Ghana coach Kwesi Appiah believes the Black Stars' 2-0 victory over Japan in an international friendly in Yokohama on Wednesday will help the Blue Samurai in their groundwork for the 2018 Fifa World Cup.

Goals in both halfs from Thomas Partey and Emmanuel Boateng gave a depleted Black Stars side a resounding victory and the Japanese team a rude awakening.

Speaking to reporters after the game, Appiah praised the Blue Samurai for their performance despite the defeat but cautioned them to work on their defensive lapses.

“Tactically, the Japanese team were not a bad side whenever they had the ball,” Appiah said.

“They moved very well up front but I think there were some lapses with their defending. I think it’s a very good exercise for Japan in the sense that I don’t believe in winning games before the World Cup.

“It’s important that you lose sometimes because you learn from your mistakes. You do it now and then the coach can learn from it and perform very well at the World Cup,” he added.

Japan have been paired with Senegal, Poland and Columbia in Group H.

By Daraja Mutari/Ghanaguardian.com