At Stake on Friday

June 23rd, 2006 | by: WC Bob |

We have one more day with four games and what a day it could turn out to be. Only one of the four spots in the next round is secured with Spain the only team that is through for certain. Togo is eliminated but the other six teams all are still mathematically still alive. Here is what needs to happen for each team to reach the promised land of the round of 16.

GROUP G
Switzerland - can advance to the round of 16 with a win or draw against South Korea. The Swiss can win the group with a win or a draw if France doesn’t beat Togo and if they finish with a superior goal difference (Switzerland currently +2, France currently 0).

South Korea – can advance to the Round of 16 with a win over Switzerland, or a draw and a France loss or draw against Togo. If South Korea draws and France beats Togo, South Korea can advance if their goal difference is superior (Korea currently +1, France 0). South Korea will win the group with a win over Switzerland.

France – can move on with a victory over Togo, provided there is a winner between Switzerland and South Korea. If South Korea and Switzerland draw, France will need to win and finish with a better goal difference than Korea (Korea currently +1, France 0). France can win the group if the South Korea-Switzerland match is a draw and France gets a victory and finishes with a better goal difference than the Swiss (Switzerland currently +2, France currently 0).

GROUP H

Spain – have already qualified for the second round and can win the group with a point against Saudi Arabia. If they lose to Saudi Arabia, they will still win the group if Ukraine either loses or draws against Tunisia, or beat Tunisia but finish with a worse goal difference (Spain currently +6, Ukraine 0).

Ukraine -can move onto the next round with a win over Tunisia. They can also earn a draw to advance provided Saudi Arabia does not beat Spain. If Ukraine earns a draw and Saudi Arabia beats Spain, Ukraine needs to finish with a higher goal difference (Ukraine 0, Saudi Arabia -4). They can also win the group with a win over Tunisia and a Spain loss to Saudi Arabia, if they finish with a better goal difference than the Spaniards (Spain currently +6, Ukraine 0).

Tunisia- can advance to the round of 16 with a win over Ukraine if Saudi Arabia doesn’t beat Spain and if they finish with a superior goal difference (Tunisia currently -2, Saudi Arabia -4).

Saudi Arabia – can move on to the round of 16 with a win over Spain and an Ukraine loss to Tunisia, provided Saudi Arabia have a better goal difference than Tunisia (Tunisia currently -2, Saudi Arabia -4). If Ukraine and Tunisia draw, Saudi Arabia can move on with a win over Spain and a better goal difference than Ukraine (Ukraine currently 0, Saudi Arabia -4).

When it is all said and done I see it ending:

Group G
1. Switzerland
2. South Korea
3. France
4. Togo

Group H
1. Spain
2. Ukraine
3. Tunisia
4. Saudi Arabia

How do you see the groups ending up after Friday’s games?

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Dave The Hat

Agreed on the rankings. I think I remember reading that they changed just before the world cup to only consider the last four years of matches, not the last eight. I also think they have slightly muddled with the ratings of various matches…

I hope for the sake of football France scrape through. Even half-baked, they provide more opportunity for good matches in the last 16 than Switzerland.

Forza Australia!
Luis

Spain and Ukraine. Switzerland and S. Korea, but France might sneak in. Henry and Zidane? Never count them out!
http://anannya.deb.googlepages.com Anannya

Group H – I think Korea will top over Switzerland. France seems jaded (like the last World Cup in Asia), no will or spirit.
Claude

I disagree on your S. Korea prediction. I think France will squeak in to second place.

I’d like to see a blog on the meaningless FIFA world rankings. The #2 team (Czech Republic) is gone, #5 (USA is going home) and #4 (Mexico) just barely pulled through. Then you have that #21 (Germany) advance with a perfect 3-0 record. Is FIFA on drugs? What is going on with their rankings – they don’t seem to match reality.
Miguel

I would like to see France go through because I do not want to see Zidane go out at this stage of the competition.
http://www.aresthetics.ch/trav elAdi

Dave The Hat: If you’d actually watch the games, you’d know that Switzerland played a fairly attacking game – especially in the second half – against Togo, and certainly had more chances against France than Korea did. Do your homework! (Watching the WC for the first time in 32 years and profession to be Football Nation. Ts.)

I reckon, it’s gonna be:

1. Switzerland
2. France
3. South Korea
4. Togo
Thomas

how come comments don’t work? everything i posted for several days never appears.
http://www.geocities.com/thetropics/3416/errors_and_myths_about_brasilia.htm minhoca

VIVA LA RECONQUISTA!!!

Spain will relive history by ejecting the Arab hoard from European soil. I can’t wait for this game. As a bonus, maybe the King of Saud will cut off their heads when they get home.

NUNCA OLVIDE LA AMENAZA ÁRABE!

VIVA ESPAÑA PARA SIEMPRE!!!
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Anthony

If South Korea win tonight then as far as I can work out it will be the first time ever that each region will be represented in the round of 16…ie past the first round (at least since FIFA moved from 16 to 24 then to 32 teams.)

Europe have a handful
South America have Brazil and Argentina
Concaf have Mexico
Africa have Ghana &
Oceania have the Aussies

Have I forgotten anyone?

It may never happen again???
bosompem

What do you know about controversial decisions? Thank God the winner in a world cup soccer matches are not chosen by referees at all cost when they dislike the owner of a particular team as the NBA in America.How controversial was the penalty awarded to the Ghanaian team against team USA as compared to the decisions by the NBA referees in Games 3,5&6 between the Dallas Mavericks& the Miami Heats,where the NBA champion was seen by the whole world as pre-determined.If Americans like their champions chosen by referees and not by team performance,and also decide who they want to become an MVP at all cost,then you should go back and watch again those 3 games of the NBA and tell the whole world the meaning of “controversial decision”.As long as the total fouls awarded to a particular player in one single game equals the total fouls awarded the opposition team,your so called “MVP’S” will always fail when they meet in world competitions.Superstars do emerge in competitions by their performance and not by referees at all cost and through selective justice.
http://www.esaudi.info esaudi.info

Thansk

e Saudi Information
http://www.esaudi.info
E Saudi Arabia web site. A wealth of information on the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
http://www.churchillspub.com Mike Toms

African Cup of Nations live at CHURCHILL’S in Miami
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