Algeria, making their first World Cup appearance in 24 years, will be desperate to open their 2010 campaign with a win over Slovenia that would place them on top of Group C. England's surprising 1-1 draw with the United States gives Algeria the perfect chance to make the best possible start in South Africa. In Group D, African Nations Cup runners-up Ghana take on Serbia while three-time world champions Germany play Australia. Algeria V Slovenia: Head to head: Both sides have never met Team news: Algeria coach Rabah Saadane said he would not start captain Yazid Mansouri due to concerns over his fitness. Central defender Antar Yahia will wear the skipper's armband instead of him. Minnows Slovenia, who are eyeing their first World Cup victory, have no squad worries. What they said: "We have nothing to lose, we can only win. We will give everything during every game and at the end of the group stage we will see what our level is and what we have learnt," Saadane said. "We are all concentrating on the work in hand, and to be as prepared as possible for the following matches, so we play even better than we did against Russia," Slovenia striker Zlatko Dedic said. "I think that we are able to play even better, and, as I said before, that there is more to come from us." Player to watch: Algeria: Wolfsburg playmaker Karim Ziani can make the difference with his neat passes.
Keep an eye on Algeria's Ziani Slovenia: Dedic, a pacy striker, should keep Algeria's defense busy. Ghana V Serbia: Head to head: Serbia win (1) Goals (3) Ghana win (0) Goals (1) Draw (0) Team news: Ghana begin life without inspirational midfielder Michael Essien, who was ruled out of the tournament through injury. Serbia count on several big-names, including Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic, to overcome the Black Stars. Coach Radomir Antic has a fully-fit squad to choose from. What they said: "I'm confident and full of hope. I hope the players will give the best of themselves," Ghana coach Milovan Rajevac said. "We want to do great things with this team. We're going to concentrate on the next game and we hope to leave the World Cup having achieved some good results." "There is a bit of stage fright too and we know our fans will be outnumbered because the Ghanaians have the advantage of playing on their own continent but that shouldn't affect us," Serbia captain Dejan Stankovic said. Player to watch: Ghana: Playmaker Kwadwo Asamoah of Udinese usually finds Ghana's sole striker Asamoah Gyan with some deft through passes.
Ghana in tough task Serbia: Centre-back Vidic is very solid Germany V Australia: Head to head: Germany win (2) Goals (7) Australia win (0) Goals (3) Team news: Germany will miss skipper Michael Ballack who missed out on the tournament after picking up an ankle injury last month. Australia are boosted by the news that influential trio Tim Cahill, Brett Emerton and Harry Kewell are fit to feature in the game. What they said: "It is a very tough first match but our players will be confident and we want to win that match," Germany coach Joachim Loew said. "The Germans are better than us. If they offered us a draw now, we'd bite their hand off. They are probably the most consistent team in the world, they defend like a machine. It'll be really difficult to get a result," Australia captain Lucas Neill said. Player to watch: Germany: Striker Cacau can trouble opponents with his energetic and speedy runs. He was very promising in the pre-World Cup games. Australia: Everton attacking midfielder Tim Cahill is the most prominent player in the Socceroos squad.
