Japan Silence Black Stars

Asamoah Gyan

Japan defeated Ghana 4-3 at the Stadion Galgenwaard in Utrecht, Holland in an international friendly yesterday.

After taking a 3-1 lead, the Black Stars succumbed to the Japanese pressure in the second half after they allowed the Asians to claw back into the game.

This was partly due to the various substitutions made by Coach Milovan Rajevac.

scored the first two goals in the 32nd and 47th minutes.

The Japanese pulled a goal back in the 50th minute, but Matthew Amoah scored the third for the Black Stars in the 67th minute.

A last minute onslaught by the Japanese saw them score two quick goals in the 78th and 80th minutes through substitute Honda.

The game, which was played in the morning in Utrecht, was to allow Japanese to watch the match live.

The match came just a few days after Ghana qualified for next year's World Cup 2010 in South Africa.

The Black Stars are expected to play Benin and Mali in the remaining matches of the African Nations/ World Cup qualifiers.

Line up: Richard Kingson/William Amamoo, John Paintsil, Harrison Afful, Isaac Vorsah, John Mensah, Anthony Annan, Laryea Kingston, Michael Essien, Haminu Draman/Samuel Inkoom, and Sulley Muntari

Substitutes: William Amamoo, Francis Dickoh, Matthew Amoah, Stephen Appiah, Eric Addo, Samuel Inkoom and Anthony Obodai

From The Sports Desk