Ghana’s Addo on criticism: Don’t tell a doctor what to do either

After losing to Portugal

Ahead of what could be the decisive group game against South Korea, Ghana’s national coach Otto Addo rejects any criticism of his team’s style of play. After the 3-2 draw against Portugal, the Ghanaian media in particular complained that the “Black Stars” had acted too defensively and reverently. “It is always the same. If we lose, I’m bad. If we win, I’ll be a genius,” said the 47-year-old. “It’s your job, but many of you have never played football professionally. I know a little about medicine, but I can’t tell a doctor what to do.”

Ghana are already under a lot of pressure against South Korea on Monday (2 p.m.). After all, the goal is to survive the group stage and reach the round of 16. A look at Ghana’s World Cup record shows that two of the three appearances before this year’s edition had made it through to the knockout rounds. Upcoming opponent South Korea started with a 0-0 draw against Uruguay. Addo, of all people, played a part in the successful career of the team’s star, Heung-min Son.

“I had him as a player in the U19s in Hamburg,” said Addo, who was head coach of the “Rothosen” A-Juniors between 2010 and 2015. It is always difficult to predict a development, especially with youth players. “But I saw something in him and suggested him to the first team. He’s had a great career,” he said. With a market value of 70 million euros, Son is by far the most valuable South Korean.

World Cup 2022: The most valuable players per nation

Akram Afif | Qatar | Al Sadd SC | Market value: €4 million

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Squad value: €14.9m

Keylor Navas | Costa Rica | PSG | Market value: €5 million

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Squad value: €18.75m

Sultan Al-Ghannam | Saudi Arabia | Al-Nassr FC | Market value: €2.5 million

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Squad value: €25.2m

Matthew Ryan | Australia | FC Copenhagen | Market value: €5 million

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Squad value: €37.3m

Mehdi Taremi | Iran | FC Porto | Market value: €20 million

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Squad value: €59.53m

Ellyes Skhiri | Tunisia | 1. FC Cologne | Market value: €13 million

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Squad value: €62.4m

Moises Caicedo | Ecuador | Brighton | Market value: €13 million

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Squad value: €146.5m

Daichi Kamada | Japan | Eintracht Frankfurt | Market value: €30 million

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Squad value: €154m

Frank Anguissa | Cameroon | SSC Napoli | Market value: €38 million

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Squad value: €155m

Ben Davis | Wales | Tottenham | Market value: €20 million*

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Squad value: €160.15m
*plus Brennan Johnson (Nottingham; MV €20m)

Heung Min Son | South Korea | Tottenham | Market value: €70 million

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Squad value: €164.48m

Edson Alvarez | Mexico | ajax | Market value: €35 million

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Squad value: €176.1m

Alphonso Davies | Canada | Bayern Munich | Market value: €70 million

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Squad value: €187.3m

Thomas Partey | Ghana | Arsenal | Market value: €38 million

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Squad value: €216.9m

Kalidou Koulibaly | Senegal | Chelsea | Market value: €35 million

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Squad value: €229.5m

Achraf Hakimi | Morocco | PSG | Market value: €65 million

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Squad value: €241.1m

Robert Lewandowski | Poland | FC Barcelona | Market value: €45 million

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Squad value: €255.6m

Christian Pulisic | United States | Chelsea | Market value: €38 million

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Squad value: €277.4m

Manuel Akanji | Switzerland | Manchester City | Market value: €30 million

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Squad value: €281m

Pierre-Emile Höjbjerg | Denmark | Tottenham | Market value: €45 million

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Squad value: €353m

Dušan Vlahovic | Serbia | Juventus | Market value: €80 million

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Squad value: €359.5m

Josko Gvardiol | Croatia | RB Leipzig | Market value: €60 million

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Squad value: €377 million

Federico Valverde | Uruguay | Madrid | Market value: €100 million

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Squad value: €449.7m

Kevin De Bruyne | Belgium | Manchester City | Market value: €80 million

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Squad value: €563.2m

Matthijs de Ligt | Netherlands | Bayern Munich | Market value: €70 million

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Squad value: €587.25m

Lautaro Martinez | Argentina | Inter | Market value: €75 million

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Squad value: €645.2m

Peter | Spain | FC Barcelona | Market value: €100 million

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Squad value: €877m

Yamal Musiala | Germany | Bayern Munich | Market value: €100 million

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Squad value: €885.5m

Rafael Leao | Portugal | Milan | Market value: €85 million

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Squad value: €937m

Kylian Mbappe | France | PSG | Market value: €160 million

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Squad value: €997.5m

Vinicius Jr. | Brazil | Madrid | Market value: €120 million

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Squad value: €1.14bn

Phil Foden | UK | Manchester City | Market value: €110 million

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Squad value: €1.26bn

Meanwhile, looking back at the Portugal game, Addo apologized for his criticism of the referee. “I was a bit emotional and I hope I don’t get a penalty,” said the former Bundesliga professional. Addo had criticized the decision which had resulted in a penalty and the subsequent lead for Portugal. In his opinion, the video assistant should have turned on. “Everyone makes mistakes, we are all human. We are now concentrating on things that we can influence,” he said.

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