Ghana’s National Women’s Football Team, the Black Queens, endured a 4-0 defeat to Japan in an international friendly match held in Japan.

Despite losing veteran defender Portia Boakye to a red card in the 23rd minute, the Black Queens managed to hold Japan to a goalless draw at halftime. However, the second half saw Ghana concede four goals.

The first goal came in the 51st minute when 30-year-old Mina Tanaka found the net, assisted by Chelsea’s Maika Hamano. The duo combined again for Japan’s second goal, with Hamano scoring off an assist from Tanaka. Aoba Fujino added another goal in the 67th minute, and Riko Ueki completed the scoring in the 80th minute.

This match is the first of several international friendlies for the Black Queens as they prepare for the 2025 Women’s AFCON in Morocco. Japan, ranked seventh in the world, will be competing in the 2024 Olympic Games starting on July 26.

Ghana missed out on qualifying for this year’s Olympics after losing 4-3 on aggregate to Zambia.