By TRAVIS CLARK
No other group seems to have been hit by injuries quite as hard as the nations in Group D. Ghana will be without midfield linchpin Michael Essien, while Germany lost captain Michael Ballack at the end of the club season, two of the tournament's biggest names.
A tough and mostly healthy Serbia side lies in wait, looking to take advantage of some notable absences to finish top of the group. Led by Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidić and Inter Milan midfielder Dejan Stanković, they'll be particularly difficult to break down defensively.
Germany is well-known for consistently succeeding at this level, and despite the loss of Ballack, are favorites to grab that second knockout spot. Rising stars Mesut Özil and Marko Marin will battle for playing time and a chance to shine on soccer's biggest stage. They'll also supplement the veteran presence of Philipp Lahm, Miroslav Klose and Bastian Schweinsteiger.
The loss of Essien puts Ghana in a tight spot, and they'll turn to Kwadwo Asamoah to fill the gap in the center of the midfield. The Black Stars hope that Asamoah Gyan, Rennes' leading scorer in Ligue 1 this past season, can replicate some of his goal-scoring form in the tournament.
Australia, who rode a strong defensive record to the finals, will struggle to score goals and find themselves trying to avoid the group's bottom spot. An injury to Tim Cahill in last week's friendly against the United States, could be the fatal blow.
Here is SBI's take on Group D:
WORLD CUP GROUP D
Top Players to Watch
Dejan Stanković, Serbia
Miloš Krasić, Serbia
Asamoah Gyan, Ghana
Bastian Schweinsteiger, Germany
Philipp Lahm, Germany
Tim Cahill, Australia
Mark Schwarzer, Australia
Young Players to Watch
Zoran Tošić, Serbia
Neven Subotić, Serbia
Kwadwo Asamoah, Ghana
Mesut Özil, Germany
Marko Marin, Germany
SBI's Predicted Order of Finish
1. Serbia
2. Germany
3. Ghana
4. Australia
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How do you think Group D plays out?
Share your thoughts below.
Mesut Özil that is
Mesit Özil
Watch out for this kid
Serbia first and Germany second? Yeahh effin right. This is Germany we’re talking about SBI. The way Serbia has been playing, I won’t be surprised if they don’t make it out of the group
Seriously how do you say it?
Soo-bow-tick?
Suh-bow-tick?
Suh-bow-titch?
Soo-bow-titch?
Australia has no chance, they need another impact player like Viduka (sp?) last WC…
Sure Germany always finds a way to win and plays tough but they have really declined in terms of individual skilled players. Plus the players they expect to score goals haven’t exactly been on fire, ie Podolski and Klose. I hope the USA meets them in the 2nd round because I think they are very beatable. If Ghana had Essien I would probably say it would be a toss up between Germany & Ghana for 2nd place behind Serbia…
What do you suppose is the percentage of soccer fans in the US (meaning, fans of any MNT) who can correctly pronounce Subotic’s name? I’d say it’s around 25%.
Serbia’s struggles have been perplexing. Compared to most smaller countries, they have an embarrassment of riches with Krasic lighting up the wing and and Stankovic orchestrating the midfield attack, plus Subotic and Vidic in central defense. Those are traditionally the most important positions to be strong in
Wow Ives…do you really think Ballack and Adler have that much of an impact on Germany’s performance?!?! Not to mention, Manuel Neuer should definitely be considered a young player to watch!
Germany
Ghana
Serbia
Australia
Germany 1st, Serbs beat out Ghana on GD for 2nd.
Right on with the White Eagles up top, they are going to do major damage this tournament and I hope the USA don’t draw them in the second round.
Ghana will be fourth with a good battle between Australia and Germany for second.
Hi Everybody,
While I would be the first to discount pre-tournament friendlies, Serbia has not looked good in any of its games. Yes, Serbia has not consistently fielded its best team during those games. But I would be worried if my team were to lose 1-0 to New Zealand — New Zealand — then draw nil-nil against Poland — days before a major tournament.
I would have to go with:
1. Germany
2. Ghana
3. Serbia
4. Australia
Ives:
You should setup some kind of competition for all of our World Cup predictions so we can see who did the best. Give a small prize(s) to the winner(s).
I have Serbia, Ghana, Germany, Australia – this is my upset pick.
Ill be cheering for my boy Subotic. I hope he has a good tournament unless he plays the US.
With Essien in the lineup I had Ghana over Serbia but now that he’s out, Sebia looks favorite for the 2nd spot. I have no idea why Germany ends up 2nd and Serbia 1st? Germany are loaded with players that can defend and score.
Germany
Serbia
Ghana
Australia
But I digress…
IMHO it’s a horse race between Serbia and Germany as they have the stingiest and most organized defences. As much as I’d love to see Germany get sent home early they always seem to find a way through.
If Cahill is indeed injured the Aussies are in a heap of trouble.
Hmmm…lots of disagreement here.
I had:
1. Germany
2. Australia
3. Ghana
4. Serbia
Two words: Auf gehts!
I had been impressed by Serbia a while back, but they seem to have fallen back some lately with pretty tepid play leading up to the Cup. So, 1 – Germany, 2 – Ghana (even without Essien), 3 – Serbia, and 4 – the Aussies.
Or regressed?
meh, who cares about Group C anyways.
If this World Cup were happening in Europe I’d say Serbia had a good chance of winning Group D, but I think Germany will have the better composure in an unfamiliar environment.
I believe this is a toss-up group. Any team here could win and any could finish last. While group G is the “group of death”, group D is where anyone can advance. This will be an exciting group to follow.
I’m guessing they’re saving the best and most anticipated for last… Or maybe Ives wants to write it when he lands in SA?
I suspect Germany will still win the group. Then I suspect they may get have a front row seat to one of the bigger surprises of the entire tournament, against the US in the second round. 🙂
After last WC, one would think the Aussies were on the rise and would make a habit of advancing to the second round. But, after seeign their draw as well as last Saturday’s friendly vs USA, I’d say they may have digressed. 1. Germanay (still team to beat) 2. Serbia (will get outscored by Germans) 3. Ghana (losing Essien is too much) 4. Australia (see above)
What happened to Group C predictions?
No Group C : (
This is the group I did not want to happen. Three of my favorite teams in one… I’ll take Germany at top and Serbia Second. Followed by Ghana and Australia.
I’m gutted for Ghana because they truly have a good squad but without Essien I fear they’ll struggle against such physical teams. They have young players so will take heart in knowing that come Brazil, they’ll be roaring to go once more.
wow. Germany second and serbia first. I don’t even expect Serbia to get through let alone win the group.