The 2010 FIFA World Cup Thread #2/Sports Thread #2 For 6/19/10: 10 Men Australia Keep Hopes For 2nd Round Alive With 1-1 Draw With Ghana

Photo from Getty Images and FIFA.com

The final analysis:
Now a lot of criticism will be placed on Ghana's inability to win the match today with the man advantage, but a lot of credit has to be given to Australia and its manager Pim Verbeek.

The Socceroos' tactical organizer got all of his subs to perfection, as well as getting his team organized for much of the game and especially in the 2nd half.

It was tremendous performances all around from Australia, from the captain Lucas Neill to the up front play of Brett Emerton, with Luke Wilshere and David Carney terrific on the flanks.

They have restore some much needed pride for Australia, and it is truly a shame for Harry Kewell that it could be the last match for him in his nation's jersey.

And also a shame that Asamoah Gyan won Man of the Match by the fans. Despite him making the penalty in terrific fashion once more and being Ghana's best player, clearly a few Australian players deserved it more than the rising force that is the rising Rennes man.

Or maybe fittingly enough, the fans couldn't give the man of the match to manager Verbeek. Because it was the managing performance of the tournament today, and full marks to him.

Final stats of the match, and look at the stunning evenness in possession despite the man up for Ghana (though they clearly had the shots advantage):

The full review is here.

Group D Current Standings:
Ghana 4 pts (+1)
Germany 3 pts (+3)
Serbia 3 pts (0)
Australia 1 pt (-4)

And the full match archive:

The lineups:

Ghana: Kingson, Sarpei, A Gyan, Pantsil, Annan, Jonathan, Tagoe, A Ayew, Addy, K Asamoah, Prince

Australia: Schwarzer, Neill, Moore, Culina, Emerton, Wilkshire, Kewell, Holman, Valeri, Carney, Bresciano

I really believe Australia will somehow get the 1-0 win in this contest here, as the loss of Essien and Muntari will hurt here.

1st half analysis:

Photo from Getty Images and FIFA.com

Australia were much better to start the day than they were against Germany, through it helps that Ghana's midfield doesn't have attacking midfielders and withdrawn forwards crashing the box like Germany's did to help their "lone forward" on that day, last Sunday.

But the red card is going to be hard to overcome against a Ghana team showing their edge as the 2nd half progressed. And seriously, what is a "hand ball" nowadays. They might as well call it "Appendages" ball.