The Black Princesses suffered a crushing defeat in Alajuela, falling 3-0 to the United States of America, and their hopes of competing in the 2022 U-20 Women’s World Cup have been dashed.
Michelle Cooper scored the first goal for the United States after only 11 minutes, heading in from close range after Elaine Rouse’s well-timed cross.
After a VAR review, Jacqueline Owusu was sent off for a foul on Korbin Albert, reducing Ghana to 10 players on the field, Ben Fokuo’s team struggled to keep up with the Americans’ tempo in the first half.
Before referee Lee Lara from Australia blew the whistle for the end of the first half, Alyssa Thompson doubled the lead for the United States seven minutes before halftime, connecting well with a low cross from the left wing.
After the break, Ghana was hopeful of reducing the deficit after head coach Fokuo substituted Sharon Sampson for Mukarama Abdulai.
Ghana was given another red card scare after Cecilia Nyama was initially sent off, but a VAR review changed the decision to a yellow card, Alysson Sentnor scored the game’s third goal, putting the game out of reach for Ghana.
Despite creating numerous chances in the final quarter of the game, Grace Banwaa kept Ghana in the game as they were defeated 3-0 in their opening game.
The result on Thursday also means that Ghana has now lost three of the four matches it has played against the Americans at the U-20 Women’s World Cup, the following game for Ghana will take place on Sunday, August 14, 2022, at 17:00 GMT.
Ghana lost their sensational Evelyn Badu due to an ankle injury she sustained in the team’s training in Costa Rica, They will look to bounce back in their next game to have faith in qualifying out of the group.
Grace Buoadu, Anoma Opoku, Azure Bugre, Susan Duah, Rebecca Atinga, Jacqueline Owusu, Cecilia Nyama/Aniwaa, Suzzy Dede Teye/Rahama Jafaru, Doris Boaduwaa, Sharon Sampson/Mukarama Abdulai, and Salamatu Abdulai made up Ben Fokuo’s starting eleven against the Americans.
