Today, judgement will be passed on Group A and B teams as seven of the eight still hopeful of round of 16 tickets, which will only be available for four.
GROUP A
Qatar are definitely out of the FIFA World Cup following two losses from their opening two games, becoming the first host nation to lose their opening two games in the competition
They also become only the second host nation not to reach the next round after South Africa in 2010 and now will play their final group game against The Netherlands, only for the culture.
However, the match held more significance for their opponents THE NETHERLANDS who might need at least a draw to secure their passage into the next round while a win will most likely see them emerge as group winner.
Even with a loss, Louis van Gaal’s side will still progress depending on result in the other Group A meeting between Senegal and Ecuador.
ECUADOR did themselves a world of good by earning a point against the Netherlands in their last game, which now means even with a draw against Senegal, they will reach the next round.
However, should they fall to Senegal, they will need Qatar to inflict a bigger loss on the Netherlands for them to seal progress into the last 16.
SENEGAL recovered from their opening day loss by beating Qatar – as expected of them but a bigger challenge awaits against Ecuador, who now have the edge following a draw with the Netherlands.
Senegal needs a win to seal progress while a draw will also do if Qatar win by at least 3-0 against the Netherlands. The result is highly unlikely but not impossible.
However, they will fare much better doing themselves the favour of a win, as they have their fate only in their own hands.
GROUP B
Iran turned things in this group on its head following their shocking win over Wales in their last game. They now stand a big chance of reaching the next round by preventing the USMNT from winning against them later today if England win or draw against Wales.
After that Wayne Hennessy’s red card, it was never going to be easy for WALES and they ended up capitulating, conceding two late goals to fall against Iran.
The result means even a win against England might not be enough as they will need unlikely things to go their way. A draw between Iran and the US will do it for them if they can beat England.
The USMNT followed up their draw against Wales with a spirited draw against group favourites, England. However, Wales’ lose to Iran made their task complicated as they will now have to win against Iran.
Can they do it ? We’ll get our answer tonight Doha when the likes of Christian Pulisic, Tyler Adams, Weston McKennie take to the pitch to bear the flag of their nation.
ENGLAND are odds on to reach the round 16, yet as group winner. Their draw with the US has made it seem they fall off but with a win against Wales, which shouldn’t be farfetched, they should be able to finish as group winners
They will likely end the run of their fellow Brit.
Author: Kehinde Hassan Afolabi
