Time to bring out the calculators (Feature)

By Peter Auf der Heyde Jun 21, 2010, 21:58 GMT

Johannesburg - For most countries participating at the World Cup in South Africa, there is still plenty to play for in their last group matches.

With all teams having completed their two first games Monday, only Cameroon and North Korea have nothing but pride at stake in their third and final match.

The Indomitable Lions and the North Koreans, who are making only their second World Cup appearance since 1966, are the only two teams to have been eliminated from the competition.

Somewhat surprisingly, only two teams - Brazil and the Netherlands - are already sure of a place in the second round.

These statistics contrast sharply with the 2006 World Cup in Germany where, at this stage of the tournament, no fewer than eight countries had already qualified for the second round and seven had been knocked out.

Sensationally, hosts South Africa and 2006 finalists France are both on the verge of elimination from Group A. The two teams have a single point from their two opening games and with Mexico and Uruguay, who are both on four, meaning a draw between the two Latin American sides in their next game would send the Bafana Bafana and Les Bleus crashing out of the tournament.

As if fearing the worst, South African coach Carlos Alberto Parreira said Monday that elimination from the competition was not necessarily a failure. But it is questionable whether South African football fans agree.

In Group B, Argentina are in the driving seat with maximum points and anything but a three-goal defeat in their final match against Greece would see Diego Maradona's team through.

Greece and South Korea are on three points and need not only to get a result themselves, but also have to hope the other game goes their way.

Nigeria would go through if they beat South Korea and Greece lose to Argentina.

England are in danger of being knocked out in Group C as they currently lie third with two points from two draws. They face group leaders Slovenia in their final match. The Slovenians know that a draw will be good enough for them to go through.

With the United States also on two points and Algeria on one, both teams are still in with a fighting chance to advance, with the US in a good position to win the group if Slovenia fail to beat England.

Another former world champion in danger of making an early exit is Germany, who are on three points in Group D and face Ghana in a match they will, in all probability have to win.

The Black Stars are on four points and know that a draw will be good enough to see them through. Serbia, who stunned Germany in their last match, are also on three points and face one-point Australia knowing that a win for them against the Asian team will see them through.

In Group E, the already qualified Netherlands can take it somewhat easy against the already eliminated Cameroon, although first place in the group is still not guaranteed for the Dutch.

Japan and Denmark are on three points, with the Asian side having the better goal difference and thus knowing that a point will see them finish second.

Dutch striker Eljero Elia said that he did not care who joined them in the next round.

'We are concerned about ourselves, not about the other teams. We want to do well in the competition, that is what we are looking at,' Elia said.

Defending champions Italy, who were surprisingly held to a 1-1 draw by New Zealand and like the All Whites have two points, play their final game against Slovakia and have to avoid defeat if they do not want to go out. Even a draw will not guarantee them a place in the next round, but a victory will.

Paraguay top that group on four points and face New Zealand knowing that a draw will be enough for them.

In Group G, Brazil have made it through and will - most likely - be joined by Portugal. Brazil are on six points, while Portugal, whom they face in their final game, have four.

The Ivory Coast are on one point and will expect to add three from their game against North Korea. But even if Portugal lose and remain on four points, the African will still have to score plenty of goals as Portugal are nine goals to the better.

Ivorian defender Guy Demel said they accepted that they had only a slight chance. 'But we want to do whatever we can to keep our chance. We will try to beat North Korea and then see what happens in the other game.'