Group C
Team
|
W
|
L
|
T
|
GF
|
GA
|
+/-
|
Pts
|
Colombia
|
1
|
0
|
0
|
3
|
0
|
3
|
3
|
Ivory Coast
|
1
|
0
|
0
|
2
|
1
|
1
|
3
|
Japan
|
0
|
1
|
0
|
1
|
2
|
-1
|
0
|
Greece
|
0
|
1
|
0
|
0
|
3
|
-3
|
0
|
Colombia's win puts them well on their way to the top of Group C. They effectively shredded the top defence they'll face in Group C and should have similar performances against the other 2. Not much was expected of Greece and they showed they cannot be counted on for the goals needed to win games at the World Cup. They should be out.
That left the night game as a battle for the likely second-place spot in the group. Japan looked on their way against an Ivorian team that appeared completely out of control. Enter Didier Drogba and all of a sudden Japan find themselves in third place in the group. Not convinced Ivory Coast have what it takes to advance but they positioned themselves well tonight.
Group D
Team
|
W
|
L
|
T
|
GF
|
GA
|
+/-
|
Pts
|
Costa Rica
|
1
|
0
|
0
|
3
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
Italy
|
1
|
0
|
0
|
2
|
1
|
1
|
3
|
England
|
0
|
1
|
0
|
1
|
2
|
-1
|
0
|
Uruguay
|
0
|
1
|
0
|
1
|
3
|
-2
|
0
|
Ok, to make sense of a group that has Costa Rica at the top after the first day...Simply going to breakdown the 4 remaining games as I see them
England-Uruguay: An absolute must-win now for both teams. At best they can only be tied for second with a game to play. I had Uruguay winning this game originally, but they have question marks after a pathetic defensive effort and poor finishing without Suarez. England's big headache was a lack of finishing but they should have a better chance of goals against Uruguay. Suarez is the x-factor. He plays (healthy) and it's a tossup. He doesn't and England have to be the favourite. I think they may hold an edge regardless.
Costa Rica-Italy: Costa Rica will not have the luxury of pressing Italy like they did Uruguay. I still like Italy but it's far from a lock after today.
Uruguay-Italy: If the above games hold to form, this game will be meaningless with Italy through and Uruguay eliminated. I like Italy's organization no matter what against Uruguay.
England-Costa Rica: England have some of the similar defensive problems to Uruguay but don't tend to extend themselves too far. England will struggle with the Costa Rican back line.
Assuming Italy beat Costa Rica, I see 3 scenarios:
Scenario 1: England beat Uruguay and set up a winner-take-all game against Costa Rica with goal differential to be considered in the event of a tie.
Scenario 2: England-Uruguay draw and things get interesting. Both England and Uruguay would have to win final game and goal differential a factor if they both ended on 4 points.
Scenario 3: Uruguay defeat England giving both Uruguay and Costa Rica 3 points with England on none. Both Costa Rica and Uruguay in a position to win and advance, but also the outside shot of an England win/Uruguay loss for a 3-way tie.
Absolutely fascinating group to watch going forward.
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