The Black Stars' world-class midfield will add African trickery to the Socceroos' group
Australia -Ghana has taunted a "weak" Socceroos outfit, vowing to shatter Australia's World Cup ambitions at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg on Saturday.
Australia -Ghana has taunted a "weak" Socceroos outfit, vowing to shatter Australia's World Cup ambitions at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg on Saturday.
Filled with confidence after their 1-0 weekend win over Serbia in Pretoria, the Black Stars plan to expose the Socceroos' lack of pace in a similar vein to Germany, who waltzed and weaved their way to a 4-0 thrashing of Australia in Durban on Monday morning.
Ghana and Germany can seal second-round berths with respective wins over Australia and Serbia, and also set up a battle for top spot in Group D when they meet each other in Johannesburg on June 24 (Australian time).
The Ghanaians, who have overcome the injury-enforced absence of star midfielder Michael Essien, think it is a fait accompli they will finish Australia's hopes of a place in the final 16 after watching Germany's demolition of the struggling Socceroos. "Australia must know they are going to assault and assault them," Black Stars midfielder Ibrahim Ayew warned.
"We are not there to defend, they are going to go all out. They will dominate them."
"We know they have some weak sides and they will take advantage. They are young and they are going to make use of our pace."Everything is focused now on the Australian game. It is the most important thing in the world. When they win against them they will be in the next round."
The ageing Socceroos were tormented by the slick Germans, with the likes of Mezut Ozil, Lukas Podolski, Thomas Mueller and Miroslav Klose making life a nightmare for Scott Chipperfield, Craig Moore, Vince Grella and skipper Lucas Neill.
Australia also struggled up front, and have the added burden of taking on the Ghanaians without their best attacking weapon - the suspended Tim Cahill.
Ghana are expecting lanky target man Josh Kennedy to be recalled to Australia's beginning line-up, but hold no fear about limiting the potential impact of the stringbean Nagoya Grampus forward after dealing with Serbian giant Nikola Zigic, who was taken off in the second-half. "We will do to them what they did to the Serbians - they won't let them play at all," defender Hans Sarpei said.
Ghana coach Milovan Rajevac, yet to be offered a new deal by Ghana officials, appears to be fighting a losing battle in trying to keep a lid on his players' confidence. Serbia-born Rajevac is cautious of a Socceroos backlash this weekend.
"Australia had issues. They lost one man and it was a different situation for them," Rajevac said.
"They would come out fighting to make amends and that is expected - they are not out of contention.
"The most important thing after the win is to stay grounded, show respect, concentrate and prepare well for the next match."
"They would come out fighting to make amends and that is expected - they are not out of contention.
"The most important thing after the win is to stay grounded, show respect, concentrate and prepare well for the next match."
MATCH DETAILS
Group D
Ghana vs. Australia
Match: 24
Date: 19-06-2010
time: 16.00
Vanue: Rustenburg
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