- If Ghana beat Germany and Australia beat Serbia, Ghana finish top and Australia second.

Socceroos survival guide
20/06/2010 6:56 AM
Paul Gough in Rustenburg

Here are the scenarios for Australian qualification for the second round of the 2010 World Cup following the Socceroos 1-1 draw with Ghana.

That result left Ghana on top of the group after two matches on four points with Germany in second spot on three points ahead of Serbia on goal difference with the Serbs also on three points while Australia is in last spot with one point.

But the Socceroos' hopes of finishing in the top two in the group and reaching the knockout stages are not over although the situation is no longer entirely within their own control.

To make it through to the next round Australia MUST BEAT Serbia.

Any other result will mean automatic elimination from the competition.

But unfortunately it is not that simple as qualification also depends on the result of the Germany-Ghana clash, which will be played at the same time as Australia's match with Serbia in Nelspruit on Wednesday night (Thursday morning Australian time).

There are three scenarios which could all result in Australia finishing second in the group with top spot in Group D now officially out of reach and they all depend on the Socceroos first beating Serbia.

These are in order of preference for the Socceroos.

*If Ghana beats Germany then Australia only has to beat Serbia to make it through to the round of 16 as the Socceroos would then finish on four points compared to just three for Germany and Serbia.

*If Germany beats Ghana then Australia and Ghana would finish equal second on four points and it would come down to goal difference. But Australia would have to make up a total of FIVE GOALS to progress given Ghana's goal difference currently stands at plus one while Australia's is negative four. So if Ghana loses 1-0, Australia has to win 4-0 but if Ghana loses say 3-0, the Socceroos then only have to win 2-0.

*And the worst scenario is if Ghana and Germany draw. In that case Australia would finish level in second place on four points with Germany but would have to make up a total of SEVEN GOALS to progress with Germany's goal difference currently plus three compared to Australia's negative four following Germany's 4-0 win over Australia in the opening game. But given Germany's goal difference would remain at plus three by drawing with Ghana then Australia would have to beat Serbia by at least seven goals to qualify.

http://sportal.com.au/football-news-display/socceroos-survival-guide-93438