Michael Essien and Stephen Appiah were in the stands to watch Ghana beaten by Brazil for the fourth time at senior level..

It ended 1-0 and after Daniel Opare was sent off early on, Ghana never really threatened. The Black Stars were over-excited in the minutes leading to (and the immediate aftermath) of the red card.

However, the lads showed calm for portions of the second half – despite the substitution of a hitherto sturdy Derek Boateng being a bit odd. The Ukraine-based player had been Ghana’s best while he was on. And when he left, that mantle was taken by Jonathan Mensah..

Ratings

Adam Larsen Kwarasey – 8: No doubt gave his backers a lot of armour tonight. Looked very much at home and commanded his back-line very well. Standout moments were his back-to-back flying saves from Pato and Ronaldinho in the second half. His ball distribution was a bit suspect but that should improve as he gets comfortable with the team. Good competition for Kingson, whose experience Adam will need.

Daniel Opare – 5: For his role, positioning, a cool head and anticipation is key. The latter attribute he may possess but positioning and temperament was a no-no. He’s ambitious and willing alright. Probably the red card – which let Ghana down – will be a good lesson for this talented defender.

John Pantsil – 7: In the stadium he used to call home, the experienced John delivered. He did the simple things effectively and is handling his captaincy with level-headedness.

Jonathan Mensah – 8: This young man keeps making John Mensah a fading memory time and again. Easily Ghana’s Man of the Match and at times handled Brazil’s onslaught alone for periods at a time. Center-back for Ghana seems sorted when he is around.

Isaac Vorsah – 6.5: Always dependable but had a few gray moments today. The wily combo of Ronaldinho, Neymar and Leandro Damiao caused him some stress, eventually beaten by the latter for the goal. Otherwise, kept things tidy at the back

Derek Boateng – 7: While he was on, Boateng was the only working link between defence and attack. He’s suddenly become irreplaceable over the past three games for Ghana. His partnership with Agyemang-Badu would yet be a legacy of coach Stevanovic.

Emmanuel Agyemang Badu – 7: Although he was not given as much room to roam as against Swaziland, he kept screening his defence with timed interceptions and an effective partnership with Boateng. A steady head even when Brazil were swarming.

Kwadwo Asamoah – 5.5: First 20 minutes were lovely to see but after Opare’s sending off, the Udinese man recoiled. Coaches at club and country level fail to see that he is so much more than a deep-lying playmaker. Effective in link-up but much more room to improve.

Samuel Inkoom – 6.5: His dual role as a winger and left-back was brought to the fore today. Running along the wings to cover-up for the dismissed Opare, Inkoom also harried Elias and Neymar when they ventured into his area.

Sulley Muntari – 6: His call-up was not deserved based on his output last Friday but he vindicated his Serbian boss. Experience against Brazil’s goalkeeper had taught him to test Cesar with lost shots, which he did severally in the first half. The clichéd “Muntari hothead” never surfaced today and he had a good game.

Jordan Ayew – 6: As a central striker he needed to be fed balls in spaces but they rarely came. Despite that, the Marseille man kept running tirelessly and chased every ball. Needs to work on a possible role as a back-to-goal striking option, but he’s still still young. Subs

Rabiu Mohammed – 5.5: His inclusion was intended to mimick Boateng’s role but he was not too successful. He’s been a prospect at all age-levels he’s played in and one average game should not change that.

Lee Addy – 6: Was thrown into the mix at a time Ghana were under the cosh. Played hard and run down every tackle. Pace remains his weakness (his booking against Neymar showed it) but Vorsah and Mensah covered well and they formed a solid trio at the back.

Albert Adomah – 4: A striker making a debut against a tough Selecao defence is never easy. He’ll need more games to gel with his teammates properly.

Dominic Adiyiah – 4: His output showed how much Jordan was missed. Quite anonymous and did not threaten the opposition at all.

Prince Tagoe: Came on too late to make any real impact.

Coach Goran Stevaovic – 6: May have had to be brave to sub Opare after obvious repeated warnings, but it was baffling to see Boateng changed when he was having a good game. The other subs’ performances were so-and-so. Little inspiration came from the bench today.

TEAMS

Brazil: Julio Cesar; Daniel Alves, Lucio, Thiago Silva, Marcelo; Lucas Leiva, Fernandinho(Hulk 46?), Ganso (Elias 10?); Ronaldinho, Neymar, Leandro Damiao (Pato 78?)

Ghana: Kwarasey; Pantsil, Vorsah, Mensah, Opare; Agyemang-Badu (Adomah 77?), D. Boateng (Addy 45?), Inkoom (Tagoe 85?), K. Asamoah (Annan 67?), Muntari (Mohammed 46?); J Ayew (Adiyiah 71?)