U.S. Ghanaian Team Beats Spanish Side

The rare Ghanaian soccer talent was on display on Saturday in Virginia, U.S.A. when a Ghanaian select-side from around Woodbridge, Dale City and Manassas, all in Virginia managed to beat their Spanish counterparts 4 -1 in an uncompromising game at the Darbydale Stadium. The Spanish team, which comprised natives from Mexico, Spain, El Salvador and Puerto Rico living in and around Virginia were taught a great football lesson by the skilful Ghanaians who sold a good game to the admiration of the teeming supporters gathered there. And the man who was responsible for this victory was inside right James Eyeson, who scored two goals of the goals for his side.
The Spanish team should blame themselves for the defeat as they played very well in the match but failed to score in the first half. Both teams wasted a corner kick each in the first five minutes, but it was the Spanish side who nearly set the stadium alight in the 9th minute but Jose Pinaye's shot missed the post narrowly. Their first opening came in the 12th minute when Jason Hodey's long-range effort flashed past the goal post even though Atta-Siaw in the post for the Ghanaians had it covered. The Ghanaian side's reply was almost immediate as in the 15th minute, Kofi Asare Brako found himself unmarked but the striker could not maintain his cool and volleyed the ball over the goal post.
The Spanish-side quickly reorganized and played some delectable football in the midfield where Raul Manzo operated effectively, and nearly went ahead a minute later when Jaoa Parker's header from a corner-kick beat everybody except Yaw Asiedu who cleared the ball off the goal line. The game then was reduced to a midfield tussle with occasional breaks at both ends, which yielded nothing except anxious moments for supporters of both clubs as their strikers failed to convert chances that came their way.
With the first half drawing to a close, a momentary lapse in concentration by a Spanish defender allowed Osei Adom to rob him of the ball and set up James Eyeson on the run. James in turn set up Alex Owusu to fire in what turned out to be the first goal in the 45th minute.
The Spanish team came in strongly on resumption but their strikers could not put their acts together and allowed the defence of Ghana to keep them at bay. The half started with the Spanish team controlling affairs and pushing forward for a face-saving goal but they came up against a strong defensive back line of the Ghanaian team, made up of Yaw Asiedu, Victor 'Papa' Nyankah, Ato Kwamina and Isaac Baiden who thwarted all their attempts.
The Nayabinghi Warriors from Ghana then took control of the game and in the 50th minute had a great opportunity to double the scores when Kwasi Oppong found himself unmarked in the Spanish box but he fired in a low drive which was pushed to touch by Hins Pusey in post for the Spanish side. Inspired by the lead, Ghana continued to pile pressure on their opponents and in the process James Eyeson increased the tally to 2-0 in the 52nd minute.
The Spanish side, with their pride at stake tried to redeem a goal and nearly had a goal in the 61st minute but goalkeeper Atta-Siaw saved Raul Manzo's close range shot. With Ghana in the driving seat, they introduced Eugene Addo into the game in the 70th minute and even though he succeeded in creating some anxious moments for defenders of the opponents with his tricky ball control, Ghana could not increase the tally.
The Spanish team's resistance whittled down with time as the Ghana boys assumed control of the midfield after the inclusion of Edward Opoku for injured Ato Kwamina who was not that effective on the day. Striker Kofi Asare Brako, however, atoned for his earlier misses when he added a third goal for Ghana with a spectacular scissor kick, which caught goalkeeper Hins Pusey stranded in the 79th minute. Kofi struck from a precise pass from Victor Papa Nyankah. When the pieces seemed to be falling apart for the Spanish, they managed to reduce the tally in a goalmouth melee in the dying minutes of the game. An unmarked Earl Harris put the ball beyond the reach of goalkeeper Atta-Siaw in post for Ghana.
Sensing danger, the Ghanaians fought back and capitalised on a defensive blunder to increase the tally to 4-1 in the 90th minute. After the game, the entire Spanish team came round, shaking hands with their Ghanaian opponents and congratulating them in the process for a good job done. They have however, called for a return encounter at a later date. Line-Up For Ghana: Nyarko Atta-Siaw, Isaac Baiden, Ato Kwamina,Yaw Asiedu, Victor Papa Nyankah, Osei Adom, Samuel Owusu, James 'Brushmiller' Eyeson(capt.), Kwasi Oppong, Kofi Asare Brako, Alex Owusu.
Reserves: Edward Opoku, Eugene Addo, Kwame Amparbeng..... Coach: Kwabena Botwe.