Ghana is going to the knockout round if they can draw against Germany in today’s final Group D matches. This shouldn’t be a difficult feat for the African nation, who is leading the group with four points, while Germany and Serbia are tied with three, and Australia has one point. If the game results in a draw, Germany can only advance if Serbia loses to Australia in their match, which also takes place this evening (both simultaneously).
Half brothers and opponents Kevin-Prince Boateng of Ghana, and Jerome Boateng of Germany, may will face each other today creating an interesting dynamic between the two teams, and the first time in history siblings have faced each other in a World Cup. Ghana’s Boateng is the target of Germany’s revenge, whose tackle of German captain Michael Ballack in the FA cup knocked him out of the 2006 World Cup as he was still recovering from the ankle injury he sustained from the incident.
“We are playing Ghana and not Kevin- Prince Boateng” Germany’s general manager Oliver Bierhoff stated to quell rumours of the revenge-fuelled match, “Feelings about one person have to be set aside”. And Germany needs to focus on surviving the match, as they have never been eliminated before advancing out of the first round.
Coach Joachim Loew researched Ghana’s tactics from the stands as the team played Australia last week, and is more than confident his team has the potential to advance “It is obvious that we are going to be under more pressure now, but we will make the round of 16” he stated. After Germany’s slow paced match with Serbia, Loew promised the team would pick up the pace in preparation for the match with Ghana, “fitness is written with a capitol ‘F’ in the Germany squad”.
Germany’s striker Cacau may get the chance to start in today’s match, as he is in a position to replace Miroslav Klose who was sent off in the match against Serbia. Cacau scored against Australia and is confident he will be an asset to the starting lineup, stating that “If I get to play from the start, I will try to help the team with my strength – speed, ball control and finishing”.
Ghana is hoping for a win but a draw will definitely send them into the finals. Even if they lose, Ghana will advance with a loss if the Australia Serbia match ends in a draw. If Ghana does advance, it will be the second straight time in row they have accomplished this at the World Cup, carrying the hopes of the entire continent on their shoulders.
Ghana might have to play without their captain John Mensah, as well as central defender Issac Vorsah, who were injured in Saturday’s match against Australia. If they are fit to play, Ghana’s defense will be stronger than in the Australia match, where they suffered with sub-par performances from substitutes Lee Addy and Jonathen Mensah, and conceded a goal early in the match.
If their attack is unchecked, the Black Stars have a chance to score from open play, something they are yet to accomplish this year. Ghana’s two World Cup goals are from penalties, “a problem” says coach Milan Rajevac, who hopes the team will be able to “redeem ourselves against Germany”.
A friendly in 1993 was the last time Germany and Ghana played each other, and Germany walked away with a 6-1 victory. The Germans have played five World Cup matches against teams from African nations, and were only defeated by Algeria in a 2-1 match in 1983.
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