Japan take out Ghana in thrilling friendly

A late goal by Junichi Inamoto lifted Japan to a 4-3 friendly victory over Ghana in Utrecht on Wednesday in a game that featured two sides already qualified for the 2010 World Cup.

Ghana, which sealed their bid on Sunday, started the brighter of the two sides as Asamoah Gyan converted from the penalty spot on the half-hour mark to put the Africans 1-0 in front. Less than a minute after the restart, Gyan was on hand again to make it 2-0.

Japan pulled a goal back in the 49th minute through Kengo Nakamura to cut the lead to 2-1, but Matthew Amoah restored Ghana’s two-goal lead in on 65 minutes.

That set the stage for a barnstorming finish by the Japanese as goals within two minutes of each other by Keiji Tamada and Shinji Okazaki had Japan level in the 79th minute. Inamoto then struck with seven minutes left to play to give Japan the victory.