Black Stars coach Otto Addo has admitted his side were second best in the 2025 Kirin Challenge Cup defeat to Japan.
Ghana lost 2-0 to the hosts after goals from Takumi Minamino and Ritsu Doan in each half.
Addo handed debuts to goalkeeper Joseph Anang and full-back Derrick Kohn, while Antoine Semenyo captained the team for the first time.
“I’m not so happy with [the first goal conceded] because it was really, really decisive,” Otto said at the post-match.
“Surely, they [players] did well in the second half, but we weren’t that dangerous in the final third.
“So, in all, like I said, it’s a deserved win for Japan. We had a lot of young and new boys, and surely, we have a lot of work ahead of us and we need to improve,” he added.
Ghana now turn their attention to their next friendly against South Korea on November 18.
The matches form part of preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.