Portia Boakye’s red card changed the game& Nora Hauptle reflects on Black Queens loss to Japan
Black Queens head coach Nora Hauptle has pointed to the red card incident as the most pivotal moment in its matchup against Japan in an international friendly game.
Ghana lost 4-0 to the Asian giants with all four goals coming in the second half after a goalless first half; the game forms part of a list of planned friendlies for Ghana’s National Women’s Football Team ahead of the 2025 Women’s AFCON. (Click highlighted text to read full story)
Japan on the other hand, are preparing to compete in the 2024 Paris Olympics later this month and took advantage of Ghana’s reduced numbers following Portia Boakye’s 23rd minute dismissal and Hauptle talked about the impact of the red card.
“I was satisfied with the start then the red card changed the game. In our perception from the video on the bench, it was a yellow card not a red card. Afterwards, we had a quick plan B ready so we switched to a 4-4-1 and had a change mentally, we adapted very well in the defence of the new situation. After that we conceded three set pieces.”
Ghana qualified to the 2025 Women’s AFCON at the first instance under Nora Hauptle.
