A 25th minute penalty expertly converted by Asamoah Gyan earned the Black Stars of Ghana a vital point against Australia in a match the Ghanaians should have won. The Aussies had Harry Kewell sent off after handling a goal bound shot from Jonathan Mensah in the 24th minute but the Stars failed to make the numerical advantage count. A howler by Richard Kingson saw the Aussies’ nose in front courtesy a Holman rebound shot. It was a nervy start from the Stars who had the two central defenders, Jonathan Mensah and Lee Addy making their debut and looked a bit shaky at the back and gave away needless free-kicks. The Aussies were handed a set piece in the 12th minute after Annan cluttered in on Kewell ; but Richard Kingson poorly handled the resulting kick, flapping the ball on the path of Holman who coolly slotted the ball in for the dream opener for the Aussies. The Stars took up the challenge with Dede Ayew taking up more responsibility. The young prodigy teasingly outwitted two Aussie defenders on the right and sent in a cross which was powerfully connected by Jonathan Mensah. Harry Kewell blocked the goal bound shot with his arm leaving the Italian referee Rosetti no choice than to award a penalty for the Stars and a red card for Kewell. Gyan stepped up; kept his nerves; threw Shwarzer in one direction and sent the ball in another for what was a crucial equalizer for the team, and a personal second goal for the Rennes striker in the World Cup. He had converted a similar kick against Serbia in the opening Group D match. With a man down the Aussies looked out of sorts but the Stars lacked ideas up front. Gyan, Kwodwo Asamoah all looked promising upfront but always fired far out. In the 41st minute Kelvin Boateng turned defence into attack when he dispossessed Bresciano on the right, made a rampaging ran up-field down the right flank, had Gyan and Tagoe ahead but went for goal and forced a superb save from Schwarzer. The Aussies defended quite well and heaved a huge sigh of relief going into the dug-out with a point to defend. Coach Pim Verbeek made two superb changes for the Aussies bringing on Kennedy and Chipperfield in the second half turning the heat on the Stars. Unfortunately Quincy Owusu Abeyie and Sulley Muntari both failed to stamp their authority on the game after coming on for Prince Tagoe and Kwodwo Asamoah respectively. Gyan created all sort of problems for the Aussie defence and forced great saves from Schwarzer in the 47th and 67th minute. The Rennes striker was played through by Kelvin Prince Boateng but Gyan had his weak left foot strike whisk just wide. The Aussies had a glorious opportunity to put the Australians ahead, but with just Kingson to beat, Kennedy fluffs the opportunity. There were nervy moments for the Stars who had to defend a late surge by the Australians. Paintsil had a knock and taken out late in the game but the Stars held on for a point. Ghana lead Group D with 4 points followed by Germany and Serbia with 3 points and Australia one point. This leads the group wide open with the possibility of any of the four sides making it into the round of 16. Ghana play Germany on Wednesday whilst Serbia play Australia concurrently. Story by Nathan Gadugah/Myjoyonline.com/Ghana