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Everything is still to play for in Groups C and D, where all eight teams are in with a chance of making the Round of 16 at this FIFA World Cup™.
England, highly fancied before the finals began, surely did not expect to be heading into their last match in Group C needing a victory to stay in the competition. Despite their sluggish start, the Three Lions still have a chance of clinching top spot provided they can beat a Slovenia side who themselves only require a draw to progress. A high-scoring draw could also see Fabio Capello's men qualify if the match between USA and Algeria also finished all square. Should England win, both the Americans and Algerians would need to win also.
The situation is just as open in Group D, where high-flying Ghana have their noses in front. The Black Stars have already picked up four points and only need to avoid defeat against Germany in order to be sure of going through. By contrast Die Nationalmannschaft must win to prevent being leapfrogged by Serbia and potentially Australia, who have three points and one point respectively. The Socceroos need a victory to keep their qualification hopes alive, while a draw would suffice for Serbia if Germany were to lose.
The matchesGroup C (both matches at 16.00 local time)
United States-Algeria, Group C, Tshwane/Pretoria
Slovenia-England, Group C, Nelson Mandela Bay/Port Elizabeth
Group D (both matches at 20.30 local time)
Australia-Serbia, Group D, Nelspruit, 20.30
Ghana-Germany, Group D, Johannesburg (Soccer City), 20.30
The big gameGhana-Germany
Joachim Low will be aiming to avoid going down in history as the first Germany coach eliminated in the first round of a FIFA World Cup since 1938. The euphoria of his side's 4-0 demolition of Australia was dampened by a 1-0 reverse against Serbia and now Die Nationalelf have it all to do again. With Miroslav Klose suspended, Cacau must lead the line against the four-time African champions. Although a draw may be enough, the Germans are hoping for a rousing victory to put the wind back in their sails. Meanwhile Ghana, who are kicking themselves for failing to exploit their numerical advantage in the 1-1 draw with ten-man Australia, are banking on the return from injury of central defenders John Mensah and Isaac Vorsah. Milovan Rajevac's men will have the support of the South African spectators but would be unwise to play for a draw against a Germany side who are never more dangerous than when they are down.
In focusRobert Koren v Wayne Rooney
Slovenia's captain and creative fulcrum has undoubtedly been one of the stand-out performers in the eastern Europeans' campaign so far. By contrast Wayne Rooney is yet to find his shooting boots in an England team which have looked at sixes and sevens in their opening two matches. While the Manchester United striker will be hunting for goals to keep his side in the tournament, former West Bromwich Albion midfielder Koren will be itching to get one over on his Premier League counterpart by firing Slovenia into the Round of 16 for the first time in their history.
What they said"The United States are like us, they’re patriots not stars. It's the team that matters," Madjid Bougherra, Algeria defender
Source: fifa.com
England, highly fancied before the finals began, surely did not expect to be heading into their last match in Group C needing a victory to stay in the competition. Despite their sluggish start, the Three Lions still have a chance of clinching top spot provided they can beat a Slovenia side who themselves only require a draw to progress. A high-scoring draw could also see Fabio Capello's men qualify if the match between USA and Algeria also finished all square. Should England win, both the Americans and Algerians would need to win also.
The situation is just as open in Group D, where high-flying Ghana have their noses in front. The Black Stars have already picked up four points and only need to avoid defeat against Germany in order to be sure of going through. By contrast Die Nationalmannschaft must win to prevent being leapfrogged by Serbia and potentially Australia, who have three points and one point respectively. The Socceroos need a victory to keep their qualification hopes alive, while a draw would suffice for Serbia if Germany were to lose.
The matchesGroup C (both matches at 16.00 local time)
United States-Algeria, Group C, Tshwane/Pretoria
Slovenia-England, Group C, Nelson Mandela Bay/Port Elizabeth
Group D (both matches at 20.30 local time)
Australia-Serbia, Group D, Nelspruit, 20.30
Ghana-Germany, Group D, Johannesburg (Soccer City), 20.30
The big gameGhana-Germany
Joachim Low will be aiming to avoid going down in history as the first Germany coach eliminated in the first round of a FIFA World Cup since 1938. The euphoria of his side's 4-0 demolition of Australia was dampened by a 1-0 reverse against Serbia and now Die Nationalelf have it all to do again. With Miroslav Klose suspended, Cacau must lead the line against the four-time African champions. Although a draw may be enough, the Germans are hoping for a rousing victory to put the wind back in their sails. Meanwhile Ghana, who are kicking themselves for failing to exploit their numerical advantage in the 1-1 draw with ten-man Australia, are banking on the return from injury of central defenders John Mensah and Isaac Vorsah. Milovan Rajevac's men will have the support of the South African spectators but would be unwise to play for a draw against a Germany side who are never more dangerous than when they are down.
In focusRobert Koren v Wayne Rooney
Slovenia's captain and creative fulcrum has undoubtedly been one of the stand-out performers in the eastern Europeans' campaign so far. By contrast Wayne Rooney is yet to find his shooting boots in an England team which have looked at sixes and sevens in their opening two matches. While the Manchester United striker will be hunting for goals to keep his side in the tournament, former West Bromwich Albion midfielder Koren will be itching to get one over on his Premier League counterpart by firing Slovenia into the Round of 16 for the first time in their history.
What they said"The United States are like us, they’re patriots not stars. It's the team that matters," Madjid Bougherra, Algeria defender
Source: fifa.com
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