FIFA U-17 WC NIGERIA 2009 DAY 5: Gambia hanging by the thread

DAY 5 (28 October 2009) RESULTS:

GROUP C
Netherlands 2-1 Gambia
Colombia 0-0 Iran

GROUP D
New Zealand 0-0 Burkina Faso
Turkey 0-0 Costa Rica (The match between Turkey and Costa Rica was suspended after 21 minutes due to rain/water logged pitch and will be replayed tomorrow: 29 October 2009)

P/S 29 OCTOBER 2009: Turkey 4-1 Costa Rica

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The top two teams from each of the six groups automatically qualify for the knock-out phase. The four best third-placed teams, from the six groups, will also progress to the round of 16.

GROUP C STANDINGS
Iran and Colombia have 4 points each and will likely progress to the round of sixteen even though they still have a game to play. The Netherlands have 3 points and if they win or draw their last game against Iran then they will likely progress to round of 16. Even if they lose the game against Iran they still have a chance of making it to the round of 16 for being one of the four best third placed teams. To be among the four best third-placed teams a team needs at least 4 points but sometimes even 3 points can be enough. During the FIFA Under 20 World Cup Egypt 2009, Nigeria made it to “Sweet Sixteen” after ending up as one of the four best third placed teams. They had 3 points from 3 games (1 win and 2 losses). It’s win or go home for Gambia. Even a win against Colombia may not be enough. If they win and the Nertherlands also win/draw then it’s end of the road for Gambia. If Gambia win and the Netherlands lose then they will end up with 3 points each. However, currently, the Netherlands have a better goal aggregate than Gambia (Netherlands = 0; Gambia = -3). So, for Gambia to qualify, A) Gambia must win and the Netherlands must lose by at least 3 goals or B) Gambia must win by at least 3 goals and the Netherlands must lose. (Cēterīs paribus: all other things being equal or held constant).

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