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» Group A
France, Senegal, Denmark, Uruguay
» Group B
Spain, Slovenia,
Paraguay, South Africa
» Group C
Brazil, Turkey,
China PR, Costa Rica
» Group D
Korea Republic, Poland
USA, Portugal
» Group E
Germany, Saudi Arabia
Republic of Ireland, Cameroon
» Group F
Argentina, Nigeria, England, Sweden
» Group G
Italy, Ecuador, Croatia,
Mexico
» Group H
Japan, Belgium, Russia, Tunisia |
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| Group H |
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» Japan
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» Belgium
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» Russia
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» Tunisia
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Friendly fans, favourable draw for co-host Japan
Talk about the luck of the draw.
Unlike co-hosts South Korea (who were pooled into the same group
with favourites Portugal, Poland and the United States), Japan's
route out of Group G and into the second round is far less arduous:
Russia (a team that is a bit long in the tooth), Belgium (riddled
by a several key injuries) and Tunisia (one of the weakest sides
at the tournament).
Russia appears to be the class of this group and will control
its own destiny. It will have little problem pinning back the ears
of Tunisia and Belgium, and should earn at least a draw with Japan.
That would likely be more than enough to see them finish first in
the group.
If Japan can win its opening game against Belgium on June 4 in
Saitama, it will be able to ride the tidal wave of support from
the home crowd to finish in second place in the group. Conversely,
the June 4 confrontation is must-win for Belgium. If it can somehow
manage to walk away with a win, and then defeat Tunisia, it stands
a very good chance of finishing in second. Anything less than two
wins before meeting up with Russia on June 14 will send Belgium
home early.
Tunisia will be overmatched in all three of its games and will
struggle to earn a tie. They'll finish at the bottom of the group,
probably with three consecutive losses.
Predicted order of finish:
1. Russia
2. Japan
3. Belgium
4. Tunisia
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June 4
Japan - Belgium
Saitama
June 5
Russia - Tunisia
Kobe
June 9
Japan - Russia
Yokohama
 3:30
pm ET (taped)
June 10
Tunisia - Belgium
Oita
June 14
Tunisia - Japan
Osaka
June 14
Belgium - Russia
Shizuoka
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