adminEBENEZER Assifuah scored his second goal in the closing minutes of extra time as Ghana beat Chile 4-3 to reach the semifinals of the Under-20 World Cup on Sunday. Assifuah’s header completed Ghana’s comeback after Angelo Henriquez put Chile 3-2 up in the eighth minute of extra time. Seidu Salifu equalized in the 113th after being set up by Clifford Aboagye. Both teams were locked at 2-2 in regulation.
“This was really a cliffhanger match,” Ghana coach Sellas Tetteh said. “That is what this tournament is about, to show good football and to entertain people.”
The only African nation to win the event, in 2009, Ghana will next play France while Iraq takes on Uruguay in the other semifinal.
Earlier on Sunday, Iraq conceded the lead three times to draw 3-3 with South Korea before winning a penalty shootout.
Tetteh praised his team for coming from behind for a second straight match. In the previous knockout round, Ghana beat Portugal 3-2 with two late goals.
“We didn’t panic, we still played our type of football,” Tetteh said. “I have to give credit to the boys … this was a complete performance from a determined team.”
Earlier in the tournament, Ghana narrowly escaped elimination after losing group matches against Spain and France before advancing on goal difference following a 4-1 win against the United States.
“It’s a wonderful feeling for us to progress to the semifinal,” Tetteh said. “We started from a very low point. The progression of this team is wonderful.”
Ghana took the lead in the 11th when Frank Acheampong set up Moses Odjer, who controlled the ball on his chest before hammering it past goalkeeper Dario Melo.-Supersport.
Online Reporter