Chances of Reaching the Round of 32? A Wait-and-See Approach Based on Other Groups

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In this tournament, 8 out of the 12 third-place teams from each group will advance to the Round of 32. With the final matches for 9 groups still remaining, we are once again in a situation where we must watch the results of other groups and calculate the various scenarios.

Reporter Hong Seok-jun has the story.

[Reporter]

In this tournament, the top 8 teams among the 12 third-place finishers will advance to the Round of 32. Rankings among third-place teams are determined first by points, and if points are tied, by goal difference, followed by total goals scored.

If those are also equal, fair play points are applied.

For fair play points, teams with fewer yellow and red cards have the advantage.

With the group stage matches for groups A, B, and C now concluded, we currently trail Bosnia, the third-place team in Group B, in points, while we are ahead of Scotland, the third-place team in Group C, in goal difference.

Including the current third-place teams from the 9 groups that have only played two matches so far, we are currently ranked 4th out of 12 teams. However, it is highly likely that our advancement to the Round of 32 will only be decided after all group stage matches conclude this coming Sunday.

One prominent overseas statistics outlet has offered a positive outlook, estimating our national team's probability of reaching the Round of 32 at 88%.

If we secure a spot in the Round of 32, we will face either Germany, which has already clinched 1st place in Group E, or the winner of Group G.

In Group G, Egypt, Iran, and Belgium are competing for the top spot, with the final third match scheduled for this coming Saturday.

Based on simple mathematical calculations, it is more likely that the national team will face the winner of Group G if we advance to the Round of 32.

[Lee Han-beom/National Football Team Defender: I understand that if we advance, we could potentially face Egypt (from Group G). Since African players are fast, we will prepare well to avoid conceding counterattacks like we did today.]

If we face the winner of Group G, the match will be held in Seattle, USA, next Thursday, allowing us some time to recover our physical condition.

On the other hand, if we face Group E winner Germany, we would have to play next Tuesday in Boston, USA.

In that case, we would have to travel to Boston on Monday, one day before the match, immediately after the entire group stage concludes, making for a very tight schedule.

(Video Editing: Jang Hyun-ki, Design: Choi Jin-hoe)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.