Evans Adotey was gracious in defeat after watching his Black Maidens lose on Saturday to Canada at the U-17 FIFA Women's World Cup.

Ghana, after a slow start were undone by Canada who won the final Group B clash 2-1.

After falling behind 2-0 by the 40th minute, it appeared a long way back for Ghana, who had already qualified from the group before kick-off in Tibas.

But a second half fight-back started by Sandra Owusu Ansah, who pulled one back for the Black Maidens ensured a tense finale though Canada held on to win and qualify alongside Ghana from the group.

"We started slowly, but we gradually came back into the match," Adotey, whose side meet Italy in the quarter finals said after the game.

"Canada caused us problems, even when they went down to ten players. We continued to push for an equaliser, but we just couldn’t manage it."

For the Ghana coach, the game will hand his players some valuable lessons. 

"I think that my players need higher stakes to lift their level of play. In any case, I’d like to congratulate Canada on their qualification," he said.

Ghana have a last-eight meeting with Italy to come on Thursday in San Jose for a place in the semi-finals.