Accra Hearts of Oak have been bundled out the 2016 G-6 Invitational Tournament. This was after the team lost its second game against SC Medeama in the second match of the day.
Having already played a goalless drawn game in the first match against Aduana Stars on Thursday night, the Phobians were looking to seal qualification by recording a good win the MTN FA Cup Champions, but that was not to be as a 70th-minute penalty goal by SC Medeama’s Malik Akowuoah sealed their doom.
Parading an entirely different squad from the players used against Aduana Stars, Coach Kenichi’s men fought their hearts out especially in the opening exchanges of the game.
Soulama Abdoulaye was the only player who maintained hos position from last night’s game. All other outfield players were entirely new.
But this did not affect the rhythm of the Phobians who dictated the pace for a large amount of time.
SC Medeama playing their first game of the tournament looked fresh and relaxed and used experience in most aspects of the game to keep themselves in the game, especially when Hearts took control in the first half.
The first half ended goalless, but it was Hearts of Oak who effected the first substitution of the game, following an injury on striker Odupong Wellington. He was replaced by Franklin Osei in the 33rd minute.
Back from recess, SC Medeama took the game to Hearts pinning them in their own half for a considerable amount of time.
Then came the moment of controversy in the 66th minute when the centre referee mistakingly gave Hearts defender Phillip Boampong a red card, thinking he had received one already in the first half.
It took the 4th official and the lineman to bring to his notice that indeed it wasn’t Boampong he booked in the first half.
But by this time, it was all SC Medeama who were probing the Hearts goal area in search of the opener.
Hearts savior by them was their goalkeeper Soulama Abdoulaye who virtually stood between SC Medeama and a goal.
He made two wonderful quick saves in the 68th minute, first saving a goalbound free kick from Malik Akowuouah nad then managed to block the rebound.
This drew the applause from the Hearts of Oak fans who came in their numbers to the Essipong stadium.
A moment of indiscretion on the part of defender Phillip Boampong earned SC Medeama a penalty after the defender fouled Benjamin Bature. The other players including Soulama Abdoulaye protested, but the referee stood his grounds.
Malik Akowuah elected himself to take the kick and he managed to send Soulama the wrong way to record the first goal of the match in the 70th minute, which later turned out to the match winner.
With a few minutes to end the game, Hearts were reduced to ten men as Isaac Oduro was red-carded for a foul on Enoch Atta Adjei.
The Phobians mounted several last minute attacks but in all situations was dealt with by the much experienced SC Medeama defence.
SC Medeama will play their second game on Saturday against Aduana Stars.
Hearts Of Oak OUT Of G-6 Tournament After Losing 1-0 To SC Medeama
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