The 2nd match of the day finalized the 2nd round of matches in Group D as The Black Stars of Ghana faced The Socceroos of Australia. Serbia's surprise 1-0 victory over Germany left the door open for Ghana to take control of the group with a victory at Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg.

VS.

The 1st half was full of fireworks beginning in the 11th minute when Australia scored its first goal of this World Cup when Ghana goalkeeper Richard Kingson mishandled Australia midfielder Mark Bresciano's free kick and Brett Holman was there to clean up and put the Jabulani into the net and give The Socceroos the 1-0 lead.
(AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

13 minutes later, Australia striker Harry Kewell was sent off for a handball in the box. Ghana defender Jonathan Mensah was in front of goal with his shot headed for goal. Kewell was on the goal line when the ball hit him in the arm, forcing Italian referee Roberto Rosetti to show a red card and reduce Australia to 10 men.
(AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

Ghana goal scorer Asamoah Gyan stepped to the PK spot and buried the shot low to the right for the 1-1 equalizer. The dot shot was Gyan's 2nd PK goal of the tournament. The Black Stars almost made the score 2-1 in the 44th minute when midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng shot was headed for goal when Aussie keeper Mark Schwarzer did well to get low and deflect the shot wide.

The 2nd half was not as eventful as the first half as Australia did well with 10 men to keep Ghana from scoring. Most of Ghana's attacks were shots from outside the box with the best opportunity coming in 2nd half injury time when substitute Quincy Owusu-Abeyie blasted a shot that Schwarzer parried over the crossbar to preserve the 1-1 draw.

The final matches of this group will take place simultaneously on the 23rd, with Ghana facing Germany in Johannesburg at Soccer City Stadium and Australia taking on Serbia in Nelspruit at Mbombela Stadium.

Click for the FIFA's Official Match Report.

Ghana vs. Australia: Match Wrap

The excitement is building as we get closer to opening match of the 2010 World Cup. The Great Tournament is less than a month away and the anticipation of the 1st African World Cup is building, its going to be great. The final Group D team to breakdown is Serbia.

Official Name: Fudbalski savez Srbije (Football Association of Serbia)


Nickname: Beli Orlovi (White Eagles)

FIFA Confederation: UEFA (Europe)

FIFA Code: SRB

How They Qualified: 1st place in Group 7 of UEFA WC Qualifying

World Cup Appearances (Including 2010): 3 (After 1994-During Breakup of Yugoslavia)

Best WC Finish: 4th place, Uruguay 1930 & Chile 1962 (As Yugoslavia)

World Cup Record (MP: Wins - Draws - Losses): 7: 2W - 1D - 4L (After 1994-During Breakup of Yugoslavia)

Head Coach: Radomir Antić

Most Capped Player (# of caps): Savo Milošević (102)

All-Time Goal Scoring Leader (# of goals): Savo Milošević (37)

Brief Footballing History:
Before Serbia became its an autonomous nation, its players were part of the Yugoslavian national team. Prior to 1994, Yugoslavia qualified for the World Cup 8 times, they advanced out of the group stage 6 times. Yugoslavia's best finishes were a couple of 4th place finishes. In the 1st WC in Uruguay 1930, where they lost to the hosts in the semis and Chile 1962 where they lost to the hosts in the 3rd place match.

With the onslaught of the Yugoslav wars from 1991-1995 and the breakup of Yugoslavia, Serbia had to wait till Germany 2006 in order to participate in a World Cup as a independent nation, even though it was Serbia & Montenegro. South Africa 2010 is the 2nd consecutive World Cup that Serbia has qualified for but its the 1st for Serbia on its own, not under Yugoslavia and with no other country attached to it.

Player To Watch:
The player to watch for Serbia was in middle of a bit of a tug of war between two national teams for his services. A young player with a bright future, he is Neven Subotić.

Photo by Community.footballpools.com
The 21-year old Serbian born Subotić almost played for the United States. He was a member of the US youth international teams after his family moved to the US in 1999. However, apparent public criticism from US Under-20 coaches of Subotić's progress helped pushed the 6 foot 4 inch central defender to choose Serbia.

Outlook:
The Serbians will be highly motivated as this will be their 1st WC as only Serbia. The team is well balanced and can draw confidence from their impressive qualifying campaign. Serbia has the talent to win this group because Group D doesn't have one dominant team.

WC Group Schedule:
June 13 vs. Ghana
June 18 vs. Germany
June 23 vs. Australia

Group E teams are the next teams up.

Serbia - WC Team Breakdown

The excitement is building as we get closer to opening match of the 2010 World Cup. The Great Tournament is less than a month away and the anticipation of the 1st African World Cup is building, its going to be great. The next Group D team to breakdown comes from the West African nation of Ghana.

Official Name: Ghana Football Association


Nickname: The Black Stars

FIFA Confederation: CAF (Africa)

FIFA Code: GHA

How They Qualified: 1st place in Group D of African WC Qualifying

World Cup Appearances (Including 2010): 2

Best WC Finish: Round of 16, Germany 2006

World Cup Record (MP: Wins - Draws - Losses): 4: 2W - 0D - 2L

Head Coach: Milovan Rajevac

Most Capped Player (# of caps): Abédi Pelé (73)

All-Time Goal Scoring Leader (# of goals): Abédi Pelé (33)

Brief Footballing History:
The team known as The Black Stars on the continental level are one of the Top 3 African teams of all time having won the African Cup of Nations 4 times and a record 8 ACN finals appearances. In their 1st World Cup in 2006, they advanced out of their group, the senior team is starting to blossom after the successes of their youth sides.

The Ghana U-20 side are the defending FIFA World Youth Championship title holders and have appeared in 3 FIFA WYC final matches. The Under-17 sides have been a major force in FIFA tournaments as well. Ghana's U-17 have won 2 FIFA U-17 World titles and finished in 3rd place or higher in 5 straight tournaments from 1991 to 1999.

Player To Watch:
Ghana's player to watch comes from a legendary footballer and is seen as one of the upcoming talents in African & European club football, his name is André Dede Ayew.

Photo by tv3.com.gh
André is the son of Ghana's greatest player, Abedi Pele Ayew. André is one of the hottest prospects in Europe and under contract with recently crowned French champions, Olympique Marseille. The 20-year old winger/attacking midfielder was named to Ghana's preliminary 30-man squad and was the captain of the Ghana's World Champion Under-20 side. He gained valuable senior team experience by featuring in every match of Ghana's run to the 2010 African Cup of Nations final.

Outlook:
The Black Stars have shown that they can progress out of the group stage of the WC. Their style of play is a physical, grinding style that specializes in 1-0 results and with only 3 players over 30 years old the team is entering their prime. For Ghana to make a deeper run they will have to score more goals. The goals need to come from the creation in midfield from André Ayew and Kwadwo Asamoah and the finishing from Asamoah Gyan and Matthew Amoah.

WC Group Schedule:
June 13 vs. Serbia
June 19 vs. Australia
June 23 vs. Germany

Group D Team Breakdowns conclude with Serbia

Ghana - WC Team Breakdown

The excitement is building as we get closer to opening match of the 2010 World Cup. The Great Tournament is less than a month away and the anticipation of the 1st African World Cup is building, its going to be great. The next Group D team to breakdown is one of the great teams in World Cup history, Germany.

Official Name: Deutscher Fußball-Bund



Nickname: Die Nationalmannschaft

FIFA Confederation: UEFA(Europe)

FIFA Code: GER

How They Qualified: 1st place in Group 4 of UEFA WC Qualifying

World Cup Appearances (Including 2010): 17

Best WC Finish: 3x Champions, Switzerland 1954, Germany 1974, Italy 1990

World Cup Record (MP: Wins - Draws - Losses): 92: 55W - 19D - 18L

Head Coach: Joachim Löw

Most Capped Player (# of caps): Lothar Matthäus (150)

All-Time Goal Scoring Leader (# of goals): Gerd Müller (68)

Brief Footballing History:
The Germans are one of Top 3 unquestioned powers in world football. No nation has appeared in more WC Final matches, 7. Germany is arguably the most reliable tournament team in WC history, reaching every WC knockout stage with the exception of Italy 1938, when they were eliminated in the 1st Round.

The team formerly known as West Germany is also the dominant force in European Championship football having won a record 3 Euro titles and a record 6 Euro final matches appearances. Germany has produced legends like Franz Beckenbauer, Gerd Muller, Lothar Matthäus, and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and continue to produce top talent through the German 1st division better known as The Bundesliga.

Player To Watch:
The Germans are such a deep team loaded with skillful talent that everyone that makes the final 23 man roster is one to watch but Piotr Trochowski is the one to zoom in on for the 2010 WC.

(Photo by Phil Cole/Getty Images)
The Hamburger SV midfielder will shoulder more of the creation burden in the midfield now that Michael Ballack will miss the World Cup. Trochowski is one of Polish-born contingent that plays for Germany, joining Miroslav Klose & Lucas Podolski.

Outlook:
Coach Joachim Löw has chosen a youthful side for Germany preliminary 27-man WC roster as only 3 players are over 30 years old. That means that Germany has reloaded again for another championship run. Germany is always good for at least a quarterfinal appearance and 2010 will be no different, no one will be surprised if they win the whole thing.

WC Group Schedule:
June 13 vs. Australia
June 18 vs. Serbia
June 23 vs. Ghana

The next nation to breakdown is Ghana

Germany - WC Team Breakdown

The excitement is building as we get closer to opening match of the 2010 World Cup. The Great Tournament is less than a month away and the anticipation of the 1st African World Cup is building, its going to be great. Its time for Group D to take the stage on the Simply Futbol WC Team Breakdowns, beginning with The Aussies.

Official Name: Football Federation Australia



Nickname: Socceroos

FIFA Confederation: AFC (Asia)

FIFA Code: AUS

How They Qualified: 1st place in Group 1 of Asian Final Stage Qualifying

World Cup Appearances (Including 2010): 3

Best WC Finish: Round of 16, Germany 2006

World Cup Record (MP: Wins - Draws - Losses): 7: 1W - 2D - 4L

Head Coach: Pim Verbeek

Most Capped Player (# of caps): Alex Tobin (87)

All-Time Goal Scoring Leader (# of goals): Damian Mori (29)

Brief Footballing History:
The Aussies were the dominant team in Oceania with their biggest accomplishment coming in 2001 as part of the Oceania Football Confederation. In the 2001 FIFA Confederations Cup, the Socceroos finished 3rd in the tournament defeating Brazil in the 3rd place match.

Seeking more respect and prestige on the world football stage, Australia moved to the Asian Football Confederation in late 2006. Australia has adapted well to competition in Asia quickly becoming a force. The Socceroos has shown their power by qualifying for both 2007 & 2011 Asian Cups and qualifying for the 2010 World Cup in dominant, unbeaten fashion.

Player To Watch:
The Aussies have a good combination of youth and experience heading into the World Cup and one of the Socceroos youngsters could have a major role in South Africa, he is James Holland.

Photo by Mark Dadswell/Getty Images Sport
The 21-year old AZ Alkmaar midfielder is ready to step up to the senior squad after gaining some international experience at the youth levels. He will be counted on to bring some young legs to the Socceroos midfield. His role in central midfield linking the defense with the attack will be crucial in a group where the midfields are the strength of the teams.

Outlook:
The Aussies should be confident of advancing out of the group, especially after they advanced to the Round of 16 in Germany 2006. The biggest concern for the Socceroos is their attack and who will score goals. If the Australians can get consistent goal scoring, they have the experience and tactics to get into the Round of 16 and possibly the quarterfinals.

WC Group Schedule:
June 13 vs. Germany
June 19 vs. Ghana
June 23 vs. Serbia

Next team up are the powerful Germans.

Australia - WC Team Breakdown

German coach Joachim Low presented the 27-man world cup list. Germany integrates the group D alongside Ghana, Australia and Serbia.

Rene Adler was left out of the squad due to an injury, forcing Lowe to call Jorg Butt(Beyern Munich).

Two of the surprises in this list are Holger Badstube (Beyern Munich) and Dennis Aogo (Hamburgo), both have no caps in the National team.

One of the facts about this team is that they have 4 foreign players: Cacau (Brasil), Klose, Podolski and Trochowski (Poland).

Goalkeepers:
Manuel Neuer (Schalke)
Tim Wiese (Werder Bremen)
Jörg Butt (Bayern)

Defenders:

Badstuber (Bayern Munich)
Philipp Lahm (Bayern Munich)
Andreas Beck (Hoffenheim)
Arne Friedrich (Hertha)
Per Mertesacker (Werder Bremen)
Serdar Tasci (Stuttgart)
Heiko Westermann (Schalke)
Denis Aogo (Hamburgo)
Jerome Boateng (Hamburgo)
Marcel Jansen (Hamburgo).

Midifielders:

Michael Ballack (Chelsea)
Sami Khedira (Stuttgart)
Christian Träsch (Stuttgart)
Toni Kroos (Bayer Leverkusen)
Marko Marin (Werder Bremen)
Mesut Özil (Werder Bremen)
Bastian Schweinsteiger (Bayern Munich)
Piotr Trochowski (Hamburgo)

Forwards:
Mario Gómez (Bayern Munich)
Miroslav Klose (Bayern Munich)
Thomas Müller (Bayern)
Stefan Kiessling (Bayer Leverkusen)
Lukas Podolski (Colonia)
Jerónimo Cacau (Stuttgart).

Germany presents 27-man squad