another chance to show what he can do. Playing just behind James McFadden and Tom McManus, it was Hughes who made sure that Scotland presented the Ghana team with plenty of problems. It may be a long way to see a game but as Scotland dominated the game it was worth the trip. 3,119 souls braved the cold to see Scotland run out comfortable 2-0 winners over a Ghana side that bore no resemblance to that printed in the programme.
Ghana sit 2 places above Scotland in the FIFA rankings but on the
evidence of their Under 21s that ranking are screwed. Scotland dominated the
first half and killed the game by scoring two goals in 25 minutes. Gary
Caldwell and Brian Kerr were responsible for the goals but the prompting by
Hughes did not go un-noticed. He was the link man to the nominated strikers
but he also made sure he was there to take any chances coming his way all the
same.
Starting off with a 3-5-2 formation allowed Scotland to dominate the
game. The visitors did not stand much of a chance against the patently
stronger Scottish players. Scotland did not let Ghana display their skills and
as the first half wore on the game was played more and more in the visitors
half.
Hughes appeared to be involved in everything. Early on in the he sent
in a long range effort which Alex Agyepong just managed to tip over the bar
tipped over for a corner. McFadden¹s corner found that man again, but
Hughes effort just clipped the underside of the shed end advertising the Hole
in the Wa pub.
Scotland's goals came early in the first half. The first goal came from
a Scotland corner. Hughes sent over a good cross from the left which
found Gary Caldwell who wanted to burst the net. A deserved lead to Scotland.
Ghana were relying on long-range shots to try to bother Scotland but they
were ineffectual in the main. One effort I remember was from captain Imoro
Lukman just before Scotland scored their second goal. Not the most powerful
or well directed shots I have seen. Of course, Lukman was being kept busy by Dundee United's Stuart Duff who was buzzing past him whenever he liked
before sending in dangerous crosses.
As Scotland were so far on top it was only a matter of time before the
2nd goal came. Newcastle United¹s Brain Kerr sent in a cracking 25-yarder
left Agyepong grasping at thin air. Scotland had more chances and it
appeared that the score was heading for double figures but some poor finishing
kept the score down to just the two.
The second half was more of an evenly matched contest. Scotland made
several changes during the half, one of which was Steven MacLean replacing
James McFadden or Tom McManus. Hard to tell as the double substitution sent
on Celtic's Simon Lynch on at the same time (just five minutes after the
break). The Old Firm pair nearly provided a couple of goals. First
Lynch was denied a penalty as he twisted and turned in the box before being
felled by Daniel Coleman. The Portugese referee was not interested and being so much
in control Scotland did not press the matter. Then in the 70th minute
Lynch and MacLean linked up well with the former getting the ball into the
net after MacLean had set him up from the right. The Ghana goalie and Lynch
managed to let the ball bounce right up the Celtic man's body and into
the goal. However, the referee spotted a hand or arm directing the ball and
the goal was chalked off.
It was obvious that Hughes really wanted to
score before he was replaced. He managed to have two point blank shots saved by Agyepong which must have irritated him just a little. Meanwhile, Ghana
were playing some tidy football and they nearly scored when Muntari just
about managed to get the ball between McEwan (who had replaced Gordon in goal at half time) and the left hand post. The same player also a fine 25 yard
drive touched over the bar by McEwan.
The final stages were enlivened by another link up between Celtic
(Anthony McPartland) and Rangers (MacLean). McPartland sent the ball over to
MacLean on the right hand edge of the box. His shot was all for bursting the
net but Agyepong managed to put it over the bar. The game had really been won in the first half and Scotland dropped a gear in the second. Still
entertaining stuff though.
Near unanimous vote for man of the match : Stephen Hughes.
Scotland: Craig Gordon (Hearts), Gary Caldwell (Newcastle United), Steven
Hammell (Motherwell), John Kennedy (Celtic), Chris Doig (Nottingham
Forest), Brian Kerr (Newcastle United), Stuart Duff (Dundee United), Ian Murray
(Hibs) Captain, James McFadden (Motherwell), Stephen Hughes (Rangers)
and Tom McManus (Hibs)
Subs: David McEwan (Livingston replaced Gordon 45 mins), Stephen
Simmons (Hearts replaced Murray 60 mins), Anthony McPartland (Celtic on for
Duff 85 mins), Simon Lynch (Celtic replaced McFadden 50 mins), Steven MacLean (Rangers replaced McManus 50 mins) and Burton O¹Brien (Livingston
replaced Hughes 85 mins)
Ghana: Alex Agyepong, Imoro Lukman, William Thompson, Michael Ocansey,
Jonathan Quartey, Francis Mantey, Edmond Peprah, Mohamed Habib, Daniel
Coleman, Yusif Chibsah and Saliu Muntari
Subs: Kofi Egyir, Moro Gariba, Owusu Agyemang, Avervor Rasheed and Eric
Amponsah