Ghana’s Black Queens suffered a humiliating 5-0 defeat at the hands of the senior women’s team of Japan in an international friendly in Yamagata on Saturday morning.
It was all fireworks by the Nadeshiko Japan with 12,228 people in attendance, wrapping up business in 38 minutes with five goals past the Black Queens at the ND Soft Stadium.
Striker Megumi Takase opened the floodgates as early as the opening minute of the friendly encounter with midfielder Mizuho Sakaguchi scoring ten minutes later before Takase returned on the score-sheet to seal her brace in the 18th minute.
On the half hour mark, defender Kana Osafune managed to beat a challenge from Portia Boakye to score Japan’s 4th with midfielder Emi Nakajima capping the blistering show with a fifth in the 38th minute.
The Black Queens however managed to hold onto their own to avoid being further hammered for the remaining 52 minutes.
The coach Yussif Basigi side used the international friendly to test their preparedness for the 2014 Africa Women’s Championship set for Namibia next month.
The contingent of 33 that left Accra last week is expected to return on Sunday, September 14.
Starting Line-ups:
Ghana XI (4-3-3) vs. Japan: Nana Asantewaa – Linda Eshun, Janet Agyere, Cynthia Adobia, Hillia Koblah – Mercy Myles, Leticia Zikpi, Juliet Acheampong – Portia Boakye, Agnes Aduako, Elizabeth Cudjoe
Japan XI (4-4-2) vs. Ghana: Ayumi Kaihori – Saori Ariyoshi, Kana Kitahara, Kana Osafune, Rie Usui – Aya Miyama, Nahomi Kawasumi, Mizuho Sakaguchi, Emi Nakajima – Megumi Takase, Rika Masuya