Round-up: 'Devastated' Kewell: 'Red card killed my World Cup'
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Ghana 1 Australia 1
Sympathy for Harry Kewell is not a commodity generally found in abundance. Only last week the player wanted a showdown with a journalist who had criticised him for alleged lack of commitment to his country.
On Saturday in Rustenburg, however, it was possible to offer commiserations for someone whose World Cup could be over after 25 minutes following six months of overcoming injury to be there. His team-mates do at least have one more game, and Group D is one of those where all four teams still have a chance of qualifying. Kewell, however, will have sit out the match against Serbia on Wednesday.
This time the problem was a supposed handling offence to prevent Ghana's Jonathan Mensah equalising Brett Holman's early goal. Having awarded a penalty, which Asamoah Gyan duly tucked away, the experienced Italian referee Roberto Rosetti had no option but to send him off.
Kewell was understandably upset, saying of the referee: "I'm devastated, he's killed my World Cup." The Socceroos' coach Pim Verbeek also felt aggrieved: "What can you do with your arm, cut it off? It has to be intentional to send the player off."
Richard Kingson was the latest keeper to be undone by the Jabulani ball for Australia's goal, Ghana's coach Milovan Rajevac complaining: "You never know how it will continue its trajectory once it hits the pitch."
Australia, with a weak goal difference, must beat the Serbs and hope that Ghana can defeat Germany. Kewell would just like to be playing against anybody.
Cameroon 1 Denmark 2
A despondent Cameroon captain Samuel Eto'o said his side had missed a great opportunity to do something special after they exited Africa's first World Cup.
Cameroon lost to Denmark in Pretoria on Saturday night despite taking an early lead, leaving them to fight for pride alone in their last match against Holland. Their campaign was marred by a row between senior players and coach Paul Le Guen.
Eto'o's goal had given Cameroon the lead after 10 minutes, but they lacked the killer touch thereafter, failing to convert many chances. Nicklas Bendtner and Dennis Rommedahl struck for the Danes.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments