It was important for us to keep the possibility of going to the playoffs in the 3rd round of the World Cup. Our beloved Colombia gave us this opportunity by defeating Congo. True, everything is not in our hands, we have to watch other games. But still, the fact that there is a chance until the last game encourages the players to play loosely. On top of that, our final opponents aren’t as scary as Portugal, and we’ll be rooting for them.
When will we leave?
As the number of teams was 32 in the previous WCs, the first and second place in 8 groups went to the next stage and the 1/8 finals began. This time the number of teams is 48. If 2 teams come out of 12 groups, there will be 24. There are more teams for the 1/8 finals, less for the 1/16 finals, so the 8 teams with the best results among the third place teams will also go to the playoffs. We are now trying to become one of these 8 teams. For that, we just need to beat Congo, if possible by a bigger margin.
What is the situation?
Sweden, Algeria, Croatia, Paraguay, Scotland have 3 points each and have a better chance. But none of the teams cashed in the 8 third-place tickets.
Let’s look at each group and focus on who can take the 3rd place. We will support South Korea and Mexico in today’s “A” group matches. If they beat the Czech Republic and South Africa, the third team in this group will have 1 point, if someone draws, 2 points. It will be for us.
Possible third-place holders Bosnia and Qatar will play each other in Group B. We are satisfied with a draw in this game. If someone wins, they get 4 points and cash one ticket.
Scotland in group “C” took a big step towards the playoffs after defeating Haiti in the first round. Morocco should beat Haiti in the last round, and the Scots will qualify for the last eight unless they lose by a huge margin to Brazil.
Australia and Paraguay will fight for the second and third place in group “D”. For us, it is good that the “kangaroos” beat Paraguay by as big a score as possible. The game between Turkey and the USA will not change anything for us, let the NATO members play according to what they know.
The situation in Group E is good for us. Ivory Coast will probably beat Curaçao in the last round. We hope that Germany will also beat Ecuador with ease. Then the third team of this group will be left with 1 point. We mentioned group “F” above, everything is in the hands of the Swedes. Iran or Belgium must lose a point in Group G. If the leader of the group Egypt beats Iran, Belgium beats New Zealand, our countryman Iran will be third with 2 points. This satisfies us. Belgium and Iran can also exchange places. The main thing is for someone to be third with 2 points.
In group “H” we will support Cape Verde, led by Spain and Vozinya. If the Africans beat Saudi Arabia and Spain beat Uruguay, the Uruguayans will be third with 2 points. It’s good for us. Iraq and Senegal, who still have no points in Group I, will fight for the third place. A draw is the best result for us in this game.
Austria and Algeria will fight for the second and third place in Group “J”. For us, it is good for the Europeans to win this game as big as possible. In group “L” Ghana and Croatia will share two places. Most likely, both of them will go to the next round.
The leaders in the groups have separated, and now the main intrigue is going to be among the best third places. Here’s the schedule for now:
Only five teams have three points and they are the main contenders for eight places. Two other teams have two points. So we don’t have a bad chance. For that, of course, we need to beat Congo, by as big a margin as possible. So, as we are used to, mathematics and football go hand in hand. Before you break the toshoyna, find the calculator left by your father and wipe the dust, it will be fine from today…
