[adiaireton8]

So the Czechs are going to fight like wounded tigers to win that match.

Arena need to petition to have the US-Ghana game postponed, say, at least by 30 minutes. As long as the US is ahead in the Ghana game, the Italians and Czechs can simply play for a tie. If both games are played at exactly the same time, as is now scheduled, then as soon as the US gets ahead, the Czechs and Italians just settle in for the tie, until Ghana ties it back up. That's why the Italy-Czech game must be played without knowing the results of the US-Ghana game. And that's why the US-Ghana game should be delayed.

-A8

[Eurotwit]

I have thought about it for a while, and I think the draw for the play-offs should me made after the group games.

Then you would avoid all that stuff. Like England possibly playing to loose against Sweden to avoid Germany,

Do the draw afer the group stages. Make an evening out of it with some great artists etc. etc.

Cheers.

[Youngblood]

Arena need to petition to have the US-Ghana game postponed, say, at least by 30 minutes. As long as the US is ahead in the Ghana game, the Italians and Czechs can simply play for a tie. If both games are played at exactly the same time, as is now scheduled, then as soon as the US gets ahead, the Czechs and Italians just settle in for the tie, until Ghana ties it back up. That's why the Italy-Czech game must be played without knowing the results of the US-Ghana game. And that's why the US-Ghana game should be delayed.

The games have to be played at the same time. Its up to the US to get the best result they can. If word filters through that the US are winning and the Italians and Czechs decide to play out time, that's tough. The rules are set before the tournament.

[notfornothing]

...the Italians and Czechs can simply play for a tie....

I really don't think that should be a problem. FIFA made it pretty clear that they weren't going to tolerate that sort of thing.

Interesting that the same thing happened four years ago. South Korea and Portugal went into the final game against each other both needing a draw to go through on goal difference....Poland scored against the USA early on in their match as I recall. South Korea kept playing and scored just before halftime and eventually won the game.

[Jameison]

"If both games are played at exactly the same time, as is now scheduled, then as soon as the US gets ahead, the Czechs and Italians just settle in for the tie, until Ghana ties it back up"


You have a point there.
The flip side of course is that in lots of soccer matches, the scores can change round very suddenly, and sometimes in the last few minutes.
Look at the Australia versus Japan match for example, or the Germany versus Poland.
It will be very foolish for either the Italians or the Czechs to be playing for a draw while the US/Ghana match is still in progress.
Plus of course neither of them want top meet Brazil in the next round by coming second either, so they should be playing to win.