WORLD CUP-LATEST PREDICTIONS SATURDAY 19 JUNE

WORLD CUP PREDICTIONS FOR TODAY'S GAMES:

Holland 1-0 Japan

I expect the Dutch to confirm their progress with a win in this one, although Japan will not lie down.

Ghana 3-2 Australia

Ghana are fast becoming Africa's best hope in this World Cup, and they'll have just too much for Australia in a game of goals.

Cameroon 2-0 Denmark

Cameroon need to win this one and hope that the Dutch beat Japan. They'll then need to get something out of their clash with Holland next Thursday and hope that Denmark beat Japan. Complicated? Let's stick with today's game; Cameroon to win.

GROUP D BLOWN WIDE OPEN WITH SERBIA VICTORY

Serbia's 1-0 win over Germany has blown their group wide open as the World Cup provides another shock.

After Switzerland's stunning win against Spain and Mexico's deserved victory over France the World Cup has given us possibly the biggest shock so far with this result.

Germany not only lost their first group game since the 1982 World Cup but also missed a penalty, something they are renowned for being experts in.

Germany started well in their second game of the tournament giving their opponents no time to settle on the ball and creating some early opportunities.

However their gameplan was blown apart when Miroslav Klose was given two harsh yellow cards and promptly recieved his marching orders in the 37th minute of the game. The Serbians wasted no time in making their advantage pay, scoring what would prove to be the winning goal just sixty seconds after the dismissal.

A good run and cross down the right flank from Milos Krasic picked out Nikola Zigic backing away towards the back post and the lanky striker's header down was the perfect setup for Milan Jovanovic to control on the chest and fire home from five yards.

Much to their credit the Germans continued to chase the game with Sami Khedira smashing the ball against the crossbar just before half-time.

In the second half Lukas Podolski looked the man most likely for Germany, going close with numerous attempts before being given a golden opportunity to level the scores from the spot.

The picky Spanish referee was criticised for his poor officiating for much of the game but no one could argue with this decision as Nemanja Vidic inexplicably handled the ball in a presssure-less situation.

However the three time winners failed to punish the opposition with Vladimir Stojkovic getting down quickly to Podolski's weak effort.

Serbia could have sealed the game twice when first Jovanovic hit the post and then Zigic clipped the bar with a free header.

Germany were unable to break down the Serbian back line and a win for Australia against Ghana this afternoon would make this the most open group of the tournament.

RAMPANT GERMANS DISMANTLE AUSSIES AS CAHILL SEES RED

Tim Cahill became the third player of the day to be sent off in South Africa as his Australia side fell to a crushing four-nil defeat against Germany.

Australia started brightly and created a chance to go ahead in the opening minute of the game but it wasn't long before the Germans took control.

Lukasz Podolski gave Germany the lead in just the eighth minute of the match with a thunderbolt from the edge of the area that proved too hot to handle for Fulham 'keeper Mark Schwarzer.

From then on the three time champions didn't look back, slicing open their opponents defence with ease to create a number of opportunities. The Socceroos were given a reprive when Miroslav Klose fired high and wide from ten yards out. However the Bayern Munich striker made no mistake just minutes later, darting between defender and goalkeeper to get his head to Phillip Lahm's pinpoint cross and double the lead.

Australia made all the right changes at half time in an attempt to turn the game around as they brought on a natural striker to allow Tim Cahill to drop into a deeper role. However all of Australia manager Pim Verbeek's good intentions went to waste when Cahill was harshly punished for a strong tackle on Bastian Schweinsteiger just before the hour. The Everton man was sent off by the Mexican referee who had had a faultless game up until that decision.

It was effectively game over as Australia's talisman left the pitch, and it could be tournament over for the boys from down under with Cahill forced to sit out their next game. True to form the efficent Germans remained ruthless as first Thomas Mueller, and then Brazilian born substitue Cacau compounded the Aussies misery by making it four-nil with over twenty minutes left.

With the game well and truly over the Aussies showed real spirit to battle on and almost salvaged some pride when substitue Nikita Rukavytsya forced the German 'keeper into a decent save, but it will take real determination for the Aussies to find a way through the group stages after such a bruising defeat.

FIRST PENALTY GIVES AFRICA FIRST WIN

A late penalty converted by Asamoah Gyan gave Ghana a narrow victory over Serbia in the opening match of Group D.

The penalty was correctly awarded for a handball by Serbian midfielder Zdravko Kuzmanovic and is the first of the 2010 World Cup. Ghana's victory is also the first victory for an African nation at this World Cup, the first to take place on African soil.

Ghana had showed more enterprise during the game and deserved to take the three points. Serbia finished the match with ten men following the dismissal of Aleksander Lukovic for a second bookable offence ten minutes before the penalty.

AUSTRALIA COACH TO QUIT AFTER TOURNAMENT

Australia coach Pim Verbeek has confirmed he will step down from his role as coach of the Socceroos after the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.

Verbeek has led Australia to 15 wins during his 27 games in charge and taken the team to their highest ever World Ranking of 14th.

However Verbeek has now revealed he will step down from his role in charge of the national team after being appointed back in 2007.

"It has been a very difficult decision for me after more than two years, but it is time for me to look for a new challenge," said Verbeek. "I have enjoyed every minute of being head coach of Australia and we achieved some fantastic results including qualifying for the World Cup and the Asian Cup."

"It is a good time to make this announcement so we can now focus completely on preparing everything perfectly for the upcoming World Cup in South Africa. We will do everything right to prepare for this tournament to get the best result possible."

Verbeek will be in charge for the tournament however and his side have been drawn in Group D alongside Serbia, Ghana and three time champions Germany.