The World Cup schedule 2010 has a big day today. In mere hours, the World Cup schedule 2010 will be over for round one, with the second round starting tomorrow. As of 4:30 p.m. est, the final 16 teams in the tournament will be set, as group play will be finished for another four years. Tie breakers and goal differential stats will be put aside once the tournament moves to a do-or-die, sudden death format. But, today, the last few games on the World Cup schedule 2010 for round two shall be determined, as some heavyweights jockey for position.
Today, Brazil, Portugal and Spain will be in action, creating a star-studded day of action. Brazil vs Portugal will determine the top seed from Group G, as expected. However, Spain is just fighting for their lives, and still has a hard road ahead even if they do.
The World Cup schedule 2010 could include a Brazil vs Spain matchup in the knockout stage, after many expected them to meet for the title. The Spanish would like to avoid that, but they also have to worry about even getting in the second round. Their 1-0 loss to Switzerland put them against the wall, but they can still survive by beating Group H leader Chile.
If Spain survives and wins the group, they would face the Group G runner up on Tuesday afternoon. Yet, even if they avoid Brazil, Portugal would likely lie ahead. Still, the Spanish knew they’d likely face either Brazil or Portugal in round two either way. However, there was more confidence in them to survive this part of the World Cup schedule 2010 before last week.
The Spanish would be eliminated if they lost to Chile, which would put Switzerland in the round of 16 instead. But, no matter what happens, the entire second round of the World Cup 2010 will be set in stone today.
Whoever wins the Brazil vs Portugal match today will face the Group H runner up, whether it is Spain or not. But, the winner will also be in the same bracket as the unbeaten Netherlands, which faces underdog Slovakia on Monday morning. As for the Brazil-Portugal loser, they would face the Group H winner, and then face either Paraguay or Japan If they won.
In truth, the World Cup schedule 2010 might be easier for the Brazil vs Portugal loser than winner, since the Dutch could wait in the quarterfinals. Ye,t both nations will be fighting to win today, as their showdown is set to end round one with a flourish.
Tomorrow, the World Cup will move to two games a day from Saturday to Tuesday, starting with Uruguay vs South Korea, and the USA vs Ghana. Today’s survivors will have only a few days of rest before starting the knockout stage themselves.
Sources
Yahoo Sports- “Matches and Schedule”
