Groups remain open to all four till the third and final matches of the Group. There is possibility for any four to move into next round. Germany and USA have four points. One of them will qualify in the event if that team wins, both will go if the match ends as draw. Ghana and Portugal each have one point. If one of them wins by a good margin it may qualify if Germany-USA match produce a win for one team. With such a prospect alive Germany, USA, Portugal and Ghana will appear in their respective third match of the Group G on Thursday night.
Observers termed Group D as group of death but Group G was also nothing short of that. Germany is footballs power hose. They are among the top favorites of World Cup 2014. Portugal has Cristiano Ronaldo who along with Lionel Messi is considered as two best players of contrasting style in World Football now. USA having German Coach Jurgeon Klinsman has developed into a very strong side to challenge the best of the best and these Ghana team has several World Class players. Much of the competitiveness, however, was evaporated with star Portuguese defender Pepe getting red card in the first match against Germany and his team getting thrashed 4-0 by the Germans. But Portugal came bouncing back with a last minute Ronaldo inspired goal in the match against USA clinching a 2-2 draw. They will now have to win big against Ghana to qualify along with either Germany or USA deepening on who wins in their encounter. Ghana though lost to USA in their first match 1-2 gave a good account of them against strong Germany in 2-2 draw. Even they have possibility to qualify if they can beat Portugal by a good margin.
Portugal vs Ghana Match will Kick-off at 10:00PM BDST, Thursday, June 26, 2014 at Estadio Nacional, Brasilia.
Portugal (Possible, 4-3-3): Beto; Almeida, Costa, Alves, Pereia; Meireles, Carvalho, Moutinho; Varela. Ronaldo, Nani.
Ghana: (Possible, 4-2-3-1): Dauda; Afful, Mensah, Boye, Asamoah; Rabiu, Badu; Atsu, J Ayew, A Ayew; Gyan.
Portugal and Ghana will go home if the other game in this group, between the United States and Germany, ends in a draw. If there is a winner in Brasilia and they take the three points with a healthy advantage, they could still qualify but given that Portugal have scored two goals and conceding six, it does not look good for Cristiano Ronaldo and Co.
Portugal are without Fabio Coentrao while Helder Postiga, who suffered a hamstring injury against the United States, is also absent.
With Hugo Almeida also injured, Eder is the only fit striker available.
One alternative would be to use Cristiano Ronaldo in a central striking role with Silvestre Varela to start out wide.
Ghana, meanwhile, miss Sulley Muntari through suspension and Emmanuel Badu is his likely replacement. Irrespective of what happens in the other match the teams will definitely play positively to redeem and play for pride. Cristiano Ronaldo will definitely hate to go home early. He will have to inspire his team for a sizeable margin playing the role that Messi and Neymar are playing for their respective sides. On the other hand African Lions Ghana cannot be taken lightly. They have impressed soccer pundits in two outing. Their performance against Strong Germany earned accolades from one and all. With a little bit of luck they could even win that match. Hence the match will be very exciting and will be anybody’s game and winner takes all.
Experts predicted 1-1 draw but we consider one team will win and possibly Ghana with a score line of 2-1.
Germany-USA Match will be kicked off at 10:00pm BDST at Arena Pernambuco, Recipe on Thursday, June 26, 2014.
Anticipation started building for this match for a while as if it is going to be third world war in football field among old foes but new mates. The Americans have to be aware of the fearsome German counter attacks with Mesut Özil at the fulcrum and Thomas Muller providing the finishing. Germany have employed this technique so successfully over the years to destroy teams like England. They will definitely remember what US former keeper Kasey Keller told “Monsters in the box”. Germany has always relied on scoring goals winning free kicks or corner kicks and sending a bunch of giants into the penalty box for headers.
Noting that both Germany and the US have four points in their group they may have a tendency to play safe as one point each will secure passage of both of them in the next round. There are five German Americans in the US team and their and the boss Jürgen Klinsman also German.
“We are not going into the game to get a tie. That is not in our DNA. We Germans always hate to lose and always play to win.” Said Klinsman.
Both Germany and the USA are coming off draws in their last group matches, and both are in good shape to advance.
The fact that the Americans are in good shape here is great news for fans. A win by either team will propel that team to the round of 16 as Group G’s top seed. A draw will send both teams through. Even a loss by either team could see the loser advance depending on the result of the Portugal vs Ghana match. Both have a significant goal differential to make up.
The Germans are the big betting favorite in the match, but the USA looked great in the Portugal match and come into this one with confidence.
The biggest question for the Americans is whether they can keep up with the German midfield, which may be the best in the tournament. Michael Bradley and company must disrupt Germany from dominating the time of possession.
Thomas Muller leads a solid German attack (and is favored to be the first goal scorer in Thursday's match), and he has help with Miroslav Klose and Mesut Özil. Keeper Tim Howard and the American defense have their work cut out for them.
Jozy Altidore is out again with a hamstring injury, but his replacement, Graham Zusi, has been solid, and he had an assist in the draw against Portugal.
The US have played much better when they have not been in the lead, as they do not pack the defensive side of the pitch and play a more open game. However, the draw helps them, so they may play a conservative match by not pushing forward much with exception of the counter-attack.
Clint Dempsey has been playing well and is the main worry up front for the German defense.
Germany and the USA should both employ a cautious game plan, which increases the odds of a draw—a result that is welcome by both squads. Both would advance to the round of 16 with a draw, and while this World Cup has seen more goals than any other, discretion will be the better part of valor in this one.
Prediction: Germany 2 – USA 1.
Both teams will try to avoid meeting Belgium in the knock out. Germany is in better position as even in finishing with draw they will top the table for better goal difference. USA will try to win as if they are too defensive they will risk losing their game and jeopardize their chances of advancing in the process.
BDST: 1055 HRS, JUN 26, 2014
