the Black Stars engine room.
  • RM: Mohammed Kudus (8) – Took his goals well, and was in the right place at the right time, but looked wasted on the right flank. By far Ghana’s brightest talent.
  • CAM: Andre Ayew (6) – Brings experience but little more to this Ghana side.
  • LM: Jordan Ayew (7) – Never threatened the goal but came up with two great crosses to put Ghana two goals up and worked hard in defence.
  • ST: Inaki Williams (5) – Grabbed an assist with a miscontrol that just about summed up his game. Quiet except for one powerful run in the second half but can never be accused of laziness.

Substitutes

  • Kamaldeen Sulemana (5) – Didn’t really have a chance to show his qualities.
  • Denis Odoi (5) – Struggled just as much as Lamptey with South Korea’s left flank when coming on.
  • Daniel-Kofi Kyereh (6)
  • Alexander Dikju (5) – Came on to hold onto the win and helped do just that.
  • Abdul Baba Rahman (N/A) – On for the final five minutes.

Key Stats

Expert analysis

Fan Reaction

Read more:

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Ben Browning

Football writer and analyst. Long-time writer of all things Arsenal and avid watcher of European football. Happy to discuss all things football over on Twitter.

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