Ghana have begun preparations for their World Cup Round of 32 encounter with Colombia after holding a recovery training session on Sunday evening following their defeat by Croatia.
The Black Stars were beaten 2-1 by Croatia at Lincoln Financial Field in their final Group L fixture, but the result was still enough to secure qualification for the knockout stage of the tournament.
Training at Bryant University was split into two groups as the coaching, medical and fitness staff managed the players’ workloads after the demanding group-stage contest.
Those who played for more than 45 minutes against Croatia completed a light recovery programme designed to aid their regeneration. Their schedule included stretching exercises and massage sessions under the supervision of the team’s medical and fitness personnel.
The remainder of the squad, who featured less extensively in the match or did not play, took part in a full training session on the pitch. Their programme centred on ball work and a series of short-sided games as preparations for the knockout phase gathered momentum.
Attention has now shifted fully to Ghana’s next challenge, which comes against Colombia in the Round of 32.
The match is scheduled to take place on Friday, 4 July, at Kansas City Stadium, where the Black Stars will attempt to extend their World Cup campaign against one of the tournament’s unbeaten sides.
Colombia reached the knockout stage after finishing at the top of Group K with seven points. Their tally came without suffering defeat during the group phase, underlining the task awaiting Ghana in the first knockout round.
Ghana progressed from Group L after collecting four points from their three matches. Their campaign produced one victory, one draw and one defeat, a record that proved sufficient to claim third place in the standings and secure passage into the Round of 32.
The defeat to Croatia marked the end of Ghana’s group-stage programme, but the team now have several days to recover and prepare before returning to competitive action.
Sunday’s recovery session represented the first stage of those preparations, with the coaching staff balancing recovery for players who logged significant minutes against Croatia and match-focused work for the rest of the squad.
The Black Stars are expected to increase the intensity of their preparations in the coming days.
Ghana will resume full training at Bryant University on Monday as the focus turns completely towards Friday’s meeting with Colombia, with the squad looking to be fully prepared for the knockout encounter at Kansas City Stadium.
