Posted on 06/22/2014 1:05:04 PM PDT by Perdogg
United States V Portugal thread - 6pm EDT (3pm PDT) ESPN
Is goal differential the first tiebreaker? If the US winds up tied with Ghana with 4 points; does the fact that we beat Ghana count for nothing?
What a heartbreaker of a game. We can get through though!
I agree on Ghana. They are a very physical team. We have a two goal differential on them. And we have scored more goals and beat them head to head. Still, it is likely Ghana will win. If we lose by only one goal to Germany, we have a good shot.
OK, you talked me down. I feel better now.
Here’s the list of tiebreakers that FIFA would use. They start with the first scenario, and go down the list until one of the rules breaks the tie.
Greatest number of points obtained in all the group matches.
Goal difference in the group matches.
Greatest number of goals scored in the group matches.
Almost every time, ties will be broken by one of those three rules. However, should the teams remained tied, FIFA has more tiebreakers.
Goal difference resulting from the group matches between the teams concerned.
Greater number of goals scored in all group matches between the teams concerned.
Drawing of lots by the FIFA Organizing Committee.
“What a heartbreaker of a game. We can get through though!”
The result doesn’t tell the whole story of how much better the US played; I am biased, but the US sustained attack until they were up 2-1 was better than I expected.
“Is goal differential the first tiebreaker? If the US winds up tied with Ghana with 4 points; does the fact that we beat Ghana count for nothing?”
I believe our victory would mean something if we ended up tied on goal differential.
I don't know about that, the US goalie seemed to have not fully extended his left arm in order to try to block the shot.........
It just didn't look right to me....
I'm not saying he deliberately missed the block, but...........
All in all better game than expected. Go USA!
Hilarious post from Twitter:
@FutbolsaCountry: #USA executed their gameplan perfectly. But nobody on the technical staff could have predicted that Ronaldo would pass to a teammate.
“I don’t know about that, the US goalie seemed to have not fully extended his left arm in order to try to block the shot...It just didn’t look right to me...I’m not saying he deliberately missed the block, but...”
Nobody wanted the US to beat Portugal more than I did, but once someone is in that close on your goalie a save is the exception rather than the rule (and Howard did a great job today). I was more bothered by the defense that let the guy through, and that allowed the first goal (not Howard’s fault at all).
“All in all better game than expected. Go USA!”
An exciting game to watch, but I thought the US would win. Portugal isn’t Germany or Italy; they have some stars but not enough. After their game against Germany, the pundits pointed out that Ronaldo should really appreciate how much his club teammates (all stars) contribute to his game (in comparison to his so-so performance on the national team). This game confirmed that.
Costa Rica beat Italy. Costa Rica and CONCACAF teams are all much better.
It’s a shame that in cases of two teams being tied, they don’t have head-to-head as the first tiebreaker. I think that’s ridiculous.
In all likelihood as a result, CONCACAF could be awarded with another team in the next World Cup.
“I pick Ghana over Portugal, unfortunately. Their offense seems much more effective and dynamic.”
I think the climate is much more favorable to Ghana; their game against Germany was great (Germany dodged a bullet).
A big problem is that Germany will have had an extra day of rest, and the US will still be recovering from playing this match in the heat of Manaus.
Also Ghana will have that same advantage over Portugal.
Costa Rica looks great (probably the best for CONCACAF); it will be interesting to see how far they go. When they point out that no European team has won a World Cup in South America, I think climate may favor some regions over others (I believe it played a role in the great game Ghana played against Germany).
If EITHER game ties - the USA advances (With a Por-Gha tie, we could lose 10-0 to Germany and still advance)
If the USA loses to Germany, and Port-Gha doesn't tie - it is far better that Portugal wins. The USA goal differential over Portugal gives quite a cushion.
The following scenario will actually let the USA advance (and less extreme examples too of course):
Ger -- 4
USA --1
Por -- 2
Gha --0
But forget all that bean-counting -- BEAT GERMANY! (...Or just tie 'em)
As long as it’s close, I don’t care.
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