Ghana put up a spirited performance but lost narrowly to South Korea in their second friendly match in Asia. The Black Stars, who lost to Japan in the Kirin Challenge Cup on Friday, wanted to make amends against South Korea but fell to Lee Tae-Seok's 63rd-minute strike at the World Cup Stadium in Seoul.
In his post-match press conference, Otto Addo was asked about Ghana's performance, the threat posed by their opponents, and our build-up to the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Mexico, Canada, and the United States of America.
Read on for the full transcript:
On tonight’s result
First of all, congratulations to South Korea. I think it was a good game from both sides. They were more clinical on their chances they had. I think we had good ball possession but also a lot of chances we created which we couldn't use. The difference was that they used their chances even though they missed a penalty. I think the game was kind of even. I think it was good to watch, a very, very dangerous South Korea from set-pieces, corners and also crosses, incisive crosses, which also led to the first goal. We also had our chances. Good pressing moments where we could have, when we won the ball, scored. But also, good counter-situations. They were more clinical and that's why I think South Korea won.
On this South Korea team and the one we played in 2022
First of all, I think they have changed since we last played them - to play with a three-chain. I think this led them to be a little bit more stable. In general, except the Brazil game, I think they didn't collect so many goals. And very, very compact. So, you can see a change since the last time we met. But surely also they now have some new young players coming in. Some players from the last time are still there. I think the main tactical element is that they play with three in the back. Always try to overload one side, which makes it sometimes difficult to press if you don't have the right timing, to take the right positions. So, we had some good moments, especially in the first half. We caused them problems, when to press, when who should press. But it's not so easy for the guys because they haven't played together for long.
On putting a new set up together
We had a lot of new players, so it was not easy for them to press, especially when South Korea overloaded one side and we were too far away. It's the decisions, regarding who goes to their full-back. Is it the winger or is it our full-back or is it the number six? Sometimes the timing was not there. That's why, especially in the first half, South Korea had more ball possession and created more chances when we adapted to it in the second half. We did better then and put a lot of pressing into the game, better pressing. But surely, especially the first goal, killed a little bit our pressing and also our good game in the second half.
On comparing between Japan and South Korea
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. 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. I think they are at the moment on a very, very high level. Brazil usually doesn't lose too much so for them to beat Brazil; you can see the quality they have. On a good day, you can see that Japan can beat everyone. I think Ghana and also South Korea, are not there yet.
On being ready for the World Cup
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, there's still room to improve especially for Ghana. I can't speak too much about South Korea because, like I said, they did well today. But Japan on a very high level.
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