Ghana coach Otto Addo © Ampe Rogerio/BackpagePix
Saturday Mar 28, 2026. 14:31
Ghana head coach Otto Addo feels they should have been given “one or two” penalties in the 5-1 defeat to Austria at the Ernst-Happel-Stadion on Friday.
The Black Stars found themselves trailing after just 12 minutes when Jonas Adjetey handled inside the area and Marcel Sabitzer opened the scoring from the spot.
Addo’s side did well to stay in the game for the remainder of the first half, however, creating a few chances of their own and had a couple of penalty appeals turned down.
But the visitors capitulated in the second half as Austria scored another four goals through Michael Gregoritsch (51′), Stefan Posch (59′), Carney Chukwuemeka (79′) and Nicolas Seiwald (90+2′) to claim a comprehensive victory.
Jordan Ayew managed to pull one back on 77 minutes, although the damage had already been done and Addo admitted his players lacked intensity after the break.
“It was a very difficult game for us. We had some really good situations where we could have scored,” Addo said in his post-match press conference.
“We knew that they are pressing high and once we win the ball and we try to get to a striker and who starts with great situations that we had. And yeah, out of three or four situations, we should have scored one.
“I think we were more intelligent in certain situations. I know this was difficult decisions. I think one or two could have been a penalty. But this is football and then at the end, we collect the goal where we must drop earlier to attack the ball better.
“Unluckily, it got to the hands of Jonas Adjetey and they got a penalty and scored. But also, before that, I think there was a foul. There was no ball play. He played the ball and we got an attack.
“The second half was really, not good enough at all. I mean, everybody is playing for the World Cup. We need to play more intense, I think. And I’m not saying that we must foul the opponent, but we have to protect ourselves better.”