Kirin Cup 2025: Otto Addo gives verdict on Ghana’s losses to Japan and South Korea

Ghana head coach, Otto Addo has given his verdict on their 1-0 loss to South Korea in the second 2025 Kirin Cup match on Tuesday at the Seoul Stadium in Aichi.

The Black Stars posted an improved performance from the Japan game where they lost 2-0 at the Toyota Stadium on November 14 but Lee-Tae seok’s 63rd minute header from Lee Kang-in’s cross was enough for South Korea to nick it past the 2010 FIFA World Cup quarter finalists.

Coach Otto Addo shared words on the outcome of the game: “I think it was a good game from both sides. In the end, they were more clinical with the chances they had.

“I think we had good ball possession but also a lot of chances we created which we couldn’t use. I think the game was kind of even. It was good to watch.”

“We did better and put a lot of pressing into the game and better pressing, but surely, especially the first goal, killed a little bit of our pressing and also our good game in the second half.

“I can’t speak too much about South Korea because I think, like I said, they did well today, but Japan is really, really at the moment on a very high level.”

The German trained tactician added his voice to the difference between playing against the Japanese national team and the South Koreans.

“It’s difficult to compare because, first of all, we played a different system, but I think we had more chances today than against Japan,” he said.

“Japan, to be honest, they were very, very good and if you see also the last game for a nation to beat Brazil, you have to be very, very good.”

Otto Addo however remains confident that the technical team will have some time to sharpen the rough edges before the expanded world cup to be co-hosted by Canada, USA and Mexico in June.

“For the World Cup, there are still some months to go for us to improve, surely also in all aspects, in pressing and creating chances, but also not allowing chances,” he said.

Ghana qualified for its fifth FIFA World Cup after topping Group I with 25 points from 10 matches and they will know World Cup group opponents and host city after the final draw at the John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts in Washington DC on Friday, December 5.

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