We have a chance....

We have a chance!  We definitely have a chance of making it to the next round in the Word Cup.  This is so exciting.  After watching the match between France and Mexico last night and I know we have a chance.   For those of you who are not in the know, I have done a bit of research to determine if it is possible for us to make it to the next round.     

According to the rules of the tournament, the the first and second placed teams, in each group, proceed to the next round.  Determining who those teams are is bit more complicated then just looking at the points.  To understand this, let us look at how the score card works.  When a match is played, the score card is updated as follows:
  • 3 points are awarded for a win, 1 point for a draw and 0 points for a loss
  • Goals for and against are tallied and updated on the score card
At the end of the group matches, the first and second placed teams are determined by the following criteria:
  • The goal difference in all group matches
  • Number of goals scored in all group matches
  • Greatest number of points in matches between tied teams
  • Goal difference in matches between tied teams
  • Greatest number of goals scored between tied teams 
  • Drawing of lots by FIFA Organizing committee
This is where our chance lies. Since we have only one match to go, we have to win it.  And Mexico have to lose their last match.  If they do we will be tied.  Then the last four rules above apply.  Since we would be on par with Mexico in terms of points scored i.e. draw between us, loss to Uruguay and win against France we would have to proceed to the next rule.  This is where it becomes tricky. 

We have four goals scored against us, one in our match with Mexico and three in our match with Uruguay and we scored only one goal in our match with Mexico giving us a goal difference of -3. Mexico on the other hand have scored one against us, two against France and we scored one against them giving them a goal difference of +2.  So to come out on top using the goal difference rule we have to win by four goals to nil against France and Mexico have to loose by at least two goals to nil against Uruguay. This will not only satisfy the goal difference rule but also the maximum goals scored rule to put us through to the next round.

So on the 22 June, let us gather and support our team and cheer them on to make it to the next round.  But let us not forget our allies in all this and let us also turn up in droves to support Uruguay so that they can help make our dreams come true :-)   

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