Day 12 Preview: La Tri meet the hosts
20 June 2006, 07:30
Today we begin the decisive matches of the group stages. Each team has played twice. Some have already secured passage into the next round. Some have been eliminated. Most are on the fence.
There will be four matches a day, two at 10:00 and two at 3:00. In each group, the final games will be played simultaneously so that teams don’t the advantage of knowing the other result. This would affect how they play (e.g., they might just go for a draw if they know that’s all they need). At the end of each day, two second-round, single-elimination matches will be set.
Today’s first big match is Ecuador-Germany. Ecuador, who need only a tie to win the group, have impressed so far. Keep your eyes on Augustin Delgado. He has been involved in most of their goals. He’s quick and strong. He not only scores but makes clever passes. Watch also for Ivan Kaviedes, who may come off the bench. If he scores, will he pull out the Spiderman mask, or does he have another trick in his shorts?
On the other side is the young Lukas Podolski, who is more agile than he looks. He may break out and score a few goals. On the left side Bastian Schweinsteiger will run at the defense while sporting a peculiar hairstyle.
In the afternoon, England plays Sweden, who are still fighting for a place in Round 2. Wayne Rooney is scheduled to start. Will the pug-like striker ignite the England team? Can Sweden score? They took star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic off at halftime of their last game, and it paid off. Perhaps, they will come out with a different game plan today.
Here’s the win-lose-tie breakdown. Both Ecuador and Germany have secured their place in the next round. They now battle for group supremacy. Germany has to win to top the group. The second-place team will probably face England (unless England loses). Both teams would like to avoid that.
England are through. They need a draw to top the group. Sweden and Trinidad are fighting for second. Trinidad needs to win, and they need England to win. Plus, they need one of those victories to be by more than a goal. Sweden needs a tie to guarantee passage, and a win to secure first place.
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