It's all over from Podgorica. Montenegro did not disappoint their home fans. The 52nd ranked side managed to beat the 37th side 1-0 at home. Sad beginning of the year for the Black Stars. That's all from me and let's take the discussion to Twitter: @Kentmensah.
90' +4
N. Drinčić gets yellow.
S. Muntari gets yellow.
90' +3
OUCH!!! Jerry Akaminko had punched a Montenegro player on the blind side of the referee. The opponent had apparently squeezed his neck. Was that a friendly touch?
90' +2
Montenegro, knowing the result is in their favour are slowing the game.
90'
We have four minutes of added time now.
88'
Boateng manages to reach his former team-mate at Milan Muntari. What can he do now? Right at the edge of the box. Muntari fires the ball way off. Another chance wasted. A minute to go.
87'
Now Montenegro with the counter attack. Kwarasey had to come off his mark all the way towards the centre to clear the ball
85'
CHANCE.... Boateng gets the ball at the edge of the box. He shoots and keeper parries towards corner. Pressure now on Montenegro
83'
CLOSE!!! Waris brought down. Free kick at a very dangerous position for Montenegro. Muntari delivers towards Asamoah who managed to get Boye in the box. Boateng had the last touch but ball was blocked by a player.
81'
The clock is ticking. Nine minutes to go and Ghana is still trailing in their first major outing this year ahead of the World Cup.
Minute
Description
79'
An opportunity for the Black Stars to get even. Muntari with a long and deep cross. That's too high for John Boye. He managed to get it but end result was poor.
78'
B. Igumanović enters the game and replaces V. Volkov.
76'
A. Gyan enters the game and replaces C. Atsu.
Asamoah Gyan has been introduced. Ghana's goal scoring appliance. Can the Al Ain striker save Ghana at Podgorica with just 12 minutes to go?
74'
Great effort from Boateng. Lovely left shot. Keeper struggles to save but scores remain the same - Montenegro 1-0 Ghana
72'
M. Vešović enters the game and replaces F. Kasalica.
CHANCE!!! Lovely through ball towards the Montenegro captain but his chip lacked precision that could have threatened Kwarasey who had come out his post.
69'
Loss of concentration in the Ghana defense. Pass within the box of Ghana wasn't so threatening though.
67'
F. Bećiraj enters the game and replaces D. Damjanović.
Some brilliant exchanges of pass between Atsu and Wakaso at the edge of the Montenegro box. Guess what.... same old results. No goal.
66'
K. Asamoah enters the game and replaces M. Essien.
65'
N. Nikolić enters the game and replaces N. Vukčević.
Kwadwo Asamoah has replaced Essien. Ghanaians will hope he brings his impressive form at club level to bear on the game.
63'
Lovely clearance by the Montenegro defender. Throw in to Ghana. Some one-two passes around the pitch. Nothing positive came out of it. Montenegro with another substitution.
61'
Long ball towards Boateng. He fails to keep it. But Ghana still controlling possession. Will the long balls help the Black Stars?
59'
Over elaboration on the part of Atsu, who had to contend with three men in the midfield. It is a ding dong battle now.
58'
K. Boateng enters the game and replaces J. Ayew.
55'
E. Zverotić enters the game and replaces B. Bošković.
Chance upon chance. Ghana still finding it difficult to break through the rear of Montenegro. Kwesi Appiah has brought on Schalke midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng for Jordan Ayew.
54'
Hey, guess who is at the stands today - former Ghana coach Milovan Rajevac. Can he bring some fortune to the team
52'
The Black Stars have returned more determined than before. No rest for the Montenegro defence. But don't be deceived they are very swift and deadly. They have managed a corner at the Ghana side of the pitch.
50'
Ghana re starting from where they left off in the first half. Essien with a volley but has been deflected towards corner.
47'
MISS! Waris could have fetched an early goal in the second half for Ghana after being reached by Adomah but the header was too wide. Chance gone waste
Kwesi Appiah has made three substitutions. Albert Adomah is on. Samuel Inkoom as well as Sulley Muntari
46'
S. Pavićević enters the game and replaces M. Baša.
S. Muntari enters the game and replaces E. Agyemang-Badu.
S. Inkoom enters the game and replaces D. Addy.
A. Adomah enters the game and replaces M. Wakaso.
The second half is underway now. Ghana are playing from right to left now
45' +1
Ghana with the last chance to pull level. A long cross flashes the goal area but no one to connect. It's half time. What's your thought about the game. Send me your comments via Twitter: @Kentmensah
45'
M. Essien gets yellow.
F. Kasalica gets yellow.
We have two minutes of additional time here. Can Ghana equalise or will need an extra 45 minutes to prove a point.
43'
A very nasty scene here. The players are losing their cool. Ayew was brought down. He is not happy with it and that resulted in some push and shoves between Essien and the Montenegro players. The referee has managed to calm tempers but not without showing cards.
41'
Infringement in favour of Ghana at a very vital area. Wakaso crosses but the ball has been cleared. Game resumes from midfield.
39'
The Ghanaians are gradually picking up the pieces. They are piling the pressure on the Brave Falcons but the opposition rear remain calm
37'
Atsu cuts in from the right side and is looking for an opportunity. Fires a low one towards goal. Oh no, that was feeble. Calmly gloved by the opposing keeper.
35'
Essien is not a happy man. He thought he deserves a free kick for an infringement but the referee says the ball will go the opposite direction.
32'
Danger!!! Kwarasey saves Ghana. Montenegro nearly made it two against Ghana. The Black Stars defence was just split into two but the Stromgsgodset shot-stopper managed a block.
30'
A lovely cross from Sochaux striker Jordan Ayew but has been headed towards the corner area.
25'
Kwarasey with a timely intervention as he comes off his lines quickly to clear an imminent danger.
23'
Montenegro are appealing for a penalty. There was a ball to hand situation in the Ghana box but the referee leaves Ghana off the hook by wavering play-on
20'
The Ghanaians keep pressing for goal but the defence have been brilliant. No amount of threat from Atsu and Ayew upfront seem to threaten them. They look well composed.
19'
The Brave Falcons have been very composed at the rear. Briliant communication between Jordan Ayew, Majeed Waris and Atsu at the danger zone. They have a great deal of work to do to beat the defence.
17'
The Black Stars have been impressive so far with possession. Atsu is gone past his markers, but his final touch was very weak.
15'
Ghana goalkeeper Adam Kwarasey just dismantled a Montenegro lovely build-up. Free kick to Ghana at the other end. Wakaso sends a long ball in but John Boye fails to make good use of that cross.
13'
The 2010 World Cup quarter-finalists are dominating although they are a goal down. Maintaining this tempo could likely fetch them a goal.
9'
Agyemang Badu sends in a long searching ball towards Waris. Ball reaches captain Essien and here is a powerful left shot from the Milan man but the keeper anticipated well. Danger cleared by a defender.
7'
Chaaaaaaaance.... Christian Atsu has been set up by Abdul Majeed Waris and he has only the Montenegro keeper to beat. Great save. The Black Stars denied a chance to pull level.
6'
Montenegro look very composed and determined as Ghana chase for an equaliser. It is a 50-50 affair now
3'
Vitoria Guimares left-back David Addy will be cursing his stars. He has been started because Esperance defender Harrison Afful was unable to secure Visa for this particular game. Anyway, some 85 more minutes to go
2'
Wow, and in less than 15 seconds David Addy has gifted Montenegro a penalty
1'
D. Addy gets yellow.
Penalty goal scored by D. Damjanović for Montenegro!
And we are off. Montenegro are the first to kick the ball
GOAL!!! Montenegro are up already. What an uphill task for the Black Stars. A very early goal from the spot and the referee was spot on. Trust me. It was very clear.
Hello and welcome to Goal’s coverage of the pre-World Cup friendly between Montenegro and Ghana. I am Kent Mensah and will be taking you through all the action at the Stadium Pod Goricum in Podgorica. Don't forget to send in your reactions via Twitter: @Kentmensah
It is the Black Stars’ first major outing this year as they prepare for the 2014 Fifa World Cup in Brazil. But for the Brave Falcons pride is what is at stake since their major business will take place somewhere in September in a Euro 2016 qualifier.
Montenegro are currently ranked 52 in the Fifa/Coca Cola World Rankings (28 in Europe) while Ghana are at the 37 spot and fourth in Africa. The west Africans are one of five Africa representatives at the World Cup – their third in a row.
Ghana will not only eye a win in this game against Montenegro, but may want to use it as a pleasant 57th Independence Anniversary package to Ghanaians, a day that falls on Thursday, March 6
Now the line-up: Ghana XI: Kwarasey; Opare, David Addy, Akaminko, Boye; Essien, Badu, Atsu, Wakaso; Waris, Jordan Ayew
The teams are on the pitch now and time for the national anthems. Ghana first.
Ghana are in an all-white jersey and are being captained by AC Milan midfielder Michael Essien. The new PUMA away kit for Ghana looks sleek, isn't it?
Michael J Adounvo (@MichaelNeymzz) feels "the spark and instant creativity of some1 like clifford aboagye could do" Do you agree with him
We have another view from Javier del Muller (@javier_muller): "Montenegro are really trying Ghana need to carve out a chance and be deadly in front of goal"
Ghana will hope to redeem their image in their next high profile game against The Netherlands. Hope you enjoyed it? Have a lovely night.
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