Ok so each team now have the second game of the group in the books and what has been decided? Very little. Teams that were expected to dominate have stalled and teams expected to be whipping boys have made the competition exciting.
Group A: After the first round being nothing but ties it left the group wide open. Uruaguay were first up and they silenced the vuvuzelas with a decimating 3-0 win over the hosts meanwhile Mexico beat a disfunctional French team 2-0 which now leaves both Mexico and Uruaguay to face each other in the last game, both only needing a draw to ensure they progress. The French team will not be helped in their last game against South Africa with the news of unrest in the camp after the incredible sulk, Anelka was expelled from the squad. It is realistic that France will find themselves bottom of the group come Tuesday night. It is still not impossible for one of these bottom two teams to qualify but it would need a big win and one eye on the other game.
Group B: Argentina continue their run for the cup with a 4-1 domination of the South Koreans. Despite Peles criticism of Maradonnas coaching skills you cannot argue with two wins from two games. Next up are Greece and a draw or better will guarantee them top spot. Second spot however is still up for grabs with the Koreans and Greece tied with three points each.
Nigeria are yet to register a point as yet but a win against South Korea coupled with an Argentina win could see them progress.
Group C: England continue to dissapoint as they fail to score against Algeria in what should have been the easiest game in the group. England though could still qualify top if they beat Slovenia and the US ties with Algeria, loses or wins but by less goals than an England win. A win is needed and expected by the England fans who along with the French and Italians have been very dissapointed with their teams so far.
The USA will need to focus in their last game against Algeria and not allow the disputed call against Slovenia distract from their next game. Whether you think the US were robbed or not doesn't change the fact that they only have two points. Their fate is in their hands and a win against Algeria will see the Yanks advance to the knockout stages. That said don't rule out Slovenia who currently lead the group or Algeria who, if were to win against the USA could theoretically find themselves through also.
Group D: Ghana, the only African side in the tournament to register a win find themselves going into the third game top, above Germany. However it is that European team that they find themselves up against next and with Germany needing a win to make their progress certain it certainly will not be easy for Ghana to progress. A draw is all they need but with Serbia and even Australia not out of it I doubt the Germans will be content with just the one point.
Group E: Holland are through already and Cameroon have already packed their cases in this group. As those two teams face each other with Cameroon playing for pride it will be the other Group E game pitting the Danes against the Japanese which will be of most interest. A draw should see Japan through and obviously if there is a winner that team goes through. It will take Holland to lose against Cameroon before their first spot can be challenged.
Group F: Italy, the current holders could find themselves out of the tournament totally with a loss against Slovakia. New Zealand are the surprise package and could go through with a win even a draw with Paraguay IF the Italians draw AND their draw involves more goals than the Italian one. Paraguay would have to lose to the All Whites AND see an Italian win in order not to go through. In fact a draw is all they need to progress.
Group G: Brazil have another three points from the game against the Ivory coast and sit atop the group. However Brazil have been far from convincing so far, just scraping through against North Korea and letting the Ivorians bait them toward the end of the second game. The situation was not helped by manager Dunga who failed to substitute Kaka when he was on a yellow and the game won (later Kaka would get a second yellow and now misses the final game which could decide Group Winners). Meanwhile Portugal absolutly tore into the Koreans in their second game, walking away with a 7-0 victory. Both Portugal and Brazil are certain to qualify UNLESS Portugal lose to Brazil by a ton of goals and the Ivory Coast beat North Korea by a ton. Not impossible but I will assume the Koreans and Ivory Coast will meet in their last match with a pride win being all they leave with.
Group H: Spain got back on track with a win against Honduras to go second in the group heading into the last round of games. Surprise package of the group are Chile who now find themselves top with the full six points. However up next for the Chileans are the Spanish who you feel may just have more than Chile can handle. Switzerland face all but eliminated Honduras in their final game with an outside chance of progressing. A win or draw from Chile combined with a win for the Swiss. Even a win for Spain and combined with a slightly bigger win for the Swiss will see them progress.
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