This is a series of nine, short posts that will be synthesized into one article for World Soccer Reader.
| Team | GP | Pts |
|---|---|---|
| Germany | 7 | 19 |
| Russia | 7 | 18 |
| Finland | 7 | 13 |
Group 4
I’ve included Finland in the table not because they are a threat to Russia or Germany but to show how top-heavy the group is. Finland’s 13 points in seven matches is a perfectly respectable total that would have them in the middle of the playoff spot’s race if they weren’t in this group. Unfortunately for them, two of the top six nations in the world are in this group, and the only drama remaining is who will qualify automatically for South Africa.
Provided Germany and Russia hold serve from here on out, that will be decided October 10 in Moscow. Germany did no play this weekend, but Russia did their part with a comfortable 3-0 home win over Liechtenstein. Roman Pavlyuchenko had a brace from the spot as Russia, playing without three of their best players, won comfortably.
Russia also experimented with a three man back line, owing to star defenders Yuri Zhirkov and Denis Kolodin being out with injuries. As neither are expected to return on Wednesday, we may see a similar formation in Cardiff against Wales.