Threeway tie for second possibility for Ferns

GOAL average could yet decide the fate of the Silver Ferns.

A loss to England this morning would leave the team on six competition points at the conclusion of pool play on the Gold Coast.

That leaves a threeway tie for second place with Malawi and Uganda a very real possibility.

Both have one win — two points — each, with Malawi stunning New Zealand on Sunday night and Uganda edging Malawi on Saturday.

The two sides played last night against Scotland and Wales respectively in games they were favoured to win.

They then switch opponents today.

If both win both games and the Silver Ferns lose, they will all be left on six points. In that case, goal average — a team’s goals for and goals against — decides who advances to the semifinals.

That leaves New Zealand in a favourable position with an average of 1.36.

Uganda and Malawi had a negative goal average at time of writing, but would have improved that with wins last night.

If there is a tie on goal average, headtohead results are the next decider.

That would become a factor only if Uganda or Malawi lost one of its final two games, as all three teams had a win and loss against each other.

However, if Uganda lost one of its last two games, Malawi would have the edge over New Zealand, having beaten it.

If Malawi lost, New Zealand has oneup on Uganda, having won against it in their opening match.

In the case of the threeway tie, goal difference — goals for minus goals against — will then be used to separate the teams.

If they are still tied, the team that has scored the most goals will finish higher.

The easiest path through for the Silver Ferns would be to beat England in their match, which begins at 11am (NZT) today.

England has confirmed a semifinal spot, having won all four games so far.

In the other pool, Australia and Jamaica are both unbeaten and have clinched semifinal berths.

They will play each other for the first and second placings tonight.