Blue Samurais stun Ghana Black Stars

Complacency on the part of the senior national team, the Black Stars, saw the Blue Samurais of Japan coming from behind to beat Ghana 4:3 at an international friendly played in the Dutch city of Utrecht in Holland yesterday.

The Black Stars took the lead with three goals; two from striker Asamoah Gyan with Matthew Amoah scoring the third, but relaxed on that occasion and were punished by the diehard Japanese Blue Samurais.

Ghana Blackstars

Asamoah Gyan scored from a spot kick in the 30^th minute of the first half when the referee spotted a hand ball in the 18 yard box of the Blue Samurais.

He then increased the tally to two goals in the 48^th minute of the second half.

Japanese midfield wonder boy Nakamura of Celtic FC pulled one goal back for the Blue Samurais in the 52^nd minute.

Ghanaian striker Matthew Amoah replied with a stunning goal dribbling the Japanese goal keeper in the process in the 59^th minute.

Both sides blew away some begging chances but the Blue Samurais did not give up the fight as they kept mounting pressure on the Ghanaian defense.

Their efforts were rewarded as they scored three more goals through new sensational striker Honda.

The match was part of preparations towards the FIFA World Cup in South Africa next year and the Angola 2010 African Cup of Nations.

Japan was the first country to book their place for the FIFA World Cup soccer fiesta; while Ghana on the other hand became the first African nation to qualify when they beat Sudan on Sunday by 2:0 at the Ohene Djan Sports Stadium in Accra.

Ghana team:

Goalkeepers: Richard Kingson (Wigan Athletic, England) and William Amamoo (Vaasaland, Sweden)

Defenders: John Paintsil (Fulham, England), Samuel Inkoom (Basel FC, Switzerland), Harrison Afful (Asante Kotoko, Ghana), John Mensah (Sunderland, England), Eric Addo (Roda JC, Holland) Isaac Vorsah (Hoffenheim, Germany) and Francis Dickoh (FC Utrecht, Holland)

Midfielders: Michael Essien (Chelsea, England), Anthony Annan (Rosenborg, Norway), Sulley Muntari (Inter Milan, Italy), Laryea Kingston, (Hearts, Scotland) and Anthony Obodai (RKC Waalwijk, Holland)

Strikers: Stephen Appiah (Unattached), Asamoah Gyan (Rennes, France), Matthew Amoah (NAC Breda, Holland) and Haminu Draman (Locomotive Moscow, Russia).

BY WILLIAM BEEKO