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By Erasmus Kwaw
Black Stars coach Milovan Rajevac has praised his team despite their unconvincing performance in the 0:0 draw in Wednesday’s friendly match against the Carthage Eagles of Tunisia.
The Stars played the Tunisians November 19, 2008 at the Ohene Djan Stadium.
The Stars who were without Michael Essien, Sulley Muntari and Asamoah, gave the ball away too easily on many occasions and were outplayed by their opponents.
On several occasions in the game, they lived dangerously as the Carthage Eagles missed begging chances. Nonetheless, Milovan Rajevac says he was highly impressed with the performance of the team.
“Last fifteen minutes in the first half we were dominating and we scored once and hit the bar but was ruled off side,” he said.
“We could not count on five to six players due to injuries in the first team. I’m not unsatisfied with the game because the boys gave their best but it would have been better if we had won.”
The Stars begin their campaign for the next round of qualifiers for the 2010 World Cup and African Nations Cup against Benin in March 2009.
Captain Stephen Appiah admits the team needs to improve before the world cup qualifiers resume.
“If you play together with Essien, Muntari, Asamoah Gyan it’s easier but I think the team should not be built around just five players,” he said. “We have to get extra players who can play for the team and I think today’s match was an important game for the team as we begin preparations for the world cup qualifiers.”
“Tunisia is one of the best teams in Africa we are happy to play with them and we have to take every match serious. However, the Stars captain is confident Ghana would qualify for the World Cup.
“It’s a long way to go but with this team there is nothing that would deprive us from going to the world cup,”
The Tunisians also played the match without key players Radhi Jaidi and Brazilian-born Francileudo Dos Santos but still managed to give a good account of themselves.
Portuguese coach of the side, Humberto Coelho is convinced his side learnt a lot from the encounter.“We had a lot of things to take form the match and the match was very important for us,” he said.
“We played with a lot of young players and they have the quality but lack experience.” “The match against the Black Stars gave us a lot of experience and it was a match with a great rhythm.”
Black Stars' starting line-up
GOALKEEPER: Richard Kingston
DEFENDERS: John Paintsil, Eric Addo, Jonathan Quartey, Hans Adu Sarpie
MIDFIELDERS: Andre Dede Ayew, Stephen Appiah, Daniel Yeboah, Samuel Kyere
STRIKERS: Matthew Amoah Prince Tagoe
Source: ghananewstoday.com
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