MATCH REPORT: Hearts of Oak demolish Medeama SC to reach FA Cup final
The Phobians have reached the finals of the 2021 FA Cup in a grand style with a heavy win over Medeama SC in semis on Sunday evening.
Accra Hearts of Oak booked a place in the final of this year’s edition of the competition after trouncing Medeama SC 3-0 in the second semi-final game at the Cape Coast Sports Stadium. Earlier before this fixture, AshantiGold SC had thrashed Berekum Chelsea 4-1 to secure a ticket to the grand finale of the FA Cup after eight years. Hearts of Oak commenced the game with an intense pressure on the Yellow and Mauves lads which gave them the opener before the quarters.
On the 12th minute, Benjamin Afutu snatched the opener for the Phobians with a brilliant header from a cross delivered by Isaac Mensah. Coach Samuel Boadu charges looked much determined than Medeama SC as they bossed the midfield with brilliant passes and cross which nearly doubled the score through Daniel Afriyie Barnieh on the 25th minute but his effort went futile. Medeama SC duo Eric Kwakwa and Kwadwo Asamoah came from to level the score on the stroke of halftime but their attempts went wide. In the second half, Hearts of Oak continued to display a five-star performance over the two-time FA Cup champions which earned them two more goals. Medeama returned from the tunnel as a stronger side with hopes of levelling the score until they conceded the second goal of the day. Young striker Isaac Mensah made good use of goalkeeper Frank Boateng’s blunder to extend the lead for Hearts of Oak on the 58th minute of the game. Hearts of Oak kept mounting pressure on Medeama SC defense which resulted Frank Boateng fouling Afriyie Barnieh in the 18-yard box.
The referee had no option than to award a penalty to Hearts of Oak on 67th minute of the game. In-form Daniel Afriyie Barnieh elected himself to convert the spot-kick but his first attempt was saved by Boateng. The assistant referee called for a retaken because Boateng went off his line before the ball was struck by the Hearts of Oak attacker. Barnieh sealed their famous victory after neatly converting the penalty-kick with another attempt on the 72nd minute. Hearts of Oak made two late substitutions as Larry Sumaila and Emmanuel Nettey were introduced as replacements for Ansah Botchway and Isaac Mensah respectively. Hearts of Oak will now battle out with AshantiGold SC in the final slated later this month for the ultimate trophy.
