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.
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