JOHANNESBURG: The theory in Germany goes that the loss of Michael Ballack could actually work in their favour, giving an outstanding crop of fresh-faced, fleet-footed players a chance to flourish at this World Cup.

The task for Serbia, Australia and Ghana heading into Group D is to show that up as wishful thinking, and prove the World Cup is no place to pin your faith on novices and a striker who managed three league goals all season.

Ghana`s problem is that they have suffered a big loss of their own, with Michael Essien ruled out with an injury he suffered on African Nations Cup duty.

The Black Stars, beaten in the last 16 four years ago, had been tipped as Germany`s big rivals for top spot, a vital target given the runners-up could face England in the second round, but without Essien their hopes have taken a huge body blow.

Their preparations were further disrupted when they changed base camp to Sun City on Wednesday after two nights in a Pretoria hotel, citing technical issues.

Unpredictable Serbia, playing in their first tournament as an independent nation and with a deep squad of technically gifted players, should still prove dangerous rivals while Australia, unlucky to lose to Italy in the last 16 four years ago, are back with a point to prove.

Adding a certain fratricidal spice to the group is the fact that Ghana coach Milovan Rajevac is himself a Serb, making the clash between the two teams on June 13 in Pretoria a deliciously unpredictable way to start the group.

BDST: 1419hrs, June 10, 2010
SA