Group D final set of games

Germany 1-0 Ghana

Ghana went into this game knowing a draw would guarantee them qualification for the second round. Germany knew they needed a win to make sure of their place.

The game soon settled into a pattern of Germany attacking with Ghana defending and hitting them back on the counter-attack. Ghana's defence was very well organised and the German side found it difficult to break them down. And for all Germany's pressure Ghana probably had the better chances overall, including two shots that were cleared off the line by German defenders. Both Oezil and Asamoah should have done a lot better with their one-on-one opportunities.

I was getting the distinct feel of a 0-0 about the game until the moment of magic arrived, a little out of the blue. The Germans were passing the ball around roughly ten metres outside the Ghanaian penalty area when the ball arrived at Oezil's feet (courtesy of Mueller), he flicked it up with his left boot before crashing a stupendous long-range shot into the top left hand corner of the goal. It was a goal worthy of winning a football match and that is the way it proved to be as Germany finished top of the group and Ghana sneaked into second place.


Australia 2-1 Serbia

Serbia went into this game knowing a victory would put them into the second round and a draw would leave their hopes hanging by a thread. Australia knew only a win would do, and that even that might not be enough. Cahill was back from suspension but Kewell was suspended.

Serbia dominated the first half and failed to score from a number of promising attacks. Krasic had a couple of excellent chances and Schwarzer foiled Ivanovic with a stunning save from a powerful shot. On the balance of play Serbia perhaps deserved a half-time lead.

The second half proved to be far more even in terms of creating good chances. Australia warned Serbia with a Cahill header that went wide and a couple of strong Bresciano shots when on 69 minutes Cahill opened the scoring with a typically powerful and accurate header from the centre of the box - the likes of which we've seen him score for Everton on numerous occasions. Then only minutes later Brett Holman scored an absolute screamer. He picked up the ball just inside Serbia's half, surged forward and thundered into the bottom right hand corner from 25 yards. There had been no pressure on him from Serbia's defence and the keeper had no chance.

With Germany winning 1-0 against Ghana Australia knew they needed one more goal to send them through to the second round. However next to score were Serbia. With six minutes remaining Tosic curled in a dipping and swerving ball which Schwarzer spilled into the path of Pantelic who tapped in the rebound. This now meant that Australia needed two goals to advance but Serbia just needed an equaliser. There was still time for a good shot from Cullina, a shout for a penalty and a disallowed goal. Cahill handled in the area but it was clearly accidental and despite Serbian protestations both during and after the match it was a fair call. Pantelic also thought he had brought things level but his goal was disallowed for offside in a tight call from the assistant referee.

Ultimately both sides were disappointed as they failed to progress to the knock-out stages.

Group D permutations

I had initially predicted Germany and Serbia, suggesting Ghana may miss out at a whisker. I also suggested this was a tough group to get out of (twas a toughie to call) and so it would seem before the final round of matches. It could go to any two teams. What do they all need when Germany play Ghana and Serbia play Australia?

Ghana: If Ghana win they will finish top of the group. If they draw they will qualify first if Australia win or Australia and Serbia draw, or second if Serbia win. If Ghana lose by one goal they still have a chance to go through if the other game is a draw - they will have the same goal difference as Serbia but Serbia will need to have scored more goals to go through, thus a Ghana 1-0 loss and a Serbia 1-1 draw will see Ghana through but a Ghana 1-0 loss and a Serbia 2-2 draw will see Serbia through.

Germany: If Germany win they will likely top the group (unless Serbia thrash Australia and overtake the goal difference). If Germany draw they will be knocked out if Serbia win. They will be through in second if the other game is a draw or Australia win (unless there is an 8 goal swing).

Serbia: If Serbia win they will qualify. This will be in first if Germany and Ghana draw, in second if Ghana win and probably in second if Germany win (unless there is a 3 or 4 goal swing). A Serbia draw will also see them qualify if Ghana beat Germany.

Australia: If Australia win they will qualify (in second) if Ghana win. If they win and the Germany Ghana game is a draw they will need to win by 7 goals to qualify. If they win and Germany win they will need a 5 goal swing to qualify ahead of Ghana. Anything other than a win and they are knocked out.

Group D's second round of games

Serbia 1-0 Germany

Serbia managed a famous victory to throw Group D wide open. The main talking point was the red card to Klose - it was a very harsh red card, both for yellows that could so easily have been free kicks and nothing more. The sending off must have had an immediate psychological affect as within a couple of minutes Serbia were in the lead. It was a nice move, rounded off expertly by Jovanovic but the marking on him was non existent and enabled what was ultimately an easy route to goal.

However just because Serbia had a one man advantage didn't mean that Germany didn't have chances or weren't able to exert pressure. Khedira, who got through a mountain of solid graft and passing in the middle of the park struck the bar with a good shot from inside the penalty box. Germany were also justifiably awarded a penalty in the second half - Podolski's shot was saved. Very unlike the Germans to lose a football match by virtue of missing a penalty.

Serbia looked good. Krasic showed why he is rated highly as a winger and Subotic thwarted many German attacks, upstaging his more venerated team-mates Vidic and Ivanovic.

Ghana 1-1 Austalia

The match started in a positive manner but there was little in the way of chances for either side. Kewell felt he had been tripped by keeper Kingson - it would have been a soft penalty to concede but it could have been given. Australia took an early lead after Kingson spilled a Bresciano free-kick and Hollman tucked the ball away.

Later in the half Jonathan Mensah fired a strong shot on goal only for the referee to adjudge that Harry Kewell had handled on the line - awarded a penalty and sent Kewell off. The Australians were livid but I felt it was justified. Kewell may not have been standing there with the intention to handle but the fact remains his arms were not stuck to his sides, they were extended. He had done nothing to prevent the ball hitting his arm - he had stood on the line and hoped for the best. The penalty was definitely correct, some may argue about the red card but you will hear no complaints from me.

The second half saw lots of effort from the Ghanaians to produce the elusive winner. But by the same token Australia not only defended valiantly but created opportunities of their own. Scott Chipperfield headed over from close range, Wilkshire had a shot saved. Ghana lacked incision and penetration and their shooting was off target but they were, for the most part, the most dangerous of the two sides. However in the closing stages it was Australia who looked most likely to score. 1-1 was a fair result.

Ghana will be pleased that having rested centre-backs John Mensah and Isaac Vorsah (due to injury) that Lee Addy and Jonathan Mensah came through unscathed. Expect the first choice pairing to return for the Germany match.