Adotey refuses to blame players for Ghana defeat

Black Maidens coach Evans Adotey is refusing to blame his players for their injury time capitulation in their painful 2-1 defeat to Korea DPR in the quarter-final of the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup.

Ghana’s defence to clear a low cross which landed inside the box after goalkeeper Kayza Massey had been beaten.

Substitute Ja Un-Yong slotted home from close range to break Maidens hearts at the Al Hassan International Stadium.

A crestfallen Adotey has taken that painful and cruel exit from the tournament on the chin.

He said in a post-match interview: ''We managed to beat Korea DPR in Costa Rica two years ago and it was definitely my ambition to do so again. It was a tough game but I really thought we thought we had done enough to take it to penalties. In the end though, the Koreans had their revenge.

''I'm down about what happened but I have accepted the defeat and I don't blame any individuals players.

''We should not have given away that late free-kick [which led to the winning goal] and concentration in front of goal also should have been better.

''The first goal - the penalty - also arose from a defensive error. But mistakes happen in football, and I also have responsibility to take.

''The result hurts us because it was our plan to make the last four. But I can say for sure that our players did their best and I am satisfied with their efforts.''