20100622
allafrica

Ghana need just a draw against Germany in their World Cup Group D clash at Soccer City on Wednesday night to advance to the Last 16 in their second successive finals tournament.

But that is easier said than done against a German unit that is fighting for its World Cup survival.

After comprehensively beating Australia 4-0 in their opening game, and looking a million bucks in the process, the Germans stumbled to a 1-0 loss to Serbia that has put their further participation in the competition in doubt.

This is the youngest German side assembled in 75 years, and possibly presents a greater threat in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, but they do have that exuberance of youth that can surprise.

There is relief for Ghana that they will not be facing the deadly Miroslav Klose after the German striker received a red card in that Serbian defeat, but there are plenty of other players to worry the Black Stars defence.

One who will know this first hand is left-back Hans Sarpei, who has played the majority of his professional career in the German Bundesliga.

“I know a lot of the German players and I know how Germany will play. The coach will of course tell us how we should play against them, what we should do, but of course there are some small details that I can pass on to the players,” Sarpei says.

“When you see their last matches, [Germany] are especially strong up front, with [Mesut] Ozil, [Lukas] Podolski, [Thomas] Muller - they’re good when going forward. In the match against Serbia they had problems in defence, especially on the left side – the left back and the central defence. And I think there lies our chance to beat them.”

Sarpei has expressed his delight to be playing at the magnificent Soccer City, and says his side will not sit back for the draw.

“I’m feeling great that we can play in such a big stadium,” he said. “A draw is enough for us, but no team can go into a match intending to play a draw. We will go into the match to win and to send the Germans home.”

Germany coach Joachim Loew will have to be more attacking than his Ghanaian counterpart, Milovan Rajevac, but that does at least play to the strengths of his side.

In fact, he expects a fast game all round.

"Ghana are fast and can play well on the counter, they don't shy away from one-to-one duels as they are strong, they have players who can put in fantastic sprints," Loew said. "The general tempo against Ghana will be higher than Serbia, the Serbs were a bit slow out of the blocks and they had a draw in mind with only one forward.

"It will be quicker, but fitness is written with a capital 'F' in the Germany squad and we can cope with it."

A draw may still be enough for Germany, if Serbia fail to beat Australia in their final pool match, though on current form you would have to give that one to the Europeans, meaning it is likely winner-takes-all at Soccer City.