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June 18, 2010 12:30:00 PM BSTNelson Mandela Bay, Port ElizabethReferee: Alberto Undiano (Spain)
Serbia’s disappointing 0-1 loss to Ghana and Germany’s resounding 4-0 win over Australia make this a must-win game for the Serbians if they are to have any hope of qualifying for the knockout stages. The well-oiled German machine seems to have taken many pundits and journalists by storm but it was only to be expected, given that all the spotlight and pressure was on the Spanish and the Brazilians. If the Serbians manage to get all three points from this game then the group will be blown wide open and Ghana will look to capitalize and cement their place in the next round.
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FORM GUIDE
June 13: Germany 4-0 Australia
June 3 Germany 3-1 Bosnia-Herzegovina
May 29 Hungary 0-3 Germany
May 13 Germany 3-0 Malta
March 3 Germany 0-1 Argentina
June 13: Serbia 0-1 Ghana
June 5: Serbia 4-3 Cameroon
June 2: Serbia 0-0 Poland
May 29: New Zealand 1-0 Serbia
April 7: Japan 0-3 Serbia
Miroslav Klose is closing in on the greats as he has scored in the past three world cups.
Probable Line-Up: {4-3-3} Neuer, Lahm, Mertesacker, Friedrich, Badstuber; Schweinsteiger, Khedira, Mueller, Ozil, Podolski, Klose
Germany’s 4-0 victory over Australia was the highlight of the first round of matches and what a well deserved victory it was. The Germans had 4 of their attackers on the scoresheet and some of their football was just delightful to watch. Germany do not possess the star studded line-up that other countries do but seem to be doing all the better for it. With all the pressure on pre-tournament favourites Brazil and Spain, the Germans have quietly been doing what they do best: perform on the world’s biggest stage. Another 3 points will surely see them qualify for the knockout stages and send a message of intent to the rest that Germany are arguably the in-form side of the tournament.
The Serbia Keeper will be facing a firing squad today!
Probable Line-Up: {4-4-2} Stojkovic, Ivanovic, Vidic, Subotic, Kolarov; Krasic, Stankovic, Kuzmanovic, Jovanovic; Zigic, Lazovic
A scrappy encounter with Ghana ended in a narrow 0-1 defeat for Serbia who were perhaps slightly unlucky on the night. Considered by some to be dark horses in this tournament, the Serbian’s hopes of qualification for the knockout round hang by a thread as the face the technically superior and on-form Germans. Serbia have a strong defense with Nemanja Vidic (possibly the world’s best central defender) likely to be key in thwarting the German attack. Serbia must go for the win in this encounter as a loss will mean an early tournament exit and a draw will see them praying for other results to go their way.
Prediction: The Germans seem to have this match in the bag however Serbia have a very strong defensive unit and will be much harder to break down than Australia. Expect a tight low-scoring affair with the Germans just shading it due to their previous World-Cup pedigree.
Predicted Scoreline: Germany 1-0 Serbia
