Group H and then G will round off the group games in the ongoing FIFA World Cup in Qatar and Portugal as well as Brazil in Group H and G respectively have secured passage into the next round but will surely be looking to establish their status as group winners.
GROUP H
Portugal are through to the next round following two wins from their first two group games and now they face Korea Republic in a bid to stamp their authority and secure the top spot.
Fernando Santos and his minions have matched the expectation so far but one more to go and they win become the first side to have won all their group games in the tournament for their third time ever, their second time since three point per game era and for the first time since 2006 that they have done so.
Bruno Fernandes been their knight in shining armor lately but Cristiano Ronaldo will also be on a mission to equal and maybe surpass Eusebio’s record of nine goals as Portugal’s all-time top scorer in FIFA World Cup finals.
SOUTH KOREA have let themselves down in their other two games and now face an uphill task in their quest to reach the next round because their fate not only lie in their own hands but they will need Uruguay to beat Ghana by not more than one goal margin while they also have to beat Portugal, who are so far flexed their superiority over their rivals in the group.
Should Ghana get a draw against Uruguay, Paulo Bento’s side will have to beat Portugal by more than a goal margin to earn a superior goal difference over the Black Stars.
A difficult test is what awaits a side who will also have to play Portugal without their suspended manager but with the European side through to the next round, they could be there for the taken.
They’ve watched Tunisia do it against France and they will hope to do it but not end their campaign like that of Tunisia, who still bowed out of the competition despite the glorious win.
Clashes with Uruguay for GHANA will also be more than a context of the present as a result of the Luis Suarez’ handball in their quarter final meeting in South Africa 2010, which technically denied the Black Stars the chance to make history by becoming the first African to the semi final of the FIFA World Cup as Asamoah Gyan skied the resulting penalty and Ghana went on to lose on penalties.
And today, the game is even of a huge importance as it will decide the fate of both teams, with Ghana needing to win to be assured a place in the next round while a draw could also be a good result, should things go their way in the other game between Portugal and Korea Republic.
In the form of Mohammed Kudus, Ghana have one of the best players of the tournament and in their last game, they set a new height for the nation in the competition, scoring three goals in a single FIFA World Cup game for the first time ever.
Building on that success will be securing the ticket to the next round and today, they will take the fight to Uruguay, wanting more than just revenge.
Evidence from what has been seen in Qatar, the Black Stars are favourites but it is still not going to be easy, given their rival have conceded only one goal from open play after two games while they, Ghana, have chipped in four.
URUGUAY had no answer to Portugal in their last game and were easily beaten 2-0, meaning they remain the only side in the competition yet to score a goal heading into the final game.
This time, they just have to score to stand any chance of qualification because only a win in the least can make them stand a chance.
One point from their first two games, they can reach the next round by making it four in three with a win against Ghana and that will be the only result Diego Alonso will demand from today’s game.
Uruguay haven’t been convincing, even in the qualifiers and one can even argue they don’t deserve the FIFA World Cup spot or should have played in the qualification playoff but here they are, against the reality they want.
They appear a side awaiting disaster and if Ghana are to be as clinical as they have been in their first two games, it could be a long evening for the two time winner of the tournament.
GROUP G
Assuming all star nations were drawn in the same group, Brazil making it out of there won’t be much of question, right ?
Since winning their first FIFA World Cup title in 1958, the Samba Boys have maintained a high standard in this or any other competition and many believe they own this game.
Most of the good records in the game belongs to them and from the streets of Brazil, more superstars have been groomed than anywhere in the world.
They are always favourites whenever they play in a football tournament and in Qatar 2022, they are the tip of many fans and pundits for glory and before the tournament began, they assume the No.1 position in the FIFA ranking.
They’ve already make it out of the group but faces Cameroon in their last group game, making it a chance to field other players and it is never drop in quality when Brazil rotates, else in the case of their superstars like Neymar Jr this time around.
They are yet to concede a goal or even concede a shot on target in their first two games, further showing it is not going to be easy to break them down but more questions will be asked of them in the next round.
CAMEROON kept hopes of reaching the next round alive after coming from two goals down to earn a point in a 3-3 draw with Serbia.
Tensions are boiling in the camp of the Indomitable Lions following the controversy surrounding the decision to remove Goalkeeper, André Onana from squad. Playing against Brazil and needing only a win will surely not be one things they will fancy but with Brazil already qualified, they will smell the chance that could present itself.
However, they’ll need more than a win to progress because their fate also depends on Switzerland losing against Serbia but by not more than one goal margin, which will then need them to beat Brazil by more than one goal margin.
Technically, Cameroon are out of the tournament but it is not over until it is over. Yes, and that is a believe Rigobert Song will instill in his boys tonight in Lusail.
Vincent Aboubakar came off the bench to inspire a draw against Serbia and they will need that much and even more from him, Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, Bryan Mbuemo and others to upset the record winners of the competition.
It is predictable for SWITZERLAND to lose to Brazil but they have the chance to get their campaign back on track when they face Serbia in their final group game tonight.
A win will surely see them qualify and as much as the chance is very minimal, they could still emerge as the group winner if Brazil lose to Cameroon by a margin of two, and they win against Serbia by the same margin.
It won’t be easy and of course because Serbia itself won’t let them have their way in this clash, which is 50/50 on papers but the Swiss have proven to be better lately and with that, many will tip them to beat their rivals to the runner up spot.
SERBIA potentially put themselves in a difficult position after surrendering a two goal lead to earn only a draw against Cameroon, else, a draw in today’s fixture would have been enough to reach the next round.
That chance gone, and now, they have to do it themselves in today’s group finale, and technically, a win of any margin should do it for Dragan Stojkovic’s side because Cameroon are not expected to pull any upset against Brazil.
If the Indomitable Lions win by one goal margin and it’s the same for Serbia, then it is the African that get the slot.
Interesting FIFA World Cup fixtures coming up today and upsets should be anticipated because position will most likely change. It will be interesting to see which countries go through.
Author: Kehinde Hassan Afolabi