Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Blown wide open, that’s what the GPL is (week 26 results)


On Sunday only six of the eight games finished because of heavy rains. The two that were postponed till yesterday were Hearts – Wa All Stars, Kessben – All Blacks.

In the end Hearts could only draw 1-1 at home and Kessben played a 2-2 draw. The implications for the neutral football fan are a sweet final few games to the league.

By way of reactions, certain coaches had hot words for their teams. In the lead of that category was Charles Akunnor of XI Wise.

“I am highly disappointed with the performance of my players and I was surprised at their output," Ghanasoccernet quotes him as saying.

"We played as if nothing was at stake and am getting worried at the way my guys are playing.

"Hasaacas were not any better side but you football is about goals and if you get them, then nothing matters."

They currently lie at the 11th position and things are looking dreary for them. They had a good first round but the opposition has seen the strategies employed by Akunnor and Odartey Lamptey, I think. Too many more slips could be costly for their stay in the GPL.

Wise would play an increasingly confident Ashgold at the Len Clay on Sunday. Akunnor knows more than I do that the results must come.

"We need to get results because any more defeat could prove disastrous for us.

"If you look at the league table, any slip could send you down because every team wants to avoid relegation."

(Don't forget, too, that Wise have a game with Hearts tomorrow in the MTN President's Cup. Details on that later.)

Speaking of Ashgold, they lost 1-0 to Heart of Lions. Lions thus stay on course for a top four finish.

Accra Hearts of Oak are deep shyte. Their ten point lead under Kosta Papic has been cut to two. And we have four matches remaining. This is Hearts’ fifth game on the trot without a win and when they play Kessben, they have to win.

Meanwhile, after Eric Bekoe won goal king last season in Kotoko apparel, Alex Asamoah is taking his place. Number 14 for Alex on 88 minutes was enough for Kotoko to win against Sporting Mirren.

As for Mirren, the plethora of missed goals means that they have themselves to blame and their sloppiness means that Kotoko, defending league champions, are unbeaten in six matches.

Berekum Arsenals needed a second-half penalty from substitute Stephen Amankwah to earn a draw at home with King Faisal. Can you believe Arsenals had 3 spot-kicks? They converted that one only.

Tema Youth also had to rally from a goal down to split points with Liberty Professionals at the Tema Park. Real Tamale United eased their relegation fears following a 2-0 win over Bechem Chelsea at the Tamale Stadium.

______