2010 World Cup: Ghana v Australia full time report
Ghana 1 Australia 1
Ghana and 10-man Australia played out a 1-1 draw in Rustenburg to leave the Socceroos on the brink of a group stage exit.
The Ghanaians failed to capitalise on their one-man advantage, spurning a whole host of opportunities, after Harry Kewell was sent off in the first half.
Initially, Australia had looked set to provide the perfect response to their 4-0 thrashing against Germany last Sunday after taking a 1-0 lead on the 10th minute. However, Kewell's dismissal on the 24th subsequently resulted in a penalty, which Asamoah Gyan duly converted.
Pim Verbeek's side were gifted the opener when Mark Bresciano's 25-yard free kick was spilled into the path of Brett Holman after just 10 minutes of play. It was a nightmare moment for Ghana's goalkeeper Richard Kingson, and another reason for the Jabulani critics to voice their concerns about the controversial World Cup ball.
After half time, Ghana failed to capitalise on their one man advantage with a series of speculative shots, which seldom tested Schwarzer. Despite dominating possession, the Ghanaians lacked the guile and cutting edge to score a second goal.
And they were very nearly punished by the 10-man Australia on the 66th minute when Scott Chipperfield headed a rare chance over Ghana's crossbar.
After receiving that scare, Milovan Rajevac's side were forced into action, and very nearly scored their second of the match just moments after Chipperfield's miss.
A dangerous ball fired across the face of goal by Gyan was crying out to be tapped in, but Kwadwo Asamoah couldn't quite stretch out far enough to complete the comeback.
Australia were coping surprisingly well with 10-men, and with 20 minutes left on the clock were presented with a glorious opportunity to score a shock second. Luke Wilshere found himself in acres of space, one-on-one with Kingson inside the area. However, his tame shot was closed down well and saved by the Ghanaian keeper.
As the match drew to a close, it was tough to guess which team had been reduced to 10 men as all the action was taking place in Australia's attacking third.
Ghana had a couple of late chances through Jonathan Mensah and Quincy Owusu-Abeyie, but Australia stood firm and ensured that although they're bottom of the group, they're not quite out just yet.
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