Team Herald
Panjim: Portugal have achieved their primary objective in the league phase, that of qualifying for the knockouts from Group H. They did so by beating Uruguay 2-0 on Monday to make it two wins from two matches after getting the better of Ghana 3-2 in their opener.
The second objective of avoiding Brazil in the round of 16 depends on various outcomes. Cristiano Ronaldo and his men would finish on top of Group H should they draw or beat South Korea in the concluding match on Friday. On the fair assumption that Brazil would do likewise in Group G, it would mean Portugal would avoid playing the five-time World Cup champions in the second round.
However, should Portugal (currently on 6 points) lose to South Korea (1 point), they must hope that a) Uruguay (1 point), playing simultaneously, beat Ghana (3 points) or b) the two sides draw or c) Ghana fail to beat Uruguay by a large enough margin to surpass Portugal’s goal difference. Portugal have a goal difference of 3 while Ghana are on 0.
Brazil (6 points) have two wins from two matches and play Cameroon (1 point) in their concluding league match, also on Friday.
Switzerland (3 points) take on Serbia (1 point) simultaneously. Should Brazil lose, Portugal’s fans must hope that either a) Switzerland draw with Serbia, or b) Switzerland lose to Serbia or c) Switzerland fail to win by a large enough margin to surpass Brazil’s goal difference.
Brazil have a goal difference of 3 while Switzerland are on 0.
If goal differences are identical, goals scored would be the next criterion to decide final standings.
NB: Teams get 3 points for a win, 1 for a draw and 0 for a loss. If two teams finish on identical points, goal difference would decide who finishes higher. If a stalemate still ensues, goals scored would be the tie-breaker. If that too fails to resolve the issue, the head-to-head result between the two teams in question would be considered. If the teams still remain deadlocked, their fair play record – in terms of yellow and red cards -- would be taken into account. If all of this fails, a lucky draw would decide who finishes higher.