Belgium blues on the horizon as Croatia look to end their hopes

SOCCER 10 POOL OF THE DAY

Wednesday 30 November

S10 V2

Belgium’s golden generation, top ranked by FIFA for three years, might well have blown their last chance at glory as they need to beat tricky Croatia on Thursday if they are to have any chance of advancing to the second round of the World Cup. More details at www.soccer6.co.za.

M1 Poland vs Argentina: A third World Cup finals meeting between the two countries after success in 1974 for Poland and four years later for Argentina.

M2 Saudi Arabia vs Mexico: The Saudis came back to earth when they lost to Poland after beating Argentina. Mexico are bottom of the group with only one point.

M3 Canada vs Morocco: Morocco had 4-0 home win over Canada in a friendly six years ago.

M4 Croatia vs Belgium: Belgium and Croatia have three wins each in past head-to-head meetings with the other two previous clashes drawn. Belgium need a win to advance.

M5 Costa Rica vs Germany: The Germans need a repeat of their 4-2 win over Costa Rica in the group phase in 2006 if they are to advance to the next round.

M6 Japan vs Spain: Japan got off to a brilliant start by beating Germany but are now in a pickle after losing to Costa Rica. Spain won their only past meeting with Japan 1-0 21 years ago.

M7 Ghana vs Uruguay: This is a repeat of the infamous World Cup quarter-final at Soccer City in 2010 when Ghana went out in controversial fashion.

M8 South Korea vs Portugal: South Korea had an upset win over Portugal in the 2002 finals which they hosted and where they went onto reach the semi-finals.

M9 Cameroon vs Brazil: Cameroon famously beat Brazil in the 2001 Confederation Cup semi-final but have lost all four previous meetings against them.

M10 Serbia vs Switzerland: In Russia four years ago these two countries were also in the same World Cup group and the Swiss won 2-1 in Kaliningrad with a last gasp winner.