It finished 2-0 for Japan against Ghana in a high profile international friendly at the Toyota Stadium, thanks to two goals in each half by Takumi Minamino and Ritsu Doan.
Antoine Semenyo skippered the side into the game as coach Otto Addo handed starting berths to red-hot Thomas-Asante, Kamaldeen Sulemana, Kwasi Sibo, Abu Francis and others with two players; Joseph Anang and Derrick Kohn getting their debut starts
Japan were by far ahead and the better side at the start of the game and opened the scoring account in the 16th minute courtesy AS Monaco forward Takumi Minamino - who brilliantly slotted home after a great assist from Kaishu Sano
The Black Stars despite been a pale shadow of themselves made some incursions in the 25th minute with Brandon Thomas-Asante coming very close to equalizing but a huge block from Shogo Taniguchi saved the situation for the host.
The corner-kick few moments later nearly got Ghana a goal after Derrick Kohn struck into the box but Jonas Adjei Adjetey’s little connection went wide.
Kwasi Sibo nearly gifted a goal in the 28th minute but a huge stop by Jerome Opoku rescued the situation.
In the second half, it wasn’t the return Ghana expected following a gory injury sustained by Toulouse FC midfielder Abu Francis in an attempt to prevent Ao Tanaka from a goal-bound strike.
Coach Otto Addo made series of substitutions bringing in Alidu Seidu to take up the right-back position and deployed Caleb Yirenkyi into midfield. Gideon Mensah, Bonsu Baah were all subbed on including debutant Prince Kwabena Adu
The Blue Samurai doubled their lead in the 60th minute through German-based Ritsu Doan who puts it at near post after a beautiful team build-up.
The Black Stars made no any dangerous incursions especially in the second half to get back in the game as it finished 2-0 in the end.
Ghana’s next game is against South Korea on Tuesday, November 18, 2025.
