The Blue Samurai of Japan fought back from a two goal deficit to crush the Black Stars of Ghana, by four goals to three,in a friendly encounter in Utrecht, Holland.
"Baby Jet" Asamoah Gyan scored the first two goals for the Stars, one in each half of the game, whiles Matthew Amoah added the third. But the Japanese took control of the game thereafter to punish the defensive lapses in the Black Stars set-up.
The first goal was scored in the first half through a penalty kick expertly converted by Asamoah Gyan. This was after one of the Japanese defenders handled the ball in the 18 yard box.
The Ghanaians began the second half of exchanges on a high note and quickly increased the tally to two. Not to be undone the Blue Samurai pulled one back through Nakumura.
However, with some 20minutes of play time left, Matthew Amoah consolidated the Black Stars lead with a superb kick from inside the penalty box. But the Japanese prevailed by striking back at their Ghanaian counterparts three times.
With barely 10 minutes to go for the end of proceedings, the Blue Samurai dramatically scored three quick goals to win the match.
First choice goal keeper, Richard Kingston was replaced in the second half by William Amamoo, but the Swedish based goal keeper had the unfortunate experience of picking all four goals from his net.
Tamada, Okazaki and Junichi Inamoto all scored to end the winning streak of the Black Stars.
The last time Ghana played Japan was at the Yokohama stadium where Ghana won by a lone goal scored by Haminu Dramani.
This match with the Blue Samurai of Japan in Utrecht, Holland, forms part of the Black Stars preparations towards the next world cup qualifier in October.
The starting line-up, as named by Coach Milovan Rajevac for the game which started at 10am this morning, is as follows:
Line-up:-
Richard Kingston
John Paintsil
Harrison Afful
Isaac Vorsah
John Mensah
Anthony Annan
Laryea Kingston
Michael Essien
Asamoah Gyan
Haminu Dramani
Sulley Muntari
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