Ghana coach blames loss of focus for defeat

African nation goes down 2-1 to US in Group G encounter.

NATAL: Ghana coach Kwesi Appiah said a lack of concentration caused his team to lose goals both early and late in a 2-1 defeat against the US in World Cup Group G, but he was confident his team would bounce back in their next two matches.

The US got the quickest goal of the World Cup so far and the fifth fastest of all time when captain Clint Dempsey scored in a time recorded as 29 seconds.

Ghana fought their way back into the match when Andre Ayew got them a deserved equaliser in the 82nd minute, but substitute John Brooks rose unmarked to head home a corner with just four minutes remaining and give the US their first victory over the Africans.

“It was a very tough game,” said Appiah. “At this high level, any loss of concentration can cost you big time. We created enough chances but we didn’t take our chances and the US took theirs.

“Before the game I said the US have a very good team, considering they have won their last three or four games. I knew it wasn’t going to be an easy game. I wasn’t surprised the way they played.

“The first goal really unsettled us for a little bit.”

Ghana had more possession and 21 shots to the US’ eight and were unfortunate not to get a point from the game.

It was the third time the two teams have met at the World Cup and the third match to finish 2-1, although unlike in 2006 and 2010, this time it was the Americans who came out on top.

Nevertheless, Appiah was upbeat about the Ghanaians chances of qualification, even though their next game is against a Germany side that demolished Portugal 4-0 in the other Group G game.

“In our first game, we tried for a win or a draw and it’s unfortunate we lost the game but we have two more games to play.”

Published in The Express Tribune, June 18^th, 2014.

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