GhanaFA

Starlets' round of 16 hopes delayed

16 years ago
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A 60-second second-half revival could not be sustained as Ghana fell to Germany by a 3-2 defeat on Thursday in the FIFA U-17 World Cup Korea 2007.

Ghana, after a slow start ended the first 45 minutes of play 3-0 down, with goals from Sascha Bigalke in the 5th minute, Toni Kroos' 12th minute direct freekick and a third by Kroos again in the 27th minute.

The Black Starlets looked the strongest side by the match stats but the Germans were the better side having raised into that lead.

However, the second half saw the Black Starlets indeed sparkle at the Cheonan Sports Complex.

Five minutes into the half and Ghana sounded their intent. Two goals in a spate of 60 seconds by the Black Starlets looked like the greatest comeback bid.

Ransford Osei pulled a goal back for Ghana when he coonected a pullout from the right to make it 3-1 in the 52nd minute.

Then seconds later after Ghana's opening goal, Sadick Adams doubled up for the Black Starlets in the 53rd minute leaving the scores at 3-2.

From then on the Germans reeled under pressure as Ghana pushed for the equaliser.

Ransford Osei could have drew Ghana level but after a beautiful run into the German defence, he had his shot blocked resulting in a corner.

As the minutes ticked, with four minutes of added time and Germany playing with ten men, Ghana were awarded a freekick on the edge of the opponents penalty area after Yartey had been tripped.

Substitute, Kelvin Bossman expertly effected it but agonisingly saw the ball canon off the crossbar to the relief of the Germans.

And that kick effectively ended Ghana's hopes of picking a point after total domination.

Ghana made a smooth start to the tournament with a 4-1 victory over Trinidad and Tobago.

The Black Starlets would need to win their next encounter against Colombia to keep them on course for a place in the last 16.