Congo share spoils with Equatorial Guinea in AFCON opener

Soccer News of Saturday, 17 January 2015

Source: myjoyonline.com

Equatorial Guinea 2015

Extra-time 1′ Referee whistles for the end of the opening game. A kick in the teeth of the host. But Congo won’t mind.

90’ Congo looking to take the lead after another chance inside the penalty box is fluffed. EG have been punished for defensive football. They are beginning to look jittery.

86′ Congo’s Thievy Bifouma equalise after pass from the right wing finds an attacker at the edge of penalty box which he slides into the legs for a goal in the dying minutes of the game.

84′ Congo piling the pressure as EG beat a retreat into their half. They want to defend out the remaining minutes.

82′ Congolese cross into the box finds a connection but it hits the side bar as EG are caught ball watching. A rebound is blocked.

80′ An over-enthusiatic EG goal keeper is yellow carded after he rushes out and takes out a Congolese attacker

77′ Congolese substitution is effected.Strong challenge against Congolese midfielder in the center circle is ruled a foul.

73′ EG gameplan is predictable as a third lob finds an attacker again unmarked. He lobs the ball over the keeper to score. But his goal is ruled offide once again. Controversial decision as replay shows the player was on side.

72  The same chance falls again in the same position after a decent chip finds the attacker offside.

70′ Another great opportunity to increase the lead is underutilized as an EG attacker gets a direct ball and meets the keeper unmarked. But his shot to find space at the near post is reflexively pushed away.

66’ A Congolese attacker is in a great position by the edge of the box, he hestitates under pressure. Shot is blocked. Falls for another attacker for another shot. But the good low shot is palmed away narrowly by the keeper for a corner

63′ Corner for Congo is disappointing as EG keeper plucks the ball out of the air. A counter attack is not efficient as Congo kills off the attack.

61 EG’s Insue tries to outrun his marker on the wings but he is eventually dispossessed. Another Congolese substitution in a game in which they have been underwhelming.

59′  Unmarked EG attacker underutilizes a great opportunity in a pretty close encounter with the keeper

56′ EG effect a substitution. A freekick for Congo in their own half. Darts through the center but the through pass is intercepted. Congolese Ondama comes on in an equalising substitution.

54’ Prolific display by EG. Flicks and dribbles in a dangerous edge of the Congolese box produces little results but of course excites the crowd.

47’ Congo get a freekick in a decent wide position . Cross comes in. But it is dealt with expertly. EG defender tries a direct ball to the last third but it is marked down and controlled by Congo.

46′ Congo trying to spread the ball around the midfield. Dispossessed. EG try another skill run on the left wing but is sandwiched by two opposition defenders. One of the defenders is injured and stretched off the pitch.

46′ Game back on and its Congo who get the game underway.

45′ Referee whistles for end of first half. Home fans looking cheerful as Congolese team look disappointed. They are yet to find their rhythm

42′ Congolese cross  inside the penalty is pushed out by EG keeper. It falls to Congo’s Oniangue  outside the 18-yard box but he volleys miles over the top.

41′ Goalkick is taken Congo disposses EG. Several players Congolese players arch around the EG 18-yard box for a pass or cross or anything to test the keeper but the host defends well.

37′ EG  more animated after the opener. Congo yet to find their rhythm as they try to deal with the frequent use of the wings by the host. A long shot from the center by  Ivan Salvador tests Congolese keeper’s position but he passes the test.

26′     The Congolese mount pressure on the host but Ovono once again saves a rather feeble attempt at goal from the Congolese.

25′      The Congolese search for the equaliser but Marvin Baudry’s towering header from a long Nganga cross whisks just wide.

22′     A rough challenge against a EG midfielder earns Congolese midfielder, Boris, the first yellow

16′      Great start from the host who are in front. GOAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It is Emilio Nsue who slots it in but credit goes to Kike, who outwits his marker       before setting up Nsue for the opener. The skipper leads by example and the crowd is in jubilant mood.

12′      And what a great piece of skill by Ivan Salvador. The young Spanish turned Equatorial Guinean dances past two Congolese markers but     stopped in his tracks by a third.

9′        Ovono pulls a great save for the host after the Congolese attacker tried to outwit him by going for goal when everybody was expecting a pull out.

5′        Prince Oniangue tries an audacious shot from 30 yards which whisks just wide.

2′       The host underline their intention early in the game with a quick break and a great cross from the left but desperate defending from the Congolese men in defence saves the Situation for the red devils who surprisingly are not in red today.

1′       Equatorial Guinea set the game underway in their traditional all red paraphernelia. Congo in an all white apparel.