{"id":44833,"date":"2025-11-19T13:48:44","date_gmt":"2025-11-19T13:48:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.saharafootball.net\/?p=44833"},"modified":"2025-11-20T08:40:23","modified_gmt":"2025-11-20T08:40:23","slug":"five-things-we-learned-from-blackstars-against-japan-and-south-korea-games","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.saharafootball.net\/five-things-we-learned-from-blackstars-against-japan-and-south-korea-games\/","title":{"rendered":"Five things we learned from BlackStars against Japan and South Korea games"},"content":{"rendered":"<div><strong>The Black Stars of Ghana finished the Kirin Cup tournament with no wins from two games.<\/strong><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<p><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js\"><\/script><br \/>\n<ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display: block; text-align: center;\" data-ad-layout=\"in-article\" data-ad-format=\"fluid\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-7515973527815049\" data-ad-slot=\"5197133662\"><\/ins><br \/>\n<script>\n     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\n<\/script><\/p>\n<div>The team lost 2-0 to Japan on Friday and followed it up with another loss to South Korea.<\/div>\n<div>For some, it was an exercise in futility as the team failed to make the most of the November break, but Otto Addo and his technical team will strongly fend off those suggestions.<\/div>\n<div>In the aftermath of the two games, these are some observations I have sampled for you to munch on.<\/div>\n<div>READ MORE :\u00a0<a title=\"Black Stars complete final training ahead of South Korea friendly\" href=\"https:\/\/www.saharafootball.net\/black-stars-complete-final-training-ahead-of-south-korea-friendly\/\">Black Stars complete final training ahead of South Korea friendly<\/a><\/div>\n<div><strong>The System.<\/strong><\/div>\n<div>We played Japan with a five-man back line, switching to a more liberal back 3 when the team transitions to attack. In that span, the team lacked cohesion, fluidity, and creativity. The team had seven shots on target, with just two on target for the whole game. How do you win games if you don&#8217;t create to score? I know in Otto\u2019s defense, he will say his regulars (Jordan, Partey, Kudus, Fatawu, Inaki) were unavailable. What if we lose all these regulars to injuries? It\u2019s football; anything is feasible. The ones that step in should be well-baked to taste as good as the former; what\u2019s the point if the ones that come in are unable to do the job? It means you didn&#8217;t select or recruit right from the national pool.Do better.<\/div>\n<div>READ MORE :\u00a0<a title=\"Kirin Cup : South Korea dim Black Stars light in friendly game\" href=\"https:\/\/www.saharafootball.net\/kirin-cup-korea-dim-black-stars-light-in-friendly-game\/\">Kirin Cup : South Korea dim Black Stars light in friendly game<\/a><\/div>\n<div>In the game against South Korea, the Black Stars again fell, but it was a massive improvement over what we saw against Japan. They went for a back four system. You could see the pattern, structure, telepathy, the zeal from the boys to make an impact. In fact, before, Lee Tae-Seok headed Korea into the lead. Prince Osei Owusu teed up Prince Kwabena Adu for the opener, but it was flagged offside. His composure, steeze, and confidence to score that goal were reminiscent of the early days of Asamoah Gyan. \u00a0The boys did well against South Korea.<\/div>\n<div>READ MORE :\u00a0<a title=\"There\u2019s still \u2018room to improve\u2019 before World Cup \u2013 Otto Addo on Black Stars\" href=\"https:\/\/www.saharafootball.net\/theres-still-room-to-improve-before-world-cup-otto-addo-on-black-stars\/\">There\u2019s still \u2018room to improve\u2019 before World Cup \u2013 Otto Addo on Black Stars<\/a><\/div>\n<div><strong>Caleb Yirenkyi is a man on a mission.<\/strong><\/div>\n<div>Caleb Yirenkyi debuted for the Black Stars in May 2025 during the Unity Cup semifinal against Nigeria. Even though the team lost that duel to its noisy neighbors, the young gem drew a lot of praise from fans, marking the start of something positive after his inclusion in the squad.<\/div>\n<div>In the two games against Japan and South Korea, he showed up and executed the task perfectly.<\/div>\n<div>There were several instances of the game where he received passes from deep, maneuvered his way from danger, and still managed to keep the attack going. This trait is rare among Ghanaian midfielders. If there is someone who has this press resistant trait, it\u2019s Villareal midfielder, Thomas Partey which the young man bodied so beautifully. The 19-year-old showed Otto Addo and fans that he can be an option in midfield should there be a need to tinker with midfield options in the future.<\/div>\n<div>READ MORE :\u00a0<a title=\"Liverpool eyeing Ghanaian forward Antoine Semenyo in the January transfer window.\" href=\"https:\/\/www.saharafootball.net\/liverpool-eyeing-ghanaian-forward-antoine-semenyo-in-the-january-transfer-window\/\">Liverpool eyeing Ghanaian forward Antoine Semenyo in the January transfer window.<\/a><\/div>\n<div>If there is something he needs to work on, it will have to do with that sheer adrenaline rush. If he managed to balance that potion, he could lace it with his other technical qualities and perform magic on the field.<\/div>\n<div><strong>Blunt Attack<\/strong><\/div>\n<div>In two games, the Black Stars lost to Japan and South Korea, but the other glaring factor was the lack of goals. The team failed to score a goal in those two games. A total of 15 shots with 4 on target is not a good feat for the team in the lead-up to the World Cup, where other participating countries are scoring for fun.<\/div>\n<div>I have noticed how cautious and careful Otto Addo sets up his team. Most of the attacking players are stifled and unable to create and score something that the technical team needs to work on if the team wants to progress in the global tournament.<\/div>\n<div>The game has evolved to a point where teams are set up to aid the attackers in scoring. \u00a0Otto\u2019s system doesn\u2019t route to that note; I feel the attacking players have to be handed the free will to operate in the game.<\/div>\n<div><strong>Prince Kwabena Adu<\/strong><\/div>\n<div>The Kirin Cup 2025 saw most of the first team regulars pull out for one reason or another other but that didn\u2019t stop the technical team from handing call-ups to several players in the lead-up to the World Cup in June 2026.<\/div>\n<div>READ MORE :\u00a0<a title=\"DR Congo edge Nigeria on penalties to reach 2026 World Cup Inter-Continental Playoff\" href=\"https:\/\/www.saharafootball.net\/dr-congo-edge-nigeria-on-penalties-to-reach-2026-world-cup-inter-continental-playoff\/\">DR Congo edge Nigeria on penalties to reach 2026 World Cup Inter-Continental Playoff<\/a><\/div>\n<div>Since Asamoah Gyan called time on his career, his position as the arrowhead has undergone several phases with players such as Jordan Ayew, Semenyo, Inaki Williams, Kwame Opoku, and Mohammed Fuseini. All these players have their own attributes and what they contribute to the game at which time of it, but the inclusion of Prince Kwabena Adu to the squad brought something different. He was relentless in his pressing; his hold up was very good, and he even had his goal flagged for offside.<\/div>\n<div>He may not be a finished product, but he can be the final piece in the jigsaw ahead of the World Cup.<\/div>\n<div>Joseph Anang Tetteh was in post for the team against Japan, he conceeded two goals then Benjaimen Asare was back in action against South Korea, he conceded just a goal. He made several crucial saves to keep the team in the game, it goes without saying he pulled off a heroic save for Hee-Chang Hwang&#8217;s penalty.<\/div>\n<div>The Hearts of Oak goalkepper might have his lapses but i think his strength outweighs his weakness which is best we tap into ahead of the World Cup.<\/div>\n<p><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js\"><\/script><br \/>\n<ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display: block; text-align: center;\" data-ad-layout=\"in-article\" data-ad-format=\"fluid\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-7515973527815049\" data-ad-slot=\"5197133662\"><\/ins><br \/>\n<script>\n     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\n<\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Black Stars of Ghana finished the Kirin Cup tournament with no wins from two games. The team lost 2-0 to Japan on Friday and followed it up with another loss to South Korea. For some, it was an exercise in futility as the team failed to make the most of the November break, but<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":44837,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[8417,17053],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-44833","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-featured","8":"category-kirin-cup"},"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.saharafootball.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Black-Stars-vs-Koorea.jpg?fit=636%2C424&ssl=1","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p8jzHl-bF7","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":44799,"url":"https:\/\/www.saharafootball.net\/kirin-cup-black-stars-will-hold-their-first-training\/","url_meta":{"origin":44833,"position":0},"title":"Kirin Cup : Black Stars will hold their first training","author":"Raphael Bannerman-Quartey","date":"November 12, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has announced that the Black Stars will hold their first training session on Wednesday, November 12, to prepare for their upcoming matches against Japan and South Korea. Eighteen players have arrived in the Asian country for the two friendly games against Japan and South Korea\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Featured&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Featured","link":"https:\/\/www.saharafootball.net\/category\/featured\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.saharafootball.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Black-Stars-vs-Nigeria-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C1017&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.saharafootball.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Black-Stars-vs-Nigeria-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C1017&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.saharafootball.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Black-Stars-vs-Nigeria-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C1017&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.saharafootball.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Black-Stars-vs-Nigeria-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C1017&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.saharafootball.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Black-Stars-vs-Nigeria-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C1017&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":44835,"url":"https:\/\/www.saharafootball.net\/theres-still-room-to-improve-before-world-cup-otto-addo-on-black-stars\/","url_meta":{"origin":44833,"position":1},"title":"There\u2019s still \u2018room to improve\u2019 before World Cup \u2013 Otto Addo on Black Stars","author":"Raphael Bannerman-Quartey","date":"November 19, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Black Stars coach Otto Addo has highlighted the need\u00a0 improvement ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. \u00a0 Ghana lost to Japan and South Korea in the Kirin Cup. That friendly exercise saw new faces getting an opportunity to impress the technical team. READ MORE :\u00a0Maxwell Abbey-Quaye powers Al-Qalah to\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Featured&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Featured","link":"https:\/\/www.saharafootball.net\/category\/featured\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.saharafootball.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/otto-addo-in-mali.jpg?fit=1024%2C783&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.saharafootball.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/otto-addo-in-mali.jpg?fit=1024%2C783&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.saharafootball.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/otto-addo-in-mali.jpg?fit=1024%2C783&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.saharafootball.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/otto-addo-in-mali.jpg?fit=1024%2C783&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":44801,"url":"https:\/\/www.saharafootball.net\/kirin-cup-japan-2-0-ghana\/","url_meta":{"origin":44833,"position":2},"title":"Kirin Cup 2025 : Japan 2-0 Ghana","author":"Raphael Bannerman-Quartey","date":"November 14, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"The Black Stars of Ghana by two goals to nil to the Samurai of Japan in the ongoing 2025 Kirin Cup at the Toyota Stadium. Both teams are familiar foes, having played each other at this level on several occasions. READ MORE :\u00a0Kirin Cup : Black Stars will hold their\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Featured&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Featured","link":"https:\/\/www.saharafootball.net\/category\/featured\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.saharafootball.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Black-Stars-1-pics.jpeg?fit=1142%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.saharafootball.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Black-Stars-1-pics.jpeg?fit=1142%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.saharafootball.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Black-Stars-1-pics.jpeg?fit=1142%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.saharafootball.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Black-Stars-1-pics.jpeg?fit=1142%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.saharafootball.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Black-Stars-1-pics.jpeg?fit=1142%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":44822,"url":"https:\/\/www.saharafootball.net\/black-stars-complete-final-training-ahead-of-south-korea-friendly\/","url_meta":{"origin":44833,"position":3},"title":"Black Stars complete final training ahead of South Korea friendly","author":"Raphael Bannerman-Quartey","date":"November 18, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Black Stars held their final training session on Monday ahead of Tuesday\u2019s international friendly against South Korea at the Seoul World Cup Stadium. \u00a0 Nineteen players trained under the guidenace and leadership of head coach Otto Addo and his technical team. READ MORE :\u00a0GFA mourns Aduana FC supporters lost in\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Featured&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Featured","link":"https:\/\/www.saharafootball.net\/category\/featured\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.saharafootball.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Black-Stars-1-pics.jpeg?fit=1142%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.saharafootball.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Black-Stars-1-pics.jpeg?fit=1142%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.saharafootball.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Black-Stars-1-pics.jpeg?fit=1142%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.saharafootball.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Black-Stars-1-pics.jpeg?fit=1142%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.saharafootball.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Black-Stars-1-pics.jpeg?fit=1142%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":44827,"url":"https:\/\/www.saharafootball.net\/kirin-cup-korea-dim-black-stars-light-in-friendly-game\/","url_meta":{"origin":44833,"position":4},"title":"Kirin Cup : South Korea dim Black Stars light in friendly game","author":"Raphael Bannerman-Quartey","date":"November 18, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"The Black Stars of Ghana lost to South Korea in a friendly duel as part of their preparations for the 2026 World Cup. Lee Tae-Seok\u2019s header \u00a0to a perfectly weighted cross from Lee Kang-In in the second half proved decisive for the home side. READ MORE : Maxwell Abbey-Quaye powers\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Featured&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Featured","link":"https:\/\/www.saharafootball.net\/category\/featured\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.saharafootball.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Black-Stars-2-pics.jpeg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.saharafootball.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Black-Stars-2-pics.jpeg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.saharafootball.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Black-Stars-2-pics.jpeg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.saharafootball.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Black-Stars-2-pics.jpeg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.saharafootball.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Black-Stars-2-pics.jpeg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":32960,"url":"https:\/\/www.saharafootball.net\/lineup-ghana-black-stars-team-to-face-japan-in-kirin-cup-dennis-korsah-starts\/","url_meta":{"origin":44833,"position":5},"title":"LINEUP: Ghana Black Stars team to face Japan in Kirin Cup; Dennis Korsah starts","author":"Clinton Eleto","date":"June 10, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"Hearts Of Oak defender Dennis Korsah is set for his Black Stars debut after making the Starting lineup for Ghana Black Stars' first game in the Kirin Cup against Japan. His teammate Afriyie Barnieh is on the bench and will likely feature in the game. Starting Lineup: Lawrence Ati-Zigi, Andrew\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Featured&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Featured","link":"https:\/\/www.saharafootball.net\/category\/featured\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.saharafootball.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/screenshot.73.jpg?fit=669%2C499&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.saharafootball.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/screenshot.73.jpg?fit=669%2C499&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.saharafootball.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/screenshot.73.jpg?fit=669%2C499&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.saharafootball.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/44833","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.saharafootball.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.saharafootball.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.saharafootball.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.saharafootball.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=44833"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.saharafootball.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/44833\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":44844,"href":"https:\/\/www.saharafootball.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/44833\/revisions\/44844"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.saharafootball.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/44837"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.saharafootball.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=44833"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.saharafootball.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=44833"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.saharafootball.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=44833"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}