FIFA World Cup 2010 preview – Ghana vs. Australia
Build-Up
Ghana seems to be the only African nation hopeful of making a deep run in the FIFA World Cup tournament. Germany and Ghana are tied for top spot in Group D with three points each. Serbia and Australia are yet to register a victory to their name. The Black stars go head to head in a decisive match against Australia on Saturday at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium, Rustenburg.
The clash is said to be decisive as it could make or break the World Cup campaign hopes for both the sides.
The team from Ghana defeated the Serbians 1-0 in their opening fixture, hence starting their World Cup on a winning note.
Had the penalty was not offered, it is certain that the contest with Serbia could have gone either way. But these things are the least of Ghana’s worries as they have three points tagged to their name in the point’s table standings. The triumph will surely have boosted their confidence to sky-high levels in the camp.
The team from Ghana are going into the match with a 1-0 victory over Serbia while the Australians are looking to rebound from a 4-0 thrashing by three-time champion Germany on Sunday.
Both the teams will be hoping for victory. Another three points will assure Ghana a spot in the second round, provided Germany beats Serbia. Team Ghana will still be in a great position to top the group, even if the Germans lose but beat Australia. If the match results in a tie, Ghana will most likely control their own destiny heading into the final round of games. The Socceroos have a lot of work to be done, desperately needing a win against Ghana to have a rational chance at making it to the second round.
Midfielder Tim Cahill earned an automatic suspension for the upcoming encounter after the match referee gave him a red card in Australia’s previous match. The Everton striker was sent off for a late tackle with Bastian Schweinsteiger. Three other Australian players need to be watchful in the match against Ghana. Defenders Lucas Neill and Craig Moore, and midfielder Carl Valeri were cautioned against Serbia. A yellow card against Ghana means they will be ruled out for Australia’s final game of the first round.
Ghana’s forward Prince Tagoe and defender Isaac Vorsah will miss their next game if they earn a yellow card against Australia.
However, it is widely speculated that both teams will want to emerge as winners instead of a tie. The Black starts have vowed to go hard at the Socceroos in Saturday’s match. The African lions have scented Australia’s defensive woes following a humiliating defeat against Germany and are most likely to play an attacking game.
TEAM NEWS
Ghana
Coach Rajevac is aware that Ghana stands a good chance of at least reaching the next round as they did at the last World Cup in Germany where the Black Stars reached the second round.
Gyan has opened the Black Stars' account at each of the last four major tournaments, including the penalty that saw off Serbia 1-0 in Group D.
Gyan also dismisses the idea that complacency might now creep into the team, as suggested by Coach Rajevac, after beating Serbia, a team many tipped as dark horses in the tournament.
Australia
Coach Pim Verbeek is confident of rallying his Socceroos and believes they can produce a gritty display in the decisive clash. He is likely to opt for veteran Harry Kewell to fill Cahill's spot at forward. Another expected pick for the game is Craig Moore.
Craig Moore, one of Verbeek's expected pick for the game hopes his side are better organised against the Black Stars.
Predictions
Ghana and Australia have never met at the World Cup earlier. This is going to be their first ever encounter at a FIFA World Cup. Overall they have played 6 head-to-head games with Australia dominating with four wins. While, both the teams will be playing to win a loss for Ghana could put their prospects of qualifying to the next round in trouble. On the other hand, the Socceroos will be looking to bounce back in order to hope for a miracle. All in all it is a hard game to call and seems to be evenly poised at the moment.
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