Group D awaited an interesting evening with all sides with chances to qualify for the Round of 16.
(matches to kick off simultaneously)
Ghana 0-1 (0-0) Germany
Goals: 0-1 Mesut Özil (60').
Germany defeated Ghana 1-0 at the Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg to finish their Group D engagements top of the group, while Ghana also join them in the pre-quarterfinals.
As tight and tactical match was expected and it came that way as both sides knew that a lot was at stake tonight. Germany looked the more organised of the two sides, but Ghana standing deep and their first line of defence attacking the Germans, forced the Europeans to often play the ball around at the back rather then going for the move forward. Germany's best chance of the half came in the 25th minute when Mesut Özil was found free, but he couldn't place the ball past keeper Richard Kingson. Only a minute Ghana had their best chance of the half as following a corner Asamoah Gyan's corner was cleared of the line by captain Philipp Lahm.
After the break Germany continued to control the game, but long pass sessions didn't get the desired results as often the last pass was missing or they were intercepted by Ghana. Ghana now often relied on the long ball and one such ball reached Asamoah Gyan, but his shot was blocked by Manuel Neuer in the German goal in the 51st minute. Then came the 60th minute as Thomas Mueller played the ball to Özil who from 20 metres out shot the ball with his left foot into the goal past the outstretched hands of Kingson. After the lead Germany got more surety into their game, while Ghana had to risk more to ensure that they reach the pre-quarterfinals. Germany were now out to seal the game on counter attacks, but they somehow couldn't finish of their attacks, while Ghana just didn't bother the German goal too much as a defender or midfielder was always there to stop their attacks. In the end Germany won 1-0 still both sides made it to the Round of 16.
Australia 2-1 (0-0) Serbia
Goals: 1-0 Tim Cahill (69'), 2-0 Brett Holman (73'), 2-1 Marko Pantelic (84').
Australia overcame Serbia 2-1 at the Mbombela Stadium in Nespruit, but it wasn't enough to qualify for the knockout stages, while Serbia finished bottom of the group. It was a match of two halves with Serbia having more of the game in the first session, while Australia were the better side after the breather.
Serbia had their first chances through Milos Krasic and Zdravko Kuzmanovic with Australian goalkeeper Marc Schwarzer keeping his side in the game. After the break Australia were part of the game, but Serbia could have once more gone ahead through Nikola Zigic in the 53rd minute. Thereafter the Aussies had their chances and then in the 69th minute Tim Cahill headed in a Luke Wilkshire cross to give them the lead. Only four minutes later Brett Holman shocked Serbia with a long-range effort to give the Aussies a 2-0 lead. Serbia hit back when a Zoran Tosic shot couldn't be collected by Mark Schwarzer and Marko Pantelic was there in the 84th minute to reduce the margin. Serbia tried everything to get the equaliser which would have meant moving on, but Australia held on to their 2-1 lead.
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Rabu, 23 Juni 2010
Jumat, 18 Juni 2010
Group D: Serbia shock Germany, Aussies hold Ghana
Group D enters an interesting stage
(to be updated after the second game)
Germany 0-1 (0-1) Serbia
Goals: 0-1 Milan Jovanovic (38').
Serbia shocked Germany with a 1-0 win at the Port Elizabeth Stadium to bring the Germans back crashing down to earth. Germany played for over 50 minutes with ten men as striker Miroslav Klose given marching orders early and just thereafter Jovanovic scored the winner for the Serbs.
The Germans had expected that this match would be much tougher then their opening game against Australia. And it came that way as the Serbs tried to block all German efforts to move forward blocking all potential open space. But Germany had their first chance through Lukas Podolski whose shot went wide today unlike in the opening game where he had scored from a similar chance, while the Serbs had their first chance through a Ninkovic volley in the 11th minute. Thereafter it was mainly midfield action, a number of yellow cards on both sides and it looked evident that this match couldn't finish with 22 players at the rate the referee Alberto Undiano Mallenco was pulling out cards. After the half hour mark the match gained some pace, but Germany would be down to ten men when Klose received his second yellow card for a foul from behind in the middle, a card which would need not be shown. And a disaster often doesn't come alone, only a minute later Milan Jovanovic would scored the winner off a Zigic header. But Germany wasn't beaten yet as in the first half injury time a Sami Khedira shot would hit the crossbar.
After the break the match would mainly be played in the Serbian half who pulled back a little allowing Germany more space to build-up and they were able to use this space. First Bastian Schweinsteiger and then Podolksi twice failed in a short span of time. Then Serbia star Nemanja Vidic would handle the ball in the area, penalty for Germany but Podolski's rather weak shot would be saved by the Serbian keeper Vladimir Stojkovic. It just wasn't Germany's day as they thereafter looked shocked as Serbia got back into the match as Jovanovic hit the post in the 67th minute and Zigic's header landed on the crossbar a little while later. Germany brought on Cacau, Marko Marin and Mario Gomez; but it wouldn't help as once more the luckless Podolski would have the last chance for Germany. Serbia looked tired towards the end, but they didn't give the Germans the necessary space.
Ghana 1-1 (1-1) Australia
Goals: 0-1 Brett Holman (11'), 1-1 Asamoah Gyan (25', penalty).
Ghana and Australia played out an entertaining one-all draw at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg which leaves Group D wide open.
Australia took a surprise lead in the 11th minute. Ghana keeper Richard Kingston couldn't push the ball away properly from a Marco Bresciano free kick and Brett Holman is there to put the ball in. Australia after taking the lead pull back and that would haunt them. In the 25th minute Andrè Ayew gets past two defenders on the right plays the ball back, where Jonathan Mensah fires the ball goalwards. The ball is cleared off the line by Harry Kewell by his chest and arm. Italian referee Roberto Rosetti points to the dreaded spot and shows Kewell the red card, another debatable decision. Like against Serbia Asamoah Gyan took the penalty and blasted another one into the Aussie goal. Thereafter Ghana was in control as the Aussies looked shocked, while the Africans pressure on them but couldn't use their advantage.
The match continued after the break in the same way with Ghana in control, but keeper Mark Schwarzer denied Ghana on a couple of occasions. Australia then brought on Scott Chipperfield and Joshua Kennedy in the middle of the second session and suddenly the complexion of the game changed with suddenly Australia the team pushing for the lead. And Ghana looked impressed by the 10 Australians, who had their best chance through Luke Wilshire in the 72nd minute who has only keeper Richard Kingston to beat, but the Ghanian keeper deflects the ball away. Towards end both sides looked tired and didn't really have chances to win the match.
(to be updated after the second game)
Germany 0-1 (0-1) Serbia
Goals: 0-1 Milan Jovanovic (38').
Serbia shocked Germany with a 1-0 win at the Port Elizabeth Stadium to bring the Germans back crashing down to earth. Germany played for over 50 minutes with ten men as striker Miroslav Klose given marching orders early and just thereafter Jovanovic scored the winner for the Serbs.
The Germans had expected that this match would be much tougher then their opening game against Australia. And it came that way as the Serbs tried to block all German efforts to move forward blocking all potential open space. But Germany had their first chance through Lukas Podolski whose shot went wide today unlike in the opening game where he had scored from a similar chance, while the Serbs had their first chance through a Ninkovic volley in the 11th minute. Thereafter it was mainly midfield action, a number of yellow cards on both sides and it looked evident that this match couldn't finish with 22 players at the rate the referee Alberto Undiano Mallenco was pulling out cards. After the half hour mark the match gained some pace, but Germany would be down to ten men when Klose received his second yellow card for a foul from behind in the middle, a card which would need not be shown. And a disaster often doesn't come alone, only a minute later Milan Jovanovic would scored the winner off a Zigic header. But Germany wasn't beaten yet as in the first half injury time a Sami Khedira shot would hit the crossbar.
After the break the match would mainly be played in the Serbian half who pulled back a little allowing Germany more space to build-up and they were able to use this space. First Bastian Schweinsteiger and then Podolksi twice failed in a short span of time. Then Serbia star Nemanja Vidic would handle the ball in the area, penalty for Germany but Podolski's rather weak shot would be saved by the Serbian keeper Vladimir Stojkovic. It just wasn't Germany's day as they thereafter looked shocked as Serbia got back into the match as Jovanovic hit the post in the 67th minute and Zigic's header landed on the crossbar a little while later. Germany brought on Cacau, Marko Marin and Mario Gomez; but it wouldn't help as once more the luckless Podolski would have the last chance for Germany. Serbia looked tired towards the end, but they didn't give the Germans the necessary space.
Ghana 1-1 (1-1) Australia
Goals: 0-1 Brett Holman (11'), 1-1 Asamoah Gyan (25', penalty).
Ghana and Australia played out an entertaining one-all draw at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg which leaves Group D wide open.
Australia took a surprise lead in the 11th minute. Ghana keeper Richard Kingston couldn't push the ball away properly from a Marco Bresciano free kick and Brett Holman is there to put the ball in. Australia after taking the lead pull back and that would haunt them. In the 25th minute Andrè Ayew gets past two defenders on the right plays the ball back, where Jonathan Mensah fires the ball goalwards. The ball is cleared off the line by Harry Kewell by his chest and arm. Italian referee Roberto Rosetti points to the dreaded spot and shows Kewell the red card, another debatable decision. Like against Serbia Asamoah Gyan took the penalty and blasted another one into the Aussie goal. Thereafter Ghana was in control as the Aussies looked shocked, while the Africans pressure on them but couldn't use their advantage.
The match continued after the break in the same way with Ghana in control, but keeper Mark Schwarzer denied Ghana on a couple of occasions. Australia then brought on Scott Chipperfield and Joshua Kennedy in the middle of the second session and suddenly the complexion of the game changed with suddenly Australia the team pushing for the lead. And Ghana looked impressed by the 10 Australians, who had their best chance through Luke Wilshire in the 72nd minute who has only keeper Richard Kingston to beat, but the Ghanian keeper deflects the ball away. Towards end both sides looked tired and didn't really have chances to win the match.
Minggu, 13 Juni 2010
Group D: Ghana win, Germany trash Aussies
The Group D entered the 2010 FIFA World Cup today with Ghana and Germany winning their opening matches in contrasting styles.
(to be updated after the second game)
Serbia 0-1 (0-0) Ghana
Goals: 0-1 Asamoah Gyan (84', penalty)
Ghana scored an important 1-0 win against Serbia in their quest for a pre-quarterfinal spot from Group D, while the men from the Balkans were nowhere near to their capabilities.
There is nothing much to write about the first 45 minutes as both teams looked tense and nervous going into this World Cup, but things changed after the breather as Ghana got into the game which also gave the Serbs space to create some build-ups. Ghana out have gone ahead in the 60th minute when Asamoah Gyan placed a long throw-in from John Paintsil just wide of the goal. Serbia were reduced to ten men when Aleksandar Lukovic was send off by the referee Hector Walter Baldassi for a second bookable offence in the 74th minute. This gave Ghana more space in attack and then Zdravko Kuzmanovic handled the ball in the area which Asamoah Gyan slotted home easily. Serbia tried their best to equalise, but Ghana had the better chances to go ahead 2-0, but still the match ended 1-0 for Ghana.
Germany 4-0 (2-0) Australia
Goals: 1-0 Lukas Podolski (8'), 2-0 Miroslav Klose (27'), 3-0 Thomas Mueller (68'), 4-0 Cacau (70').
Germany opened their 2010 FIFA World Cup campaign in style with a 4-0 trashing of helpless Australia at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban. After tonight's performance Germany will surely be named amongst the top favourites especially keeping their track record in mind.
But the Aussies had the first chance of the match through Richard Garcia's shot, which was jointly blocked by Manuel Neuer and captain Philipp Lahm in the 3rd minute, but thereafter it was mainly one way traffic towards Mark Schwarzer. Miroslav Klose could have given Germany the lead in the 7th minute, but his shot went wide. Only a minute later Lukas Podolski gave his team the lead through a typical left-footed shot which Schwarzer got his hands to but couldn't keep out of the goal. Klose had another chance before he finally scored in the 27th minute through a trademark header of a Philipp Lahm cross. It was Klose's 11th goal in a World Cup match. It stayed this way until the break.
One expected Australia to come and try something to get back into the match, but it just didn't happen. Germany were fine with the result and reduced their work rate. And they were further helped when Tim Cahill saw a straight red card for a foul on Bastian Schweinsteiger in the 56th minute. Germany got their third through youngster Thomas Mueller in the 68th minute of a lovely goal off a Podolski pass, while substitute Cacau scored only two minutes later of a Mesut Oezil pass. Germany could have added a goal more, but overall it was a perfect evening for team and fans.
Expectations have now risen and the young team will have to deliver. Maybe once more they will ride on the wave which took them to the 2006 FIFA World Cup third place and the second place at Euro2008.
(to be updated after the second game)
Serbia 0-1 (0-0) Ghana
Goals: 0-1 Asamoah Gyan (84', penalty)
Ghana scored an important 1-0 win against Serbia in their quest for a pre-quarterfinal spot from Group D, while the men from the Balkans were nowhere near to their capabilities.
There is nothing much to write about the first 45 minutes as both teams looked tense and nervous going into this World Cup, but things changed after the breather as Ghana got into the game which also gave the Serbs space to create some build-ups. Ghana out have gone ahead in the 60th minute when Asamoah Gyan placed a long throw-in from John Paintsil just wide of the goal. Serbia were reduced to ten men when Aleksandar Lukovic was send off by the referee Hector Walter Baldassi for a second bookable offence in the 74th minute. This gave Ghana more space in attack and then Zdravko Kuzmanovic handled the ball in the area which Asamoah Gyan slotted home easily. Serbia tried their best to equalise, but Ghana had the better chances to go ahead 2-0, but still the match ended 1-0 for Ghana.
Germany 4-0 (2-0) Australia
Goals: 1-0 Lukas Podolski (8'), 2-0 Miroslav Klose (27'), 3-0 Thomas Mueller (68'), 4-0 Cacau (70').
Germany opened their 2010 FIFA World Cup campaign in style with a 4-0 trashing of helpless Australia at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban. After tonight's performance Germany will surely be named amongst the top favourites especially keeping their track record in mind.
But the Aussies had the first chance of the match through Richard Garcia's shot, which was jointly blocked by Manuel Neuer and captain Philipp Lahm in the 3rd minute, but thereafter it was mainly one way traffic towards Mark Schwarzer. Miroslav Klose could have given Germany the lead in the 7th minute, but his shot went wide. Only a minute later Lukas Podolski gave his team the lead through a typical left-footed shot which Schwarzer got his hands to but couldn't keep out of the goal. Klose had another chance before he finally scored in the 27th minute through a trademark header of a Philipp Lahm cross. It was Klose's 11th goal in a World Cup match. It stayed this way until the break.
One expected Australia to come and try something to get back into the match, but it just didn't happen. Germany were fine with the result and reduced their work rate. And they were further helped when Tim Cahill saw a straight red card for a foul on Bastian Schweinsteiger in the 56th minute. Germany got their third through youngster Thomas Mueller in the 68th minute of a lovely goal off a Podolski pass, while substitute Cacau scored only two minutes later of a Mesut Oezil pass. Germany could have added a goal more, but overall it was a perfect evening for team and fans.
Expectations have now risen and the young team will have to deliver. Maybe once more they will ride on the wave which took them to the 2006 FIFA World Cup third place and the second place at Euro2008.
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