Ghana’s Black Stars endured a difficult evening in Toyota as Japan sealed a 2–0 win in Tuesday’s international friendly, with goals from Takumi Minamino and Ritsu Doan proving the difference.
For Otto Addo’s side, the night offered tough moments, a few sparks of promise, and valuable insight ahead of upcoming competitive fixtures.
Japan wasted no time testing the Black Stars.
Within the first five minutes, Takumi Minamino forced Joseph Anang into a sharp save; his first big moment on debut. But the pressure quickly piled on.
The breakthrough arrived in the 15th minute. Kaishu Sano threaded a clever pass to Minamino, who finished low into the corner. Japan went 1–0 up, and their home crowd began to roar.
Ghana reacted well, with Kamaldeen Sulemana and Derrick Köhn driving the team forward. Köhn, making his own debut, came closest; first with a left-footed strike from a corner, then moments later setting up Jonas Adjei, whose effort skimmed wide.
The Black Stars tightened their marking, pressing higher and making Japan uncomfortable. But the equaliser never came.
As the first half drew to a close, the hosts increased their tempo. Ghana held their ground and went into the break trailing 1–0, but still very much in the contest.
The second half began with Japan once again controlling possession. Ghana attempted to break through their press, but Ao Tanaka and Sano constantly disrupted transitions.
In the 59th minute, Japan doubled their lead, and this time Ghana were punished. Doan burst down the right, struck low across Anang, and made it 2–0. Anang, who had kept Ghana alive earlier, could do little about it.
Minutes later, Japan nearly made it three, but the West Ham goalkeeper produced another fine save to deny Kamaldeen this time from the wrong end, as the winger mishit a back-pass under pressure.
Otto Addo rang in the changes: Alidu Seidu, Christopher Bonsu Baah, Gideon Mensah, Prince Adu and Prince Owusu all came on as Ghana chased a way back into the game. Prince Adu came closest, forcing a solid save from Hayakawa with a long-range strike.
But Japan, using its depth and disciplined structure, managed the closing moments with maturity.
After four minutes of added time, the referee signalled full-time:
Japan 2–0 Ghana.
Despite the defeat, several new faces impressed:
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Joseph Anang delivered a calm, confident debut, making key saves early on and organising his back line well.
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Derrick Köhn showed attacking courage, tested Japan’s defence, and was heavily involved in Ghana’s best spell of the first half.
Both players made statements that will surely give Otto Addo more options heading into the World Cup qualifying run.
