Mexico scored the only goal of the game in the first half from the spot kick. John Boye brought a Mexican player down and the referee awarded the Central Americans a penalty kick as a result of that and Elias Hernandez who stepped up for the kick converted it perfectly.
ADVERTISEMENT
Black Stars suffer defeat against second string Mexico team B
The team A of the Black Stars were handed a 0-1 defeat by Mexico in Houston, Texas in the USA
___6918359___https:______static.pulse.com.gh___webservice___escenic___binary___6918359___2017___6___29___15___BS+caro
Recommended articles
Ghana began the game well by making some incursions in the area of El Tri of Mexico. Frank Acheampong opened space down the Mexico area but it was dealt with. They Mexicans afterwards came into the game and they built their attack through the right side of Ghana's defence. In midfield Sackey who was making his debut for the Black Stars had torrid time with his ball control and he failed to live up to the billing. Ghana were wasteful upfront as the likes of Raphael Dwamena, Majeed Waris and Frank Acheampong came close to scoring, yet they fluffed the chances that came their way. One of the best moments for Ghana to get on the score sheet was Thomas Agyapong whose shot was saved by the Mexican goalie in a one on one situation with him.
And when Harrison Afful brought down a Mexican in the 18-yard box the centre referee didn't hesitate to whistle for a penalty which was slotted home by Elias Hernandez in the 32 minute to throw the entire stadium into jubilation because the supporters of Mexico trooped to the stadium in their numbers- Mexico share border with the United States of America.
READ MORE: Ghana vs Mexico in numbers
ADVERTISEMENT
Ghana after the interval upped their gear in their persuit for the equaliser. Coach James Kwesi Appiah made some changes to the team that started the game. Sackey was replaced by Mohammed Abu, while Rashid Sumaila came in for John Boye with Harrison Afful being replaced by Jerry Akaminko.
The Black Stars should have snatched the equaliser in the early exchanges of the second half, after Raphael Dwamena moved into an empty space to pick a ball, but he blasted it over the cross bar after losing footing on the ground.
Ghana mounted the pressure on Mexico, but they couldn't create plenty of goal scoring opportunities and they wasted the few created. Frank Acheampong dummied a defender and with just the goalkeeper to beat his shot hit the side post to give the Central Americans a big sigh of relief.
Mexico in the second half were dangerous on the break with a player Pizzarro threatening the defence of Ghana.
David Accam replaced Thomas Agyapong yet his impact wasn't felt and Asamoah Gyan in the late minute was introduced to substitute Raphael Dwamena.
ADVERTISEMENT
READ MORE: Arsenal star visits family in Ghana
The defeat is a big blow to coach James Kwesi Appiah who started off his Black Stars coaching job on his return on a good note, thrashing Ethiopia 5-0 in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers to raise the hopes of Ghanaians, so the 0-1 defeat to Mexico who are competiting in the FIFA Confederation Cup with their first team was unexpected.
The Black Stars will be presented with another opportunity to redeem their image on 1st July against the USA in another international friendly.
Ghana following the defeat in Houston have lost all their three meetings against Mexico: 0-1 defeat in 2006, 2-1 loss in 2008 and 0-1 defeat in 2017.
JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!
ADVERTISEMENT
Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:
Email: eyewitness@pulse.com.gh
Recommended articles
Police arrest 1 person in connection with Odumasi-Badu Road robbery in Bono Region
Asantehene urges government to involve private sector in GRIDCo, ECG, VRA and others
Robbery attack claims life of University of Energy and Natural Resources student
11 out of PNC's 16-member NEC resign, form new party called PNP
Informal workers beg for cash to cope with cost of living crisis — Report
Report reveals 850,000 Ghanaians pushed into poverty by gov't debt and market closures
'Businessman' remanded over robbery of former second lady and others at gunpoint
Efforts underway to bring jailed ex-MASLOC CEO to Ghana to serve prison term - Deputy AG
