By Kenneth Tan/Red Sports
Day 14 saw defending champions Italy dumped out of the competition at the group stage after a stunning 3-2 upset at the hands of debutants Slovakia. The win ensured the Slovaks finished second in Group F, just behind Paraguay who took top spot with a 0-0 draw against New Zealand.
Holland finished on top of Group E with n 100% record of three wins after a late 2-1 victory over already-eliminated Cameroon while Japan finished in second spot after an impressive 3-1 win over Denmark.
Let’s move on to Day 15 where the final group G and H matches will be played. Five-time winners Brazil will take on Portugal in a titanic Group G clash to see who will finish top of the group while Ivory Coast will need a huge win over minnows North Korea and a Portugal loss to have even a hope of qualifying.
Reigning European champions Spain will take on surprise Group H leaders Chile in a crucial clash to determine their qualification while Switzerland will look to overcome minnows Honduras.
A win will see the Spanish through to the next round but a draw or a loss will open up chances for Switzerland and Honduras.
Will Portugal replicate their impressive seven-goal performance against North Korea the last time round? Or will Brazil produce their Samba football on their way to a win?
Will Fernando Torres rediscover his Liverpool form for Spain? Or will the Chileans keep him out to put Spain on the flight home from South Africa after France and Italy?
More News on Portugal vs Brazil
Previous Encounter in 2008: Brazil 6-2 Portugal
Previous Encounter in 2007: Brazil 0-2 Portugal
Nike Commecial in 2004: Portugal vs Brazil
Goal.com: Brazil and Portugal: Clash of Culture
Goal.com: Sharing the load will allow Ronaldo and Portugal to thrive
New York Times: Pride on the Line
More News on Chile vs Spain
Previous Encounter in 2008: Spain 3-0 Chile
Goal.com: How European champions have fared at the World Cup
New York Times: Spain must put faith in proven strategy
Spain midfielder Xavi: Football should be easy and pleasing on the eye
Group G | P | W | D | L | F | A | GD | PTS |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BRAZIL | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 2 | +3 | 7 |
PORTUGAL | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 7 | 0 | +7 | 5 |
IVORY COAST | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 3 | +1 | 4 |
NORTH KOREA | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 12 | -11 | 0 |
GROUP H | P | W | D | L | F | A | GD | PTS |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SPAIN | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 2 | +2 | 6 |
CHILE | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 2 | +1 | 6 |
SWITZERLAND | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
HONDURAS | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | -3 | 1 |
For the World Cup fixtures list with Singapore broadcast timings as well as group tables and the list of CCs with free screenings, go to: http://redsports.sg/2010-world-cup-fixtures-groups/
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