Group D: Ghana-Germany *** Australia-Serbia

[Renew Deal]

US plays the runner up from this group Saturday 2:30 EDT. This is the "Group of Death" on paper. They are the tightest in rankings. They are also extremely tight in standings. Any of the teams could finish second. Three can win the group.

Ghana 4 +1
Germany 3 +3
Serbia 3 0
Australia 1 -4

The simplest scenarios are that Ghana, Germany and Serbia all advance with a win. Australia must win and get help.

Ghana advances with:
(A) Win or tie versus Germany
(B) Loss and Australia-Serbia tie IF Serbia does not make up tiebreakers
(C) Loss and Australia win IF Australia does not make up tiebreakers (Australia is way behind on goal differential)

Germany advances with:
(A) Win versus Ghana
(B) Tie and Serbia-Australia tie IF Serbia does not make up tiebreakers
(C) Tie and Australia win IF Australia does not make up tiebreakers

Serbia advances with:
(A) Win versus Australia
(B) Tie and Ghana win
(C) Tie and Ghana-Germany tie AND make up tiebreakers on Germany

Australia advances with:
(A) Win versus Serbia and Ghana win
(B) Win and Germany win and make up tiebreakers on Ghana
(C) Win and Ghana-Germany tie and make up tiebreakers on Germany (not likely)

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/world-cup/story/_/id/5305482/ce/us/group-stage-scenarios?cc=5901&ver=us

Ghana-Germany

http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=249722/match=300061468/index.html#ghana+germany+preview

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/preview?id=264053&cc=5901&ver=us

Australia-Serbia

http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=249722/match=300061467/index.html#australia+serbia+preview

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/preview?id=264054&cc=5901&ver=us

[redqueen]

1. "Ghana, Germany and Serbia all advance with a win."

What?

[Codeine]

2. Any of them win

and they advance. Aussies need a win and some luck in the GER-GHA game.

[redqueen]

3. Ohhhhhhh... I get it now.

Aussies need a lot of luck.

[two gun sid]

4. Up the Black Stars!

I love this team. They've done well even without Essien.

http://www.ghanafa.org/

[jakeXT]

5. Is Boateng playing against his brother? Could be interesting..

Defender Jerome Boateng is set to start for Germany against Ghana and face his half-brother Kevin-Prince Boateng in Wednesday's crucial World Cup match, report German daily Bild.

http://supersport.com/football/2010-world-cup/news/100623/Boateng_set_to_face_brother_in_grudge_tie

[Renew Deal]

6. The Ghanain brother is the guy that injured Ballack

:grr:

[Renew Deal]

7. Both games are 0-0 at halftime.

But there's been a ton of missed and saved shots in both games.

[NoGOPZone]

8. Those scenarios need some editing

For example, German scenario (B) and Serbia (C)

Germany advances with:
(B) Tie and Serbia-Australia tie IF Serbia does not make up tiebreakers

Serbia advances with:
(C) Tie and Ghana-Germany tie AND make up tiebreakers on Germany

If both games tie how can Serbia make up tiebreakers? Goal differential is the first criteria and won't change if the scores are even in both games.

[Renew Deal]

13. You're right.

:shrug:

[Codeine]

9. Aussie Aussie Aussie

Sweet goal.

[Codeine]

10. and again!

Good grief what a rocket!

[redqueen]

11. Looking forward to seeing the highlights of that game now.

:)

[Renew Deal]

12. Group D lives up to it's name. Group of Death. Germany and Ghana advance. Australia and Serbia out

Australia goes out on a tiebreaker. (Goal Differential)

US plays Ghana Saturday at 2:30 EDT

Germany and England renew their rivalry.