Inside Sport

Potentially bizarre situation for Group B


https://forum.insidesport.com.au/Topic1984245.aspx

By petszk - 19 Jun 2014 12:25 PM

If we were to say in the final matches for Group A that Brazil draws with Cameroon (unlikely, I know) and Mexico beats Croatia, Group A will finish with Mexico on top, and Brazil second.

That will mean that in the final Group B match between Netherlands and Chile, the teams will know that the winner will finish top of their group and have to play Brazil in the 2nd round, while the loser will finish 2nd and have to play Mexico in the 2nd round.

Could we then see some "tanking" (to steal an AFL term) in this match as Netherlands & Chile try to lose and thus avoid Brazil in the 2nd round?

Has happened before (not in the World Cup): http://www.snopes.com/sports/soccer/barbados.asp
By Pr1mo - 19 Jun 2014 6:30 PM

bluebird wrote:
The team who finishes second finishes second for a reason. Brazil have been ordinary and many are saying the worst Brazil team in a long time. I think Netherlands / Chile have more reason to fear Mexico / Croatia


And if you're going to face Brazil in a WC, better in the round of 16 than a semi or final IMO.