AFRICAN CUP OF NATIONS 1998 - match discriptions (impressions) GROUP B

Group B  Ghana   Tunisia   Togo   Congo DR

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match 1
 
 

Feb 9th  Togo - Congo DR, kickoff 16:00 GMT (17:00 MEZ, 11:00 EST)  1st half action:  -entertaining match, both attack  -Togo Bundesliga-style counterplay, some long balls  -DR Congo more short pass attack  -2 huge opprtunities each: Togo after 10 and 28 minutes, DR Congo after 20 minutes  HALFTIME: 0-0  2nd half action:  -after a Togo blitz attack game fell into lethargy for some minutes  -counter attack by Bashirou Salou (Togo) was stopped by the Congolesean Goalkeeper with an initial handplay outside the penalty area, it could have been red but the referee decided on yellow card. the free kick was hammered by Bashi a few centimeters across the bar  -very controversy penalty for Congo DR after about 10 minutes into the half: #9 scores: 0-1  -desperate attacks and heavy pressure by Togo, Congo seems boosted by the goal anyway and has a few counter attacks  -Bashirou Salou drives through the Congo DR defence, like once Rashidi Yekini, but in the last moment, already past the goalkeeper, he has initial contact with a defender, starts to stumble and falls some meters on  -2nd penalty against the unlucky Togolese. This time it seems clear. Again #9 (Tondelua Mbuilua) scores.0-2  -The game seems sealed but suddenly Togo scores about at 90 minutes by a header of #4 (Tchangai Massamesso) from 14 meters! 1-2  -This makes the final minutes exciting but except a slim opportunity for Togo nothing happens anymore.  FINAL SCORE: 1-2

 
 
 

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Feb 9th  Ghana vs. Tunisia, kickoff 20:30 GMT (21:30 MEZ, 15:30 EST)  1st half action:  -Ghana in Adidas, Tunisia in Lotto  -in the beginning strong defenders  -sudden goal for Ghana: Free Kick from the left wing, a long ball to the second post and a header by #8: 1-0  -then an exciting game, great individual players and played hard  -Ghana constantly attacking fast. the talented players cause holes by runs in the midfield area into the basicly defensive Tunisian formation and so create a lot of excitement. when passing the ball on then it gets dangerous. Tunisia themselves are dangerous sometimes, too  -more opportunities for Ghana '21, '27, '30, and '38 when a ball falls from the crossbar down to the line.  -a Tunisian goal by Ben Slimane ('34) is disallowed because the referee says the ball was out of play before  HALFTIME: 1:0  2nd half action:  -Ghana starts attacking again. that results in a penalty after a fast attack when the goalkeeper fouled #9 Tetteh. But the goalkeeper #22 saves the shot by #6  -from then on no huge opportunities. Ghana concentrates on defending playing only long balls when in possession. Both sides neutralised in a physical fight that sees a few (only two or three) evil-looking Tunisian attacks and will leave some bruised players on both sides.  -In extra-time #6 Gargo scores an unbelievable goal from 40 meters and cries after the final whistle. Ghanaian players really look as if this cup means something to them. Their excitement will be missed at France 98  FINAL RESULT: 2:0

 
 
 

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Febr 12th  Tunisia - DR Congo kickoff 16:00 GMT (17:00 MEZ, 11:00 EST)  situation BEFORE the match: DEPENDING on the result of the second match later this evening, a loss COULD mean out for Tunisia, a win on for DR Congo  1st half action:  -DRC obviously boosted by victory in first match, looking for their chance, attacking fast  -('10) dangerous DRC attack stopped by tactical foul (happens more than once in the progress)  -('15) unlucky foul in the penalty area, when Congolese defender #5 Kabongo has hand at the foot of Tunisian #18 Ben Slimane - penalty for Tunisia. #7 Rouissi's shot is saved by the Congolese keeper #1 Tokala  -('23) despite Congolesean dominance Tunisia in its few attacks is very dangerous: spectacular shot by #19 Gabsi misses centimeters  -some more DRC attack attempts lead to a goal that is taken away by a wrong offside decision ('27). Refereeing what had been in favour of DRC in their first match now cost them the lead  -after an opportunity for Tunisian #8 Beya was stopped, Ben Slimane scores a superb goal two minutes later. After a pass by #17, he finds time lop the ball into air and kick it from 1 m high, 7m distance to the goal, almost saved in a great manor by the keeper. - 1:0 ('32)  -('38) After an unluky defense action gives him posession of the ball #2 storms at the right wing and hammers it under the crossbar from a difficult angle - 1:1  -('45) a huge opportunity after a counter attack is squandered by Tunisian #7 reacting too slow  -shots wide on both sides conclude the half  HALF TIME: 1-1  2nd half action:  -('46-'60) despite engagement on both sides the game was completely neutralised  -('60) another evil attack by #18 Ben Slimane, like in the match vs. Ghana. he will find it hard to explain both cases as accidental when stepping in full gear on bodies of defenders  -('61) with the defender injured, treated off the field, the Congolese defense in turmoil allows the first big opp. of the 2ndhalf which is saved by the keeper  -('63) Tunisians want hand but if at all, contact had been accidental  -('67) huge header opportunity for DR Congo, when two attackers left alone missed the ball after a corner  -two nice Tunisian attacks stopped in the last moment by yet concentrated defenders  -Congolesean attacks get more seldom (only once dangerous)and Tunisia is able to increase the pressure  -but the goal happens different: Three Tunisian attackers are left alone a few meters into Congolesean half. They are not offside because a Congolesean defender is behind them. (So it is either stupid of him or the other defenders who left the Tunisians alone). The Tunisians are speculating for the long ball and it is coming. It is close but it is no offside. (The same Referee assistant who had denied a Congolesean goal the first half in an even less close situation) #21 Tlemcani, a substitute, makes it alone although they are 3 against the keeper and succeeds - 2:1 ('82)  -no Congo attacks again, wild, answered by dangerous counter-attacks  -('90) a deflected free-kick is saved great by the Tunisian keeper #22 Ali Boumnijel  -six minutes into injury time (!?) another save followed by some confusion after corners in the Tunisian defence but it stays...  -Congo loses a great opportunity because of being too passive from 60th to 82nd minute and because of a defensive error utilised by the kings of tactical behaviour. Now they probably will have to beat Ghana to have a chance to advance.  FINAL RESULT: 2:1, Tunisia wins

 
 
 

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Febr 12th  Ghana - Togo kickoff 20:30 GMT (21:30 MEZ, 15:30 EST)  1sthalf action:  -the first 15 minutes are completely played in Togolese half. two free-kicks result in nothing and one dangerous situation  -('15 and 16') two nice Togolese attacks but the goalkeeper comes out in time  -until 25th minute there has been no real giant opportunity, but now a fast attack by Togo, a fine 'hidden' pass by #10 Salou and #11 Dote Franck scores - 0:1  -('28) wrong offside decision, but #9 Ghana misses anyway  -('30)inspired Ghanaian attack finally saved by the keeper and a defender  -2 semi-dangerous Ghanaian free kicks saved and another inspired Ghanaian attack in the following  -('43)a header opportunity for first game scorer #8 Nyarko (Ghana)  -('45)another inspired attack involving #9 Tetteh and #11 Akunnor saved by the goalkeeper, biggest Ghanaian opportunity yet  -is this the handwriting of German coach Vogel? Togo seems to play disciplined and concentrated with only few counter attacks. Ghana playing quite inspired but there haven't been any free lanes to the goal so that there have been goal scenes but no real must-score opportunities yet.  HALFTIME 0:1, Togo leads  -will Togo be able to reamain concentration even when getting tired in the final phase of the match?  -it starts the same as before the half. Some distance shots, some inspired attempts involving the today eye-catching Charles Akonnur, Ghana constantly attacking  -('59) Pele realeases a shot while in a struggle with a diffender, misses close  -some more almost opportunities for the less flamboyant second half Ghanaians  -('72 and '74 and '77) big opportunities for Ghana, 1 header, 1 shot to the keepers body and one great save against #9 followed by #12 Peter Ofori-Quaye (substitute) missing the goal from a bad angle  -('81)Akunnors heel trick prepares a sure score for #12 Ofori-Quaye that is saved by a foul - penalty. #15 Sam Johnson scores. It's even - 1:1  -Togo that hasn't had a shot towards the Ghanaian goal during the second half now starts to play more offensive. This creates holes for Ghanaian counter attacks. The only Togoles opportunity yet is a free kick trick ('89) that is stopped by a handplay not seen by the referee and probably outside the penalty area  -('90)Togolese keeper misses a cross ball but defender #5 Yaovi Abalalo saves.  -then injury time sees a great solo run by Togolese #17 Mohamed Coubadja-Toure, a substitute profiting from his fresh fitness. With a little luck he makes it in and it is - 1:2  FINAL SCORE - 1:2, Togo wins  the situation AFTER this match: all teams 3 points but Ghana +1 goal (3-2), Tunisia -1 goal (2-3), Togo and Congo both 3-3 goals. Final matches: Ghana-DR Congo and Tunisia-Togo. A draw means for Ghana on, for Tunisia out, for the other two it means it depends on the outcome of the second match.

 
 
 
 

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Febr 16th  match1: Ghana - Congo DR  kickoff 17:00 GMT (18:00 MEZ, 12:00 EST)  match2: Tunisia - Togo  kickoff 17:00 GMT (18:00 MEZ, 12:00 EST)  Both matches are Group B and played simultaniously to avoid giving an advantage to any team.  The situation BEFORE the matches:
Ghana - Congo DR: IF Ghana win or draw, they are qualified. IF Ghana loses they are out. IF Congo DR wins, they are qualified for quarterfinals, a deafeat makes them travel home. A draw leaves Congo DR waiting for the result of the other match. IF that is not a draw, they are eliminated. IF Tunisia and Togo draw as well, a tie breaker has to be applied. (It still has been not possible to gain reliable information, official sources have not answered). The most likely tie-breaker is then: all four teams have four points, so at first only goal-difference can be applied. So it would be Ghana, and one of Togo or Congo DR. IF those two have the same number of goals scored (they have to have the same goal-difference then), the Togo-Congo match should count and this spoke in favour for Congo.   A coach usually says: Don't calculate, just win, but the danger of confusion lurs, when it comes to the final minutes, with matches close and one ear of players trying to grasp information from sidelines or fans.	Tunisia - Togo: IF Tunisia loses or draw, they are eliminated. IF Tunisia wins they are through. IF Togo wins, they are qualified for quarterfinals, a loss means out. A draw leaves Togo waiting for the result of the other match. IF that is not a draw, they march on. IF Ghana and Congo draw as well, a tie breaker has to be applied. (It still has been not possible to gain reliable information, official sources have not answered). The most likely tie-breaker is then: all four teams have four points, so at first only goal-difference can be applied. So it would be Ghana, and one of Togo or Congo DR. IF those two have the same number of goals scored (they have to have the same goal-difference then), the Togo-Congo match should count and this spoke in favour for Congo.
1st half action:  -unlike Togo, Congo DR has a much more offensive attitude against Ghana. This makes the match happen in both halfs this time  -('13) free kick Ghana, #11 Akunnor misses close (Akunnor was critisized for targeting too often wide while releasing a high number of attempts)  -('36) #21 Togo tries to make it volley 6m in front of the goal, but does not hit the ball properly  -('37) Ghana #17 Abugaye answers but misses wide  -('40) spectacular looking forul #6 Congo against #9 Ghana results in a free kick. The cross ball is missed by the keeper and a shot by #13, deflected by the keeper hits either the crossbar or a defender on the line  -('43) two Ghanaians #17 and #9, both at the same spot go for a #11 cross and so waste a huge opportunity  -('45) Ghana has become stronger at the end of the half but the last word has Congo when #15 releases a distance shot, that is saved by the keeper  HALFTIME- 0:0	1st half action:  -after the technical devices broke down 30 minutes before kick-off, it seemed impossible to deliver this service, but you see, here it works again  -first opportunity for Tunisia #18 BenSlimane but on the other side #6 brings down Togolese #17 and it is a penalty. #12 makes it- 0:1 ('4)  -Tunisian #21 picks off an accidental defenders ball, that could have been a brilliant pass and scores- 1:1 ('7)  -('9) Tunisia capitalises from sloppy defense with a fine fast attack and #17 puts it on the head of #18 Ben Slimane- 2:1  -both teams try to attack and there are some holes in the Togolese defense that has been strong against the Ghanaian individuals but now looks confused against the perfect Tunisian cooperation  -('32) free kick #7 saved by the Tunisian keeper, that was lucky the ball came on the middle of the goal  -('34) Togo is only a pass play away from a goal after a fine #10 Salou effort  -('37)after a counterattacl #21, Tunisia, is alone in front of the keeper, has time, takes time, and hits wide anyway  HALFTIME- 2:1
2nd half action:  -the second half sees relentlessly attacking Congo  -four times in a row big confusion in Ghana defence after successive corners. If Congo countinous with high balls they should capitalize sooner or later  -('57) big opportunity after counter attack is wasted by #9 Congo when his shot with free lane to all the goal goes far across the bar  -Ghana looks like some players are hiding when Ghana has ball posession  -Congo on the opposite is running, asking the ball and attacking  -('62) free kick - crossing, another high ball causes danger  -('65) Congo threat is saved by a nice play of defender #4  -('76) another fast Congolese attack #16 passes it to #3 who is alone half left and scores from 16 m into the corner- 0:1  -Congo defenders get a little hectic, but so are Ghanaian attempts  -('86)Nyarko shot from 18m is saved by the keeper followed by a wasted counterplay  -('88)free kick Congo 16m into the wall, 2nd attempt wide  -('90)Ghana free kick from 25 into the wall (Johnson)  -It's over: like yesterday- sometimes it's better to have to win against a team that only needs a draw than the other way round. You get into the game while the others are ust waiting for something to happen. And often the goal is scored such late that it is not enough time to turn this situation into the opposite direction  FINAL RESULT 0:1- Ghana goes home, DR Congo is qualified for the quarterfinals	2nd half action:  -both sides see free kicks into the wall  -Togo dominates noe and a distance shot by #4 misses close after a counter play  -both matches smell like sensations could happen  -penalty ('62) but it is saved by the Togolese keeper  -Tunisia again dagerous on single situations with the typical Northern African brilliance in capitalizing on errors or bad defensive formations: ('80) Tunisia causes confusion in front of the goal when #17 is not marked and scores in the third attempt after a cross ball from the left- 3:1  -('90) fine Togoles free kick is saved by the keeper  FINAL RESULT: 3:1, Tunisia wins it and stays in the tournament while Togo is out

 
 

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table
 

Ghana - Tunisia  2-0  Togo - DR Congo  1-2  Tunisia - DR Congo  2-1  Ghana - Togo  1-2  Ghana - DR Congo  0-1  Tunisia - Togo  3-1
1. Tunisia*	3	5-4	6
2. Congo DR*	3	4-3	6
3. Ghana	3	3-3	3
4. Togo	3	4-6	3