Ghana beat Chile 3-1 on penalty shootouts after a goalless drawn game in regulation time at the Suita City Stadium to finish third in the ongoing Kirin Cup tournament in Japan
Coach Otto Addo handed starting places to Manaf Nurudeen, Baba Rahman, Fatawu Issahaku, Afena-Gyan and Benjamin Tetteh, relegating Jordan Ayew, Dennis Korsah, Andy Yiadom, and others to the bench.
The Chileans started on a good note pushing more men forward for an early goal but indecision on their part failed them in the opening minutes.
On the 16th minute, Diego Valencia turned nicely in midfield and put Ben Brereton Diaz through with a great ball but Manaf Abdul Nurudeen came off his line to collect that one.
Óscar Apozo made a great serging run on the right, sent in a cut back cross to Diego Valencia but his shot was too feeble to beat the Ghana goalie.
Black Stars settled and played so well with some sumptuous exchange of passes on the 25th minute but their transition to attack was always poor.
Skipper Andre Ayew with Ghana's first shot on goal after cutting in from the right but his strike on the 27th minute went straight at the throat of goalkeeper Sebastián Perez.
Abdul Fatawu Issahaku followed up with the second attempt on the 32nd minute also from the right but his volley drive went wide for a goalkick. It ended goalless at half time
In the second half, Ghana started on an explosive note which resulted in an early free kick on the left flanks. Fatawu Issahaku delivered a deep one but was subsequently cleared out by the Chile backline.
On the 51st minute, Afena-Gyan made his way through the box to set up Benjamin Tetteh who turned nicely to struck off the crossbar. Just unlucky!
The Red Ones also with a big chance to take the lead after Opozo laid off a pass to Brereton Diaz in the box leaving a one on one situation but his strike missed the post by few inches. That was close!
Ghana nearly snatched the lead on the 62nd minute, Afena-Gyan dropped inside to set up skipper Andre Ayew who sent in a powerful hit but was tipped off for a corner kick. Benjamin Tetteh's header from the delivery denied by the woodwork once again.
Ghana reduced to ten men on the 68th minute after Alidu Seidu was sent off for an unintentional harsh challenge on Pablo Galdames.
Chile nipping on the numerical disadvantage on the part of Ghana to take over the game. Galdames corner kick was initially punched out by Abdul Manaf Nurudeen but Gary Medel's follow up strike went wide for a restart.
The Black Stars were reduced to nine men on the 79th minute after Mubarak Wakaso was handed an early shower for complaining. He was on yellow card already.
Ghana despite the red cards broke on a counter, Antwi-Adjei made a blistering run towards opposition territory to send a strong cross but eluded everyone in the box.
Kudus Mohammed with a golden opportunity in the dying embers but his curler was tipped off once again by goalkeeper Sebastián Perez.
Despite the series of chances created by Chile in the additional time, they couldn't find the back of the net as it ended goalless after full time. Game went straight to penalties. Ghana won 3-1 in the shootouts to clinch the third spot.
By: Iddriss Abdul Rahim
