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Costa Rica 2022 : Black Princesses suffer 3-0 defeat to USA in opener

Hampered by a first-half red card in the 31st minute, the Black Princesses of Ghana made a bad start to the 2022 FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup campaign loosing 3-0 to the United States of America on Thursday at the Stade Alejandro Morera Soto in Alajuela, Costa Rica.

Goals from Michelle Cooper, Alyssa Thompson and Allyson Sentnor were enough to secure an emphatic victory for the three-time champions.

The Princesses went into the opening Group D clash with much confidence but that was shuttered just after 11 minutes, when skipper of the Americans Michelle Cooper headed in an inch perfect cross past the helpless opposition goalkeeper into the net.

Pressure kept mounting on the Princesses after they were reduced to 10 players as midfielder Jacqueline Owusu was sent off for rough tackle just after the half hour mark .

Coach Ben Fokuo’s side went into the game already disadvantaged after their captain and star player, Evelyn Badu, was ruled out of the competition following an ankle injury 24 hours to the opening game, forcing the technical team to make a late change to his line-up.

Alyssa Thompson doubled USA’s lead after seven minutes to Champions in firm victory position before the first break.

Sentnor added a third just after the restart to secure a Group D lead.

The Black Princesses risk advancing to the knockout stage as they face defending Champions Japan next on Sunday, before taking on the Netherlands in their ultimate group game.

The final is due to be held on 28 August 2022.

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