Otto Addo has expressed disappointment with Ghana’s performance and has urged them to do better after they suffered a humiliating 5-1 defeat to Austria on Friday.
The friendly match was organized for the Black Stars in preparations for this summer’s World Cup and despite an impressive performance in the first half, they were lackluster in the second and fell to their heaviest defeat since 2007.
There were very few positives to take from the encounter, and they must now go back to the drawing board to make improvements and avoid a disappointing performance at the showpiece tournament.
Speaking after the match, Otto Addo, who has come under intense pressure in recent months, was not happy with his side’s performance particularly in the second half.
It was a very difficult game for us. We had some really, good situations where we could have scored”, Otto Addo stated.
“We knew that they are pressing high and once we win the ball and we try to get to a striker and who starts with great situations that we had. And yeah, out of three or four situations, we should have scored one.
I think we were more intelligent in certain situations, I know this was difficult decisions. I think one or two could have been a penalty. But this is football and then at the end, we collect the goal where we must drop earlier to attack the ball better”, he continued.
Marcel Sabitzer scored from the spot in the first half after a handball by Jonas Adjetey to give Austria the lead in Vienna, which was also the only goal of the half.
Ghana capitulated in the second half, conceding four times as they fell to a heavy defeat.
Michael Gregoritsch doubled the advantage in the second half, before Stefan Posch made it three.
Jordan Ayew briefly pulled one back, but debutant Carney Chukwuemeka made it four for Austria, before Nicolas Seiwald rounded off scoring with their fifth of the game.
“Unluckily, it got to the hands of Jonas Adjetey and they got a penalty and scored. But also, before that, I think there was a foul. There was no ball play”, Otto Addo said.
“He played the ball and we got an attack. But yeah, this is football. And still, then we must do better. The second half was a really, big disaster. Yeah, surely second goal was a good. And then I know it’s going to be tough here in Austria. We are behind 2-0. They brought in freshmen. I think also transition wise it was difficult after the third goal and that is where we must learn to do better”, he concluded.
Ghana will hope for a much improved performance in their next match when they face Germany in Stuttgart on Monday.
Olakitan is a young writer with a strong passion for sports, having gained experience with IndyPress and Nimelssa Press. His enthusiasm for sports inspired him to cover events both within his school and beyond. With a deep understanding of the game and a refined skillset, he brings sports coverage to a broad, global audience in a way that’s engaging and accessible.
