Group C analysis

[gusl]

More World Cup nerdery

                     England                 x                 Slovenia
USA        EN:5 US:5 SV:4 AG:1      SV:5 US:5 EN:3 AG:1    SV:7 US:5 EN:2 AG:1
x          EN:5 SV:4 US:3 AG:2      SV:5 US:3~>EN:3 AG:2   SV:7 US:3 EN:2 AG:2
Algeria    EN:5 SV:4 AG:4 US:2      SV:5 AG:4 EN:3 US:2    SV:7 AG:4 US:2 EN:2

Q: Does England qualify if they win against Slovenia?
A: Yes.
Q: Does England qualify if they draw with Slovenia?
A: Probably not. They would need USA x Algeria to be a draw with the US scoring 2 fewer goals than England. And if that happens exactly, a coin will be tossed.
Q: Does England qualify if they lose to Slovenia?
A: No.

Q: Does USA qualify if they win against Algeria?
A: Yes.
Q: Does USA qualify if they draw with Algeria?
A: As long as England doesn't win against Slovenia.
Q: Does USA qualify if they lose to Algeria?
A: No.

Q: Does Slovenia qualify if they win against England?
A: Yes.
Q: Does Slovenia qualify if they draw with England?
A: Yes.
Q: Does Slovenia qualify if they lose to England?
A: Maybe. As long as the USA x Algeria game is a draw. If Algeria wins by only 1 goal (and SV lost by 1 goal), the chances favor Slovenia.

Q: Does Algeria qualify if they win against USA?
A: Probably. The problem is if England beats Slovenia by 1 goal, and Algeria also wins by 1 goal, chances favor Slovenia.
Q: Does Algeria qualify otherwise?
A: No.

Oh hey, Wikipedia has done some of the work for me!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010_FIFA_World_Cup_Group_C

Comments

[rweba.livejournal.com]

I like how everyone "controls their own destiny" (except Algeria, who'll need some luck).

Makes next week's games that much more exciting.

I honestly think anyone could come out of this group, the teams have seemed pretty even for the most part (as evidenced by the 3 draws in 4 games).

[peamasii.livejournal.com]

Slovenia defeating England would be a major upset, but a draw seems consistent with England's lack of aggression vs. the USA and also Slovenia's incapacity of holding a lead (also vs. the USA), and it would put Slovenia in charge of the group.