FANATICAL supporters of Accra Hearts of Oak yelled out for the sacking of Coach Kosta Papic after a nine-man King Faisal outran, outjumped, outplayed and eventually nailed a miserable Hearts side 1-0 in a Glo Premier League match at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi yesterday.
The Hearts fans had turned up in their numbers seeking a redemption from the side that lost by the same margin to Asante Kotoko last Sunday, but Coach Kosta Papic was unable to produce the tactical formula to overpower a reduced Faisal.
It was Hearts’ third defeat on the trot, and unable to bear the pain, the supporters gathered around the Hearts bus and held the coach hostage in the dressing room for a considerable period of time.
King Faisal had promised to make history, and did just that, as it was the first time that Hearts had been beaten by a hugely reduced side from Kumasi in a league match.
The defeat cut Hearts’ lead on the league table to five points, and their dream of winning the title looked more threatened, looking at the tricky games they have away to Arsenal and Kessben.
Faisal appeared venomous right from kick-off, and just eight minutes into the game they shot ahead.
A seemingly harmless attack from the left following a short corner kick saw the Hearts rear looking on sheepishly for Eric Poku to finish off with what looked a harmless shot.
Upfront, Eric Gawu and Samuel Affum looked moribund and wandered in the game, as Kosta Papic was kept static on his bench, unable to fathom how to reorganise his game plan.
Referee Mohammed Awal sent off Faisal keeper, Samuel Okyere, just 14 minutes into the game after he fouled advancing Affum just outside the box. Veteran keeper Osei Boateng was thrown into the game, replacing forward player Prince Arko.
The referee again threw out Faisal playmaker, Ebo Andoh, out of the game on 40 minutes after a second bookable offence, and when all thought Hearts were going to seize the opportunity to run over their hosts, they rather were at the receiving end as Faisal kept threatening, while at the same time employing the delay tactics to wear Hearts out.
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