Interim Black Stars Coach Otto Addo has admitted that the Black Stars were second best in every department in their loss against Japan in the Kirin Cup Soccer Tournament opening match on Friday.

The Black Stars were humbled 4-1 in the opening match of the Kirin Cup Soccer Tournament at the Noevir stadium in Kobe.

The Blue Samurai of Japan were ruthless from the blast of the whistle terrorizing Ghana’s defence with intelligent running and creating spaces to find the net with deserving goals handing Addo his first defeat as Ghana coach.

In Addo’s post match presser, he admitted the defeat is a reality check as the Black Stars prepare for the World Cup in November.

“A team that deserves to win. I admit that Japan were stronger.

“At the end of the first half, we also made a chance and scored a tie goal. However, it was unfortunate that we got a second goal just before the end. Even in the second half, we were fighting solid. However, after that, a third goal was scored and the momentum was lost. Japan was a very fast team with a good opponent,” he added.

“If we press and steal the ball, we can score, I thought. I think I was able to prove it after 20 minutes in the first half. Still, we couldn’t cover the back space. We had a pocket stabbed. The final phase of one-on-one, I couldn’t stop the other party.”

“The whole team was good for Japan. It’s hard to name one person. It was a very good team. Crosses were sent to Japan one after another in the box and we couldn’t stop the last part.” the gaffer said.

Ghana will play Chile on Tuesday as the losers in the opening match of the tournament and will fight for the bronze medal of the four-nation tournament designed as part of their build-up to the 2022 World Cup.