World Cup finalists Ghana suffer shock defeat to Montenegro in friendly

Published on: 05 March 2014
World Cup finalists Ghana suffer shock defeat to Montenegro in friendly
David Addy

Montenegro recorded a famous 1-0 win over World Cup finalists Ghana in an international friendly match played in Podgorica on Wednesday night indicating more work to be done before the Black Stars appear at the tournament in June.

An early penalty converted by Dejan Damjanovic was all that the home side needed to record the important win at  the City Stadium, in the match the Black Stars used as a warm-up for the World Cup in June.

Left-back David Addy fouled Filip Kasalica at the edge of the box on 15 seconds after he failed to clear at the first attempt which resulted in the penalty and the referee pointed at the spot.

Damjanovic sent the goalkeeper Adam Kwarasey the wrong way to seal victory for the side but for the agility of the shot-stopper the home side could have won by a wider margin.

The introduction of top players like Kevin-Prince Boateng, Sulley Muntari, Asamoah Gyan and Kwadwo Asamoah in the second-half brought some urgency into the Ghana game while goalkeeper Mladen Bozovic had to be in top top shape to deny Boateng and Gyan.

Both sides failed to create clear cut chances in the early exchanges as the defensive pair of Nikola Vukcevic and Marko Basa kept Ghana strikers Majeed Waris and Jordan Ayew at bay with their physical presence.

Ghana captain Michael Essien was clearly the most outstanding player on the pitch as he won most tackles and made some timely tackles in the match which drew admiration from the home fans.

Kwarasey prevented the home side from extending their lead in the 33rd minute when he dived to his left to save Filip Kasalica goalbound effort after the striker had beaten the Ghanaian defenders.

Kwesi Appiah made three straights substitutions at the start of the second half. Samuel Inkoom came on for David Addy, Sulley Muntari for Agyemang-Badu and Albert Adomah on for Mubarak Wakaso.

The changes nearly resulted in the equalizer but Abdul Majeed Waris diving header went  just wide in the 46th minute.

Substitute Sulley Muntari tried his trademark piledriver but the ball ricochet off a defender for a resultant corner kick which was eventually wasted six minutes later.

Ghana enjoyed the chunk of possession but failed to make that count after going down at the City stadium.

The match forms part of preparations for the Africans ahead of the World Cup which kick starts in June this year.

However, the defeat will surely spark massive talk in the West African country as Kwesi Appiah sizes up his squad for the mundial.

Ghana line up:

Adam Kwarasey, Daniel Opare, David Addy/Samuel Inkoom, Jerry Akaminko, John Boye, Michael Essien/Kwadwo Asamoah, Christian Atsu/Asamoah Gyan, Agyemang Badu/Sulley Muntari, Majeed Waris, Jordan Ayew/Kevin-Prince Boateng, Mubarak Wakaso/Albert Adomah.

Unused Subs:

Stephen Adams, Jonathan Mensah, Andre Ayew.

What do you think of the Black Stars performance tonight? Were you satisified? If not what should be done to improve the team? Make your views known in the box below

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