Group D - 2010 World Cup - South Africa Car Rentals

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Group D - 2010 Football World cup - Germany, Australia, Serbia, Ghana

If trying to predict the outcome of Group D on team reputation alone, then Germany would look the most likely winners. However, on closer examination, Group D is not so clear-cut. Australia, Serbia and Ghana are, like Germany, strong and physical teams. Strength and stamina will be vital for any team wishing to make it through to the next round.

The current FIFA World Rankings have Germany in 6th place while Serbia are ranked 19th, Australia 21st and Ghana are down in 34th position. Rankings, however, like reputation, can often be misleading. Group D will be a gruelling test for all the teams involved.

Germany

Germany has a big reputation in World Cup football. The national side has lifted the World Cup on three occasions and has finished as runner-up four times. No matter how talented any given German squad is deemed to be, the Germans are always a powerful force in World Cup competitions. Discipline and determination seem to be etched into the national footballing mentality.

The current squad is no exception. It may lack the depth of quality found within previous German teams, but that alone is no reason to discount Germany as a potential winner in South Africa.

The Germans qualified for the World Cup with relative ease. Group 4 was not a particularly strong group, but Germany finished on top with an impressive 8 wins and no losses. Head coach Joachim Low looks to have built a solid team with few obvious weaknesses. Miroslav Klose and Lukas Podolski combine well in attack, while players such as Michael Ballack, Thomas Hitzlsperger and Bastian Schweinsteiger can dominate in midfield. The defence, meanwhile, is strong, experienced and reliable.

Germany is one of the most consistent World Cup challengers and it will be no surprise if they manage to reach the final stages. First, however, they will need to get through a demanding Group D.

Australia

In the 2006 World Cup in Germany, Australia did well to finish second in Group F before losing to Italy in the first knockout stage. If they can repeat this in South Africa they will have done very well indeed.

The “Socceroos” won their World Cup qualifying group by a clear 5 points ahead of Japan in second. With 12 goals scored and only 1 conceded, it was a good campaign despite fairly mediocre opposition. Group D in South Africa, however, will be an entirely different scenario. Australia is arguably the weakest team in the group but a second place finish is not beyond all possibility. If they can hold Germany to a draw in their opening group game (or even sneak a win), then they will put themselves into a strong position.
The Australian squad is solid but a worrying lack of star players could be a problem. Tim Cahill is without doubt Australia’s key player, a battling midfielder who can get forward and score vital goals. Harry Kewell is a quality player but frequent injuries have lessened his effectiveness. The squad as a whole is experienced and physically strong but they may find it hard to break down opposition defences.

Serbia

Serbia upstaged France by claiming the top spot in Group Seven to book a direct ticket to South Africa. The Serbian qualifying campaign was impressive with 22 goals scored and only 8 conceded. Manager Radomir Antic seems to have imbued his squad with a winning mentality and a dogged determination, a combination which should serve them well against strong opposition in Group D.

Serbia’s defence is a key area of their game. They are difficult to break down and they work hard for each other. Nemanja Vidic is a rock at the heart of the back four and will be vital to the team’s success. Manchester United’s young left winger Zoran Tosic will be a player to watch out for. In attack, towering striker Nikola Zigic will certainly cause problems for the opposition. Zigic is one of the tallest footballers playing today (taller, even, than England’s Peter Crouch).

Ghana

The Ghana “Black Stars” will be keen to impress playing in their own continent, and the added support they will receive should help them along the way. Ghana played in its first World Cup in 2006, getting through the group stage before being beaten by Brazil in the first knockout round.

With this added World Cup experience behind them, Ghana look prepared to meet the challenge of Group D in South Africa. Their World Cup qualification campaign finished well despite only just scraping through the initial group. The squad settled nicely during qualifying and looks ready for the main event.

All eyes will be turned upon Chelsea’s dynamic midfielder Michael Essien. Essien is a powerful force in midfield and he will be vital to Ghana’s success. It will be interesting to watch him go head-to-head against both Germany’s Michael Ballack and Australia’s Tim Cahill.

Likely Outcome

Group D almost defies prediction. All four teams have what it takes to qualify for the next round. Germany is seen as the favourite due to sheer experience and reputation but this is certainly no guarantee of success. Serbia, Australia and Ghana will all be looking to fight their way through Group D, and all three are capable of doing so. Group D has been labelled as a “Group of Death”; it will undoubtedly be a tough group to survive.

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