Australia coach admits Ghana's firepower

Australia coach Pim Verbeek believes Ghana have the credentials to be feared at the 2010 Fifa World Cup finals in South Africa in June.

 
Verbeek claims his side have a change in mind on the Ghana team after their recent impressive display at the just ended Africa Cup of Nations.

 
The Black Stars were without seven key players at the tournament in Angola yet they finished second after they were narrowly beaten by Egypt.

 
The Socceroos play Ghana in their second Group D match on 19 June in Rustenburg and Verbeek remains cautious.

 
"What I knew about Ghana already is that they have a tough team. What I have seen them play in the Under-20 World Cup in Egypt which they won says enough about that. They still have quality players and they showed that missing six or seven players still they went to final of the Africa Cup of Nations," Verbeek said.

 
"So it's good for us because at least my players will not underrate Ghana. Not at all-they didn't already and now they are, when they saw these results not only us but also the media and Australian fans because they thought Ghana was not the best in our Group so they have changed their mind now because I knew they are tough."

 
Verbeek added: "They (Ghana) are Africans and they play on home soil so they will do something. It's very important for African football that at least two or three teams go through to the next round so they will very well prepared.

 
"On the other hand, there's a lot of pressure on their shoulders because they want to go to the final 16 also. It's great challenge. It will be a big challenge."

 
Ghana's World Cup preparations set into motion on Wednesday with a friendly against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Sarajevo.