Wheeling away: Asamoah Gyan hit his second penalty of the tournamentAustralian forward Harry Kewell was controversially sent off midway through the first half but Australia managed to cling on to a 1-1 draw with Ghana on Saturday in a result that put the Africans top of Group D.
The Australians led as early as the 11th minute when Brett Holman profited from an error by Ghanaian keeper Richard Kingson who spilled a shot from Mark Bresciano, allowing Holman to net the rebound.
But 13 minutes later Kewell was sent off for handling the ball on the line and Asamoah Gyan equalised from the resulting penalty. The Australians vehemently protested that the ball had struck Kewell's upper arm and that it was not deliberate.
Ghana lead the group with four points from Germany and Serbia on three and Australia on one before the final group games.
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Fury: Australia players appeal in vain as referee Roberto Rosetti sends Harry Kewell (left) off 
Fine start: Brett Holman punishes Ghana keeper Richard Kingson for his blunder
Australia's striker Nikita Rukavytsya fights for the ball with Ghana's goalkeeper Richard Kingson (L) during the Group D first round 2010 World Cup football match Ghana vs Australia on June 19, 2010 at Royal Bafokeng stadium in Rustenburg. The match ended in a 1-1 draw.
RUSTENBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - JUNE 19: Richard Kingson of Ghana saves a shot by Nikita Rukavytsya of Australia during the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Group D match between Ghana and Australia at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium on June 19, 2010 in Rustenburg, South Africa.
RUSTENBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - JUNE 19: Richard Kingson of Ghana punches the ball ahead of Nikita Rukavytsya of Australia during the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Group D match between Ghana and Australia at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium on June 19, 2010 in Rustenburg, South Africa.
Ghana goalkeeper Richard Kingson, second from left, clears the ball from Australia's Nikita Rukavytsya, back right, as Ghana's Lee Addy, left, looks on during the World Cup group D soccer match between Ghana and Australia at Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg, South Africa, on Saturday, June 19, 2010.
Ghana's Lee Addy, top, and Australia's Brett Holman go for the ball during the World Cup group D soccer match between Ghana and Australia at Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg, South Africa, on Saturday, June 19, 2010.
Australia's goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer makes a save beside Lucas Neill during their World Cup Group D soccer match against Ghana at Royal Bafokeng stadium in Rustenburg June 19, 2010.
source: dailymail