The Black Princesses of Ghana have suffered another defeat in the ongoing 2022 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup, losing to Japan in Group D on Sunday evening at the Estadio Alejandro Morera Soto.
Ghana despite making four changes in their lineup, failed to grab a point in their encounter with the defending champions.
Spanish based Abdulai Mukarama, Cynthia Konlan, Louisa Aniwaa and Anastasia Achiaa were handed starting berth for the first time at the tournament.
The Japanese dominated the first department of the game with several questions in Ghana's post but the individual brilliance of goalkeeper Cynthia Konlan aided Ghana to end the first department of the game goalless.
The Black Princess conceded two penalties within ten minutes, brilliantly converted by Maika Hamano in the 61st and 71st minute respectively.
Speaking to the press after the game, Coach Fokuo said that the penalty decisions in the second half affected the players and as well disrupted his game plans.
"It's unfortunate we lost our second group game which means we won't make it past the group stages for the 6th time.
Our first half performance was better than that of the second half. We started the second half on a good note until we conceded the penalty which i think pushed the girls down a bit", Coach Fokuo told the press.
"We conceded another goal and it's unfortunate to concede through penalty but i think we played better than our first game."
"We wanted to at least get to the quarter finals but it didn't happen. It is sad not to make it this time again but we will go and work hard so we could give it our best in the next edition", he added.
Ghana's journey in Costa Rica seems to be over having lost their first two games to USA and Japan.
However they will still battle it out with Netherlands in the final Group D fixture at the Estadio Nacional on Thursday, 14th August, 2022.
