Hearts of Oak thrash Liberty Professionals to make progression into round 32 of Ghana FA Cup
Hearts of Oak progressed to the next round of Ghana’s MTN FA Cup after beating Liberty Professionals at the Accra Sports Stadium on Wednesday afternoon.
Thanks to Satellite forward Afriyie Barnierh who grabbed brace and Kwadwo Obeng Junior who scored in between Afriyie’s goals.
With the round 64 draw solemnly premised on regional recognition, Hearts of Oak and Liberty Professional were paired in tricky Greater Accra derby.
Prior to the fixture, Hearts were clear favorites having won their last five Ghana Premier League matches where Liberty have managed only once, leaving the dynamics Hearts of Oak as the best team on top of Ghana’s top flight league with 49 points while Liberty are placed in the relegation zone 16th with 29 points.
Their positions on the Ghana Premier League usually don’t determine matches between Hearts and Liberty where both teams fight each other fiercely but this season records has determined today’s outcome.
Jame Boadu’s side have become dominant in this season beating Liberty in the first round of the Ghana Premier League and claim another convincing 3-0 victory in the FA Cup.
Boadu’s side went 2-0 up before the first ended as Afriyie Barnierh opened the score before Obeng Junior added the second goal. With high expectation on Liberty to end Hearts’ winning streak, Hearts’ double lead suddenly changed the story with how many goals Liberty would concede becoming the ideal thinking now.
Although the goals could not flow in that direction, but the league leaders were simply impressive during on and off the ball scenarios. The rainbow boys controlled and passed nicely while Liberty struggled to keep possession but somehow somewhere they managed to troubled Hearts.
Hearts’ first goal was a nicely worked team effort when Barnierh run unto a perfect through from Isaac Mensah deep midfield as the striker fired at the bottom left corner.
Few minutes later, Liberty broke on similar attack but their effort when straight in the hands of Hearts of Oak goalkeeper instead of the net.
Hearts doubled their lead three minutes to first half which seems the goal that could prevent the Scientific Soccer Lads from coming back into the game.
Though that goal brought Hearts fans a lot of joy but their third goal that put it beyond Liberty was exceptionally welcomed among fans.
After a long period of sustained possession, Salifu Ibrahim timed the running of Barnierh before the midfielder lofted the ball beyond Liberty defense. With the forward already in front of goal connected in the slightest space to make the game 3-0 after 90’ minutes.
