Australia vs Ghana - Prediction

Ghana
v
Australia


2:00 PM GMT, June 19, 2010
Royal Bafokeng Stadium, Rustenburg, South Africa

Team Stat Comparison

	Ghana	Australia
Matches Played	1	1
Table Position	2	4
Points	3	0
Goal Difference	1	-4
Goals for *	0.0	0.0
Goals against *	0.0	4.0
Last 5	W	L
Last 5 home
Last 5 away	W	L
*  Goals per match - home matches for home club and away matches for away club
Stats: Ghana | Australia

Competition Stats

	Ghana	Australia
Goals	Asamoah Gyan 1
Assists	Asamoah Gyan 0
Yellows	Prince Tagoe 1	Lucas Neill 1
Reds		Tim Cahill 1
Squads: Ghana | Australia

Group Table

RK	TEAM	P	W	D	L	GS	GA	GD	Pts
1	Germany	2	1	0	1	4	1	3	3
2	Ghana	1	1	0	0	1	0	1	3
3	Serbia	2	1	0	1	1	1	0	3
4	Australia	1	0	0	1	0	4	-4	0

Top two teams qualify for the Second Round

Ghana player to watch: Anthony Annan. He may play his club football in Norway, but Annan is one of the young stars of this Ghana side and does his best work in the centre of midfield winning the ball back. Rumoured to be on the radar of some big European clubs, he has a lot of strength for a man measuring just 5' 7'' and his tough-tackling and never-say-die attitude will be a key component in keeping the Australian attack quiet.

Australia player to watch: Lucas Neill. After a defensive performance against Germany that saw the former Blackburn defender screaming at anyone who would listen, he will have to do a lot better if he is to keep the Socceroo defence together. Alongside Craig Moore, Neill was guilty of playing a few German attackers onside, but he should be more confident of keeping a lid on the attacking ambitions of the Ghanaians.

Key battle: John Paintsil v Brett Emerton. They have come up against each other in the Premier League playing for Fulham and Blackburn respectively, and the battle down the flank at the World Cup could prove crucial. Paintsil likes to get forward when he can, while Emerton is a converted right back himself, so both are capable of making an impact at either end of the pitch. As Australia may not play with a recognised striker, Emerton's forays down the right will be key if they are to get behind the Ghana defence, but Paintsil is as committed as they come on the pitch - even if his reputation off it is that of dressing-room joker.

Trivia: Ghana have been awarded three penalties in just five World Cup finals games, and their last two goals came from the penalty spot (against USA in 2006 and Serbia in their 2010 opener).

Stats: Australia have won only one of their eight matches at World Cup finals and have failed to score in six of these fixtures, while Ghana are yet to draw after five games at the finals.

Odds: Ghana (2.00), Australia (3.80) and the draw (3.40) are all on offer atBet 365, but Kevin-Prince Boateng could score first at 13.00.

Prediction: Australia were dire against Germany and something really has to change if they are to make an impact. Ghana are strong and talented and should overcome the Aussies.


Ghana has a good chance to beat Aussies.
2-1?