Match Report: Hearts of Oak 2-0 JS Saoura, more about the game, Caf Confederation Cup play-off first leg
Hearts of Oak welcomed JS Saoura to the Accra Sports Stadium for first leg of Caf Confederation Cup play-off. The Ghanaians hold advantage from the first leg given their 2-0 win on Sunday afternoon before they head into the second leg in a week time.
Having been crushed out of the Caf Champions League at the first round by Wydad Athletic Club, Hearts dropped to the African Confederation Cup and were handed JS Saoura from Algerian in the play-offs as the Ghanaian side spot Caf interclub group stage football first time since 2006.
Strikes from Salifu Ibrahim and Agyenim Boaten each half give the Ghanaian outfit a huge advantage ahead of the second leg in Algeria. JS Saoura eliminated Mauritanian side ASAC Concorde 3-2 on aggregate in second round before setting a tough play-off clash against the Ghana Premier League champions.
Hearts of Oak made the first attempt of on goal 2 minutes on the clock when Afriyie Barnieh was played through. The former U-20 captain squad it back to Salifu Ibrahim whose first-time short on goal was saved by JS Saoura keeper Zakaria Saidi, and with the resultant ball falling to Kordzi he struck over the bar.
There were clear indications that Heart appeared the better side and nearly broke the dead lock few minutes later after Barnieh beating his marker on the right edge slide a pass back for Ibrahim to connect but Saoura cleared the lines.
The Algerian outfit attempted with key chances too but failed to buried them. Nine minutes on the clock, Ibrahim swung in a corner but only resulted in foul for JS Saorua inside the box as the Algerians escape another Hearts chance.
The away side were forced into early substitution after a midfielder was stretched with Khalifi replacing the Algerian International. JS Saoura noticed the threat of Hearts and made a quick switch of tactics with only one man leading their lines. That was a smart thinking by the Algerians seeing their other two attackers joining the midfield to build a five man wall in center of the pitch.
That should have halted Hearts for longer time but finally broke the deadly from their perseverance after Afriyie Barnieh being played through on goal he beat two Saoura defenders inside the box, crossed to Salifu Ibrahim who head to the far right to give Hearts the lead.
The Ghanaian side never rested and pushed JS Saoura to their own half looking for the second goal. Kofi Kordzi’s poor finish was an obstacle for Hearts’ second goal just after two minutes later. Isaac Mensah broke on the right flank, sent a neat ball across goal area but with no one in particular there to connect, the ball fell to Kordzi at far posts who struck outside target.
JS Saoura launched attack on 25’ minute but Belaid Hamidi’s striker went into hands of Richard Atta. Hamidi has already scored three goals and made three assists in the Algerian Premier League this season.
Hearts were nearly punished from their mistake in their own half but Mohamed El Amine Hammia’s shot failed to beat Atta. The Ghana Premier League champions were dispossessed in their own half after Fatawu Mohammed’s passed found Saoura player instead who passed straight to Hammia and the Algerian struck into Atta’s arms.
On 35’ minutes, Hearts opened JS Saoura defence with a sweet team buildup as Kofi Kordzi played Barnieh through on goal but the referee was smart to call it for an offside. A minute later Saoura launched attack from the right flank as a teasing cross went inside Hearts’ box but James Sewornu head to the ground for Atta’s grab.
JS Saoura turn the game into their side from that time till end of first half, preventing Hearts to play through the middle. Hearts have no option than to play through Barnieh on the right flank but never worked.
The game was not following for the Ghanaian side as in turn Saoura looked dangerous in the last 10’ minutes to the break only that their crosses into Hearts’ box were not accurate enough to find their target.
Saoura who had been dominant at the moment won a free kick but the delivery into Hearts box was cleared. And the resultant counter attack saw Salifu Ibrahim played Kordzi through on goal but there was a clear offside call from Egyptian referee Mohammed Abdel Hussein.
Looking from the way Hearts started the second half, it looked like they would deteriorate JS Saoura but the Algerians grabbed resilient performance to deny Hearts their second goal until 71’ minute mark.
Agyenim Boateng rose to the occasion to double Hearts’ lead after scoring from William Denkyi low cross from the left edge. JS Saoura goalkeeper was shown a red card after picking second yellow card. The victory see Hearts score five goals at home in their African campaign so far without conceding, having put 2 past Kamsar, 1 against Wydad Casablanca and 2 today against Saoura.
