Head coach of Ghana’s National Women’s Football Team, Nora Hauptle, praised Black Queens goalkeeper Cynthia Konlan for her performance despite the team’s 4-0 loss to Japan in a recent international friendly.

The match, played over the weekend, saw the Black Queens maintain a goalless draw in the first half before conceding four goals in the second half, including three from set pieces. Despite the heavy defeat to the seventh-ranked nation in the world, the Swedish coach highlighted Konlan’s series of impressive saves.

“We defended with determination, with passion, and we closed the center. I think our keeper was outstanding,” Hauptle said in a postgame interview. “In the end, we need to acknowledge that playing an hour against Japan with 10 players was a challenge, as their quality is higher. So all in all, I’m okay with the mentality shown and how we took the challenge.”

The Black Queens were reduced to 10 players after defender Portia Boakye received a straight red card in the 23rd minute. Hauptle expressed her disapproval of the decision and reflected on the impact of losing the veteran defender early in the match.