体坛英语新闻：Ghana lose confidence after 4-1 defeat to Netherlands

ACCRA, June 3 (Xinhua) -- Ghanaian fans have expressed dismay in the national team, the Black Stars, after what they termed as a "humiliating" 4-1 trouncing by the Netherlands in an international friendly in Rotterdam Tuesday.

No doubt, it was the most striking scoreline in recent friendly matches for any of the teams preparing for the World Cup in South Africa and Ghanaians said that it underlined their team's weakness and pointed to the possibility that Black Stars could be the whipping boys in South Africa.

Although the team suffered from the absence of midfielder Michael Essien, much had been expected from the Black Stars, touted as Africa's strongest representation at this year's world cup.

From the blast of the whistle till the end, the Ghanaian contingent struggled to gain any sort of a foothold on the match.

The Dutch began the night as they would finish it, in complete control of the pace of the game, dictating the play with delightful touches and intricate passing moves, thus, outclassing the Ghanaian team.

Diehard fans of the Black Stars who spoke to Xinhua in separate interviews on Thursday painted a gloomy picture for the team at the World Cup.

"If this is the team we are sending to the World Cup then I am considering taking a hefty bank loan to bet against them," said a trader who asked not to be named.

"This is a very beatable squad. Against world-class opponents, they will be smashed to the pulp," he added.

Yaa Serwaa, 32, lamented: "Because Essien is not going to the World Cup, the people are not buying the paraphernalia; we fear our investment may be lost. But with this defeat all has become worse; no one is buying our wares."

Mohammed Alhassan who run a shop that sold television sets was categorical. "It's all good that most Ghanaians expect nothing but the best from them. But everyone should be well advised to prepare for the worst."

Following the defeat, Ghana had dropped three places on the FIFA world rankings and are now positioned 31st.

On the African continent, Ghana is sixth while African champions, Egypt remains on the top, followed by Nigeria, Cameroon, Cote d'Ivoire and Algeria.