| Goals | Goals |
|---|---|
| 3. Asamoah Gyan (25’) | 14. Brett Holman (11’) |
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Aussies Frustrate Ghana
Brett Holman of Australia challenged by Kevin Prince Boateng of Ghana
The 10-men of Australia weathered a Ghanaian storm to secure a 1-1 draw in their 2010 FIFA World Cup Group D clash in Rustenburg on Saturday.
Australia took the lead through Brett Holman on 11 minutes, but Asamoah Gyan equalised from the penalty-spot after Harry Kewell had handled on the line and been sent to the stands.
Ghana had all the possession after that, but despite creating a number of openings could not force a winner.
Australia scored early as Richard Kingson in the Ghana goal failed to hold onto a tame-looking free-kick from Marco Bresciano and Holman turned home the rebound.
It was a disastrous start for the Black Stars, but they received a double boost on 23 minutes when Kewell used his arm to keep a shot from Jonathan Mensah out, and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot.
Kewell received his marching orders at the same time to leave the Australians having to play for 67 minutes with 10-men, and Gyan netted his second penalty of the tournament.
He also moved alongside Senegal midfielder Papa Bouba Diop into second in the all-time African leading scorers at the FIFA World Cup finals with three goals, still two behind the current number one, Roger Milla of Cameroon.
Gyan, Andre Ayew and Prince Tagoe all had chances to put Ghana ahead before halftime, while Socceroos stopper Mark Schwarzer did well to turn Kevin-Price Boateng's shot wide.
Schwarzer again saved well from Gyan at the start of the second half, and Australia substitute Scott Chipperfield headed over when he really should have hit the target from six-yards.
Gyan then shot wide as the chances mounted for the west Africans, but it was Australia who should have taken the lead. Joshua Kennedy was played into acres of space in the box with just Kingson to beat, but he dallied for a moment and the keeper was able to smother his shot.
The final clear-cut chance of the game fell to Mensah, who met a free-kick on the edge of the six-yard box, but couldn't direct his header on goal when he too really should have hit the target.
There was still time for Quincy Owusu-Abeyie to test the reflexes of Schwarzer, but the Socceroos keeper was able to palm the ball over the bar.
Ghana move to the top of the pool though on four points, followed by Germany (three), Serbia (three) and Australia (one), with the Black Stars taking on Germany in their final match on June 23.
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