RTU qualify for GHALCA Finals

Tamale, Sept.1 GNA - Real Tamale United (RTU) on Wednesday put up a splendid performance to beat AshantiGold by two goals to nil in the Ghana League Clubs Association (GHALCA) Novelty knockout football match at the Kaladan Park.

The match started on a very uncompromising note with both teams showing determination to carry the day.

However as the game progressed, the players of AshantiGold resorted to delay tactics with the intention of defending the two goals they scored against RTU in the first leg at Obuasi last week. Things however did not work well for them as the RTU attackers put pressure on them and in the 45th minute, an attacker of RTU sent the ball into the AshantiGold goal area creating misunderstanding between the defence and the goalkeeper.

The defenders left the ball with anticipation that their goalkeeper would for it but unfortunately for them, an RTU attacker, Alhassan Weah was fast to reach the ball but before he could shoot at goal, a defender of AshantiGold pulled him down.

Referee John Atakese from Koforidua who was right on the spot whistled for a penalty and Alhassan Weah skilfully converted it to register the first goal for his side.

The first half ended one goal in favour of RTU.

Back from recess, AshantiGold increased the tempo of their game but lost their rhythm allowing RTU to dictate the pace of the game. It therefore came as no surprise when an RTU attacker, Azumah Musah received a neat pass at the centre circle to he dribble pass two AshantiGold defenders before releasing a powerful shot that zoomed straight into the net to register RTU second goal in the 85th minute.

Inspired by the two goals, RTU carried the game to the half of AshantiGold but their attackers wasted many of the scoring chances that came their way until the referee brought the game to an end.

During the penalty shootout, RTU expertly converted three of the kicks into goal while AshantiGold blew off three of their first kicks to the disappointment of their fans.

The penalty score was RTU 3 AshantiGold 0 bringing the aggregate score to 5-2 in favour of RTU who have thus qualified to face Kumasi Asante Kotoko in the finals who also beat King Faisal 1-0 at the Kumasi sports stadium.