Ghana Black Stars will play Australia in the World Cup now being held in the Republic of South Africa. The match is scheduled for June 19, 2010 in Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg.
Originally uploaded by Pan-African News Wire File Photos
The Black Stars' world-class midfield will add African trickery to the Socceroos' group
Australia -Ghana has taunted a "weak" Socceroos outfit, vowing to shatter Australia's World Cup ambitions at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg on Saturday.
Full of confidence after their 1-0 weekend win over Serbia in Pretoria, the Black Stars plan to expose the Socceroos' lack of pace in a similar vein to Germany, who waltzed and weaved their way to a 4-0 thrashing of Australia in Durban on Monday morning.
Ghana and Germany can seal second-round berths with respective wins over Australia and Serbia, and also set up a battle for top spot in Group D when they meet each other in Johannesburg on June 24 (Australian time).
The Ghanaians, who have overcome the injury-enforced absence of star midfielder Michael Essien, believe it's a fait accompli they will end Australia's hopes of a place in the final 16 after watching Germany's demolition of the struggling Socceroos.
"Australia must know we are going to attack and attack them," Black Stars midfielder Ibrahim Ayew warned.
"We are not there to just defend, we are going to go all out. We will dominate them."
"We know they have some weak sides and we will take advantage. We are young and we are really going to use our pace.
"Everything is focused now on the Australian game. It is the most important thing in the world. When we win against them we will be in the next round."
The ageing Socceroos were tormented by the slick Germans, with the likes of Mezut Ozil, Lukas Podolski, Thomas Mueller and Miroslav Klose making life a nightmare for Scott Chipperfield, Craig Moore, Vince Grella and skipper Lucas Neill.
Australia also struggled up front, and have the added burden of taking on the Ghanaians without their best attacking weapon - the suspended Tim Cahill.
Ghana are expecting lanky target man Josh Kennedy to be recalled to Australia's starting line-up, but hold no fear about limiting the potential impact of the stringbean Nagoya Grampus forward after dealing with Serbian giant Nikola Zigic, who was taken off in the second-half.
"We will do to them just what we did to the Serbians - we won't let them play at all," defender Hans Sarpei said.
Ghana coach Milovan Rajevac, yet to be offered a new deal by Ghana officials, seems to be fighting a losing battle in attempting to keep a lid on his players' confidence.
Serbia-born Rajevac is wary of a Socceroos backlash this weekend.
"Australia had problems. They lost one man and it was a different situation for them," Rajevac said.
"They would come out fighting to make amends and that is expected - they are not out of contention.
"The most important thing after the win is to stay grounded, show respect, concentrate and prepare well for the next match."
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