MIAMI: Ghana substitute Jordan Ayew grabbed a hat-trick to stake his claim for a starting place in a convincing 4-0 win over a sloppy South Korea side in their final World Cup warm-up on Monday.
World Cup quarter-finalists in 2010, Ghana scored twice in the first half through Ayew and Asamoah Gyan before the former grabbed two more in the second half for the Black Stars.
Kwesi Appiah’s Ghana are in one of the toughest sections in Brazil with a June 16 opener against the United States before they play European powerhouse Germany and Portugal in Group G.
“I don’t look at the scoreline but how we played individually and as a team,” said Ghana coach Appiah. “We took our chances. Korea attacked well but you have to be cautious at the back.
“If my team had lost by four goals it would maybe help me to look at the mistakes and correct them before the World Cup.”
Ghana, who had lost their previous warmup match 1-0 to the Netherlands, were eliminated by Uruguay four years ago in a shootout after Luis Suarez infamously stopped Gyan's penalty in the last minute of extra time with his hand and was sent off.
It was another defeat for South Korea, who will be playing at their eighth consecutive World Cup, after they lost 1-0 at home to Tunisia before leaving for their Miami training camp.
The face Russia, Algeria and Belgium in Group H.
“It was individual mistakes rather than the way the team was organised that cost us,” Hong said of the defeat.
“There is time to get better for the World Cup and I will do my best to improve the team.” Reuters
