John Mensah says the performance of two youngsters at the heart of Ghana’s defence in the 1-1 draw with Australia on Saturday at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium was very impressive.

Mensah, who together with first-choice defensive partner Isaac Vorsah had to sit out the game due to injury picked up in the run-up to the game, says their replacements did well. Two 19-year-olds, Jonathan Mensah and Lee Addy came in and held the backline well.

"We know people were expecting us to win, but many of our regular players were missing," Mensah told Press Association Sport. "The two boys that stepped up did well.

In a game which the Socceroos finished with 10-men following Harry Kewells sending off in the first half, many had expected the tie to have gone completely in Ghana's favour but Mensah felt his side faired excellently under the circumstances.

"It was not a normal game. It was an international game and one at the World Cup. We must understand that and we should note that they delivered for the nation."

The draw put Ghana top of Group D with four points, one clear of Germany and Serbia as the group heads into the final matches on Wednesday.