Ghana/Netherlands Friendly: Akenten, Grusah disagree on performance

Ghana Football Association technical director, Francis Oti Akenteng, says he is satisfied with Ghana's performance despite the narrow defeat to the Netherlands in a 2014 pre-World Cup warm up match.

The Black Stars were condemned by an early goal from Manchester United striker Robin Van Persie.

He had the easiest task of tucking home from close in the 5th minute thanks to a defensive mistake.

Akenteng says the game was a useful exercise and the Black Stars gave a good account of themselves.

“I don’t think the scoreline should be taken too serious because it’s a game in which two nations are putting final touches to their team,” he told GHANASoccernet.

“The stars have shown their strength in depth and I think some guys have given Kwesi (Appiah) a bit of headache in relation to his set up in the next game.

“All in all, I feel it was a good exercise.”

However, King Faisal president, Alhaji Karim Grusah says Ghana coach Kwesi Appiah will have to work on his strike force if his team is to excel at this year’s 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Louis Van Gaal’s team dominated proceedings from start to finish with the Black Stars restricted to half chances throughout the game.

Grusah says rapid improvement is needed at the strike force if an impact is to be made at the world cup.

“I think the team did well, not many incidences to talk about. From a sincere point of view, I don’t think we tested their goalkeeper,” Grusah told GHANASoccernet.

“I feel we could have done more and that is where the coach must start working on.

“Goals decide games and to play a whole game without clear cut chances is not so encouraging.”

Ghana’s final test match is against South Korea on 9 June in Florida.