Ghana defender Hans Sarpei is delighted that the Black Stars avoided England in the second round of the World Cup in South Africa on Saturday.
Germany beat the Black Stars 1-0 on Wednesday in Johannesburg thanks to a Mesut Oezil goal on the hour to top Group D.
Germany finished on six points, while Australia pulled level on four points with Ghana, but goal difference settled it for the Black Stars.
This means while Germany will clash with the much more experienced England side, the Black Stars will take on the United States who topped Group C.
Sarpei, who plays in the Bundesliga for Bayer Leverkusen, said his side face just as tough a battle against a USA side buoyed by their late win over Algeria, than if they were facing Fabio Capello's England who instead play Germany.
"We are in the next round and we are happy with that," said the 33-year-old veteran.
"Of course it was a defeat and the mood is a bit flat, but we are glad, nevertheless.
"Only dear God maybe knows why we will play now against the USA, but I don't know whether this game will be any easier than if we had played England."
Ghana, who lost to Brazil in the Round of 16 at Germany 2006, became just the second African nation to advance out of the World Cup first phase twice following Nigeria in 1994 and 1998.
Milovan Rajevac's Ghanaians also became the first African nation to advance to the last 16 at the first African World Cup after hosts South Africa, Nigeria, Cameroon and Algeria all were eliminated.
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The Ghana players had to wait for the confirmation of the Australia-Serbia result before celebrating.
Fullback John Painstil and winger Andre Ayew went on a lap of honour around the stadium after the scoreboard showed that they had finished second.
"I was very excited and relieved," Painstil said.
"When we were down 1-0, we were not thinking about that match between Australia and Serbia. We were trying to equalize."
Painstil agreed Ghana have to score from open play if they are to progress past the second round.