Ghana edged clear at the top of World Cup Group D after an exciting 1-1 draw with 10-man Australia at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium on Saturday.
The Ghanaians moved a point above Germany and Serbia after fighting off a determined bid by the Australians, who lost striker Harry Kewell to a red card in a sensational first-half penalty incident.
The Australians, trying to rebuild their World Cup campaign after a shattering 0-4 first-up loss to Germany, now have the tough task of trying to beat Serbia on Wednesday and hope Germany are beaten by Ghana to reach the knockout round.
The athletic Ghanaians hit back to cancel out Australia’s 11th-minute opener with striker Asamoah Gyan’s 25th-minute penalty and both teams had chances at either end to win the pulsating encounter.
Kewell was red carded for handling on the line of Gyan’s fierce goal-bound shot — the ball hitting his upper arm. Italian referee Roberto Rosetti pulled out the red card as the Aussies remonstrated his decision.
Gyan sent Mark Schwarzer the wrong way with his penalty attempt to level the game and leave Australia to play a man down for the remainder of the match.
— AFP