Review: Day 9

        Australia 1-1 Ghana

Australia’s ten-men earned a well deserved draw against the Black Stars just outside Sun City, but the Socceroos are still facing an uphill battle to reach the second round again.

Ultimately it will be last Sunday’s 4-0 reverse against Germany that will cost Australia progression, because even a win over Serbia may not be enough to qualify due to their inferior goal difference.

There heart cannot be doubted though. Harry Kewell’s sending off after 25 minutes would have broke many teams, but the Socceroos still attacked to the death and almost secured the victory.

Ghana started the game very nervously. A youthful centre half partnership of Jonathan Mensah and Lee Addy were clearly anxious and those nerves ultimately resulted in an early goal from Brett Holman. Mark Bresciano’s free kick was parried by Ghanaian goalkeeper Richard Kingson but only into the path of Holman.

The Black Stars relaxed however as the game wore on and especially following Harry Kewell’s dismissal. The Galatasaray forward missed the first game and may have already seen his World Cup end after only a quarter of the match. Annan’s shot was stopped on the goal line by the former Leeds man and he was rightly sent off, although he didn’t see it this way himself.

Asamoah Gyan scored his second penalty of the tournament but his team failed to stamp their authority thereafter. For the remainder of the half Ghana controlled possession but failed to create any clear chances.

Such a pattern continued into the second. Ghana shot from range at will but never tested Mark Schwarzer. The final ball was never there for Ghana, much to Gyan’s frustration and they almost paid the price for their inexperience in attack.

Scott Chipperfield and Luke Wilkshire had great opportunities to win the game as the Socceroos pressed forward in search of a pivotal winning goal, but as was the case for Ghana the shooting was inaccurate.

Realistically Australia needed to win as now their final game won’t feature either Kewell or Craig Moore, who are both suspended.

Ghana may also have spoiled their good work of last Sunday as surely they will need to beat Germany on Wednesday to reach the second round. Before today they represented Africa’s best hope of progression, that mantle now moves to Ivory Coast.