Black Stars head coach Otto Addo has admitted that his side struggled to execute a high press against South Korea in their final match of the Asia tour.
After a goalless first half, Ghana fell 1-0 to the Asian side, following an earlier defeat to Japan in the November international window.
Speaking at the post-match press conference, Addo pointed to Ghana’s missed opportunities and tactical challenges as key factors in the loss. He noted that South Korea’s defensive setup made it difficult for his team to press effectively.
“Except for the Brazil game, where South Korea lost 5-0, I think they don’t concede so many goals anymore, and they are very compact,” he said.
“You can see the change since the last time we met them in the 2022 World Cup. The main tactical element is that they play with three at the back and always try to overload one side, which makes it sometimes difficult to press if you don’t have the right timing and positioning.”
Addo added that coordination was an issue for the Black Stars.
“We had problems sometimes, especially in the first half, deciding when to press and who should press. But it’s not easy for the guys because they haven’t played together for a long time. The timing was off, and that’s why, especially in the first half, South Korea had more ball possession and created more chances,” he said.
The Black Stars are set to regroup in March next year as they continue preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
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