Ghana vs Germany Prediction Match Preview : Surprise Group D leaders Ghana face their toughest test of this year's finals as they take on a wounded German side at the Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg in another massive clash at this year's FIFA World Cup. Germany are one of the favourites to return to Soccer City on the 11th of July for the World Cup Final, but their chances were dealt a cruel blow after they lost out to a stubborn Serbian team in their last fixture.The Black Stars on the other hand are undefeated in the tournament having picked up 4 points of a possible 6, thanks to a penalty in each of their games from Asamoah Gyan. The Ghanaians will ensure qualification with a draw but a win against the much fancied Germans will send them into the knockout rounds as Group winners as well as serious contenders for a top four spot. Joachim Loew's team desperately needs to win this game in order to assure qualification to the last 16 and it'll be considered a huge disaster if they fail to do so especially after promising so much with their 4 - 0 drubbing of Australia in their tournament opener.
Germany
Miroslav Klose's harsh sending off early on in the game by a referee who looked much too keen to enter names in the book put Germany on the back foot in their last game. The unfortunate incident titled the balance in favour of the Serbians both numerically and momentum wise. The World Cup newbies scored the only goal of the game within a minute of watching their opponents lose one of their star players and even though Germany threatened throughout the game, they failed to get back into it.
The defeat was a huge blow to the team's morale, which was on a high after their emphatic 4 - 0 triumph over Australia in their first game. Serbia put themselves firmly into the fray for qualifying for the next round and things don't look quite as rosy as they once did for the Bundesliga stars. Lukas Podolski missed a penalty in the game, which one predicted as the FC Cologne striker was low on confidence and form having missed a couple of decent chances during open play. Thomas Muller and Mesut Oezil failed to bring out that master class form that ripped the heart out of the Socceroos and one wondered whether the sending off affected the team too deeply. It's not all over for Germany and a win over Ghana will not only be a huge boost to them but also to the many fans or critics whose belief has faltered after the loss to Serbia.
Ghana
A win over Serbia and a hard fought draw against a 10-man Australian team sees the Ghanaians sit pretty at the top of Group D. The Black Stars were trailing in their last game as early as the 11th minute thanks to a Brett Holman goal, with captain and goalkeeper Richard Kingson playing an unfortunate part in breaking the deadlock. Ghana though were given a break a quarter of an hour later when Harry Kewell handled the ball on the goal line and was sent off for preventing a goal with his prohibited limbs. The decision was slightly harsh as the ex-Liverpool man hardly had the time or space to move his hands away, though the referee did apply the letter of the law. Asamoah Gyan stepped up and slotted his second penalty of the tournament to equalise for Ghana. The Africans though would be disappointed at not taking full toll of their numerical superiority, and putting qualification to rest as Australia valiantly clung on for a point, an outcome that could come back to haunt Ghana.
Ghana seemed to be faring quite well without the industry of Michael Essien but lack quality up front. Asamoah Gyan maybe the god of penalty kicks but he seems wasteful in the final third in open play. Germany will provide a significantly bigger threat to the Black Stars' defence and it'll be interesting to see how they fare against the likes of Thomas Muller, Mesut Oezil and Cacau.
Form Guide Germany
13-05-2010, Germany 3 - 0 Malta
29-05-2010, Hungary 0 - 3 Germany
04-06-2010, Germany 3 - 1 Bosnia-Herzegovina
14-06-2010, Germany 4 - 0 Australia - match report
18-06-2010, Germany 0 - 1 Serbia - match report
Ghana
03-03-2010, Bosnia-Herzegovina 2 - 1 Ghana
02-06-2010, Netherlands 4 - 1 Ghana
05-06-2010, Ghana 1 - 0 Latvia
13-06-2010, Serbia 0 - 1 Ghana - match report
19-06-2010, Ghana 1 - 1 Australia - match report
Key Players
Mesut Oezil - The young Werder Bremen attacking midfielder lit up the FIFA World Cup with his brilliant performance against Australia and Joachim Loew will expect more of the same from the 21-year old. Oezil generally plays behind the striker where he distributes the ball to the flanks and spots runs by the forward up front. His influence will have to be optimum if Germany are to make it through to the last 16 with little stutter. The Ghanaians though are a very physical side, and it will be interesting to see how Oezil copes with a shadow on him all game.
Asamoah Gyan - He is tied with Diego Forlan at 2nd for the Golden Shoe award and his 2 goals in the tournament have been extremely pivotal in his team's success. Gyan scores a goal every other game for Ghana and another goal or two against Germany would really put him in the league of the best players from Africa. A big money signing could be awaiting the 24-year old Stade Rennes striker who is displaying all his potential to the world on the biggest stage.
Probable Line-Ups
Germany (4-2-3-1) : Neuer, Badstuber, Friedrich, Mertesacker, Lahm, Schweinsteiger, Khedira, Podolski, Muller, Oezil, Cacau
Miroslav Klose will sit this game out through suspension and Cacau, who has already opened his account at this year's finals should start in place of the Bayern Munich forward. The rest of the team is strong both offensively and defensively. Schweinstiger and Khedira will protect the back four without suppressing their own attacking flair while Muller and Podolski will look to cut in and provide support to Cacau whenver Lahm and Badstuber bomb forward.
Ghana (4-2-3-1) : Kingson, Paintsil, Mensah, Addy, Serpei, Annan, Boateng, Tagoe, Muntari, Asamoah, Gyan
Philipp Lahm and Thomas Muller may prove to be too strong for the Ghanaians on the right and we expect Inter Milan midfielder Sulley Muntari to get his first start of the tournament on left hand side of midfield. Ghana missed two senior defenders John Mensah and Isaac Vorsah in the game against Australia, with a couple of 19-year olds Jonathan Mensah and Isaac Addy starting in their place. The senior men will need to be restored to the side though if Ghana is to compete with the power of the German frontline.
Prediction - Despite the defeat to Serbia, Germany are a very good team with quality in every position. The availability of John Mensah will be key, and should the Sunderland strongman be missing, Ghana might be in for a tough night. Ghana know that a point sends them through to the next stage, and chances are they will make themselves very hard to beat. We expect this to be a tight tactical game, and for the Germans to squeeze a narrow win.
Score line Prediction - Germany 1 - 0 Ghana
Check out the Points Table
Also Read:
Serbia 1 - 0 Germany - Match Report
Ghana 1-1. Australia (Match Report)
Australia vs Serbia Match Preview
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