( CNN ) -- Australia drew 1-1 with World Cup opponents Ghana despite playing with 10 men for over an hour of Saturday 's Group D clash in Rustenburg . The result put Ghana in pole position to qualify for the second round in South Africa , with four points from two games . Serbia 's shock win over Germany on Friday left both sides on three points , while Australia prop up the table with just one . Australia 's key player Harry Kewell , returning from long-term injury , was shown a straight red card by Italian referee Roberto Rosetti in the 24th minute after being adjudged to have deliberately blocked a goalbound shot from Ghana 's Jonathan Mensah with his arm . Brett Holman had given Australia -- who had Tim Cahill sent off in their opening defeat by Germany -- the lead in the 11th minute , capitalizing on a mistake by Ghana goalkeeper Richard Kingson . Kingson failed to gather a ball from Mark Bresciano 's 30-yard free-kick , and Holman pounced on the rebound and fired home from close range . Going a goal down galvanized the Ghanaians , who embarked upon a series of promising attacks . The Black Stars ' pressure eventually told when they were awarded a penalty in for Kewell 's misdemeanor . When the distraught Galatasaray midfielder eventually left the pitch , Asamoah Gyan -- who scored the winning penalty in Ghana 's first World Cup match against Serbia -- made no mistake from the spot . Ghana were denied a halftime lead when Kevin Prince Boateng 's surging run into the penalty area ended with a low shot , but Socceroos keeper Mark Schwarzer dived low to his right to pull off a fine save . Ghana continued to press forward in the second half but failed to make their man advantage tell . And as second half wore on their shooting became increasingly speculative and wild , although substitute Quincy Owusu Abeyie forced a save from Schwarzer in injury-time . Luke Wilkshire should have put Australia ahead again in the 72nd minute when he was clean through on goal , but the midfielder shot straight at Kingson , who parried the ball away . Substitute striker Joshua Kennedy was on hand for the rebound , but could only scuff his effort into the ground , allowing Kingson time to gather the ball . After the match , Australia 's coach Pim Verbeek conceded that his team 's chances of reaching the next round of the competition were slim , but he refused to give up hope . `` The next game we have to win at least 3-0 . We are still in the race , but it will be quite difficult , '' he told the BBC . `` But I 'm really proud of the players , I think playing with 10 players for such a long time was not easy . ''
Australia and Ghana draw 1 - 1 in Group D match in Ghana . Brett Holman gives Australia early lead before Gyan equalizes from penalty spot . Australia 's Harry Kewell sent off in first half for handling ball on goal line . Results with Ghana on top of group , one point ahead of Germany and Serbia .