Ill-luck caused Stars downfall

Hohoe, June 13 GNA - Dispirited soccer fans at Hohoe in the Volta Region blamed the Black Stars 0-2 loss to Italy in a group match at the World Cup tournament in Germany on ill-luck and unhealthy officiating. They questioned the aptitude and judgement of the Brazilian referee at certain segments of the match, as some of his decisions were infantile and lacked professional interpretation.

The fans that gathered in cells discussing the game after Black Stars' crunchy debut with the Azzuris of Italy said poor shooting at goal and the incompetence of the technical bench also robbed the Stars of victory.

The distressed fans bemoaned the inability of the Serbian Coach Ratomir Djukovic to vary his strategy when the going got tougher, and thereby questioned his choice and timing of substitutions.

They however took consolation in the fact that since there was a progression in the performance of the Black Stars, they could make amends in subsequent group matches.

Mr Kofi Ntim, a fan said the defeat was too deep and would affect him for the rest of his life on earth.

He said the second goal nearly suffocated him and would refrain from watching the rest of Ghana's matches. Most fans went to bed without eating supper.