Michael Essien's Ghana Loose To Van Persie

Just on the day the black stars of Ghana would have loved to prove a claim to being one of Africa's top contender at the World Cup, Ghana couldn't but fall to a Van Persie strike early in the 5th minute of the game involving the two Brazil bound teams.

The Netherland Captain slotted home the only goal at the De Kuip Stadion with a simple finish after being set up by Wesley Sneijder in just five minutes. The Victory over the Michael Essien led team records as the Netherland's first since their last victory against Turkey last October.

It was a disappointing defeat for Ghana who lost defender Jerry Akaminko to an injury that might deplete the Ghanaian team with a big loss in the 26 year-old Akaminko who plays for Eskisehirspor in Turkey to an awkward ankle landing which seemed serious; he was stretched off just in time for examination.

Louis Van Gaal did a great job in the front attack with the combination of Arjen Robben, Robin Van Persie and Wesley Sneijder to convert the goal that put Ghana out, early into the game. Robben had a long pass through to Sneijder who cut the ball back to skipper Van Persie for an easy tap into the empty net the Ghanaian goalkeeper Adam Kwarasey left open in pursuit of Sneijder's run.

Robben missed some clear cut chances that could have made it two or more for the Orange Boys but the Bayern Munich man's attempt could not get past the salvaging Kwarasey.

Ghana nearly came close to an equaliser with an attempt from Andre Ayew but the young Ayew could not pin the ball into the net past Dutch goalkepper Jasper Cillessen: Ayew saw his first header attempt pass the goal bar, only for Cillessen to deny him a chance for celebration as the stoppage time ticked.

Holland kick off their World Cup campaign on June the 13th against Champions Spain while Ghana test their feat against USA on June 16.

In other international friendlies played on the same day,

Finland defeated Estonia 2-0, World Cup finalists Croatia beat West African nation Mali 2-1, Norway 1-1 Russia; North Africans, Algeria beat Armenia 3-1, Albania 0-1 Romania, Lithuania 0-1 Latvia, Italy 0-0 Ireland, Colombia 2-2 Senegal.

Portugal still could not burn the straw that broke the camel's back at the Euro 2004 Championship. Sour rivals Greece are proving resilient as they (Portugal) only managed a goalless draw with the Hellenic country who denied them of a home triumph at the Euro 2004 championship; the Portuguese played their last and final games of the tournament against the same nation that beat them twice, in the group stage and the final.

Mexico who have already named the final 23 Man list had a blow dealt them heavily that the grace would still be for a possible replacement for Luis Montes before the FIFA June 2 deadline for submission of Final lists.

In spite of the 3-1 defeat of Ecuador, it wasn't all cheers in the Mexican camp as they lost midfielder Montes to a broken bone in the right leg. Montes scored the first goal for 'el tricolors' in the 33rd minute but minutes later, he was stretched out after a collision with Ecuador's Segundo Castillo in the 35th minute. The number 20 broke his right leg and will now have to give up his shirt for the next available player to Brazil.

The build-up to the World Cup resumes today as USA take on Turkey, Germany file out against Cameroun; Sweden vs. Belgium, France vs. Paraguay, Honduras vs. Israel and lastly Costa Rica trade tackles with Japan.