2014 World Cup: Ghana coach Kwesi Appiah bemoans early goal conceded in USA defeat

Published on: 17 June 2014
2014 World Cup: Ghana coach Kwesi Appiah bemoans early goal conceded in USA defeat
NATAL, BRAZIL - JUNE 16: Clint Dempsey of the United States reacts after scoring his team's first goal past goalkeeper Adam Kwarasey of Ghana during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group G match between Ghana and the United States at Estadio das Dunas on June 16, 2014 in Natal, Brazil. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

By Ameenu Shardow

Ghana coach Kwesi Appiah admits the early goal conceded against the USA played a major role in his team’s defeat on Monday.

The Black Stars fell to a painful 2-1 defeat to the Yanks in their opening Group G game at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

The four-time African champions had clawed their way back from a dreadful start which saw them concede in just the first minute to a Clint Dempsey strike.

Andre Ayew had given Ghana a massive lifeline with his equalizer in the 83rd minute but the USA claimed victory with a strike from rookie John Brooks with just four minutes left to play.

Kwesi Appiah concedes his team’s job was made a bit more difficult with the early concession.

“The early goal was something that we never expected,” he said.

“Playing at this high level any loss in concentration can cost you big time.

“The first goal unsettled us and made things very difficult for us.”

Ghana have now tasted their first ever defeat against the USA in the World Cup.

The Black Stars will now have to get a result against Germany and then Portugal in order to progress from Group G.

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