DAVID BIANCULLI

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GERALD JORDAN

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2014 WORLD CUP
June 23, 2014  | By David Bianculli

ESPN 2, 12:00 p.m. ET

 

The reason these final group stage games are being played at the same time is so teams can’t use the knowledge of their changing standings to influence how, and even whom, they play. It’s a wonderful idea – but in the age of smartphones and other instant-info technology, if one Group A game is a rout, wouldn’t that news “leak” in plenty of time to coaches at the other Group A game site? Just asking. Meanwhile, here are the games you can see today on ESPN2. First up, at noon ET, is Australia vs. Spain from Group B. Both teams have lost their first two games, and have no chance to advance, so they’re playing, as they say, for pride and country. Then, at 4 p.m. ET, is a game that has much more meaning: World Cup host Brazil plays Cameroon in Group A. Cameroon, with two losses and an embarrassing goal differential of -5, has no shot at advancing, but Brazil’s future, though it leads Group A, is far from certain. If Brazil wins, it’s on to the round of 16. A draw, and it’s probably in, unless there’s a very lopsided score in the other match. But a loss, and, most likely, the host country will stop its journey here – and if you thought there were riots in Brazil before the games, wait until what happens if the team falls this early in the tournament.

 
 
 
 
 
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