Despite his goal drought for Ghana, Inaki Williams and his brother Nico Williams scored goals when Athletic Bilbao defeated Espanyol on Saturday.
After being defeated by Osasuna in the Copa del Rey semifinals, Bilbao entered the game as wounded Lions. They started the game on the front foot but failed to create chances, just as in their previous match.
However, in the 22nd minute, Inaki Williams stepped up as he ran to receive a long pass from Daniel Garcia, calmed it down, and drove it past Fernando Pacheco to give Bilbao the lead.
Despite Athletic Bilbao’s best efforts to raise the score, the Espanyol goalie kept things under control until at least halftime.
Espanyol struggled to regain control of the game as Athletic Bilbao’s backline thwarted most of their offensive efforts.
After coming on in the 69th minute, Inaki Williams’ brother Nico Williams gave Bilbao extra urgency up front. He increased the advantage in the 75th minute with a superb strike from the edge of the box.
In the same vein, Inaki Williams has received immediate support from head coach Chris Hughton after his misfiring form for Ghana gained the spotlight.
The Black Stars recently travelled to Angola for the second leg of the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers where they drew 1-1.
This means after eight games wearing the Ghanaian jersey, Williams, an Athletic Bilbao player, is yet to score his first goal for the Black Stars. Hughton insists the forward from Spain adds more to the team despite his goal-scoring slump with the Black Stars.
He said;
It’s very much part and parcel of the game. What we know about Inaki is he is a very good player, playing in a good team in a good league. With someone like Inaki it’s not all about goals. You know he plays consistently for his team, he is a play that makes a lot of runs, he stretches play which sometimes benefits other players. The goals will come but sometimes it doesn’t come as quick as you want. What’s more important for us is his contribution.
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