DHAKA, June 26, 2018, (BSS) – The way the group matches in FIFA World Cup
2018 are being decided at the very fag end of the match or in the injury time
, so fans with weak heart should not watch WC second matches as it is going
to be more heart breaking as knockout will kick-off from June 30.
Former national and Brother Union Club footballer Hassanuzzaman Bablu
shared his thoughts with BSS on Wednesday. He said, with the second round of
World Cup group stage games is going to completed on June 28 and the second
round will be more nerve-wrecking and heart-breaking, since it is knock-out
phase and there are chances of more fancied teams to send back packing home.
Already qualified: Russia, Uruguay, France, Croatia, Belgium, England,
Spain, Portugal
Already eliminated: Egypt, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Peru, Costa Rica,
Tunisia, Panama, Poland, Iran
The top two teams in each group qualify for the last 16.
In the case of teams finishing level on points, FIFA has put in place
seven tie-breakers starting with goal difference and then the number of goals
scored in all group matches.
If two or more teams are equal on the basis of the above three criteria,
their rankings are determined as follows: points obtained in the group
matches between the teams concerned; goal difference in the group matches
between the teams concerned; number of goals scored in the group matches
between the teams concerned, fair play points determined by red and yellow
cards at the tournament. * drawing of lots.
Here is where things stand in each group going into final round-robin
matches.
Bablu gave his views regarding teams in different groups;
Group A: Uruguay the group champions will face Ronaldo’s Portugal wile
Russia as group runners-up will face Spain in the round of 16.
Group B: In group B Spain will face Russia and Portugal will face Uruguay.
Group C France, on six points, top the group and have secured passage to
the next round but will need a point against second-placed Denmark (four
points) today in their final match to clinch first place. Denmark could
finish first, second or third. A Denmark loss coupled with an Australia win
over Peru, who are yet to earn a point, could see the Socceroos sneak through
on goal difference.
Since Denmark and Australia drew, they too could be split by fair play.
Australia, with three yellow cards, currently has the edge in this respect on
the Danes, who have four.
The winner of Group C will meet second place in Group D
Group D: All sorts of outcomes are possible here with Croatia, on six
points, through but the other three teams still in the hunt. Croatia will top
the group if they beat or draw with Iceland.
Nigeria, on three points, will secure their spot in the last 16 with a
victory over Argentina, who sit bottom of the group on one point behind
Iceland on goal difference.
A draw may also be enough for Nigeria even if Iceland beat Croatia,
depending on goal difference. To go through, Argentina need to beat Nigeria
while hoping Iceland lose to or draw with Croatia.
If Iceland and Argentina both win, to move to four points, they will be
split by goal difference. Iceland must win to have any chance but also need
the other results to go their way. The Group D winner will face the Group C
runner-up.
Group E: Only one thing is certain in Group E and that is Costa Rica,
without a point, will be going home. Brazil’s last-gasp win over Costa Rica
took them alongside Switzerland on four points, with Serbia on three.
Wins or draws for Brazil against Serbia and Switzerland against Costa Rica
will send both through. Serbia must beat Brazil to qualify but a draw could
see them through if the Swiss are beaten by Costa Rica by more than one goal.
The winners of Group E face the second-placed team in Group F.
Group F: This was another group that changed dramatically after a
stoppage-time goal as Germany, facing potential elimination, pushed
themselves right back into the mix by beating Sweden.
Mexico, on six points, are in the driving seat, with Germany and Sweden
both on three. Mexico will qualify with a win or draw against Sweden. They
can also move on with a loss to the Swedes if Germany lose to or draw with
South Korea, who have no points.
Germany will go through with any win should Sweden fail to beat Mexico.
Another scenario could see Germany advancing on a better goal difference with
a victory over South Korea even if Sweden beat Mexico.
Sweden can qualify with a win over Mexico and a Germany loss to South
Korea. If both Sweden and Germany win it is possible for the Swedes to
advance on goal difference. Despite two losses South Korea still have a slim
chance of advancing but they would need to beat Germany and hope both that
Sweden lose to Mexico and that the goal difference goes their way. The winner
of Group F will meet the runner-up in Group E.
Group G: England and Belgium are guaranteed to progress but their
finishing positions will be decided by their meeting on Thursday. Both on six
points, they have identical goal totals so a draw would mean top spot going
to the best-behaved team.
England are currently on two yellows to the three of Belgium. Tunisia and
Panama have no points ahead of their meeting, where a draw would secure third
place for the North Africans.
Group H Japan and Senegal will advance with draws against Poland and
Colombia respectively. Should Senegal and Japan both draw with the same
score, they will be split by fair play; Senegal have five yellow cards to
Japan’s three.
Colombia will progress if they beat Senegal and a draw will suffice if
Poland beat Japan. Poland have been eliminated. The top two teams in the
group will face either England or Belgium.