The head coach for the senior national soccer team, the Black Stars of Ghana Otto Addo reacted to his team’s 4-1 defeat to Japan in the Kirin competition earlier Friday morning.
As part of preparations for the World Cup, the Black Stars after playing a 1-1 draw with the Central African Republic jetted off for the four nations’ mini-tournament which includes Japan, Tunisia, and Chile slated for the 10th to 14th of June.
The Samurai Blues hammered the Black Stars through the goals from Miki Yamane, Kaoru Mitoma, Takefusa Kubo, and Daizen Maeda, with Jordan Ayew scoring the consolation goal for Ghana.
After the defeat, Ghana boss Otto Addo admitted the Asians were stronger than his side and highly ranked per their performance.
“A team that deserves to win. I admit that Japan was stronger.
“At the end of the first half, we also made a chance and scored a tying goal. However, it was unfortunate that we got a second goal just before the end. Even in the second half, we were fighting solid. However, after that, a third goal was scored and the momentum was lost. Japan was a very fast team with a good combination.”
“If we press and steal the ball, we can score. I thought. I think I was able to prove it after 20 minutes in the first half. Still, we couldn’t cover the backspace. We had a pocket stabbed. The final phase of one-on-one. I couldn’t stop the other party,” Otto Addo stated.
Ghana has managed 1 win, 4 defeats and 4 draws out of nine games this year.
They will compete against the South American side, Chile for Bronze Medals who also lost 2-0 to Tunisia in the opener.
The finals of the Kirin Tournament will feature the host, Japan, and Tunisia on Tuesday.
