The World Cup Group D opener between Serbia and Ghana in Pretoria on Sunday is one that neither side can afford to lose, in a tough pool that also includes Germany and Australia.
While many might believe that the clash at the Loftus Versfeld stadium is crucial in the battle for second place behind the Germans, the group should be far closer than that with even the Aussies capable of shaking things up.
In tight groups any defeat can put a team under pressure and such a reverse in this game could see the losers potentially needing to beat Germany to reach the knock-out stages.
It all suggests a tight and cagey affair for which neither side has had an ideal build-up.
Ghana have lost arguably their best player in Chelsea’s Michael Essien, who misses the entire tournament with knee ligament damage, and that blow will certainly hit their hopes.
What’s more, their second most high-profile star, Inter Milan midfielder Sulley Muntari, is struggling to be fit for the opener following a thigh injury, although he expects to make it.
Despite the potential threat posed by Australia, Muntari believes that this match is the most important for the team’s qualification.
“We want to get out of our group and get to the semi-finals or even further,” he said.
“Germany are the group favourites and so it will doubtless come down to Serbia – we don’t know quite what to expect against them, but we know they are a good team.”
One advantage Ghana have is that they will know more about their opponents than vice versa, thanks to their Serbian coach Milovan Rajevic, who insists that he has no divided loyalties.
“I am 100 percent Ghanaian. I am a professional, my primary target is to win against Serbia and to qualify,” he said.
“We have a reputation for starting tournaments slowly, but I believe that’s a thing of the past.”
Meanwhile, Serbia’s preparations have been hit by a change of training venue due to a worry about picking up injuries.
They switched from their practice pitch at the AW Muller Stadium in western Johannesburg to the University of Johannesburg’s rugby stadium.
“I think they put a surface down a few days ago, so the pitch has not yet laid down nicely,” said Lazio defender Aleksandar Kolarov, a reported target for new Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho.
“The surface was a bit unstable, so we were worrying about injuries.”
Unlike Muntari, Kolarov believes this group is evenly balanced.
“It is a strong group, but the teams are mostly equal. Maybe Germany have a slight advantage, but they will be just as hard to beat as Ghana.
“They have a tough match against Australia and I think the group is fairly equal.”
KEY TO MATCH
Dejan Stankovic v Sulley Muntari: The Inter Milan teammates are more used to playing together but here they will be vying for midfield dominance on opposing sides. They are similar players who like to get stuck in, so who comes out on top will be vital in such a match where defeat is not an option. Stankovic played far more under Jose Mourinho at Inter last season so maybe Muntari will feel he has something to prove to new coach Rafael Benitez.
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