Ghana handed Japan a 2-0 defeat at the Nissan Stadium, Yokohama on Wednesday, in the first of three scheduled friendlies ahead of their sixth Fifa World Cup outing.
The Black Stars took an eighth minute lead through skipper of the day, Thomas Partey who scored with a well-taken free-kick from just outside the penalty box.
Levante UD’s sensation, Emmanuel Boateng then marked his international debut at the senior level from the penalty spot in the 51st minute. He was hacked down by the Samurai Blue goalkeeper and elected himself to score.
While trying to boost their Fifa rankings with the game, Ghana also used the encounter as part of their preparations towards the upcoming 2019 Afcon qualifiers in September.
The Black Stars will next travel to face Iceland in another friendly on June 7.
Line-ups:
Ghana XI (4-2-3-1):
Richard Ofori – Andy Yiadom, Lumor Agbenyenu, Rashid Sumaila/77’ Edwin Gyasi, Nicholas Opoku – Joseph Attamah Larweh, Isaac Sackey/71’ Kassim Nuhu – Nana Ampomah, Thomas Partey, Frank Acheampong/64’ Raphael Dwamena – Emmanuel Boateng/82’ Kwasi Okyere Wriedt
Unused subs: Lawrence Ati-Zigi, Albert Adomah, Afriyie Acquah
Japan XI (3-4-2-1):
Kawashima; Yoshida, Hasebe/76’ Ideguchi, Makino; Haraguchi/46’ G. Sakai, Oshima, Yamaguchi/59’ Shibakasi, Nagatomo; Honda, Usami/46’ Kagawa; Osako
