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Group D: Dark Horses to clash against Socceroos

By Samyuktha

Johannesburg, Jun 23: Serbia and Australia, the two Group D teams which have earlier clashed against Germany, will be going head-on in a key tie-up on Wednesday, Jun 23 at Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit.

A victory is what both the teams are looking for. While Australia lost against Germany in the opener 4-0, the Socceroos only managed to pull off a draw in the second match against Ghana. Serbia, on the other hand, fell to Ghana in the opener 1-0 but took down the mighty Germany 1-0 in the previous match.

Serbia has been called the dark horse of the 19th FIFA World Cup. The team has a balanced approach on attack and defense.

With its defeat against Ghana being brushed aside just as bad luck, the team prove its might with the impressive one goal win against 10-man German squad.

Fixture by Date - Fixture by Group - Teams & Groups - Points

Australia, on the other hand, has been impaired by cards. The Socceroos have lost key players in the past matches. They played without forward Tim Cahill against Ghana and now they will be missing another forward Harry Kewell against Serbia.

Craig Moore has also been suspended after he invited several yellow cards. The Serbs are expected to take advantage of Kewell and Moore's absence. Cahill will, however, be back for the match against Serbia.

Ghana currently tops the Group with 4 points, Germany and Serbia both have 3 points each and
Australia sits at the bottom of the pile with 1 point.

Australia can advance only if it clinches a victory in this match and if Ghana beats Germany in the other Group D tie-up.

Even if Germany wins, Australia can win if they manage to erase the minus four goal difference.

The chances of Serbia advancing to the last 16 are better. Serbia just needs a win, or even a draw would do if Serbia Germany loses.

Players To Watch:

Serbia: Milan Jovanovic, Vladimir Stojkovic, Nemanja Vidic
Australia: Tim Cahill, Joshua Kennedy

OneIndia News

Story first published: Thursday, August 24, 2017, 17:11 [IST]
Other articles published on Aug 24, 2017