BERLIN -- Since FIFA expanded the field to 32 nations before the 1998 World
Cup, at least one seeded team has failed to advance to the second round at each
tournament.
In 1998, Spain crashed out after three matches. In 2002, Argentina placed
third in its group, and only the top two advanced. France finished last in its
group and failed to score a goal in three games.
The other 13 seeds in the two tournaments made it to the second round.
This year's tournament could be the first under the new format when all eight
seeds advance. Five of the eight have already wrapped up spots in the second
round: Germany, England, Argentina, Brazil, Spain.
France has struggled again, but can still advance. Les Bleus, the seeded team
in Group G, have scored one goal in two games, both of them ties. To be assured
of advancing, France must beat Togo and have the Switzerland-South Korea match
not end in a tie. If the Swiss and Koreans do tie, France can still get through
as long as it scores enough goals while beating Togo.
Mexico, the seed from Group D, needs only a tie against Portugal in its last
group game to advance. However, the Mexicans have been beset by injuries, and
should they lose, they would only fail to advance if Angola beats Iran, and the
combined margin of victory in the two games is three or more.
The situation in Group E is the most unsettled. All four teams can still
advance, although seed Italy controls its destiny, needing only a tie against
the Czech Republic to clinch a berth in the second round.
Before the World Cup draw, FIFA seeds eight teams, including the host nation,
to prevent those sides from meeting each other until the second round at the
earliest. FIFA uses recent World Cup performances and the world ranking to
determine which teams, other than the host, should be seeded. In theory, the
seeds (outside of the hosts) represent the best teams in the tournament.
Starting in 1962, FIFA has used some form of a seeding system after the
completion of qualifying in every World Cup except in 1970. In each of those
tournaments, a seeded team went on to win.
SOCCEROO TIRADE: Harry Kewell could miss Australia's crucial World Cup match
against Croatia if he is suspended for an outburst against a referee following a
2-0 loss to Brazil.
Kewell will have to explain his postmatch comments to a FIFA disciplinary
panel after German referee Markus Merk complained the Australian winger insulted
him.
It was in the "referee's report that (Kewell) insulted the referee. It's been
taken up by the disciplinary committee," FIFA communications director Markus
Siegler said Monday. "He must now reply by June 20."
Kewell played the entire match in the opening 3-1 win over Japan --
Australia's first win in World Cup history -- and went on as a second-half
substitute against Brazil on Sunday when the score was 1-0.
The Liverpool forward was clearly upset by a number of calls that went
against Australia. Merk called Australia for 25 fouls against only nine for
Brazil.
Asked about the exchange with the referee, Kewell told reporters after the
game "that's just heat of the moment stuff," adding that he did not think the
matter was serious.
Australia plays Croatia in Stuttgart on Thursday and needs at least a tie to
advance to the next round. This is the first postmatch incident case the
disciplinary panel is handling at this World Cup. Sanctions range from a caution
to a suspension.
Siegler said the disciplinary committee was still investigating the Italy vs.
United States match in which three red cards were issued. A decision will be
made by Friday at the latest.
