Australia Pip Ghana

The senior national team, the Black Stars yesterday lost 0-1 to the Socceroos of Australia in an international friendly played at the Sydney Football Stadium. Mile Sterjovski’s second half goal was enough to seal victory for the home side. The winger dispossessed Ghana’s deputy skipper John Mensah one minute into the second half, and raced 20 meters before shooting the ball past the Black Stars goalkeeper into the net. Sterjovski’s goal saved the Australians from an embarrassing night after a national anthem’s hitch and a poor showing. It was therefore fitting that when he was sent off in the 87th minute for a second bookable offence, he received a standing ovation from the 30,000 partisan spectators at the stadium. Ghana indeed gave the home crowd anxious moments, with Laryea Kingston leading the onslaught. The Australians however hanged on to the solitary goal until the final whistle. The friendly was part of Ghana’s preparation for the 2010 World Cup and Africa Nations Cup qualifiers. The Black Stars will play Libya on 1st June 2008 at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi in the first match of the qualifiers. Ghana’s line-up: Line-up: William Amammoo, John Pantsil, Harrison Afful, John Mensah, Eric Addo, Anthony Annan, Laryea Kingston, Prince Buaben, Junior Agogo, Agyemang Badu, Haminu Dramani Subtitutes: Francis Dickoh, David Addy, Derek Asamoah, George Owoo. The three Ghana players who failed to turn up for the game are Sulley Muntari, Quincy Owusu Abeyie and Samuel Yeboah.