Group D, 14:00 GMT, June 13, 2010
Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria, South Africa
Ghana face Serbia in crucial opener
At one stage seen as many pundits' tip to be dark horses at this World Cup, the loss of talismanic figure Michael Essien to injury means they are now considered outsiders. Stephen Appiah will now find his role in the side increasingly important but, as in 2006, the forward line looks paper thin.
With Germany also in the group, it is expected to be a three-way fight for second and defeat in the opening game could almost end someone's World Cup campaign.
Serbia, who suffered in the Group of Death with Argentina, Ivory Coast and Netherlands four years ago when competing as Serbia & Montenegro, have been seen as a defensive team in the past but now have much more in their locker and scored 22 goals in qualifying.
Serbia player in focus: Milos Krasic. The attacking force in the Serbia side, Krasic's reputation was enhanced greatly during CSKA Moscow's Champions League campaign in the past season. That form, as he scored four goals in Europe's premier club competition, has led to interest from Juventus and he is set to sign for the Serie A giants after the tournament. He is a speedy and elusive right-winger or attacking midfielder.
Ghana player in focus: Kevin Prince-Boateng. This German-born midfielder finds himself in the World Cup finals having only made his international debut for Ghana on June 5. An experienced Germany youth international, where he was once named Young Player of the Year, Boateng is a figure of hate in Germany for his defection which was not helped after his tackle on Michael Ballack in the FA Cup final ruled Germany's skipper out of the finals. Boateng reignited his career at Portsmouth last term after a move to Tottenham proved to be a disaster and will be vital in the opposition's half.
Key battle: Nemanja Vidic v Richard Kingson. Set pieces are crucial in modern football, and Serbia have a band of towering defenders who join the attack to form a fearsome weapon which leads to most of the country's goals. For Ghana, on the other hand, they have a goalkeeper in Richard Kingson who has come in for much criticism. Despite having played only five games in three seasons with Birmingham and Wigan he remains Ghana's first choice stopper. The likes of Vidic will look to take advantage of his uncertainty on crosses. Trivia:
Ghana's Sulley Muntari's former boss at Inter Milan, Jose Mourinho, sparked a wave of protest from the Muslim world when he complained that Muntari's fasting for Ramadan had left him ill-prepared for match days. Stats:
Only Burkina Faso had a worse shots-to-goals record than Ghana at the African Nations Cup earlier this year. Odds: Serbia (2.10), the draw (3.25), Ghana (3.75) with Bet365. There could be plenty of goals in this game, a punt on the 2-2 draw, at 19.00, could be a wise investment. Prediction: The loss of Essien is every bit as damaging as you might expect. A confident Serbia side can claim all three points.
Team Bio For This Match:
Serbia :Group D
Manager: Radomir Antic
Star Player: Dejan Stankovic
World Cup Appearances: 11
Ghana : Group D
Manager: Milovan Rajevac
Star Player: Sulley Muntari
World Cup Appearances: 2
Serbia Vs Ghana Team Profile:
Serbia :Group D
One of the shockers of the qualifying phase, Serbia beat out France for top spot in their group, in their first ever qualifying campaign as an independent nation, no less.The Beli Orlovi does boast some talent in their ranks, with Nemanja Vidic, Gojko Kacar, Dejan Stankovic and Nikola Zigic headlining a well-organised and balanced squad.
Chances for Serbia for win fifa world cup 2010:
Qualified ahead of France and with quality through the spine of the team in the shape of Nemanja Vidic, Stankovic and the giant Nikola Zigic up front, they would be a good bet for a last-16 place, and possibly a quarter-final.
Ghana : Group D
The Black Stars have only qualified for one World Cup Finals (Germany 2006), but looked so "at home" on the big stage that it seems only a matter of time before they win "The big One". The Ghana national Junior sides have produced at FIFA age-group tournaments, and the under 20 side are the current World Champions.The key to Ghana is the word 'team'. With Michael Essien driving from midfield, they possess arguably the best player in the World and the rest support his drive and vigour. Inter Milan's Sulley Muntari provides the width, Fulham's John Pantsil defensive know-how, and Bologna's Stephen Appiah the guile.If Milovan Rajevac can keep his key players fit, they could well pose a threat to the latter stages of the World Cup.
Chances for Ghana for win fifa world cup 2010:
The Black Stars are a sound unit with their top stars playing at the very highest level in Europe. A repeat of their 2006 success would be an excellent achievement, though, especially after a tough draw.
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