In a pulsating encounter played out in front of a majority green and gold audience, Australia all but said goodbye to their hopes of progressing to the next stage of the World Cup.
With an expectant nation and thousands of travelling supporters, the fans got their wish with veteran striker and playmaker Harry Kewell
included in the starting line-up for the Socceroos.
But in what is probably his final appearance at the World Cup, Kewell was sent off in the 24th minute with Italian referee Roberto Rosetti adjudging him to have handled the ball on the goalline.
Replays indicated that the call may have been harsh with Kewell's arms firmly at his side as the ball smashes into him.
Striker Asamoah Gyan's shot from the resultant
penalty equalled the score and that's the way it stayed throughout the match with the Ghanaians unable to penetrate the resolute defence and
a number of long-range strikes going awry.
Before the game thousands of Australian supporters mingled with Africans from Ethiopia, South Africa, Mozambique and Ghana who had
come out to support their West African counterparts.
Many took advantage of the opportunity to buy beers at local taverns which sold for R10 for a 750m bottle compared to the R30 340ml Buddweisser beer sold inside the stadium.
As the game ended and referee Rosetti made his way off the field, he was booed by a large section of this crowd who made it clear what they
thought of his adjudication.
With Ghana on four points after two games and top of the group they seem assured of progressing to the next stage with an enterprising Serbia (three points) and unpredictable Germany (three points) left to fight it out for the other position.