2010 FIFA World Cup: A Preview of Ghana's Group D Matches

Andrew Jordan
Written on May 26, 2010

Even though they are in only their second World Cup, hopes are high for Ghana after their trip to the round of 16 in 2006, despite the fact that the Black Stars are in a Group of Death for the second straight World Cup.

This year, the group that Ghana find themselves in is Group D, which consists of Serbia, Australia, and Germany .

With the World Cup now less than three weeks away, here is my preview of Ghana's Group D matches.



Serbia v Ghana

Date: June 13, 2010

Venue: Loftus Versfeld Stadium (Pretoria)

In one of the best opening matches in this World Cup, Serbia and Ghana will meet in a matchup that could indicate who will advance in Group D besides the favorite Germany.

With a very strong defense for Serbia and an offense that can probably score on anyone in Ghana, this will certainly be a very entertaining match to watch.

To me, this entire match will come down to the Ghanaian defenders, who certainly will need a strong match against a Serbian attack that contains the likes of Nikola Žigić and Danko Lazović.

In the end, I see this match ending in a 2-2 draw, as Ghana will have a 2-1 lead, but Serbia will find a way to score with about fifteen minutes remaining to secure the draw.



Ghana v Australia

Date: June 19, 2010

Venue: Royal Bafokeng Stadium (Rustenberg)

Another match in Group D that will have major implications on who will advance into the round of 16, this will be a must win match for both sides.

For Ghana, this could be their most winnable match of the entire World Cup group stage, as they are playing an Australian side that is not playing on all cylinders.

And that factor will be huge in Rustenberg, as Ghana will put together possibly their best match of the entire tournament as they will beat Australia 2-0.



Ghana v Germany

Date: June 23, 2010

Venue: Soccer City (Johannesburg)

The most intriguing match in Group D, there will be lots at stake, maybe more than any other group stage match in this World Cup match.

The reason why this is true is due to the tackle by German-born midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng (who now plays for Ghana) on German captain Michael Ballack in the FA Cup final back on May 15.

Now in this match, there will be an extra edge at Soccer City that probably would not be in place if it weren't for Boateng's tackle.

But in this match, I see Ghana getting several favorable calls in this match with the Black Stars being "the home nation".

And with that, Ghana will pull out a great 3-1 win, which will give Ghana the top spot in Group D as they will most likely face the United States in the round of 16.



Finally, it will be interesting to see what will happen to Ghana in this World Cup as one of the "host nations", and hopefully my prediction will come true as Ghana look to make a deep run in this World Cup.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/397044-2010-fifa-world-cup-a-preview-of-ghanas-group-d-matches