Group D Preview: Ghana and Australia
By Rhys Turrell
Ghana
Qualified: Winners of Group 5 (in second round), Winners of Group D (in third round)
Best World Cup finish: Last 16: 2006
FIFA Ranking: 32
Odds for 2010: 100/1
Ghana successfully negotiated two rounds of qualifying to secure their place in the first ever African based World Cup and also a place at their second consecutive tournament following their run to the last-16 of the 2006 tournament before being eliminated by five time winners Brazil.
Like Germany, Ghana have been robbed of their star player, the versatile Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien, who will miss the tournament having sustained a knee injury during ‘the Black Stars’ African Cup of Nations campaign in January 2010, an injury that ruled him out of the rest of his club’s domestic campaign and which ultimately ended his World Cup chances, with a recovery estimated for late in July.
In his absence, the responsibility of his role in the side will be spread across the rest of the side, with Essien’s all-round midfield contribution regarded as almost impossible to replace.
However, the burden will perhaps fall more heavily on experienced midfielders Sulley Muntari and Stephen Appiah.
Muntari, who claimed a Champions League winners medal with Inter Milan last season, is regarded as one of Ghana’s best midfielders, and his creativity and versatility – he can play either on the left or central midfield – make him a useful asset to the side. He does have a turbulent history with the national team however, and was left out of 2010 Cup of Nations squad after a falling out with Serbian born Ghana manager Milovan Rajevac, before an apology opened the door to a recall.
Alongside Muntari in midfield will in all likelihood be Appiah, another Italian based midfielder who currently stars for Bologna, but has had spells with top European sides such as Juventus and Fenerbache earlier in his career. Perhaps seen as a similar player to Essien, albeit not as talented, he will be captaining the side for the second consecutive World Cup, having worn the armband in 2006.
Leading the attack will be Asamoah Gyan, who plays for French side Rennes, and was arguably the Ghanaians top player at the 2010 Nations Cup, scoring three of the four goals that the Black Stars managed in the tournament. An impressive tally of 19 goals in 38 games is promising, although he lacks a quality partner to play alongside, and may find it tough against the strong and physical defenders in Group D.
Speaking of defenders, much like Serbia, Ghana will be depending on two Premier League defenders to keep things together at the back for them.
Sunderland loan star John Mensah and Fulham right-back John Pantsil will start at the back for Ghana and with over 100 caps between them, they have enough experience to marshal a defence at a World Cup finals.
Another player who will be looking to shine include is the afore-mentioned Kevin-Prince Boatang, who only very recently changed his citizenship to Ghana, having represented group rivals Germany at all youth levels up to under-21. He will doubtless have lots of people to impress, none less than his brother who will be up against him, as well as the German manager who chose not to call him up. Not forgetting that following Portsmouth’s relegation from the Premier League and severe financial problems, he will be looking for a move to a major European league, and with the world watching, what better arena to showcase your talents?
Ghana are touted as the third favourites to escape Group D, and following the news that Michael Essien will miss the tournament through that knee injury, their chances took an even greater hit. With skilful midfielders like Boatang and Muntari as well as the strength and power of Mensah and Appiah, they look to have a good mix of skill and solidarity, although perhaps they may fail to score enough goals to give them a chance of making the knock-out stages.
Australia
Qualified: Winners of Group 1 (in third round), Winners of Group A (in fourth round)
Best World Cup finish: Last 16: 2006
FIFA Ranking: 20
Odds for 2010: 150/1
Australia booked a place in their third World Cup finals, and second in succession, with a successful first attempt at qualifying through the Asian Football Confederation, following their switch from the Oceania region.
Knowing that coming in the top two of their group in the Asian zone would mean automatic entry to South Africa 2010 – rather than to the lottery of a play-off as is the case in Oceania – the Socceroos got of to a flying start winning their first three games, and remained unbeaten throughout including taking four points off main group rivals Japan.
After a successful campaign in 2006, in which the Aussies reached the last-16 before controversially being eliminated by eventual winners Italy, the Socceroos will be confident of progressing to the knock-out stages for a second-time, with a squad that features several current or ex-British based players.
For the second consecutive major tournament, the spearhead of the Australian attack will be led by former Leeds United and Liverpool star Harry Kewell who currently plies his trade in Turkey for Galatasaray.
The injury-prone forward had notched 13 goals in 45 caps, making him the highest scoring striker in the squad in the absence of Mark Viduka, and there will be a lot of responsibility on the shoulders of Kewell to lead the attack and pose some problems for the somewhat physical defences in their group.
Aside from Kewell, the other attacking options in the side come from midfield, particularly in the shape of Everton star Tim Cahill. With his customary attacking midfield role he is a danger to most sides and his team-mates will be looking for him to add to his record of 20 goals in 40 games.
Other attacking stimulus should be provided by Blackburn Rovers wideman Brett Emerton – a veteran of over 70 caps – and former Palermo man Mark Bresciano.
The socceroos will be led by captain Lucas Neill who plays alongside Kewell at Galatasaray and he will be aided at the back by vice-Captain and former Rangers and Newcastle United centre back Craig Moore. And although Moore and Neill are the wrong side of thirty, their vast experience of the international arena may help to counter their lack of pace and mobility.
Behind them will be the vastly experienced Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer, who will wear the number one shirt with 75 caps to his name, and on the back of a brilliant season with Europa League finalists Fulham.
With plenty of experience through the whole of the Australian side, from Schwarzer in between the sticks through Neill, Emerton, Cahill and Kewell, the Australians stand a good chance of making it through to a second consecutive last-16 appearance, where as discussed above, they face the prospect of a potentially mouthwatering encounter with rivals England.
Tags: Appiah, Australia, Black Stars, Boatang, Bresciano, Cahill, Essien, Ghana, Kewell, Moore, Muntari, Neill, Schwarzer, World Cup
