Footballing World | Group Stage Final Match Previews

World Cup Analysis

Group Stage Final Match Previews

By Guest Writer ⋅ June 20, 2006 ⋅

Who’s in the next round, which nations are on hold and who is heading home?

The first two rounds of the World Cup have contained few surprises, some disappointments, and only two nations (Argentina and Spain) truly putting their hat in the winners ring. Going into the final round for each group, there are still qualification place up for grabs.

Group A

Germany finished the group stages in dismissive fashion with a 3-0 crushing of fellow qualifiers Ecuador, to ensure they secured top spot and earned a testing tie with Sweden. The South Americans secured two wins to progress and will play England, while Poland beat Costa Rica 2-1 in hte dead rubber to finish with the same number of points as in 2002.

Group B

England narrowly finished top of their group with a 2-2 draw against Sweden, with Henrik Larsson scoring a 90th minute leveller with Eriksson’s defence handing away a couple of goals. It means Sweden will have it tough in the knockout round, but progressed at the expense of brave Trinidad & Tobago, who finished bottom after a 2-0 defeat to Paraguay.

Group C

Holland and Argentina are both assured of advancing to the next round and it’s unclear whether the two teams will play to win or will use the match to play some reserve players and rest their starters. Argentina has looked flawless so far and should win regardless of whom they play. Sadly there is no place for the Ivory Coast in the next round but they should have a bright future. Serbia and Montenegro have been one of the biggest disappointments of the finals and they will be happy when it ends.

Group D

One of the worst performances in Mexican history against Angola this past weekend gives the Africans a slight hope of advancing into the next round. If Portugal win, and they should, the Africans could leap over Mexico if goal difference is in their favor. This would be historic for Angola and a national disaster for the North Americans who see themselves as a world power. Iran should be proud of their performances but still do not have the quality to get the results they desire.

Group E

The newly crowned Group of Death sees every team with a decent chance of advancing. Unlikely though it is, Italy can still be knocked out of the tournament so they will be playing to win against the Czech Republic. Italy are through with a draw or win. The Czechs could be through with a draw but really need a win. As they are not the same team without Jan Koller and Milan Baros, an Italian win looks likely. If this happens, then the winner of the Ghana v USA match will go through. The Africans seem most likely to advance although you never know how the Americans will play.

Group F

Brazil has already advanced to the next round and the biggest question for them is whether coach Carlos Parreira is brave enough to start Robinho in the place of the useless (okay that’s a strong word) Ronaldo. Brazil are a different team with Robinho up front and Parreira should be strong enough to make the call. The other three teams in the group still have a chance of qualifying and the possibilities are endless. Japan could benefit from Brazil playing a mostly meaningless game or they could just as easily fall apart as they have been inconsistent and they are playing Brazil. The Australia v Croatia winner likely goes through and you have to think the Socceroos have the edge as coach Guus Hiddink has instilled in them the organization and guile to go deep in the tournament, where Croatia still do not look comfortable in the final third, having yet to score a goal.

Group G

The biggest disappointment of the tournament so far has to be the play of France. To advance they will need to defeat Togo probably by 3 goals to leapfrog Switzerland and/or South Korea. The French will have to do it without Zinedine Zidane who has possibly played his final match for Les Bleus as he is disqualified for yellow card accumulation. This could actually help the French as maybe coach Raymond Domonech will be forced to play a 4-4-2 instead of his previous system, which unsuccessfully isolated striker Thierry Henry. With a partner he can be the proficient goalscorer he is with Arsenal. The winner of South Korea v Switzerland automatically goes through. The Koreans were not supposed to play so well outside the friendly confines of their own home, but have surprised with their speed, fitness, and determination, the same factors that propelled them to the semifinals four years ago.

Group H

Spain has been very impressive in their two wins by a combined total of 7-1. They may rest players in a meaningless match against Saudi Arabia. Tunisia and Ukraine will play in Berlin with the winner moving on. Ukraine are certainly the favorites after recovering from their 4-0 defeat at the hands of Spain to defeat Saudi Arabia by the same score. Ukraine advance with a draw, Tunisia needs a win.