The 26th week fixtures of the Ghana Premier League zoomed off with the clash between Ebusua Dwarfs and Bechem United at the Robert Mensah Sports Stadium in Cape Coast.

Following their impressive run in the second round of the league and their marvelous record at home, Dwarfs were hoping to nail Bechem United, one of the poor away performers in the Ghana Premier League but Manuel Zacharias and his men had a different approach to the game.

The game ended 2-0 in favour of the visitors with goals from Yao Abotsi and Asante Agyemang.

Dwarfs had played 11 matches at home this season without a loss and Bechem were yet to pick a win in 27 away matches since 2014 but the Crabs picked all the three points with a man down. Yes, Bechem United had a red card when Solomon Mensah had a second booking.

Let's look at the tactical dynamics of the two coaches, Prosper Narteh and Manuel Zacharias.

Ebusua Dwarfs started the game full of confidence with a 4:3:3 system with the intention of winning the game.

They had picked a point at Tema against Inter Allies in the 25th week fixture with a 4:2:3:1 system but changed to the 4:3:3 system opening their midfield.

Below is Dwarfs' line up:

1. Frank Andoh

2. Christopher Bonney

3. Arthur Mensah

4. Kingsley Nteng

5. Musah Mohammed

6. Joseph Esso

7. Alhaji Mustapha

8. Amoah Mensah

9. Justice Mensah

10. Stephen Bentil

11. Nicholas Gyan

Dwarfs made only a change in their line up for the game with Joseph Esso returning from suspension.

With this line up, they approached the game with an attacking mentality but Bechem United came with a different intention altogether.

Bechem United started the game with a very defensive approach, of course a strategy expected of an away side in the GPL.

The 4:5:1 system in the form of the 4:2:3:1 system was employed by the visitors with the intention of holding their opponents and catching them on counter attacks.

And they were tactically disciplined to ensure their system won the day.

Bechem United started the game with this line up

1. Lawrence Osei

2. Eric Owusu

3. Asante Agyemang

4. Akwasi Acheampong

5. Alfred Nelson

6. Yaw Ackah

6. Solomon Mensah

8. Issah Adamu

7. Yaw Anorl

11. Hamza Mohammed

9. Yao Abotsi

There you go.

That is how Bechem Started the game.

Interestingly, four of the five midfielders of Bechem United are defensive midfielders with the captain Issah Adamu being a center back initially.

So u can imagine the game they were preparing for Dwarfs.

Bechem Utd started the game attacking the home side for the opener so that they could coil back and defend. But Dwarfs were resolute at the back.

Under ten minutes, Bechem United were still pressing Dwarfs but the home side turned around the dice after soaking the pressure for the opening ten minutes of the game. It was time for Dwarfs to dominate.

The midfield chemistry among Amoah Mensah, Joseph Esso and Alhaji Mustapha was clearly showing as the home side took control of the game.

Dwarfs kept the pressure with Bechem doing all the defending when the game was just 18 minutes old.

Nicholas Gyan could have put the home side ahead but his shot missed the post by inches in the 18th minute and that was one of the few chances created by Dwarfs in the first half.

Christopher Bonney made two excellent crosses from the right side of defence for Dwarfs but Justice Mensah and Stephen Bentil were just not up to it.

In the 20th minute, Bonney located Joseph Esso with an intelligent cross but Esso gave a poor header to leave goalkeeper Lawrence Osei with no problem in dealing with the ball.

Bechem United soaked all the pressure and only attacked on counter as that was their game plan. And amazingly, they were caught 11 times on offside.

The first half ended with no goal to either side .

The dynamics of the tactics did not change in the second half as both teams held on to their systems.

But this time, Bechem were a bitore cautious with Hamza Mohammed made to hold on to the ball as well as Issah Adamu to slow down play and they did exactly that.

Dwarfs' game plan was simply not working.

Alhaji Mustapha and Nicholas Gyan were held tight at the flanks by the Bechem United wingers; Hamza Mohammed and Yaw Anorl.

Dwarfs had dominated possession at this time but the defensive Bechem United side were just perfect with their strategy.

Dwarfs kept forcing until Solomon Mensah's tackle on Alhaji Mustapha attracted a second yellow card to give him an early shower.

All thought Dwarfs would have a numerical advantage the Solomon's marching out of the game but it turned out to be a blessing for the visitors.

Bechem United coach Manuel Zacharias then sacrificed Hamza for Richard Baffour to strengthen the midfield to still hold the hosts.

As the game was heading for a draw, Yaw Anorl had a ball from the right side of the midfield in the 83rd minute, went past Arthur Mensah and crossed into the eighteen of Dwarfs only to find an unmarked Yao Abotsi who opened the scoring for the visitors. 1-0 for Bechem United, game on.

Dwarfs were pushing for the equalizer to at least strengthen and cement their unbeaten home but the unthinkable happened.

Asante Agyemang, left back for Bechem United scored a brilliant goal which can stand for the goal of the season.

Agyemang took the ball from the left side of the Bechem United defence, weaved through the Dwarfs midfield hitting a long volley from the center to increase the tally for the visitors, a goal that was applauded even by the opponent bench.

In the end, Bechem United game plan worked for them and they returned home with the maximum three points.

We brace up for today's matches applauded yours truly will bring you the Drawing Board of the clash between Hasaacas and Kotoko.

Mr. Speaker, the Ghana Premier League is not dead and will not die.