The Black Queens of Ghana experienced a tough 4-0 defeat to Japan in an international friendly at the Kanazawa Go Go Curry Stadium on Saturday.
Japan, the 2011 Women’s World Cup winners, began the match brightly, creating several chances. Goalkeeper Cynthia Konlan made crucial saves to keep the Nadeshikos at bay.
However, the turning point came when Boakye was sent off for a foul in the 23rd minute. Despite being a player down, Ghana managed to hold Japan to a goalless draw at halftime.
The second half saw Japan capitalise on their numerical advantage. Tanaka Mina broke the deadlock seven minutes after the break, which opened the floodgates. Chelsea youngster Maika Hamano doubled the lead, and further goals from Aoba Fujini and Riko Ueki sealed a comprehensive victory for Japan.
Ghana struggled to mount any significant offensive threat, and Japan’s defense remained untroubled as they secured a clean sheet. This match marked the second consecutive game under Hauptle’s management where the Black Queens conceded three or more goals.
For Coach Hauptle, the result highlighted areas that need urgent improvement. As the team looks ahead to the WAFCON in Morocco in 2025, there will be a focus on building resilience and adapting strategies to better compete against top-tier teams.
