FIFA World Cup 2014: There’s lots to play for in Group ‘F’
Rio de Janeiro: Teams are about to hit the home stretch in the group stage. Chile, the Netherlands, Colombia, Costa Rica and Argentina have already sealed qualification for the second round. Some are hanging in and a few others are already out.
Here are the permutations ahead of the third round of matches in the group stage. Goal difference, goals scored and head-to-head record will be considered, in that order, to break a tie. There is a possibility for draw of lots to decide one team from Group E. Read on to find the possibilities.
Group ‘A’
Out: Cameroon
Still in the race: Brazil, Mexico and Croatia
Fixtures: Brazil vs Cameroon; Croatia vs Mexico
Equations
1. If Brazil beat Cameroon and Mexico down Croatia, the two will qualify with same points and goal difference will come into play to decide the pool winners. The hosts have a one-goal advantage over the Mexicans at the moment. The scenario is the same if Brazil and Mexico draw their final group match.
2. A Croatian win coupled with a defeat for Brazil will pit the hosts in a scrap with Mexico for the second place in the group. Can Brazil go out? Yes, if they lose to Cameroon by three goals and Croatia beat Mexico by a single goal. In that case, Brazil and Mexico will end up with four points each but El Tri will have a goal difference of 0 to the home team’s -1.
Group ‘B’
Through: Chile, Holland
Out: Australia and Spain
Fixtures: Chile vs the Netherlands; Australia vs Spain
Equations
The winners of the top of the table clash will head into the second round as pool champions. The Dutch will win the group even with a draw as they have a one-goal advantage over the Chileans.
Group ‘C’
Through: Colombia
Still in the race: Japan, Greece and Ivory Coast
Fixtures: Colombia vs Japan; Greece vs Ivory Coast
Equations
1. Japan must beat Colombia and hope Greece get the better of Ivory Coast. In that case, goal difference will decide the second-placed team in the group. Anything other than a win will oust both Japan and Greece.
2. The Ivorians need a point to advance.
Group ‘D’
Through: Costa Rica
Out: England
Still in the race: Italy, Uruguay
Fixtures: Italy vs Uruguay; Costa Rica vs England
Equations
1. Italy and Uruguay have everything to play for as a loss will mean the end of the World Cup.
2. A draw is enough for Italy as they have a better goal difference but the Azzurri would be wary of the danger involved in playing for a point.
Group ‘E’
Still in the race: France, Ecuador, Switzerland, Honduras
Fixtures: Ecuador vs France; Honduras vs Switzerland
Equations
1. No team are out yet in this intriguing pool. France are through for all practical purposes. Only a massive defeat against Ecuador in addition to a big Swiss win will show them the door. It’s unlikely as Les Bleus have a healthy goal difference of six goals.
2. Wins for France and Honduras will force the use of calculators. In that case, Ecuador, Honduras and Switzerland will be fighting for the second place. As of now, Ecuador have the edge as they have scored three and conceded as many in two matches while the Swiss and the Hondurans have a goal average of -2 and -4 respectively.
3. If both matches end in draws, Ecuador will edge out Switzerland on goal difference.
Group ‘F’
Through: Argentina
Out: Bosnia-Herzegovina
Still in the race: Iran, Nigeria
Fixtures: Argentina vs Nigeria; Bosnia-Herzegovina vs Iran
Equations
1. A draw is enough for Argentina to top the group. But a defeat will push them to second-place behind Nigeria.
2. A win for Iran and a loss for Nigeria will bring in goal difference. A toss of the coin may be necessary to separate the two if Nigeria lose 0-1 and Iran win 1-0 because both countries will have the same goal difference as well as the number of goals scored.
Note: Group ‘G’ and ‘H’ permutations aren’t given as the pools have more than one round remaining
