Dadson saves the day for Ghana

In the second game from Group B of the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup, two tough, powerful sides played out a lively 1-1 draw in Christchurch.

Ghana had marginally the better of the first half, with Deborah Afriyie almost putting the Africans ahead on only three minutes, and Mercy Miles, Florence Dadson and Juliet Acheampong all shooting wide from distance in the opening period.

 Korea DPR too had their chances in the first 45 minutes; Ho Un Byol"s shot on ten minutes was blocked by Patricia Mantey, while Kim Un Hyang sent a header wide of the target on the half-hour.

Five minutes from the break came the Koreans' best chance, Jon Myong Hwa shooting from close range only for Mantenn Kobblah to block the ball on the line.

Driven on by Jon's excellence in midfield, Korea DPR went on the offensive in the second period, and created a number of opportunities for themselves, only for the defiant Ghanaian keeper Mantey to deny them all.

Finally, however, the Koreans broke the deadlock in the 69th minute, Ho Un Byol getting her right foot to a free kick and blasting the ball just under the crossbar.

But the lead was not to last; on 73 minutes, Ghana came forward in numbers, and Dadson pushed Afriyie's right-wing cross past Hong Myong Hui and in.

Both teams had chances to snatch the points as the time ticked away. On 81 minutes, a header from Ho found the Ghanaian post, while at the other end, Patricia Dadson's left-footed free kick sailed over the bar after a foul by Hong just outside the area.

 A well-deserved first-up point for both sides.FIFA