Ghana's Black Stars rallied from a first half lone goal deficit to hold the Socceroos of Australia to a pulsating one-all game on Tuesday night.

The friendly international at Loftus Road Stadium in London saw the Stars’ hard running forward Junior Agogo (Nottingham Forest, England) tap in a spilled ball from three yards after 75 minutes.

From a throw-in effected by Laryea Kingson, substitute Asamoah Gyan floated an in swinger into the Australians’ vital area and as it arced dangerously across goal, keeper Mark Schwarzer clashed with one of his defenders and spilled the ball into the path of Agogo who had the easiest task of tapping it in.

The Socceroos had taken a 27th minute lead through John Aloisi who converted from the spot after a Francis Dickoh foul in the box.

The Australians, playing it hard and mean, clearly dominated the first half and forced spectacular saves from goalkeeper Richard Kingston, who gave way to Sammy Adjei after 59 minutes, wincing from a head knock he took in the first half.

Peter Ofori Quaye, who was making a return to the Black Stars side after almost five years absence, made a strong case for further invites and even though gave way to Asamoah Gyan in the 71st minute, was largely impressive.

The Black Stars returned the heat on the Australians after the break with good interpositional passes, drawing rings around their taller opponents who appeared anxious to add to their tally.

Laryea Kingson, (55th), Stephen Appiah (57th) and Junior Agogo (58th) all failed with goal attempts as the Australians resorted to occasional breaks to attempt to catch the Stars on the counter, but Sule Muntari restored the Stars’ pressure with another powerful strike from an Ofori Quaye pass. The effort missed narrowly in the 62nd minute.

After Agogo’s equaliser, the Australians pushed more men upfront to try to restore their lead, but good goalkeeping from Sammy Adjei kept them at bay, while Sule Muntari should have won the day for the Stars but failed with a chance in the 81st minute.

The Socceroos themselves missed a good opportunity in the final minute as Sammy Adjei lunged onto a goal bound cross into his box.

Ghana squad:
Goalkeepers: Richard Kingson (BB Ankaraspor, Turkey)/ Sammy Adjei (Mohadon Sports Ashdod, Israel) 59th

Defenders: Hans Adu Sarpei (VFL Wolfsburg, Germany), Francis Dickoh (FC Utrecht, Holland), Eric Addo (PSV Eindhoven, Holland) and Habib Mohammed (Molde FK, Norway)

Midfielders: Stephen Appiah (Fenerbache, Turkey), Laryea Kingson (Locomitiv Moscow, Russia)/Haminu Dramani (Genclerbirligi, Turkey) 84th, Michael Essien (Chelsea, England) and Sulley Ali Muntari (Udinese, Italy).

Forwards: Junior Agogo (Nottingham Forest, England) and Peter Ofori-Quaye (OFI Crete, Greece)/Asamoah Gyan (Udinese, Italy) 71st.