Hosts Japan hammered Ghana 4-1 to book a final place in the 2022 edition of the four-nation Kirin Cup Soccer invitational tournament Friday morning.
The Samurai Blue turned on the style against fellow World Cup-bound Black Stars at Noevir Stadium in Kobe as Miki Yamane, Karou Mitoma, Takefusa Kubo and Daizen Maeda got themselves on the scoresheet.
Japan dominated the first half and it was little surprise when Yamane gave them the lead in the 29th minute.
Kubo and Ritsu Doan created space with a quick-fire passing exchange, and right back Yamane swept the ball home with a left-foot shot.
Ghana right-back Andy Yiadom had a lucky escape from injury when Japan’s Hiroki Ito sent him flying upside down with a wayward challenge.
The Black Stars equalized against the run of play in the 44th minute when Yamane gave the ball away to striker Jordan Ayew, who drilled it past goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima.
Japan made sure the visitors’ excitement was short-lived, however, as Mitoma struck in first-half injury time with a cross that made it all the way in for a goal.
Kubo made the game safe for Japan in the second half, before substitute Maeda added a fourth goal with a close-range finish.
The match was the Black Stars’ 9th game of 2022. They have recorded a win, 4 draws, and 4 defeats.
Ghana next play Chile in the 3rd-place match at Panasonic Stadium in Osaka on June 14.
