Draws appear to be the theme in South Africa during the first two days of the tournament, but all four comprising group D teams will be seeking victories when they take to the pitch on Sunday. Serbia will be taking on African nation Ghana in the group’s first contest, while Germany and Australia will do battle to end the day’s festivities. These are both very big matches, and barring any ties, tomorrow should tell everyone a great deal about how group D will shape up.
This was supposed to be Michael Ballack’s year to lead Germany to the promised land, but the team’s captain suffered an injury during the FA Cup final with Chelsea that ended his South African dream before it even began. Ballack is not the only German to fall prey to injury in the lead up to the World Cup, but he was their unquestioned leader. If any team can overcome such large injuries, it is Germany. Manager Joachim Low has implemented the same disciplined system that Germany has become famous for. The squad enters the tournament with very low expectations, but not much was expected of them in 2002 and 2006, and they managed a trip to the finals and semi-finals in those events. There is a great deal of turnover in the 2010 roster, but Germany’s youth appears primed to ensure Germany makes another strong run on the world’s grandest stage.
The three remaining teams making up group D are all fairly equally matched, which has many calling group D the real group of death, which should guarantee some fantastic football. Australia has the unenviable task of taking on Germany in their opening match, but this is a team that enters South Africa highly motivated, and lack of effort will not be a problem on Sunday. The Aussies are still steaming about an extremely tough penalty call that knocked them out of the 2006 World Cup, and desperately want to prove to the world they have the talent to succeed at this level. Their chances of doing so will depend largely on the play of Tim Cahill. Everyone knows that Australia will bring a strong defensive mentality to the pitch, but someone will have to score goals, and Cahill will be depended upon to do that. If Australia can score goals, they could have at least another shot at advancing past round two.
It definitely will not be easy for Australia who will have to get past both Ghana and Serbia in order to advance. Ghana is yet another team in this year’s World Cup enteringthe tournament with major injuries. Team captain Michael Essien is out of the tournament, which has many people wondering if Milovan Rajevac’s side has what it takes to compete in such a tough group. However, the fact is this team still has a great balance of veteran leadership with emerging young talent to make them extremely dangerous. Ghana brings a great deal of athleticism to the pitch, which allows the team not only to play great defensive football, but they also love to attack when the opportunity presents itself. Ghana is a fun team to watch, and many in Africa are hoping they get the chance to watch the Black Stars for more than three matches.
Saturday’s match between Ghana and Serbia will be a big one, especially for Serbia who will face Germany in their second match, and desperately do not want to enter that game already with a one in the loss column. Much like Australia, Serbia must find a way to score some goals on regular basis. Despite their formidable attacking style, this side lacks a true striker that can be counted upon in each and every match. The good news is that Antic’s side always plays a strong defensive game, which should mean this team won’t require too many goals to win. The margin for error will be very small for the Serbs, but this team definitely has a shot at advancing.
Germany has enough talent at every position to win this very tough group, and Ghana will use their athletic prowess, along with the added motivation of playing on African soil, to advance. However, Ghana’s chances of advancing rest largely on Sunday’s outcome with Serbia. The Black Stars must get positive results in their first two matches, because a win against Germany in their final group stage match is not very likely.
Predictions
1. Germany
2. Ghana
3. Australia
4. Serbia