South Korea win, Ghana draw

African champions Zambia lost in South Korea and Ghana drew in China on Wednesday, as they prepared for Cup of Nations qualifiers next month. Lee Keun-Ho scored soon after half-time to sink Zambia 2-1 in a Seoul friendly after he had put South Korea ahead and Switzerland-based Emmanuel Mayuka levelled just before the half-hour mark. CAF Champions League commitments and injuries meant Chipolopolo (Copper Bullets) lacked five of the team that defeated Ivory Coast on penalties in Libreville last February to win a maiden African title. It was the fourth friendly for the Zambians since that unexpected triumph and a second loss after a 1-0 reverse in Malawi. They defeated Zimbabwe 2-1 last week and drew 0-0 in Angola. Coached by Frenchman Herve Renard, Zambia play Uganda at home in September and away in October with a place at the 2013 Cup of Nations in South Africa on the line. Substitute Richmond Boakye-Yiadom from Italian club Juventus snatched a late goal to salvage a 1-1 draw for Ghana in Xi’an after Lin Gao had put China ahead from the penalty spot early in the second half. Boakye-Yiadom had come on for fellow striker Emmanuel Clottey, who has been a revelation for unfancied Berekum Chelsea in the CAF Champions League, scoring 12 goals in nine matches. China had a chance to regain the lead when awarded a second penalty five minutes from time but substitute goalkeeper Ernest Sowah saved the kick in his first appearance for the Black Stars. Ghana, shock semi-finals losers to Zambia at the Cup of Nations in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea, have home advantage first over Malawi in another 2013 African qualifier. Former Sunderland striker Asamoah Gyan, who ended a self-imposed international football exile triggered by public and media criticism after he had a penalty saved against Zambia, was an unused substitute. Ronaldo rivalry Argentina star Lionel Messi has blamed the media for creating an apparent rivalry with Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo, insisting the pair had never crossed swords. “It’s only the media, the press, who wants us to be at loggerheads but I’ve never fought with Cristiano,” the Barcelona forward was quoted as saying by sports daily Ole. Messi, who said there had never been “any kind of quarrel or anything” with the Real Madrid talisman, whom he called “a great player”, was speaking in Frankfurt, before a friendly between Argentina and Germany. Asked about his choice to win this year’s Ballon d’Or, Messi said he would choose team-mates Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta, given their exploits in retaining the European championship title with Spain and the 2010 World Cup. from:gulftoday