World Cup qualifiers in June

[David Votoupal]

A month of World Cup qualifying action so here goes:
EUROPE
Group 1: Sweden and Portugal have to pick up points to catch up to Denmark and Hungary. Should both of them fail to do so, Denmark and Hungary will be favoured from this group.
Group 2: No action this month.
Group 3: Slovakia and Slovenia each play San Marino, thus guaranteeing 3 points for both.
Group 4: Wales and Finland have crucial games in which they need to pick up points to catch up to Germany and Russia.
Group 5: No action this month.
Group 6: England face Kazakhstan and Andorra, and wins in both will give them a foot in the World Cup. Croatia, Ukraine and Belarus will vie for 2nd.
Group 7: Romania's possible last chance salon in Lithuania, while Serbia and France expect wins in the Faroe Islands.
Group 8: Bulgaria v Republic of Ireland is a six-pointer, the Irish will be clear favourites for 2nd if they win. Montenegro go to Cyprus in search of a first competitive win.
Group 9: With the Netherlands pretty certain of topping this group, the rest scrap it out for 2nd place. Two home games for Macedonia, two away games for Norway.

SOUTH AMERICA
Argentina look to bounce back from humiliation in Bolivia. Otherwise, Brazil and Chile are snapping at Paraguay's heels with Brazil facing a big game in Uruguay before hosting Paraguay. Bolivia host Venezuela, and a win will boost their chances of a play-off place.

CONCACAF
The USA lost in Costa Rica, while Mexico are away to El Salvador before hosting Trinidad & Tobago. Honduras also host El Salvador in a regional derby.

AFRICA
Matchdays 2 and 3 take place in the second group stage, still too early to determine who'll make it out of those groups.

 

[Morgan30]

SOUTH AMERICA
Argentina look to bounce back from humiliation in Bolivia.

Humiliation? sure they lost 6-1 but playing in Bolivia is like playing under mud, impossible to breathe, only the score looks bad when i reality it's a game that they were always going to struggle in.

I'm personally hoping Wales can finally do something respectable after the start they've had. (in particular the escape act against Azerbaijan)

 

[David Votoupal]

Now Brazil and Argentina do tend to struggle in Bolivia but 6-1 is another thing altogether. But then again Bolivia did draw away to Brazil, when everyone thought they'd lose, though Dunga's negative tactics had a lot to do with it.

Heck, Peru's best performances this campaign include draws with Brazil and Argentina at home, and they were really unlucky not to beat Argentina.

 

[Morgan30]

Negative tactics are an average nations present from god, 6-1 is fairly favourable but at a normal altitude I think Bolivia lose all ability to have such a result

 

[ryan]

To be fair nations like Argentina and Brazil have been playing away games in Bolivia for years now so should be somewhat used to the conditions - similar to the Socceroos who now have experienced the conditions of the Asian nations. Without doubt the altitude is an advantage but it certainly makes Conmebol a more interesting section.

 

[David Votoupal]

In Europe, the comparative closeness of distance and ease of travel levels the playing field, Europe has always been ultra-competitive.

South America has always been competitive too, but distance, climate and altitude plays its part.

Africa is easily the third strongest continent- it has great depth of talent and has always produced strong teams and players.

Asia and CONCACAF are still the most uneven confederations in any case.

 

[Kareem]

In Europe, the comparative closeness of distance and ease of travel levels the playing field, Europe has always been ultra-competitive.

South America has always been competitive too, but distance, climate and altitude plays its part.

Africa is easily the third strongest continent- it has great depth of talent and has always produced strong teams and players.

Asia and CONCACAF are still the most uneven confederations in any case.

IMO africa should also be known as the most unpredictable continent

Egypt, Nigeria, Cameroon, Morocco, South Africa, Senegal all missed out on the World Cup
(Tunisia, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Togo, Angola)

Now tell me thats not nuts
I think the best 5 are probably Egypt, Cameroon, Nigeria, Ghana + Ivory Coast
But i am without a doubt sure that at least one (probably 2-3) will not make it
Egypt are notorious for this ie. unbelievable side, own in the African nations cup- and just suck in qualifying (we manage shocking results to African minnows)

Go Egypt vs Algeria!

 

[FFC Mariner]

2 more easy games for the mighty Enger-lund.

Cruise through the group, win in the round of 16 and then we can all enjoy our normal heart rending loss in the QF's.

 

[marinermick]

2 more easy games for the mighty Enger-lund.

Cruise through the group, win in the round of 16 and then we can all enjoy our normal heart rending loss in the QF's.

to the argies of course

 

[FFC Mariner]

Someone who can retain possession, pass to feet etc etc etc

Cheating foreigners the lot of em

 

[scottmac]

2 more easy games for the mighty Enger-lund.

Cruise through the group, win in the round of 16 and then we can all enjoy our normal heart rending loss in the QF's.

Not so far, come on the mighty Kazakhstan!! Should be down by a couple

 

[Arabmariner]

Good results for Scotland last night even though they didn't play.

Main rivals for 2nd spot in the group Macedonia and Norway drawing and Iceland losing at home to Holland.

Set's things up nicely for another glorious failure to qualify! :-\

 

[David Votoupal]

Mexico lost in El Salvador

 

[bulldogmariner]

Mexico lost in El Salvador

They are in big danger of missing out for 2010.

 

[clarence]

Mexico lost in El Salvador

They are in big danger of missing out for 2010.

Is Sven still in charge?

 

[Ben]

Mexico lost in El Salvador

They are in big danger of missing out for 2010.

Is Sven still in charge?

no he was sacked a while ago

 

[clarence]

Mexico lost in El Salvador

They are in big danger of missing out for 2010.

Is Sven still in charge?

no he was sacked a while ago

Mexico should be winning then! 

 

[Eternal Optimist]

Good results for Scotland last night even though they didn't play.

Main rivals for 2nd spot in the group Macedonia and Norway drawing and Iceland losing at home to Holland.

Set's things up nicely for another glorious failure to qualify! :-\

I remember when Scotland got beaten by Peru 6-0 in a previous WC , talk about gloom and doom. (Was only a baby at the time, honest!) 

 

[Arabmariner]

Good results for Scotland last night even though they didn't play.

Main rivals for 2nd spot in the group Macedonia and Norway drawing and Iceland losing at home to Holland.

Set's things up nicely for another glorious failure to qualify! :-\

I remember when Scotland got beaten by Peru 6-0 in a previous WC , talk about gloom and doom. (Was only a baby at the time, honest!) 

Get a grip.

It wasn't quite that bad.But a disaster all the same.

3-1 at Argentina "78 must be what you're thinking about ?

Willie Johnston drugs scandal etc

 

[serious14]

Europe's groups = top two getting through innit??