Match Preview: Inter Allies vs Hearts of Oak- Tema ready to host BIG 'Kenichi' derby

Published on: 31 May 2018
Match Preview: Inter Allies vs Hearts of Oak- Tema ready to host BIG 'Kenichi' derby
Inter Allies coach Kenichi Yatsuhashi.

It is a crunchy Accra Derby on Thursday at the Tema Stadium as Inter Allies FC tackle lackluster Hearts of Oak in the penultimate fixture of the first round.

The Eleven Is To One will be looking to keep their 100% home record intact by extending their consecutive victories to nine. They are yet to also concede a single goal at home during this period.

The hosts are coming into the game with lots of confidence from their last league fixture.

They recorded their first win at away in the premiership this campaign last week when they travelled up North to beat Wa All Stars 1-0.

On the weekend, they progressed to the next round of the FA Cup after narrowly edging out lower tier side Immigration FC at the same venue with a 1-0 scoreline.

Inter Allies FC are currently lying 5th on the league table.

They have the chance of going top if they beat the Phobians on Thursday with Medeama SC and Dreams FC losing their respective games.

Shot stopper Saeed Salifu who was exempted from the FA Cup fixture on Sunday will be making a comeback to man the posts this Thursday.

Key players Hashmin Musa, Issahaku Zakari, Michel Otou, Abdul Nassiru Hamza and Victorien Adje Adebayor are all expected back in the match squad for Thursday's derby.

Japanese-American tactician Kenichi Yatsuhashi hopes to guide the Eleven Is To One side to victory to prove a point to his former employers.

Hearts of Oak are still trying hard to find their feet this campaign so as to be able to join the title chase as they sit 11th on the league table having managed only sixteen points from a possible a thirty six after twelve games.

The Phobians are going into the derby on Thursday on the back of some decent form since they have not lost in the last four league fixtures.

Despite the fine form, the Rainbow outfit have only one victory and three draws in these four matches which is a disadvantage to them on the league log.

Coming from a 1-0 win to eliminate regional rivals second tier side Accra Young Wise from the FA Cup round of 64 could be confidence booster ahead their short trip to the Harbour city for the crucial duel.

If the Phobians are able to manage a win against the Eleven Is To One side on Thursday, they could move four places up on the league table to the 7th position.

Patrick Razak and Aminu Alhassan played a part in the FA Cup triumph.

They were missing in the last league fixture against WAFA SC a week ago in Kumasi but are ready to face Inter Allies FC on Thursday.

Stalwart and skipper Inusah Musa will need to pass a late fitness test before he could be available for the capital derby. He was absent last week with a slight injury.

MATCH FACTS

Head To Head

Total league meetings = 8

Inter Allies FC wins = 1

Drawn matches = 4

Hearts of Oak wins = 3

✓ Inter Allies FC have suffered just two defeats in their last six fixtures in the premier league.

(W4 D0 L2)

✓ Hearts of Oak have recorded only one victory in their last six matches in the premier league.

(W1 D3 L2)

✓ Inter Allies FC are undefeated in their last nine home games in the premiership. All of the last eight have been wins.

(W8 D1 L0)

✓ Hearts of Oak have managed just two victories from their last six away fixtures in the premier league.

(W2 D2 L2)

✓ Inter Allies FC have beaten Hearts of Oak only once in their four home meetings in the premier league.

(W1 D1 L2)

✓ Hearts of Oak have not lost in any of their last five matches against Inter Allies FC in the premiership.

(W1 D4 L0)

✓ Inter Allies FC are yet to concede a goal at home this campaign in the premier league after six matches.

✓ Hearts of Oak have managed to keep just two clean sheets in their five away games in the premiership this term.

By Nuhu Adams

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