Match Report: Elmina Sharks hold wasteful Hearts of Oak in Accra

Defending Champions Hearts Of Oak were held to a disappointing 1-1 draw at the Accra Sports Stadium in their match day 25 fixture of the Ghana Premier League (GPL) on Sunday.

The Phobians strike first in the 1st minute through Samuel Inkoom before the visitors leveled through Micheal Ohene Asamoah in the 28th minute.

In the first minute, foward Daniel Barnieh Afriyie was fouled at the edge of the penalty area, Samuel Inkoom scored from the resulted set piece to give Hearts the lead in one minute.

With a goal lead minute intonthe first half, Hearts kept pilling the pressure for a second and in the 12th minute, Salim Adams set up Patrick Razak who cut in but was dispossesed off the ball by the Shark defence.

Afriyie fed on a decent pass , left with only the goalkeeper Joseph Essam to beat but blasted wide his effort.

The visitors were quick to respond through a counter attack, Micheal Ohene Asamoah slotted pass goalie Richmond Ayi to give Elmina Sharks the equalizer in the 28th minute.

Not disquieted by the leveler, Hearts nearly restored parity in the 42nd minute when goalie Joseph made a goal-line save to deny hearts the second goal.

Two minutes into the second half, Razak pushed a through pass to find Inkoom but it’s intercepted for a corner which was headed out of danger.

In the 48th minute, Salim Adams nutmegged his marker, he shot from distance but missed narrowly.

Hearts brought on Agyenim Boateng, Frederick Ansah Botchway and Salifu Ibrahim for Patrick Razak, Salim Adams and Abu Ushau respectively after the 52nd minute.

Coach Boadu’s substitutions brought urgency into Hearts’ play as Ansah and Salifu took control of game.

After 66th minute of action, substitute Salifu sent in a cross but Awako failed to connect well as his half volley went wide.

Within a space of five minutes, goalie Essam pulled two outstanding saves to deny Hearts a second goal. Inkoom shot from a free kick was saved before Awako’s effort was tipped off by Essam.

With ten minutes left to play, the Phobians continued to mount more pressure in an attempt to find the winning goal but Sharks aren’t remained compact at the heart of defense.

The draw keeps Hearts on 6th position with 37 points after 25 games.