Ghana’s Black Queens suffered a 7-1 hammering by Japan in an international friendly Sunday morning.
The MS&AD Cup clash at the Transcosmos Stadium in Nagasaki took just 14 minutes to record its first goal through Rikai Masuya.
But the Black Queens responded with an equalizer in the 24th minute – striker Jane Ayieyam was available to take advantage of a defensive blunder to pull parity.
Five minutes later, Mana Iwabuchi restored the lead for Japan after Patricia Mantey had pulled up some saves.
Masuya then registered her brace for the Nadeshiko Japan to lead 3-1 in the 43rd minute.
Three minutes after the break, Nakajima Emi put the hosts 4-1 up with Takaji Mori extending further in the 74th minute.
Yuika Sugasawa and Aya Sameshima completed the thrashing with the 6th and 7th goals for Japan in the 79th and 83rd minutes respectively.
The 7-1 result is Japan’s highest win since September 2014 with that game being against the same opposition. They beat the Black Queens 5-0 then.
Prior to the match, Ghana coach Mercy Tagoe-Quarcoo explained the friendly offers an opportunity “to prepare and strengthen” her team ahead of the 2018 Women’s Afcon later in November while Japan used the game as a final tune-up for the Asian Cup set to kick off on April 6.
Line-up:
Ghana XI vs Japan: Patricia Mantey – Janet Egyir, Justice Tweneboaa, Philicty Asuako/80’ Rita Okai, Ellen Coleman, Gladys Amfobea – Grace Asantewaa, Prisiclla Okyere/63’ Mavis Owusu,,Portia Boakye; Jane Ayieyam, Alice Kusi.
Unused subs: Nana Ama Asantewaa, Grace Asare, Juliet Acheampong, Leticia Zikpi, Rita Okai,Ernestina Tetteh
