Germany secured top spot in Group D last night, after a 1-0 win against Ghana, and will now face Group C runners up - England. However, it was not all doom and gloom for the African side, despite their loss to two times winners, Germany, as they became the first African representation through to the last 16 of this tournament. In the other Group D game, Australia beat Serbia 2-1 and saw them miss out on qualification thanks to their inferior goal difference - mainly due to the large scoreline imposed on them by Ghana's opposition.
This tasty encounter was made even tastier by the fact that Group D was wide open after Serbia had beaten 10 man Germany in their previous game. Ghana had struggled to beat Australia, after Harry Kewell had been sent off, but only needed 1 point in this match to go through. Loew chose to start with Cacau in place of the suspended Miroslav Klose, and he immediately rewarded his manager for the decision, with a great shot at goal that fell straight into the arms of Kingson. Podolski also went close and missed. The chances sparked an open game of football with both sides attacking and not missing by very much.
Although Germany saw most of the ball, Ghana were very effective when they did get a hold of it, using their pace to run at the German defenders and get in behind them. Gyan, who has scored both of Ghana's goals in their previous two matches, looked good and had several chances, but lacked the sharpness to finish them off. Gyan had probably the best chance of the half, but it was headed clear by Philip Lahm off the German line. There was a suspicion there off handball, much like what Kewell was sent off for but Lahm remained on the pitch, and again looked impressive. He loves to get forward and did so very well in this game, but he was also really good at the back having a great overall game. The first half produced a thoroughly entertaining spectacle - the only thing missing was a goal or two, to really get things going.
We didn't have to wait long before we got one, and what a great goal it was too! Before Germany scored, Gyan again had another chance at goal, this one going straight at Neuer. He looks an impressive and lively player with the ability to affect things and change the game, but just lacks that bit of confidence or final finishing to his game. If he worked on that, he might see more of his chances going in and not getting squandered. Mezut Ozil who has really caught the eye since the tournament began, got his first goal of the tournament, after picking it up outside the 18 yard box and smashed a great left-footed strike past Kingson. He had been pretty quiet in the game up to that point, but the goal was superb. However, the Ghanaian defence had a lot to account for. Their failure to clear the ball out of their own area and failure to close down Ozil as he collected the ball was what allowed him to have the room and time to create the shot.
Soon news came through that Tim Cahill had scored for Australia, giving the Germans another boost as they knew that if Serbia won that game, then they were going out. In all honesty though that didn't look likely, even at 1-0 down, Germany looked comfortable on the ball, they were given the freedom to pass and did well in tracking down the ball everytime they lost it. Australia soon doubled their lead with Brett Holman scoring his second of the tournament. This pretty much confirmed that Germany would be through, and that Ghana would follow, unless the Germans could score a few more past them, and Australia upped their goal tally.
Ghana tried to get themselves on the scoresheet too, with some good chances at the other end, but they didn't really trouble the German defence and in the end, Germany ended the group stage with 6 points. A late Serbian goal also meant that Ghana were through, which was a massive relief for African supporters, after seeing the hosts, Nigeria and Algeria knocked out off the tournament.
As for England, well the big question is: can they beat Germany? We would have had a much "easier" route had the USA not scored that late goal, but remember: to be the best, you gotta beat the best. We know that history favours the Germans but it's knock-out football from now on: history doesn't matter, form doesn't matter...what matters is what happens on the pitch in the 90 (plus?!) minutes. Germany have looked a decent side bar that one defeat against Serbia which shows that they are not infallible despite their great start. England, have finally kicked into gear, but still have a lot of work to do. There's a lot at stake here but it is a winnable game for whoever wants it the most. The mind games have already begun with Beckenbauer spouting off again...maybe he should read one of my earlier posts...he claimed England were "stupid" in not finishing top off the group (did we ask Landon to score?!) and that the players are "burnt out" due to the stress of the PL...did the players look burnt out to you against Slovenia? Against Algeria - yes, maybe so but they were full of energy against Slovenia. Also, it is not only English men who play in the PL...but players of other nationalities too, some of whom are in the German national team...wouldn't they be "burnt out" too?
Anyway, it doesn't matter what his opinion is about the England team. What matters is the performance we see on Sunday. If it's half as good as what it was against Slovenia, we have a chance of making it through. But just incase, the boys should perhaps start practising those penalty kicks...
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