Japan beat Ghana 3:1

Ghana raced into a first half lead against the Blue Samurai of Japan courtesy a 24th minute strike by midfield youngster, Frank Acheampong in their international friendly at the Yokohama Stadium Tuesday. But it turned out that was all the Ghanaians had to offer, succumbing to a second-half onslaught by their hosts who in the 50th, 64th and 71st minutes managed to hit the back of the Stars’ net.


A wicked deflection of Frank Acheampong’s 24th minute rifle to complete a Majeed Waris and Samuel Inkoom counter attack on the right, hit the back of the Japanese net to raise hopes that Ghana was in to repair the 2009 narrow loss to the Samurai. On that occasion the Japanese were 4:3 winners in another international friendly.

Five minutes after the goal the Japanese should have drawn level but arrow head Honda made a huge mess of the golden opportunity flying the ball over the bar from three meters with goalkeeper Razak Braimah beaten.

Christian Atsu replied that attempt with his own high flying attempt on the Japanese goal as Waris, in a better position, waited in vain.

The first half saw the Japanese dominate play and reduce the Stars’ defence into a jittery network, except that goalkeeper Razak Braimah proved brilliant on those occasions while the Japanese appeared to have no idea how to plant the balls in the net.

The half also saw a lot of faulty passes particularly on the part of the Black Stars, who easily gave the balls to their opponents. 

The second-half was all Japan as they pinned the Stars to their half and rifled in the goals, with goalkeeper Razak Braimah giving a not too impressive indications of his confidence between the posts. Kagawa, Endo and Honda were the scorers for the Japanese.

Ghana starting line-up: Razak Braimah, Samuel Inkoom, Richard Kissi Boateng, Rashid Sumaila, John Boye (capt), Harrison Afful, Albert Adomah, Yussif Chibsah, Abdul Majeed Waris, Christian Atsu, Frank Acheampong.