Group D – Australia v Serbia
After both Australia and Serbia lost their opening games, it was hard to see both teams having realistic chances of progressing to the second round.
But with Group D becoming surprisingly open, a win for either side in Nelspruit would give them a fantastic chance of qualifying. In Serbia’s case it would guarantee them a place in the last 16.
For the Socceroos however, they have it all to do if they are to book their place in the knock-out stages. Not only do they need maximum points from this game, they also require results to go in their favour.
If the Aussies can register their first win of the tournament, they need either group leaders Ghana to beat Germany or the opposite result, with Joachim Low's side beating the Black Stars by a big enough margin for Australia to turn around a five-goal difference on the Africans.
Serbia coach Raddy Antic is obviously confident in his side’s chances for the game, as he is contemplating resting players currently on a yellow card. The entire first choice back-four have picked up a caution in the previous two matches, along with Nikola Zigic and midfielder Zdravko Kuzmanovic. Radosav Petrovic, Danco Lazovic and Gojko Kacar are all on stand-by to replace the players who are flirting with a one-match suspension.
Serbia are hoping that discipline doesn’t play a huge role in their remaining World Cup campaign, but it has already played a huge part for the Aussies. Two games, two red cards, does not read well for Pim Verbeek’s side and they will be hoping to keep 11 men on the pitch in this game. They don’t want to become the first side in World Cup history to have a man sent off in every one of their matches at a finals.
Australia will welcome back Tim Cahill to their ranks, following his one match suspension, but Harry Kewell and Craig Moore will miss out through, yep you’ve guessed it, suspension.
Tags: