The high expectations of soccer lovers during the Ghana-Namibia game last Thursday vis-a-vis the Stars’ below-average performance has generated a barrage of criticism from the sporting fraternity. Soccer lovers anticipating a cricket score line, in the Stars' second group game, left the Stadium crestfallen, following the team's failure to meet the desires of their fans with their 1-0 win. Last Thursday's 'poor show' has raised eyebrows among soccer enthusiasts, and the non-enthusiast alike, leaving them questioning the team's ability to realize its dream of lifting the trophy for the fifth time. And the barrage of criticism from the Sporting fraternity, after the game, has compelled officials of the Black Stars to react from the team's Hotel, the Fiesta Royale in Accra. In a press conference at the team's Hotel yesterday, Asamoah Gyan expressed his uttermost disgust with the behaviour of the fans, during and after the Ghana-Namibia game. For Asamoah, what the team needs from the fans is their unflinching supporrt, even when the going gets tough, and not to criticize them unconstructively. "We are humans and bound to make mistakes, sometimes you perform above average and sometimes things fail to work the way you expect," he said sorrowfully. The Udinese striker pointed out that: "I am just 22, and have scored 16 goals since playing for the senior national soccer side and you know my striking prowess." The young striker added: "We need your encouragement to make progress in the competition, and not the negative criticism." Asamoah stated that he was working on his game plan, and although he could not promise a goal in the Ghana-Morocco game, he revealed that he would give it his best shot. Junior Agogo admitted that he enjoyed striking alongside Asamoah and the Head Coach of the Stars, Claude Le Roy, in support of Asamoah's concern pointed out that what mattered in the game was to win the three points at stake and not the number of goals recorded. He admitted that winning the ultimate will not be achieved on a silver platter but he is confident in the striking pair of Gyan and Agogo to hit the back of the net, as expected, as the competition travels. Responding to a question on the chances of the Stars in their next game against the Atlas Lions game on Monday, he gave the assurance that nothing short of a victory should be expected in their quest to making it to the quarter final stage, and consequently lifting the ultimate - the trophy. Sadly, the French trainer could not be definite on whether or not Shilla Illiasu will be fit to play on Monday, but gave the assurance that he was likely to join his mates as the tournament progresses. The Communications Director of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Randy Abbey, urged the press to educate fans to show loyalty for the team, even when the going gets tough. He also expressed disappointment about the fans' attitude, despite the victory saying "The fans were behaving as though we drew or lost the game, in any case, if we had won 40-0 would the score line have changed our position on the table?" he asked. For Mr. Abbey what was important was grabbing the three points at stake which the team did. Mr. Abbey noted that the numerous criticisms have thrown the team's camp into a state of sorrow, but the team's officials have worked on them psychologically for the task ahead. Source: Chronicle