The runners up in Groups D and G meet in the World Cup Round of 32 in Dallas on Friday when Australia take on Egypt
Australia
Australia contested Group D which was topped by hosts USA who finished with 6 points. Australia edged out Paraguay for the runners up spot on goal difference with both sides on 4 points whilst Turkey were bottom with 3 points.
Australia and Paraguay met in the final round of group matches in San Francisco in the knowledge that a draw would almost certainly see both nations make it to the Round of 32. Clear cut chances were few and far between and a forgettable contest finished without a goal.
Australia lost their second group match 2-0 to the USA in Seattle. Cameron Burgess put through his own net early on and they were 2-0 down by half time. They was improvement in the second half but overall they were very much second best.
Australia were underdogs in a competitive looking group but they started with a 2-0 win over Turkey 2-0 in Vancouver. Nestory Irankunda gave them a first half lead on 27 minutes and Connor Metcalfe made it 2-0 on 75 minutes. Goalkeeper Patrick Beach made numerous saves to keep Turkey out.
Egypt:
Egypt were in Group G and they finished as runners up to Belgium on goa, difference after both sides finished with 1 and 2 draws. Itan were third with 3 points and extremely unlucky to be eliminated and New Zealand were bottom of the quartet with 1 point.
Egypt’s final group match aw them take on Iran in Seattle. A win would have seen them top the group and they made the perfect start when Mahmoud Saber gave them a fifth minute lead. Iran missed a penalty and soon equalized in a frantic start but it stayed 1-1 until the closing stages when Iran had a goal controversially ruled out by VAR and also hit the woodwork. Mo Salah picked up a knock so watch the media for news of his well being.
Egypt had moved to the top of the group with a 3-1 win over New Zealand in Vancouver in their second group match. They were a goal down on 15 minutes and it stayed that way until Mostafa Zico equalized just before the hour mark. Mo Salah then made it 2-1 and Trezeguet added the third as Egypt closed in on qualification for the knockout rounds.
Egypt’s opening match against Belgium in Seattle finished in a 1-1 draw. They took the lead through Emam Ashour on 20 minutes and it stayed that way until midway through the second half when Mohamed Hany’s own goal squared things up.
The Betting (Regulation time unless stated otherwise)
Australia are priced at around 23/10 to win the game with the draw available at 17/10 and Egypt can be backed at around 15/10
A game of 3 goals or more is priced at 1.65/1 and its 12/10 for both teams to score
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The Verdict:
Australia made a terrific start to their tournament against Turkey and didn’t show us much thereafter but the form of their group has ben franked to a large degree by Paraguay who subsequently knocked out Germany on spot kicks. Meanwhile Egypt are unbeaten and African Nations have generally been exceeding expectations and this looks a tricky contest.
I can understand the short price about the draw but I’m going to take my chances on nore than 1 goal in regulation time.
Bets: Total match goals under 1.5 at 14/10 with Lucky Fish
Note, odds are subject to change
