Thursday, June 22, 2006

FIFA World Cup 2006 - Day 14

Group E
CountryWLDGFGAGDPts
Italy1013124
Czech Republic1103213
Ghana1102203
United States01114-31
Group E
CountryWLDGFGAGDPts
Italy2015147
Ghana2104316
Czech Republic11134-13
United States02126-41

Anything can happen. Let's see how:

CZE-ITAGHA-USA1st2nd
ITAGHAITAGHA
ITAdrawITAGHA
ITAUSAITAUSA
drawGHAGHAITA
drawdrawITACZE
drawUSAITACZE or USA if they win by 4 or 5 goals (0-0, 4-0 would work on Goals For 1-1, 4-0 would not)
CZEGHACZE or GHACZE or GHA - the rank depends on goal difference and Czechs have 1 advantage going in.
CZEdrawCZEITA or GHA if CZE win by 3 goals
CZEUSACZEITA or USA if they and CZE win by 6 goals on aggregate

Ghana :: United States
ESPN & Univision @ 9a
The USA must win to have a hope of staying in the tournament. We have to have all three points. Cheer for Italy. Ghana played well against the Czechs and are now the favored side in this match. They've got speed and endurance. We'll need creativity and grit. And goals.
My guess: Ghana 2 - 1 United States   GHA 2 - 1 USA

Czech Republic :: Italy
ESPN2 & TeleFutura @ 9a
These two must assume that Ghana will win the other match. In which case Italy could sneak in with a draw, but would prefer the number one spot that a win would earn them. A Czech loss would put them out if Ghana win or draw or lose by a lot. Okay, this is getting too full of conditions. Let's just say that all four teams in this group are eager to win. The two sides in this match got surprised in the last round. They ought to know each other better than they did the folks from other continents.
My guess: Czech Republic 1 - 3 Italy   CZE 0 - 2 ITA

Group F
CountryWLDGFGAGDPts
Brazil2003036
Australia1103213
Croatia01101-11
Japan01113-21
Group F
CountryWLDGFGAGDPts
Brazil3007169
Australia1115414
Croatia01223-12
Japan02127-51

Croatia :: Australia
ESPN2 & TeleFutura @ 2p
Australia need only a draw here as they can assume Brazil will not lose to Japan. Croatia go through if they win based on the same assumption. Looks like a good match.
My guess: Croatia 1 - 1 Australia   CRO 2 - 2 AUS

Japan :: Brazil
ESPN & Univision @ 2p
Japanese have a history of not surrenduring. This is just a really tall order. If Croatia cooperate and win 1-0 and Japan win 2-0, they can get through.
My guess: Japan 0 - 2 Brazil   JPN 1 - 4 BRA

Posted to Games and Sport at June 22, 2006 3:00 AM