World Cup 2010 - Group D

Australia

Germany

Serbia

Ghana

Group Strength
Without doubt this is one of the toughest groups in the 2006 World Cup. This is a group where all four nations finished first in their respective qualifying series and although Germany are the only perennial giants, Australia, Serbia and Ghana are all teams who can put on a great run of form. Germany always come into form at just the right time for a major tournament and after the disappointment of 2006, when they went out to two late extra-time Italy goals in the semi-final, they will be determined to get closer to Brazil in the role of honour. None of Australia, Ghana or Serbia will be viewed as creditable challengers for the World Cup crown but could cause a shock or two during the tournament.

Group Favourites
Germany, not surprisingly, will be favourites to secure first place, although it won't be all plain sailing. They have not been spectacular but as the most experienced nation in this group, they will immediately have the psychological advantage. With players like Miroslav Klose and Lukas Podolski they should score enough goals and their supporting cast, such as Philip Lahm and Bastien Schweinsteiger are among the best in the world when it comes to the international game. Even with the loss of their talisman Michael Ballack, this group will hold no fear for them.

Battle for Second
Probably the most open battle for second place out of any group. Australia, Ghana and Serbia are all capable of snapping up the coveted second spot. The former two progressed to the knockout round of the 2006 World Cup, in Germany no less, but the Serbians were one of UEFA's surprise packages in the qualifiers. If they can carry their momentum to next summer, they could be a real threat. Australia know they should have gone further in the 2006 competition, but for dodgy refereeing, and will want to set that right in South Africa. Added to that they have better players in Tim Cahill, Harry Kewell and Mark Schwarzer than either Ghana or Serbia.

The Outsiders
With all four teams having pretty much equal chances of progressing, the two teams who lose their opening game, should they lose, will quickly become the outsiders. Australia have a daunting showdown against the Germans, but Ghana and Serbia will be looking to put one over the other to make a bright start to the tournament. Serbia’s performance in the 2006 World Cup, where they were humiliated by Argentina, compared to their opponents will make them outsiders for this group

Going Forward
The group winners will face the runners up in Group C, which comprises England, USA, Slovenia and Algeria. But a meeting with Argentina could be on the horizon in the Q-finals. The runners-up, curiously enough, could have an easier fixture in the last 16, with South Africa, Mexico, Uruguay (from Group A) and Nigeria, Korea Republic or Greece (from Group B) the potential rivals.

Fixtures
Serbia – Ghana, June 13th (15.00)
Germany – Australia, June 13th (19.30)
Germany – Serbia, June 18th (12.30)
Ghana – Australia, June 19th (15.00)
Australia – Serbia, June 23rd (19.30)
Ghana – Germany, June 23rd (19.30)

Prediction
1st – Germany
2nd – Australia
3rd – Ghana
4th - Serbia