Australia 1 Ghana 1

An action-packed first half with two goals (one penalty, Ghana’s second) and a sending-off. Australia went ahead on 11’ through Holman but Ghana went from strength to strength, gaining their second penalty of the tournament (the first gained three points from Serbia), struck by Asamoah Gyan, FIFA Man of the Match (25’), in a move which saw the sending-off of Harry Kewell (the ball hit his upper forearm). It was Gyan’s second penalty in two games.

Down to ten men, Australia looked the weaker side in the last twenty minutes of the first half. Ghana had 4 corners, Australia none.

On 50’, Schwarzer saved a shot low to the left by Asamoah Gyan. 66’: Sarpei just failed to connect with a cross in the Australia goalmouth. 71’ double save by Ghanaian goalkeeper Kinson from Wilkshire and Kennedy. Australia pressed more in the second half and did well with ten men against eleven but the 1-1 reflects a balanced match and a just result.

Line-ups

Australia: Schwarzer, Neill, Moore, Culina, Emerton, Wilkshire (Rukavytsia), Kewell, Holman (Kennedy), Valeri, Carney, Bresciano (Chipperfield)

Ghana: Kinson, Sarpei, A. Gyan, Pantsil, Annan, Jonathan, Tagoe (Owusu-Abeyie), A. Ayew, Addy, K. Asamoah (Muntari), Prince (Amoah)