Black Stars beat Japan in friendly
The Black Stars of Ghana defeated their Japanese counterparts in an international friendly played at the Yokohama International Stadium in the annual Kirin Challenge Cup.
Goals from Atletico Madrid’s Thomas Partey and Levante’s Emmanuel Boateng ensured a comfortable victory for the dazzling Stars who couldn’t make it to their fourth succesive World Cup as they deepened the woes of Akiro Nishino’s who will be making the sixth consecutive appearance.
Partey who was Ghana’s captain opened the scoring in the ninth minute Partey when he lined up a freekick and curled his shot through the wall and past Japan goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima.
The Samarai Blue mounted relentless pressure on the Ghanaian defence but the Black Stars stood very solid especially with the defensive pair of Joseph Attamah and Rashid Sumalia as they went into recess with the lead.
Despite having all the possesion in the game, their attacking prowess of the Japenese looked very weak as Emmanuel got his debut goal for the Black Stars from the spot on the 49th minute after he was brought down Kawashima in the penalty box.
Akiro Nishino made a couple of changes to his side but they could breakthrough despite having created many opportunities as they continue their poor form ahead of the World Cup which less than three weeks away.
The Black Stars are scheduled to play Iceland next week Thursday as Japan will also play two friendlies against Switzerland and Paraguay before the football mundial.
GHANA: Richard Ofori, Andy Yiadom, Rashid Sumaila (Edwin Gyasi 77’), Nicholas Opoku, Lumor Agbenyenu, Joseph Attamah, Isaac Sackey (Kasim Nuhu 71’), Thomas Partey, Frank Acheampong (Raphael Dwamena 64’), Nana Ampomah, Emmanuel Boateng (Kwasi Okyere Wriedt 82’).
JAPAN: Eiji Kawashima, Maya Yoshida, Makoto Hasebe (Yosuke Ideguchi 76’), Tomoaki Makino, Genki Haraguchi (Gotoku Sakai 46’), Hotaru Yamaguchi (Gaku Shibasaki 60’), Ryota Oshima, Yuto Nagatomo, Keisuke Honda (Shinji Okazaki 59’), Takashi Usami (Shinji Kagawa 46’), Yuya Osako (Yoshinori Muto 46’).
Source: GNA