Serbia and Australia locked in key duel
Source: Agencies |
June 23, 2010, Wednesday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
AUSTRALIA and Serbia have already experienced the highs and lows of this World Cup ahead of their decisive Group D encounter today.
Australia suffered a red card in each of its opening matches, while Serbia conceded penalties in both of its games. But on the positive side, Serbia bounced back from an opening defeat against Ghana to beat Germany, while Australia's 0-4 thrashing at the hands of the Germans was followed by a battling 1-1 draw with ten men against Ghana.
Both sides are left in the position of knowing defeat at Nelspruit's Mbombela stadium today could equal an early flight home.
Australia needs to win and also hopes for a favorable result in the simultaneous Ghana-Germany game to reach the round of 16. If Australia and Ghana both win, Australia is through. If Germany wins, Australia must beat Serbia and hope its goal difference is boosted and Ghana's reduced by a sum of five goals. A Germany-Ghana draw would leave Australia having to win by seven goals.
Progression
For Serbia, a win guarantees progression, while a draw would also do the job provided Ghana wins. Not much separates the two sides in rankings - Serbia is in 15th spot, with the Australians five places further back.
Australia's preparation has been hampered by suspensions to two key players. Forward Harry Kewell will miss out after his red card against Ghana and experienced defender Craig Moore is sidelined after picking up two yellow cards.
"They still have good players in the reserves, but these two are big players for them," Serbia captain Dejan Stankovic said. "We will try to use that to our advantage."
The brighter news for Australia is that attacking midfielder Tim Cahill is available after serving a one-match ban for a red card.
Serbia can count on players from some of Europe's top clubs. Nemanja Vidic is a regular in the center of Manchester United's defence, while Branislav Ivanovic impressed with Chelsea in the season past. Inter Milan's Champions League winning midfielder Stankovic carries the distinction of playing in his third World Cup for three different countries - Yugoslavia, Serbia/Montenegro and now Serbia.
Australia suffered a red card in each of its opening matches, while Serbia conceded penalties in both of its games. But on the positive side, Serbia bounced back from an opening defeat against Ghana to beat Germany, while Australia's 0-4 thrashing at the hands of the Germans was followed by a battling 1-1 draw with ten men against Ghana.
Both sides are left in the position of knowing defeat at Nelspruit's Mbombela stadium today could equal an early flight home.
Australia needs to win and also hopes for a favorable result in the simultaneous Ghana-Germany game to reach the round of 16. If Australia and Ghana both win, Australia is through. If Germany wins, Australia must beat Serbia and hope its goal difference is boosted and Ghana's reduced by a sum of five goals. A Germany-Ghana draw would leave Australia having to win by seven goals.
Progression
For Serbia, a win guarantees progression, while a draw would also do the job provided Ghana wins. Not much separates the two sides in rankings - Serbia is in 15th spot, with the Australians five places further back.
Australia's preparation has been hampered by suspensions to two key players. Forward Harry Kewell will miss out after his red card against Ghana and experienced defender Craig Moore is sidelined after picking up two yellow cards.
"They still have good players in the reserves, but these two are big players for them," Serbia captain Dejan Stankovic said. "We will try to use that to our advantage."
The brighter news for Australia is that attacking midfielder Tim Cahill is available after serving a one-match ban for a red card.
Serbia can count on players from some of Europe's top clubs. Nemanja Vidic is a regular in the center of Manchester United's defence, while Branislav Ivanovic impressed with Chelsea in the season past. Inter Milan's Champions League winning midfielder Stankovic carries the distinction of playing in his third World Cup for three different countries - Yugoslavia, Serbia/Montenegro and now Serbia.
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