The Black Stars of Ghana suffered a 4-1 defeat to the Samurai Blue of Japan in the opener of the Kirin tournament today.
The game played at the Misaki Park Stadium in Japan saw both starts with intensity.
The Japanese team dominated proceedings and got the opener in the 29th minute.
Defender Miki Yamane powered the Samurai to a 1-0 lead.
Ghana fought hard to get the equalizer and found it in the 44th minute when Crystal Palace striker Jordan Ayew made it 1-1.
Japan had the final say in the first half as midfielder Kaoru Mitoma scored in added time of the first half to give them a 2-1 lead at the break.
After the recess, Ghana head coach Otto Addo brought on Felix Afena-Gyan of AS Roma and Fatawu Issahaku but that proved futile as Japan got the third goal.
Real Mallorca forward Takefusa Kubo made it 3-1 in the 73rd minute before Daizen Maeda of Celtic put the icing on the cake in the 83rd minute to seal a 4-1 win for Japan.
The results mean Japan will face Tunisia who beat Chile in the final then Ghana takes on Chile in a 3rd place game.
