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- Jan 30, 2008
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Ghana and Hungary into U20 semis
Ghana will play in the semi finals of the U20 World Cup
By Matthew Kenyon
BBC Sport, Suez
BBC Sport, Suez
Ghana reached the semi-finals of the Under-20 World Cup in Egypt after a 3-2 win over South Korea on Friday. Two goals from striker Dominic Adiyiah helped the Black Satellites to the win.
But it was a far from convincing performance from Ghana, who were lacklustre defensively and kept the Asians into the game right until the end.
Ransford Osei got Ghana's other goal whilst Hee Seong Park and Dong Sub Kim scored for Korea.
The Black Satellites took the lead after only eight minutes, when Samuel Inkoom broke down the right, and his perfect pass found Adiyiah - who slotted home his fifth goal of the tournament.
Still, Ghana flirted with danger and after 20 minutes were being put under constant pressure - Park having a free header which he put wide. Then on the break they doubled their lead, when David Addy found Osei, who shot delicately home to make it 2-0.
But problems at the back continued, and moments after scoring, confusion in the Ghana defence allowed South Korea back into the game.Both keeper Daniel Agyei and defender Daniel Opare went for a floating cross in the box which neither reached, and this time Park made no mistake.
Both sides had further chances in the first half - Mohamed Rabiu made a goal saving tackle and Korea cleared off the line from a Ghana corner, but it was still 2-1 at the break.
In the second period Korea were more creative and more dangerous, and Agyei was more than once called into action as Korea pressed for the equaliser. The pressure was finally relieved when Adiyiah produced a storming run through the middle and finished coolly for a superb individual goal to make it 3-1.
But Ghana again conceded shortly after scoring - letting Korean substitute Kim head them back to 3-2 with about eight minutes remaining to set up a tense finish.
Osei had a terrific chance to complete the win as the game went into stoppage time but his shot hit the post and cannoned clear.
Instead Korea pressed desperately and Ghana were hanging on at the end, but they do go through and will now face Hungary in the semi-finals who beat Italy 3-2 after a thrilling second game in Suez.
The Hungarians took the lead with a second-minute penalty and held on until eight minutes from time, when Italy equalised.
Italy were already down to 10 men at that point, and they were down to nine before the game went into extra-time - and Hungary down to 10, as the referee risked losing control of the game.
He also sent both coaches to the stands.
In the second period of extra-time both sides scored again in quick succession to make it 2-2 and Italy were reduced to eight men when the referee sent off the fourth player of the match.
Then with three minutes to go Hungary broke away and scored the winner to go through after an extraordinary contest.
