Samurai Blue of Japan continued their fine form ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a sumptuous display against the Black Stars of Ghana at the Toyo
Samurai Blue of Japan continued their fine form ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a sumptuous display against the Black Stars of Ghana at the Toyota Stadium.
Ghana missed star players like Partey, Kudus, Fatau, Djiku and Williams, leaving big holes in the team.
Japan, on the other hand, fielded a strong squad including Minamino, Kubo and Doan.
The Asians attacked their opponents right from the blast of the referee’s whistle until the end.
The midfield partnership of Sano and Tanaka proved to be a tougher one for Ghana as they dominated and served as the main link between the defence and the attack.
After intense pressing from Japan, they won the ball from Ghana’s half with Sano setting up Minamino, who calmly slotted the ball past Anang to put Japan ahead.
Japan protected their lead by preventing Ghana from having a shot on target before the half ended.
With just 11 minutes played into the second half, Ghana’s midfielder Francis Abu suffered a severe injury, which forced Otto Addo to replace him with Alidu Seidu. The changes led to an alteration in tactics where the right wing-back Caleb Yirenkyi moved to midfield as Seidu replaced him at the right wing-back position.
Adu Prince replaced the ineffective Antoine Semenyo at the same time, with Otto Addo chasing the equaliser.
Japan continued their dominance with Kubo setting up Doan, whose sublime effort deceived Anang and doubled Japan’s lead in the 60th minute.
Ghana lost 2-0 in Japan and on Tuesday faces South Korea in their second game in Asia.
Japan will face Bolivia in their final game of 2025 on Tuesday morning.
Japan XI
3-4-2-1
Hayakawa (GK)
Watanabe, Taniguchi, Suzuki (DF)
Doan, Sano, Tanaka, Nakamura (MDF)
Kubo, Minamino 9FW)
Ueda (ST)
Ghana XI
3-4-2-1
Anang (GK)
Opoku, Adjetey, Peprah (DF)
Kohn, Francis, Sibo, Yirenkyi (MF)
Semenyo, Sulemana (FW)
Thomas-Asante (CF)
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