The Black Stars of Ghana began their preparation towards the 2010 World Cup on a disappointing note, going down 2:1 to Bosnia. Bosnia gave the Black Stars just a teaser of what to expect from Serbia, another Eastern European country in Ghana’s World Cup group, along with Germany and Australia. It was Inter Milan’s midfielder Sulley Ali Muntari, returning to the side from his controversial Nations Cup disciplinary suspension, who shot the Black Stars in front with a left footer. But the Bosnian’s responded with a well taken Ibsevic strike which eased past goalkeeper Daniel Agyei in the 39th minute. Jarnic, after 63 minutes, exploited a poor positioning lapse by the young goalkeeper to fetch what turned out to be the match winner. It was the Bosnians who dictated the pace in the opening embers of the game but created almost next to nothing. The Stars gradually warmed themselves into the game with Kwodwo Asamoah and Prince Tagoe combining well in the final third, but also failing to test the opposing goalkeeper. Two moments of sheer brilliance from Sulley Ali Muntari and Kwodwo Asamoah culminated in Ghana’s opening goal in the 21st minute. Asamoah meandered his way past three Bosnian markers, picked up Muntari on the edge of the 18 yard box, and in a typical fashion, the Inter Milan player unleashed a low thunderbolt which zoomed into the right hand corner of the post for the opener. The Stars looked more confident and exhibited some sweet passing game which left the Bosnians chasing their shadows. Asamoah picked up an injury and had to be substituted by Derek Boateng, and that took the shine away from the Stars performance as the Getafe midfielder took sometime to settle in his new role. The Bosnians quickly recovered and looked more potent with quick counter attacks, one of which caught the Ghanaian defence napping. The Zmajevi (Dragons) turned defence into attack with a long searching ball to Jarvic in the 39th minute after Eric Addo had come through with a late and ill-timed challenge. Jarvic located Ibisevic in the vital area and the striker wasted no time dispatching a low ball which eluded Agyei for the equalizer. The Bosnians ended the half the stronger side, pounding the goal area of the Stars, but Agyemang Badu and Lee Addy were resolute. Coach Rajevac introduced Asamoah Gyan and Dede Ayew for Mathew Amoah and Prince Tagoe respectively on the stroke of half time, signaling his intention for victory and that looked palpable, but Ayew, gifted with an unpardonable goalkeeping error, shot feebly to be cleared on the goal line. A 63rd minute long range shot by Jarnic was poorly anticipated by Agyei as it took an awkward bounce before entering the net for Bosnia's second goal. The Stars from then on looked more ordinary, with much difficulty puting their passes together. But a slippery terrain appeared also to have frustrated the Stars as they kept tripping and falling at the least contact. 2-1 it ended in favour of the Eastern European side, giving Ghana coach Milovan Rajevac lots of work to do if the Stars really desire to make an impression at the World Cup some 99 days away. Story by Nathan Gadugah/Myjoyonline.com/Ghana