HOME > NEWS > STARS LOSE PLOT AGAINST JAPAN

Stars lose plot against Japan

Stars lose plot against Japan

Posted: 2009-09-09 14:29

Asamoah Gyan struck twice but the Black Stars threw away a two goal advantage to lose 3-4 against Japan in Utrecht, Holland.

Buoyed by their qualification for the 2010 World Cup, the senior national team raced into a 2-0 lead after 46 minutes but allowed Japan to come back in and run away with a win.
 
The Stade Rennes striker whose last goal came for Ghana from the spot in the 2008 Nations Cup scored a goal in each half while Matthew Amoah scored a third for the Black Stars in their first game since clinching a place at the 2010 World Cup.
 
Ghana coach Milovan Rajevac had told players to keep winning in order not to drop in the FIFA ranking but he still made four changes to the side from the one that started against Sudan in the historic 2-0 win on Sunday.
 
Asamoah Gyan started as the lead striker at the expense of Matthew Amoah while Stepehn Appiah’s place was taken by Haminu Dramani as the support striker. Isaac Vorsah got a rare start as Eric Addo was rested while Laryea Kingston started on the right side of midfield in place of Samuel Inkoom.
 
The changes did not look to have affected Ghana who were quick off the blocks. But it took 30 minutes before they took the lead from the penalty spot through Asamoah Gyan.
 
Gyan was on hand again to give Ghana a 2-0 advantage a minute into the second half when he picked up a pass from Michael Essien, worked his way into the penalty box before slotting it in.
 
But Japan came fighting back by seizing control of the midfield before making the most of some dodgy goalkeeping by William Amamoo who had replaced Richard Kingston.
 
Kembo Nakamura pulled one back for the Japanese after 49th minute but Matthew Amoah, in for Haminu Dramani restored the two-goal cushion with a fine finish on 65 minutes.
 
From there, the Japan show completely took over with substitute Honda bossing an ineffective Ghana midfield. Suzuki set up Kaida Tamada for Japan’s second before Okazaki added brought them on level terms with ten minutes remaining. Two minutes later Junichi Inamoto scored a dramatic winner to leave the mood sour in the Ghana camp.
 
The loss was the Black Stars first since they were beaten by Gabon more than a year ago in the first phase of the 2010 World Cup qualifiers.



Have you discussed this topic on Team KICK OFF? Click Here...

Comment on this article:

TERMS OF USE: The comments posted below do not reflect the views of KickOff.com. Users are reminded that no misuse of this comment facility will be tolerated. Any abusive, racist or inflammatory comments will be deleted and the user banned. Please report abusive posts to editor@kickoff.com

Michael: 2009-09-09 15:14

i wanted thenm to win this game badly....They played well in the first half and in the first 20min of the second half...i belief they scored because our goal keeper wasnt that good i mean the subtitute gaolie and iaac vorsah i just cant belief how he sometimes stood watching the japanese as short as they are heading ***** into the net...thats why he will never be featured in any major competition for Ghana,he was lucky the coach just decided to try him out.Any way it was a good game,end to end stuff and japan is world class too.but seriously we could have won by 6-0...S.A 2010 wont be easy

Michael: 2009-09-09 15:17

i wanted thenm to win this game badly....They played well in the first half and in the first 20min of the second half...i belief they scored because our goal keeper wasnt that good i mean the subtitute gaolie and iaac vorsah i just cant belief how he sometimes stood watching the japanese as short as they are heading ***** into the net...thats why he will never be featured in any major competition for Ghana,he was lucky the coach just decided to try him out.Any way it was a good game,end to end stuff and japan is world class too.but seriously we could have won by 6-0...S.A 2010 wont be easy

richie: 2009-09-09 15:20

MORE WORK NEEDED!!!...

Manuel: 2009-09-09 15:35

no fears. its never nice to lose a game but lets put it in perspective....this was not the world cup final or unlike others it does not mean no 2010 world cup. @ least we have a lot to b grateful for

Gh4Eva: 2009-09-09 15:38

still we will take on the rest of the world in confident mood. but first lets find gud back up for richard kingston and work on our concentration in games when we r leading....happy for asamoah gyan though. a shame it didnt happen for him in accra

Primus: 2009-09-09 15:44

Michael, I did not watch the game but I was surprised the FA accepted to play Japan in Holland about 48 hours after their match against Sudan in Accra.For God's sake from Ghana to Holland is not like travelling from Ghana to Liberia or Sierra Leone. Apart from the distance, we all know the logistical nightmare of such travels. I think the FA should be very careful when accpeting to play friendlies. I'm particularly disappointed with what you said about Vorsah. He is one guy some of us have been campaigning for inclusion in the starting 11. He has the height and stature and could have been a huge asset for the defence. I have not seen him play but had figured his regular club appearance suggested he was good enough for the BS. Yes, the world cup is going to be tough and that means we should intensify our preparations. I'm happy the FA has set winning the African Cup of Nations in Angola as its target.Ultimately, we will do a lot better in SA2010 than what we achieved in Germany 2006.

Ekua: 2009-09-09 16:45

i'm happy to see the comments BS fans have posted. i was expecting some violent comments but its seems like ghaians are still less hot-tempered and critising than expected for this result. I hope this gives the coach an idea of who he will include in the team for the WC2010 and other matches. We really made the Japanese team think little of us but next time, no mercy! and our players need to focus especally the midfield because we have a good reputation for our midfield play and tactics. with our defence, wat can i say...more attack, pace and alertness should be the key. Blackstars, reach beyond the stars. God strengthen, protect and bless us with unconditional passion, support and coaching. Amen.