FIFA World Cup 2010: Expect a Strange Contest From Ghana vs. Germany

The final Group D match between Ghana and Germany could prove to be one of the most unusual contests seen at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.

Germany already has supplied a very bizarre spectacle in their match against Serbia, where they failed to notice that the referee had gone card-happy.

So now, with 8 of their 11 players holding yellow cards, and at this stage really needing a win to ensure they won't be eliminated, the German team is in a very precarious and unusual situation.

Therefore, if they play too hard, they could earn more yellow cards.  Then, even if they do make it through to the next round, they will have key players missing, which is always bad news in the Round of 16.

On the other hand, if they don't play hard enough, then it could be sufficient to handing Ghana a win. Even a draw is not really an acceptable result for Germany, currently standing in second place, and at risk if Serbia win the match against Australia.

It will be interesting to see how the tactics unfold. 

Adding an extra twist to the strategic outcome of the match is the fact that finishing second in the Group could be seen as an advantage, as the runner-up in Group D will play against the United States, rather than England.

The difficulty would be in arranging it.  That is because the second place slot is quite a dangerous place to be until the end of the match between Australia and Serbia.

If somehow the German coach can find out how things are progressing at the other game (yes, that is dishonest but entirely possible), and if Germany are ahead by two goals, then the team could be instructed to give the opponent an easier time, to perhaps ensure that Germany remains in second place.

It is a risky (and illegal) strategy though, and very unlikely.  But the German team is definitely not in a comfortable place until they, firstly, score a goal or two against Ghana, and secondly, know for certain that Serbia has no chance of beating Australia.