Originally Posted by
Dark Horse
Why does Spain need to clinch 1st place? There is no real motivation for them to do so. The goal for both teams is to reach the semis. Winning the group is secondary. Anyway, Spain only needs a tie to clinch 1st place.
South Africa, with Pienaar back, completely outplayed New Zealand, but forgot to run up the score. They only need a tie to reach the next round, with the home crowd going wild for them. (A tie gives them 5 points, and Iraq can only reach 4 points).
When both teams in international soccer only need a tie to reach their goal, the chances are pretty good that they end up sharing the points. That's why the tie for this game doesn't have the best of payouts.
South Africa +0.5 or, riskier, South Africa to win SU (because IF there is one game in this tournament that Spain won't care about, this is it. I think they're too proud not to care, so will take SA ATS.).