Socceroos to win 2 nil

It’s time for the Socceroos to step up and respond

Australia's Harry Kewell, 3rd right, warms up during team training at Roodenpoort in Johannesburg, South Africa, Wednesday, June 16, 2010. Australia will play the upcoming World Cup match against Ghana in Group D Saturday June 19. (AP Photo/Rob Griffith)

This is it. After the ‘Durban Disaster’ and the ensuing fallout, the Socceroos need to respond. In fact, the Socceroos need to produce an emphatic response when they face Ghana tonight at Rustenburg’s Royal Bafokeng Stadium.

Coming into the 2010 World Cup, the expectation from players, coaches and fans alike was to see the Socceroos progress through their group.

Sure, it was never going to be easy, but after one poor game the dream shouldn’t be revised.

Okay, Sunday’s 4-0 humiliation from the Germans was a setback and has made it harder for Australia to progress, but as has been said by the Socceroos players and coaches during the week, they’ve still got two more games to prove they’re worthy of a spot in the Round of 16.

Realistically, getting anything out of the German game would’ve been a bonus, it was just the nature of the defeat which set off the critics.

But Australia are still alive at this World Cup (albeit wounded) and that shouldn’t be forgotten.

Staying alive, though, requires the Socceroos to turn it around and that must begin tonight in the must-win clash with Ghana – although a draw would still keep the Socceroos in contention following Serbia’s victory over Germany.

And Australia will have to do it without the suspended Tim Cahill and injured holding midfielder Vince Grella.

Nevertheless, on paper, there’s no reason to believe the Socceroos can’t get the better of the Black Stars either, but the mental wounds from the ‘Durban Disaster’ could be hard to overcome.

We also shouldn’t forget what’s at stake for Ghana, who infamously reached the Round of 16 in 2006, which was incredibly the four-time African champions’ first ever appearance at a World Cup finals.

Black Stars midfielder Ibrahim Ayew warned earlier this week: “Everything is focused now on the Australian game. When we win against them, we will be in the next round.”

It would be nice to be put in their position but, of course, our situation is a lot more difficult.

Nevertheless, the challenge begins tonight and coach Pim Verbeek will need to make some important calls on who will replace Cahill and Grella.

Interestingly, Grella’s withdrawal from the game due to a knee injury was met with an element of glee from some fans who believe the 30-year-old Blackburn midfielder has become a liability.

Whichever way, Grella’s absence simplifies Verbeek’s decision in this department with Carl Valeri and Jason Culina likely to take up the dual holding midfield role. Both started against Germany, though, so it’ll force a re-shuffle elsewhere.

Nevertheless, a re-shuffle is what we always expected with Verbeek getting his tactics all wrong against the Germans. Ghana also present a new challenge and so does the situation, with Australia needing to win.

Of course, winning will be hard if Australia concede four goals again, so the defence needs to be better prepared and that awful offside trap must be scrapped.

The Ghanaians haven’t been the most prolific side in recent times, though, so Australia can take some heart there.

Cahill’s suspension creates an opening in attack and surely Verbeek will be tempted into recalling Harry Kewell and Joshua Kennedy in attack.

Beyond the tactical and personnel changes, though, the Australian team needs to produce an emphatic response and that begins with their attitude.

Four years ago in Germany the Socceroos were the toast of the nation, but Sunday’s ‘Durban Disaster’ has scared off the bandwagoners and fuelled the doubters. Some have even gone so far as to label tonight’s game the $100m match with a major TV deal on the line.

Whichever way, even if the Socceroos can’t get the job done against Ghana, an improved performance will go some way to restoring some pride in the green and gold and that’s needed.

Let’s hope, though, they can do more than just restore some pride. Three points would be priceless.

http://www.theroar.com.au/2010/06/19/its-time-for-the-socceroos-to-step-up-and-respond/

Ghana is Ghana want to win, but the Aussies need the win more. I say 2-0 to Australia.

Ghana Can All but Clinch Spot in Round of 16

Andrew Jordan
Written on June 18, 2010

What will be the result of this match?

So far in this 2010 FIFA World Cup, we have seen some great play and some surprises as we have finished the first week of the World Cup.

However, the most surprising fact has to be that the African sides have really struggled in South Africa to this point, with only Ghana registering a win.

But now, Ghana will have their second World Cup match, as the play the Socceroos of Australia in the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg.

With Ghana and Australia's World Cup fate on the line in this match, here is my official preview of what should be a fantastic Group D match.



First Match:

Serbia 0, Ghana 1

Germany 4, Australia 0



Team News:

Ghana:

For Ghana, they will have the services of Sulley Muntari after Muntari missed the first match due to a thigh injury.

Australia:

The absence of Tim Cahill after a controversial red card against Germany has opened the door for Harry Kewellto start.



What is on the line:

Ghana:

For Ghana, it is their chance to get a favorable road in the knockout stage with a win.

Australia:

Meanwhile for Australia, a loss here would end their World Cup dreams and could cause the Socceroos to finish last overall.



Key Players:

Ghana:

For Ghana, their goalscorer from the win against Serbia (Asamoah Gyan) will be the player to watch.

The reason why was that Gyan was instrumental in forcing pressure onto the Serbian backline, and this match could only increase his stock as a great Ghanaian player.

Australia:

Goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer looked like an ancient goalkeeper against Germany in what was one of his worst matches of his career.

Now, the Socceroos keeper must be great in goal like he was in 2006 for Australia to win here.



What each side must do to win:

Ghana:

Ghana have to have a strong offensive match and have to take advantage of a weak Aussie defense here.

Australia:

The Socceroos must forget about Germany and pretend that the World Cup starts here. By doing this and having a strong defensive effort, they could win.



Biggest key to victory:

Ghana:

The strong play of their defense. The defense for the Black Stars was spectacular against Serbia, and must play great again here.

Australia:

Play strong defensively and make sure to capitalize on the counterattack.



Projected Lineups:

Ghana (4-2-3-1)

Kingson

Pantsil Mensah Vorsah Sarpei

Annan Muntari

Tagoe Asamoah Ayew

Gyan

Australia (4-4-2)

Kennedy Kewell

Emerten Bresciano Grella Culina

Wilkshire Neill Moore Chipperfield

Schwarzer



X-Factor:

The X-Factor here will be the weather in Rustenburg.

With the match starting at 16:00 South African time, the temperature will be dropping at a constant rate with sunset near and the days in South Africa getting shorter.

Now, who will be better equipped to play now in this match?



Prediction:

Right now, the Socceroos are not nearly as formidable of a side without the services of Tim Cahill.

With Cahill, Australia had a chance, but they will lose to a Ghana side that will all but clinch a spot in the round of 16 with a 2-0 win, raising their total to six points in Group D and sole position of the top spot.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/408372-ghana-v-australia-ghana-can-all-but-clinch-spot-in-round-of-16-with-win

Boateng: This is the big one

(PA) Saturday 19 June 2010

Ghana's Kevin-Prince Boateng has likened the FIFA World Cup™ meeting with Australia at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium later today to a UEFA Champions League final, insisting the entire team is aware of what is at stake.

The Black Stars are currently second in Group D after their opening win over Serbia and are well aware another victory will put them in full command of their pool. This became even more apparent after leaders Germany were beaten by the Serbs yesterday and the Portsmouth midfielder insists they are prepared.

"I think against Serbia we did very well," he said. "We won the game and everyone in Ghana went crazy. "But now I think, as the coach (Milovan Rajevac) said to us in the dressing room, 'this is the game of the season'. So we have to go there and play. This is our Champions League final and we have to do everything to win the game."

Boateng, who only recently qualified to represent the African country, played a prominent role against the Serbs in the absence of regulars Sulley Muntari and Stephen Appiah. Talking about the spirit in the Ghana camp, he said: "We have a very great spirit in the team, it's like a big family. I'm not here for a long time now, but I can say I'm a family member. There is a lot of love and we pray a lot, so there is a fantastic spirit, which we try to take on to the pitch."

Earlier this week, some of the Ghanaian players talked up their chances against the Australians, with forward Andre Ayew especially vocal following the Socceroos' 4-0 loss to Germany. But Boateng added: "I think Ayew is a young boy that sometimes may come across as arrogant, but I know him very well.

"He's not an arrogant player. I think their game against Germany, we cannot even begin to compare it with our game. This game Australia are fighting for their lives. They all know they have to stick together even more. I think it's going to be a tough, tough game for us."

Australia captain Lucas Neill has described the clash as the biggest in his career. The former Blackburn, West Ham and Everton defender, who now plays for Galatasaray, said: "It's the biggest in my career, especially because I am the leader of this group. I'm the captain of Australia and I don't want to be a guy who looks back on his career as somebody who led Australia to a World Cup and failed to get Australia out of the group. I have that responsibility, but it's a shared responsibility."

And Neill disclosed how the thought of failure had driven him and his team-mates. He added: "We all don't want failure and we're driven by failure. We're driven by fear of not getting out of the group, not winning a game and that's all we need at the moment. I've played in big games before and I'm sure everyone in our team has. But as it stands, this is the biggest game in Australia's history anyway."

http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/newsid=1250282/index.html?cid=rssfeed&att=

Australia to win by 5 or more goals. Get 3 points plus fix our goal difference.

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:


in ur fucking dreams

Gollum!!! Where have you been, mate???

You've been gone for a while after France's 'performance' against Mexico. :lol: \:d/

Unfortunately Ghana.

They have a great group of players, are very good defensively, and are in good form. We also meet them at a strategic disadvantage because they have 3 points already on the board. They can sit back and hit us on the counter if we push forward, which is nowhere near ideal for us with our likely back 4.

Anything can happen though. Go Australia!

Ghana have slight edge over Australia - Kofi Agyepong

Black Stars tipped to carry the day today in Rustenburg…
By K.N.S Mensah
19 Jun 2010 11:58:00


EXCLUSIVE

Ghanaian sports pundit Kofi Agyepong notes that despite a head-to-head advantage to the Australians, their west Africa opponents Ghana will have a slight edge over them on Saturday.

The West Africa Democracy Radio correspondent said the midfield of the four-time African champions looks stronger than what the Socceroos can boast.

“History favours the Australians and a very high tempo game is expected,” Agyepong told Goal.com.

“But the Black Stars have a slight edge this time round because of the depth in midfield against the Socceroos.

“It is going to be a close game. The Australians particularly would be coming all-out after that humiliating defeat to Germany,” he added.

Agyepong advised Ghana coach Milovan Rajevac and his charges to guard against complacency and not allow the absence of Aussies midfield talisman Tim Cahill to go to their heads.

“Tim Cahill’s absence won’t affect the game for the Australians. He is their mercurial and inspirational man. But nothing should be taken away from the team," he said.

"A lost will see them packing home, and every player will like to prove something now or never."

Ghana meet Australia in their second group D game Saturday at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium, Rustenburg.

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2890/world-cup-2010/2010/06/19/1984295/world-cup-2010-comment-ghana-have-slight-edge-over-australia

Bresciano, Kewell to start: report

WILL BRODIE
June 19, 2010 - 7:25PM

The Socceroos look to bounce back from their opening loss to Germany in the World Cup, and are set to play Ghana in a must-win clash.

Melbourne's SEN radio is reporting that Socceroos stars Mark Bresciano and Harry Kewell will start tonight's do-or-die group game against Ghana.

The high-profile pair did not play a minute in Australia's disastrous first match, a 0-4 loss to Germany. Brett Holman is expected to line up as an attacking midfielder, replacing suspended star Tim Cahill. Carl Valeri and Jason Culina are tipped to resume more familiar roles in the midfield.

Vince Grella is out of the team with a knee injury.

The only other selection quandary is whether David Carney will come in for Scott Chipperfield in the backline.

Coach Pim Verbeek came under fire for his unexpected selection gambits against the Germans. He said he was going to introduce the underdone Kewell in the second half, but decided against it after Cahill was sent off.

Richard Garcia started reasonably in an unfamiliar role as a striker, but with Australia needing goals to stay alive in the tournament, it appears Australia will revert to a conventional attack, with Kewell up front and Bresciano on the left.

Bresciano, a fine performer at the 2006 World Cup, and over many years for the national team, has had a troubled preparation due to injury, and Verbeek said his form had not warranted selection in the Germany game.

Tall striker Josh Kennedy remains out of favour, but may have to come on as Kewell is unlikely to be fit enough to see out the entire game, after battling groin issues.

Source: theage.com.au

http://www.smh.com.au/world-cup-2010/world-cup-news/bresciano-kewell-to-start-report-20100619-ynqj.html?autostart=1

Wit fail. :P