FIFA World Cup 2010: First leg Analysis will England and France go through
The first leg of the FIFA World Cup 2010 is almost done and the points table will be finalized by tomorrow, in terms of who goes through and which team will be finding their way to the waiting lounge for their respective flights back home.
However, as the first round comes to a close, all the teams except for of-course the problematic France and England, whom we will discuss later in detail, seem to be settling down and are taking the pressure of the World Cup games better.
Portugal yesterday enjoyed their biggest victory ever at a World Cup game, as they comprehensively beat the North Koreans 7-0 in their Group G match and thus put an end to North Koreas hopes of progressing any further.
Ronaldo finally scored for the Portuguese, as they now alongside Brazil look comfortable to progress into the second of the World Cup. Brazil yesterday qualified as they beat Ivory Coast 3-1.
Portugal will be meeting Brazil next, however to their advantage the massive victory that they have gotten, gives them an advantage in terms of goal difference and thus it looks an impossible task for the Ivory Coast as they go against the North Koreans tomorrow.
Therefore, group G seems to be settled, as Brazil is, at the moment topping the group and if against the Portuguese win or even tie tomorrow, then they will maintain their top seed. If Portugal wins, they will be the top seed, however even with a tie or a loss, Portugal will most probably sail through pending if the Ivory Coast wins against the North Koreans by a margin similar to the Portuguese. North Korea however stands eliminated.
In group H yesterday, Chile kept their place at the top with a narrow win of 1-0 over the men from Switzerland. Chile as a result of their win has advanced through to the next round even if they lose their last game. Thus, the battle is now between Switzerland and Spain for the second spot.
Today, Mexico will be taking on Uruguay and it is expected to be an interesting watch as a win by Mexico, will see them through to the last 16 as well as top the group, whereas for Uruguay a win or a tie will see them topping the group.
France will advance if they win today against the South Africans pending that the Mexicans lose and calculations based on goal difference favours them.
South Africa as well advances with a win today and a Mexico loss measured by goal differentials, thus proving that today’s fixtures will be the deciders for who goes through from group A.
The situation in the other groups also remains even, as it looks a touch and go situation everywhere.
Group B remains wide open as an Argentinean win will see them at the top seed and a tie or even a loss if it is by less than three goals will see them through.
Argentina will also advance with a loss and a South Korea tie or loss and Greece will win top seed with a win of more than three goals. Even Nigeria stands a chance to advance with a win and a loss to Greece.
In group C, Slovenia will win top seed with a win or a tie or even a USA loss or tie. USA however will win top seed with a win and a Slovenia tie or loss, but the loss will again be calculated based on the result of the England/ USA games total goals.
England will win top seed with a win and a USA loss or tie and Algeria advances with a win and an England tie or loss.
In group D, Ghana will win top seed if they win or tie and if Serbia loses or ties. Germany will win top seed if they win and Serbia wins by less than the goal differential.
In Group E, the Netherlands will win top seed it they win or tie. However if they lose then they would want a Japan-Denmark tie. Cameroon has been eliminated.
In Group F, Paraguay will win top seed with a win or a tie and an Italy loss or tie. Whereas Italy wins top seed if they win. In addition, New Zealand stands a chance with a win and an Italy loss or tie and Slovakia, if they win and New Zealand losses or ties.
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