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05th June
Ghana 1:0 Latvia
Pictures Pre match training session
Audio Pre match interview with Kevin Prince Boateng
Audio Pre match interview with FA spokesperson Randy Abbey
Read Post match press conference with Milovan Rajevac
Read Post match interview with Prince Tagoe
Teams:
Ghana Daniel Adjei 1
Latvia Andris Vanins 12
Ghana finished off their preparation for the World Cup with a superb display against Latvia at the MK Dons stadium in Milton Keynes.
Coach Milovan Rajevac made several changes to the team that lost so comprehensively to Holland in midweek.
Playing his favoured 4-2-3-1 formation, Rajevac handed Kevin Prince Boateng his debut and paired him alongside Anthony Annan as one of the two defensive holding midfield players.
In addition, Inkoom was selected ahead of John Paintsil for the right back position whilst Dede Ayew took the place of Sulley Muntari on the left side of midfield.
Rajevac also partnered John Mensah and Vorsah in central defence whilst Lee Addy occupied the left back position in place of Hans Sarpei. Kwadwo Asamoah also started in place of Stephen Appiah.
There was notably more balance to the side and it appears Rajevac may have found a gem in Prince Boateng. His combination with Annan was a joy to behold.
The simplicity with which Prince Boateng played his position was just what was lacking against Holland. His interplay with Annan was sheer class with one holding as the other goes forward and vice versa.
Kwadwo Asamoah, playing just off Asamoah Gyan was the designated 'killer passer', spreading some delightful balls accross the pitch. However Ghana were guilty of wasting a bunch of chances.
In the 31st minute, Asamoah Gyan hit the crossbar and the ball appeared to have crossed the line as it came down. The referee looking accross to his linesman, however, did not signal for a goal. Again in the 41st minute Gyan sent Kwadwo Asamoah through on the break who shot just over the bar.
The first half ended goalless.
The second half begun with Adiyiah replacing Asamoah Gyan. Michael Essien was also spotted walking along the touchline to sit with his colleagues. Ghana continued to dominate possession and play but failing to find the net.
In the 57th minute, Jonathan Mensah came on for John Mensah; Appiah came on for Kwadwo Asamoah; and Quincy Owusu Abeyie came on for Prince Tagoe. Latvia also subbed Arjoms Rudnevs for Karasausks.
In the 61st minute, Kevin Prince Boateng went down after giving a pass and appeared to signal to the bench to be subbed. Rajevac later confirmed that he had felt a slight pain and so was taken off as a precautionary measure.
Ghana continued to miss a host of chances but had a goal by Adiyiah disallowed in the 80th minute.
In the 89th minute, Quincy Owusu Abeyie scored with a low drive from just outside the penalty area. It was nothing less than Ghana deserved.
Man of the Match rightly went to Anthony Annan who seems to be the pillar around which Milovan Rajevac is building his team.
other substitutions:
Ghana 65th min Derek Boateng on for Kevin Prince Boateng 80th min Matthew Amoah for Andre Ayew
Latvia 71st min Zigajevs for Grebis 79th min Kolesnicenko on for Astafjevs 83rd min Krjauklis on for Pereplotkins
Michael Dadzie
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