The task for Serbia, Australia and Ghana heading into Group D today is to show that up as wishful thinking, and prove the World Cup is no place to pin your faith on novices and a striker who managed three league goals all season.
Ghana’s problem is that they have suffered a big loss of their own, with Michael Essien ruled out with an injury he suffered on African Nations Cup duty. The Black Stars, beaten in the last 16 four years ago, had been tipped as Germany’s big rivals for top spot, a vital target given the runners-up could face England in the second round, but without Essien their hopes have taken a huge body blow.
Their preparations were further disrupted when they changed base camp to Sun City on Wednesday after two nights in a Pretoria hotel, citing technical issues. Unpredictable Serbia, playing in their first tournament as an independent nation and with a deep squad of technically gifted players, should still prove dangerous rivals while Australia, unlucky to lose to Italy in the last 16 four years ago, are back with a point to prove. Adding a certain fratricidal spice to the group is the fact that Ghana coach Milovan Rajevac is himself a Serb, making the clash between the two teams on June 13 in Pretoria a deliciously unpredictable way to start the group.
Fitness boot
Australia, Germany’s first opponents in Durban later the same day, have been boosted by some welcome injury news for a change, with midfielder and chief goal threat Tim Cahill given the all-clear from a neck injury and Harry Kewell back training.
Germany, three time World Cup winners, are clearly the favourites to win the group but a lot will depend on how their less experienced players take to the loftiest of stages.
Coach Joachim Loew, who was Juergen Klinsmann’s assistant when they reached the semifinals on home soil four years ago, will likely go into that first game with five players boasting 10 or fewer appearances each. That is doubtless why the coach is ready to keep faith with Miroslav Klose up front despite a desperately disappointing season with Bayern Munich.
Slovenia vs. Algeria in Group C
Elsewhere today, Slovenia clashes with Algeria. The Slovenes’ impressive warm-up victories over New Zealand and Qatar have boosted their confidence and if they can beat Algeria in Polokwane today then they too could be in the hunt for a first appearance in the knockout phase. The Algerians are in the finals for the first time since 1986 having ousted Egypt in a controversial playoff but they have looked rusty in their build-up and will need to hit the ground running against Slovenia to have any hope of progress.
Referees today
Germany vs. Australia
Referee: Marco Rodriguez (Mexico)
Serbia vs. Ghana
Referee: Hector Baldassi (Argentina)
Algeria vs. Slovenia
Referee: Carlos Batres (Guatemala)
Live on TRT 1
14:30 Algeria vs. Slovenia
17:00 Serbia vs. Ghana
21:30 Germany vs. Australia
23:25 World Cup today
International
