FIFA fans await 3 matches today

PRETORIA: The World Cup Group D opener between Serbia and Ghana will be played in Loftus Versfeld stadium Pretoria that neither side can afford to lose in a tough pool that also includes Germany and Australia.

Ghana has 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.

Meanwhile, Serbia’s preparations have been hit by a change of training venue due to a worry about picking up injuries.

The second match will be played between Gourp C teams Algeria and Slovenia in Northeastern South African city of Polokwane. Algeria’s coach Rabah Saadane has dropped his team captain Yazid Mansouri for the opening world cup clash with Slovenia after a build-up marred by poor results, injuries and reports of dressing room discontent. Hassan Yebda will take his place as captain.

Slovenia Coach Matjaz Kek has to decide whether to field Zlatan Ljubijankic or Zlatko Dedic up front. Dedic scored the goal that secure Slovenia’s world cup berth in 1-0 victory over Russia.

In the third game, Germany is aiming to open its world cup campaign with an emphatic win over Australia to prove that its young team is a legitimate title challenger in South Africa without influential captain Michael Ballack.

Australia is appearing only its third world cup and will take on Germany at the majestic Moses Mabhida Stadium on the edge of the Indian Ocean.