Audio By Carbonatix
The Socceroos can kiss the 2010 World Cup goodbye if they fail to score against Ghana on Saturday.
There's only one big problem - it's difficult to see where a goal is going to come from.
Tim Cahill, their usual saviour, is suspended.
Josh "Jesus" Kennedy only looks like a saviour, and might not even get on the park.
He was overlooked by coach Pim Verbeek in the disastrous 4-0 rout by Germany.
Kennedy might find the net if someone can land the ball on his high-altitude head in high-veld Rustenburg.
But there was precious little of that type of service against the Germans.
And what of Harry Kewell, Australia's finest talent?
Who knows?
He still hasn't kicked a ball in South Africa.
Kewell must play against Ghana - or Verbeek can expect to be lynched if he ever sets foot on Australian soil again.
But will he start? Will he come on as a substitute? Will he be fit enough?
Will he be the Harry of old, who scored a dramatic equaliser against Croatia that propelled Australia into the round of 16 four years ago?
Despite regular protestations that Kewell is fine, no-one really seems to have a clue, and at times that seems to include the player and the coach.
Attacking midfielder Mark Bresciano has also been out of touch, failing to inspire Verbeek to select him for the opening match.
So where will that goal come from, as come it must?
A draw is no good to the Socceroos.
Only a win will do.
If they can somehow fashion that victory, however, it will actually put them in the box seat to advance to the second stage, level on points but with the Ghanaians still to face Germany.
The Africans will miss their injured "bison" Michael Essien of Chelsea, but showed in their 1-0 win over Serbia that they are a strong, athletic, skilful and well-drilled outfit.
The Socceroos may have built their success on defence.
But they enter the fray in Rustenburg (eds: at midnight AEST) having conceded as many goals in 90 minutes against Germany as they did in their entire 14-match World Cup qualifying campaign.
Not the stuff to inspire confidence, maybe.
But they must throw everything they have at Ghana, and that includes Kewell and the kitchen sink.
This is their World Cup final.
Source: Yahoo sports
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Tags:
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Latest Stories
-
John Kumah’s widow, Lilian Owusu remarries
14 minutes -
Mastercard boosts Africa acceptance network by 45% in 2025, accelerating the continent’s digital economy
23 minutes -
GNFS to clamp down on traders blocking Fire Hydrants after Cantoments Barracks blaze
35 minutes -
Minority raises concerns over revised lithium agreement
42 minutes -
Developing countries paid more in debt service in 2025 – World Bank
47 minutes -
Education Minister raises concern over prolonged CETAG strike
49 minutes -
MUSIGA Greater Accra names AMISTY GH Discovery Artist of the Year
52 minutes -
Vice President honours Nkrumah’s photographer, Chris Hesse, for safeguarding national memory
57 minutes -
3 arrested for impersonating Speaker, IGP on social media
57 minutes -
BoG to tighten monetary policy in half-year 2026
1 hour -
Parliament approves GH₵357 billion budget for 2026
1 hour -
MAX and Bolt announce strategic partnership to power electric mobility and vehicle ownership in Ghana
1 hour -
Greater Accra poultry farmers association says it was excluded from gov’t ‘Nkoko nkiti nkiti’ initiative
2 hours -
Michael Adangba survives dawn road crash en route to BolgatangaÂ
2 hours -
Court remands 40-year-old man for alleged murder
2 hours
