Australia can be the first squad to book their place in the 2010 World Cup if they defeat Uzbekistan tomorrow in Sydney and hope for a Bahrain-Qatar draw in the other Asia Group 1 match on the evening. If both results fall then Australia will join the hosts South Africa on the ledger for the 2010 World Cup.
It's a far change from the last World Cup when Australia were the last team to qualify using penalty kicks to defeat Uruguay. This time around they are playing in the Asia Federation rather than the Oceanic Federation. The change has been good as they are getting decidedly better competition and are still looking like easy qualifiers.
The defense has been wonderful as they have yet to concede a goal in their four group matches thus far and have previously beaten Uzbekistan away 1-0.
"We're in a great position at the moment," Australia goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer told reporters. "We just need to make sure that we capitalise on the position that we're in and not get too frustrated if things don't go our way immediately."
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
England faces injury worry as Darren Bent ruled out of Ukraine clash
England is facing an injury crunch ahead of their Wednesday clash with Ukraine. The striker position is becoming increasingly thin after Darren Bent limped off from training Tuesday and has been ruled out of the match. Jermain Defoe, Dean Ashton and Theo Walcott were left out of the original squad due to injury and then Carlton Cole and Emile Heskey both went out over the weekend.
Luckily, Peter Crouch will be fit and has been confirmed as the starter up top alongside Wayne Rooney. Also returning are Shaun Wright-Phillips and Rio Ferdinand.
England sit comfortably ahead in Group 7 on a perfect 12 points thus far, while Ukraine is on 7 but with a game in hand. A Ukraine upset Wednesday and they would be within range to overtake England in the standings.
European World Cup qualifying for South Africa 2010
Luckily, Peter Crouch will be fit and has been confirmed as the starter up top alongside Wayne Rooney. Also returning are Shaun Wright-Phillips and Rio Ferdinand.
England sit comfortably ahead in Group 7 on a perfect 12 points thus far, while Ukraine is on 7 but with a game in hand. A Ukraine upset Wednesday and they would be within range to overtake England in the standings.
European World Cup qualifying for South Africa 2010
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Argentina, Messi roll over Venezuela
Lionel Messi continues to make a case for the best player in the world as he led Argentina to an impressive 4-0 win over Venezuela on Saturday. Messi ran wild all night as Venezuela had no answers for the creative Barcelona star.
Lionel Messi put his team ahead in the 26th minute when he scored after a beautiful combination with Carlos Tevez. Two early 2nd half goals killed off the match and Messi was involved again. His cross found Tevez for a nice volley that found the net in the 47th.
The win boosts Argentina to 19 points and second in the South American standings, 4 points behind leaders Paraguay. Brazil is 3rd on 17 with a game in hand. Wednesday Argentina travels to Bolivia.
Lionel Messi put his team ahead in the 26th minute when he scored after a beautiful combination with Carlos Tevez. Two early 2nd half goals killed off the match and Messi was involved again. His cross found Tevez for a nice volley that found the net in the 47th.
The win boosts Argentina to 19 points and second in the South American standings, 4 points behind leaders Paraguay. Brazil is 3rd on 17 with a game in hand. Wednesday Argentina travels to Bolivia.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Mexico back on track with win over Costa Rica
Mexico is back on track for South Africa 2010 following a solid 2-0 win over Costa Rica at Azteca. The match was never in doubt as Mexico controlled the game from the start and got the opening goal in the 20th minute as Omar Bravo got in behind the Costa Rican defense. His shot was turned back by keeper Ricardo Gonzalez but the rebound went right back to Bravo who knocked it home.
Mexico was never in trouble and got the 2nd goal on a superb Pavel Pardo penalty kick. The win gets Mexico to 3 points while Costa Rica also sits on 3 points as well. Wednesday Mexico travels to Honduras who tied with Trinidad & Tobago Saturday while Costa is home to El Salvador.
CONCACAF qualifying World Cup 2010 South Africa
Mexico was never in trouble and got the 2nd goal on a superb Pavel Pardo penalty kick. The win gets Mexico to 3 points while Costa Rica also sits on 3 points as well. Wednesday Mexico travels to Honduras who tied with Trinidad & Tobago Saturday while Costa is home to El Salvador.
CONCACAF qualifying World Cup 2010 South Africa
Sweden grabs valuable point in Portugal
Portugal dropped valuable home points as Sweden was able to play to a scoreless draw in Porto Saturday. It marked two straight home qualifiers where Portugal has failed to find the net playing to scoreless draws. The results could come back to haunt them as qualifying continues. Meanwhile, Group 1 leaders Denmark sat at home on a bye and applauded the result.
Portugal sits on a disappointing five points from four matches played as the pressure begins to mount. Their next two matches are away to Albania followed by a very important trip to Denmark. The draw was valuable for Sweden as road points are like gold. The Swedes sit on five points with Portugal, but have a valuable game in hand. Sweden is home to Denmark in June followed by another home match with Malta and a real chance to become major players in Group 1.
Portugal sits on a disappointing five points from four matches played as the pressure begins to mount. Their next two matches are away to Albania followed by a very important trip to Denmark. The draw was valuable for Sweden as road points are like gold. The Swedes sit on five points with Portugal, but have a valuable game in hand. Sweden is home to Denmark in June followed by another home match with Malta and a real chance to become major players in Group 1.
Ribery gives France much needed win
France grabbed a massive 3 points with a tough away win in Lithuania thanks to a Frank Ribery strike in the 67th minute. Yoann Gourcuff set Ribery up from about 20 yards out and the Frenchman buried the shot to keep France's hopes alive to qualify for World Cup 2010. The two teams meet again on Wednesday in Paris.
Another French win would send France over Lithuania in the Group 7 standings. Serbia sits atop the group on 12 points after their 3-2 win over Romania today. Lithuania is on 9 points while France is on 7 with a game in hand.
European qualifying for World Cup 2010
Another French win would send France over Lithuania in the Group 7 standings. Serbia sits atop the group on 12 points after their 3-2 win over Romania today. Lithuania is on 9 points while France is on 7 with a game in hand.
European qualifying for World Cup 2010
Wales falls at home to Finland
Finland snatched an important 3 points in Wales today in a match that seriously damages Wales hopes at the South Africa 2010 World Cup. The visitors grabbed the lead just before halftime as Jonatan Johansson clanged one in off the post via a pass from Jari Litmanen. It left the home crowd stunned heading into halftime.
The dagger came in stoppage time as Wales pushed forward for the tying goal. Substitute Shefki Kuqi grabbed the goal to kill off the match and give Wales the stark reminder that they have not qualified for a major world tournament since 1958.
Now Wales much regroup and upset leaders Germany at home on Wednesday night. The win kept Finland's hopes alive as they trail Russia by only two points heading into a home match with minnows Liechtenstein Wednesday.
European World Cup qualifying for South Africa 2010
The dagger came in stoppage time as Wales pushed forward for the tying goal. Substitute Shefki Kuqi grabbed the goal to kill off the match and give Wales the stark reminder that they have not qualified for a major world tournament since 1958.
Now Wales much regroup and upset leaders Germany at home on Wednesday night. The win kept Finland's hopes alive as they trail Russia by only two points heading into a home match with minnows Liechtenstein Wednesday.
European World Cup qualifying for South Africa 2010
Late Saudi Arabia goals kill Iran hopes
Two late goals from Saudi Arabia have killed Iran's chances at the 2010 World Cup. Iran missed several quality chances in the first half that could have put them comfortably ahead in front of over 100,000 home fans. Instead, the chances were missed and the Saudis were allowed to hang around.
Iran jumped ahead in the 58th minute on a superb goal from Hossein Kazemi, but Saudi Arabia would not give up. They were able to tie the score in the 76th minute as Naif Hazzazi converted a perfect through ball. With less than five minutes to play Saudi Arabia scored the historic goal that enabled them to beat their oldest rivals. A glancing header from Osama Al Muwallad found the back side net for the 2-1 win.
The loss leaves Iran out of the running on only 6 points with 3 games to play and 4th in Group 2 of Asia. North and South Korea lead the group and Iran must travel to face both. Saudi Arabia kept hopes alive as the win move them to 7 points and a home game with last place UAE up next. A win there and the Saudis would still be alive heading into an important road match at South Korea.
Asia World Cup qualifying for South Africa 2010
Iran jumped ahead in the 58th minute on a superb goal from Hossein Kazemi, but Saudi Arabia would not give up. They were able to tie the score in the 76th minute as Naif Hazzazi converted a perfect through ball. With less than five minutes to play Saudi Arabia scored the historic goal that enabled them to beat their oldest rivals. A glancing header from Osama Al Muwallad found the back side net for the 2-1 win.
The loss leaves Iran out of the running on only 6 points with 3 games to play and 4th in Group 2 of Asia. North and South Korea lead the group and Iran must travel to face both. Saudi Arabia kept hopes alive as the win move them to 7 points and a home game with last place UAE up next. A win there and the Saudis would still be alive heading into an important road match at South Korea.
Asia World Cup qualifying for South Africa 2010
Japan edge Bahrain, close in on World Cup
Tense times in Japan as the visiting squad from Bahrain held the hosts scoreless through the first half, Japan regrouped at halftime and came out the aggressors to open the 2nd half of play. They were immediately rewarded as in the 47th minute as striker Keiji Tamada was fouled just outside the Bahrain penalty area. Celtic man Shunsuke Nakamura stepped up and curled the free kick on goal. It took a deflection and found the net for the winner.
Japan created several more quality chances including an Atsuto Uchida shot that hit the crossbar. None went rewarded though and the match ended 1-0 to Japan. The win gives Japan 11 points to move just ahead of Australia on 10 who have a game in hand. Japan and Australia have a comfortable two game gap at the top and both look safe to qualify for South Africa 2010.
Asian World Cup qualifying for South Africa 2010
Japan created several more quality chances including an Atsuto Uchida shot that hit the crossbar. None went rewarded though and the match ended 1-0 to Japan. The win gives Japan 11 points to move just ahead of Australia on 10 who have a game in hand. Japan and Australia have a comfortable two game gap at the top and both look safe to qualify for South Africa 2010.
Asian World Cup qualifying for South Africa 2010
Friday, March 27, 2009
Pressure on for Sven and Mexico
The pressure has been mounting for Coach Sven-Goran Eriksson and Mexico as they head into a pair of very important CONCACAF qualifiers this weekend. A run of poor friendly results coupled with the 2-0 loss to rivals USA have put Mexico in a hole. A tricky home match with Costa Rica looms Saturday and an away match to Honduras awaits on Wednesday. A poor result in either match could spell the end for Sven-Goran Eriksson.
Last round Mexico lost in Honduras, so even being the favourites, the trip is not a given. Throw in a two game suspension for Rafa Marquez and questions abound. Costa Rica showed they can survive in the unfriendly environment of Azteca as well. Mexico needs maximum points from the two matches.
CONCACAF World Cup qualifying for South Africa 2010
Last round Mexico lost in Honduras, so even being the favourites, the trip is not a given. Throw in a two game suspension for Rafa Marquez and questions abound. Costa Rica showed they can survive in the unfriendly environment of Azteca as well. Mexico needs maximum points from the two matches.
CONCACAF World Cup qualifying for South Africa 2010
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Portugal in must win match against Sweden
Group 1 is tightly packed with Portugal and Sweden both on 5 chasing Denmark ahead on 7. Sweden has a game in hand. Thus the importance of the Sweden match in Portugal coming up. The pressure is squarely on Portugal, but both sides feel a win would do great things in their World Cup 2010 chase.
Portugal needs a win. A loss would be devastating and put Portugal on the brink of elimination. A draw would hurt as they would still sit 3rd in the group. Portugal's recent friendlies exposed more problems. The 1-0 win against Finland was secured with a penalty after the team failed to score from over 25 chances, while the 6-2 loss to Brazil featured errors from some of the world's most expensive defenders.
Luckily, Swedish star Zlatan Ibrahimovic is suspended for the match, but Portugal must still keep track of Henrik Larsson. An injury to Deco could keep him out of the Portugal side as well.
Portugal needs a win. A loss would be devastating and put Portugal on the brink of elimination. A draw would hurt as they would still sit 3rd in the group. Portugal's recent friendlies exposed more problems. The 1-0 win against Finland was secured with a penalty after the team failed to score from over 25 chances, while the 6-2 loss to Brazil featured errors from some of the world's most expensive defenders.
Luckily, Swedish star Zlatan Ibrahimovic is suspended for the match, but Portugal must still keep track of Henrik Larsson. An injury to Deco could keep him out of the Portugal side as well.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
A look at South American World Cup qualifying March 2009
South American qualifying for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa gets back underway this weekend with several important games. The group is already over half over and with two games coming in the week the tight group could really start to shake itself out.
The top four squads in South American qualifying will earn a berth to the South Africa World Cup while the 5th place team will enter a home and home series against the 4th place CONCACAF side for another berth. Currently, Paraguay sits comfortably atop the standings two games clear on 23 points. Two difficult road matches await the leaders in games at Uruguay and Ecuador. Poor results could allow the rest of the pack to catch up, but even so it would take a monumental collapse to keep Paraguay from making the World Cup.
Brazil, Argentina and Chile are all within a point of each other on 17 and 16. Brazil must travel to Ecuador before returning home for last place Peru. Argentina gets Venezuela at home before going to Bolivia. Chile must not allow an upset in Peru before returning home for an important match with Uruguay.
The next five sides are still alive but need to kick it into gear to make up ground fast. Uruguay 13, Ecuador 12, Colombia 11, Venezuela 10 and Bolivia 9 are tightly packed. This two game stretch should offer some separation and probably decide the fate as a couple of squads should fall out of centention for a top 5 spot.
The top four squads in South American qualifying will earn a berth to the South Africa World Cup while the 5th place team will enter a home and home series against the 4th place CONCACAF side for another berth. Currently, Paraguay sits comfortably atop the standings two games clear on 23 points. Two difficult road matches await the leaders in games at Uruguay and Ecuador. Poor results could allow the rest of the pack to catch up, but even so it would take a monumental collapse to keep Paraguay from making the World Cup.
Brazil, Argentina and Chile are all within a point of each other on 17 and 16. Brazil must travel to Ecuador before returning home for last place Peru. Argentina gets Venezuela at home before going to Bolivia. Chile must not allow an upset in Peru before returning home for an important match with Uruguay.
The next five sides are still alive but need to kick it into gear to make up ground fast. Uruguay 13, Ecuador 12, Colombia 11, Venezuela 10 and Bolivia 9 are tightly packed. This two game stretch should offer some separation and probably decide the fate as a couple of squads should fall out of centention for a top 5 spot.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Europe Qualifying Look for March 2009
An international break is upon us and time for another round of World Cup 2010 qualifying matches in Europe. Here's a look at the European qualifying groups.
Group 1 -
This group is completely wide open five teams are all within two points of the lead. The coming round will start to shake things out. Portugal faces a must win home game with Sweden, while Denmark could really take ahold of the group with wins in their two games against Albania and Malta. Denmark leads the group on 7 and with a game in hand.
Denmark 7, Hungary 7, Albania 6, Portugal 5, Sweden 5
Group 2 -
Greece tops the group on 9 closely followed by Israel and Switzerland. Greece and Israel play home and home next week in a series that could decide the fate of one of the pair. Switzerland could move top of group with a sweep in their home and home with Moldova.
Greece 9, Israel 8, Switzerland 7
Group 3 -
This group is wide open as well as Slovakia leads on 9 followed by four countries all on 7 points so every match is huge this round. Northern Ireland can move up by winning their two home games against Poland and Slovenia. While favorites Czech Republic faces leaders Slovakia at home.
Slovakia 9, N. Ireland/Czech/Poland/Slovenia 7
Group 4 -
Germany is comfortably ahead on 10 points, but are facing major injury concerns heading into their games with Liechtenstein and Wales. The Wales match should be tricky on the road. Wales could jump right into the battle with home wins over Finland and Germany. It will be a tall order though.
Germany 10, Wales 6, Russia 6
Group 5 -
Spain is on a perfect 12 through four matches and are followed by Turkey on 8. Spain could pretty much wrap up the group with a home win over Turkey Saturday.
Spain 12, Turkey 8, Belgium 7
Group 6 -
England has a stranglehold on the group and could go a long way to taking the group with a win over Ukraine next Wednesday in London.
England 12, Croatia 7, Ukraine 7
Group 7 -
Serbia and Lithuania both top the group on 9 while France sits well back on only 4. France could jump back into group contention with good results in a home and home with Lithuania while poor results could doom the French World Cup bid.
Serbia 9, Lithuania 9, France 4
Group 8 -
Italy and Ireland sit atop the group on 10 points and will fight it out for the South Africa berth. The big match is next Wednesday as Ireland travels to Italy.
Group 9 -
Holland is in control of the group with a perfect 9 points from 3 games. They could pretty much wrap up the group with a win Saturday over Scotland in Amsterdam.
Group 1 -
This group is completely wide open five teams are all within two points of the lead. The coming round will start to shake things out. Portugal faces a must win home game with Sweden, while Denmark could really take ahold of the group with wins in their two games against Albania and Malta. Denmark leads the group on 7 and with a game in hand.
Denmark 7, Hungary 7, Albania 6, Portugal 5, Sweden 5
Group 2 -
Greece tops the group on 9 closely followed by Israel and Switzerland. Greece and Israel play home and home next week in a series that could decide the fate of one of the pair. Switzerland could move top of group with a sweep in their home and home with Moldova.
Greece 9, Israel 8, Switzerland 7
Group 3 -
This group is wide open as well as Slovakia leads on 9 followed by four countries all on 7 points so every match is huge this round. Northern Ireland can move up by winning their two home games against Poland and Slovenia. While favorites Czech Republic faces leaders Slovakia at home.
Slovakia 9, N. Ireland/Czech/Poland/Slovenia 7
Group 4 -
Germany is comfortably ahead on 10 points, but are facing major injury concerns heading into their games with Liechtenstein and Wales. The Wales match should be tricky on the road. Wales could jump right into the battle with home wins over Finland and Germany. It will be a tall order though.
Germany 10, Wales 6, Russia 6
Group 5 -
Spain is on a perfect 12 through four matches and are followed by Turkey on 8. Spain could pretty much wrap up the group with a home win over Turkey Saturday.
Spain 12, Turkey 8, Belgium 7
Group 6 -
England has a stranglehold on the group and could go a long way to taking the group with a win over Ukraine next Wednesday in London.
England 12, Croatia 7, Ukraine 7
Group 7 -
Serbia and Lithuania both top the group on 9 while France sits well back on only 4. France could jump back into group contention with good results in a home and home with Lithuania while poor results could doom the French World Cup bid.
Serbia 9, Lithuania 9, France 4
Group 8 -
Italy and Ireland sit atop the group on 10 points and will fight it out for the South Africa berth. The big match is next Wednesday as Ireland travels to Italy.
Group 9 -
Holland is in control of the group with a perfect 9 points from 3 games. They could pretty much wrap up the group with a win Saturday over Scotland in Amsterdam.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Anelka out of France squad with injury
Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka has been removed from the France squad due to a toe injury and is expected to miss up to a month of play. He will miss a massively important pair of qualifiers as France face Lithuania twice in a row. On March 28th in Lithuania and then again on April 1st in France.
Currently France sits third in Group 7 five points behind Lithuania and Serbia in World Cup 2010 qualifying. Poor results in the upcoming two games with Lithuania could put France on the verge of being eliminated from a chance to make South Africa 2010.
Guillaume Hoarau of Paris St Germain will replace Anelka on the roster. Hoarau has scored 15 goals in 25 matches in French Ligue 1 this season.
Currently France sits third in Group 7 five points behind Lithuania and Serbia in World Cup 2010 qualifying. Poor results in the upcoming two games with Lithuania could put France on the verge of being eliminated from a chance to make South Africa 2010.
Guillaume Hoarau of Paris St Germain will replace Anelka on the roster. Hoarau has scored 15 goals in 25 matches in French Ligue 1 this season.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Bulgaria loses Berbatov to injury
Bulgaria lost there star and captain as Dimitar Berbatov suffered an ankle injury in Manchester United's 2-0 defeat at Fulham on Saturday in English Premier League play. Berbatov has been ruled out of Bulgaria qualifiers against Ireland and Cyprus.
Bulgaria currently sit 3rd in Group 8 with only three draws to show for three matches played. They trail Italy and Ireland who both sit on 10 points. It makes next week's trip to Ireland of supreme importance for Bulgaria who could fall out of the running for South Africa 2010 with a loss.
Bulgaria currently sit 3rd in Group 8 with only three draws to show for three matches played. They trail Italy and Ireland who both sit on 10 points. It makes next week's trip to Ireland of supreme importance for Bulgaria who could fall out of the running for South Africa 2010 with a loss.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Edwin van der Sar refuses to come out of retirement to play for Holland
Edwin van der Sar has spurned a request by Holland National Team Soccer Coach Bert van Marwijk to come out of international retirement and play for Holland in the upcoming World Cup 2010 European qualifiers. A very important match with Scotland looms and Holland have goalkeeper issues as there is nobody in the wings.
It looks as Maarten Stekelenburg will be the man in goal for the Dutch even though he is on the bench at Ajax currently. van Marwijk called Maarten "the best available option"....not exactly inspiring confidence.
It looks as Maarten Stekelenburg will be the man in goal for the Dutch even though he is on the bench at Ajax currently. van Marwijk called Maarten "the best available option"....not exactly inspiring confidence.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Maradona busy making waves with Argentina National Team
Maradona has jumped right into the Argentina job with mouth spouting and controversial moves already. One shouldn't be surprised as Maradona never held back in his playing days or in his life after retiring from playing.
First Maradona made public comments criticizing former Argentine star Juan Roman Riquelme's playing style causing Riquelme to announce he would never play for Argentina again with Maradona as coach. Riquelme stated he could not work with Maradona and that the two did not share the same code of ethics. Maradona tried to calm the situation by asking Riquelme to reconsider.
Most recently Maradona interjected by saying Hernan Crespo needs to leave Inter Milan if he wants to stay in the Argentina National side. "Crespo does not play in Inter and I have told him to leave the club in June," Maradona revealed. "I told him: 'Get out of there and play, Hernan. Put me in an awkward position.'"
Argentina currently sit third in the South American World Cup qualification table, seven points behind leaders Paraguay. They host Venezuela in Buenos Aires on March 28 before travelling to La Paz to play Bolivia three days later.
First Maradona made public comments criticizing former Argentine star Juan Roman Riquelme's playing style causing Riquelme to announce he would never play for Argentina again with Maradona as coach. Riquelme stated he could not work with Maradona and that the two did not share the same code of ethics. Maradona tried to calm the situation by asking Riquelme to reconsider.
Most recently Maradona interjected by saying Hernan Crespo needs to leave Inter Milan if he wants to stay in the Argentina National side. "Crespo does not play in Inter and I have told him to leave the club in June," Maradona revealed. "I told him: 'Get out of there and play, Hernan. Put me in an awkward position.'"
Argentina currently sit third in the South American World Cup qualification table, seven points behind leaders Paraguay. They host Venezuela in Buenos Aires on March 28 before travelling to La Paz to play Bolivia three days later.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Mexico crushes 10 man Bolivia 5-1
Mexico got back on the right foot on Wednesday evening crishing Bolivia 5-1. The win was clearly aided by the silly red card taken by Bolivia's Juan Manuel Pena after only 30 minutes of play. After that the shorthanded Bolivians were no match for Mexico.
Matias Vuoso opened the scoring in the 24th minute getting on the end of a cross from Israel Martinez. Brazilian-born Leandro Augusto added the second from a free kick just eight minutes later for a 2-0 halftime lead.
Israel Martinez set up Vuoso again in the 59th before Didi Torrico pulled one back for Bolivia in the 69th minute. Bolivia are currently ninth in the ten team South American World Cup qualifying and hold little chance of qualifying.
Only two minutes after the Bolivia goal Sergio Santana earned and converted a 71st minute penalty to restore Mexico's comfrtable lead before debutant Jose Maria Cardenas completed the 5-1 rout.
Mexico next host Costa Rica and visit Honduras later this month in matches which are seen as key to Eriksson's future as well as Mexico's World Cup aspirations.
Matias Vuoso opened the scoring in the 24th minute getting on the end of a cross from Israel Martinez. Brazilian-born Leandro Augusto added the second from a free kick just eight minutes later for a 2-0 halftime lead.
Israel Martinez set up Vuoso again in the 59th before Didi Torrico pulled one back for Bolivia in the 69th minute. Bolivia are currently ninth in the ten team South American World Cup qualifying and hold little chance of qualifying.
Only two minutes after the Bolivia goal Sergio Santana earned and converted a 71st minute penalty to restore Mexico's comfrtable lead before debutant Jose Maria Cardenas completed the 5-1 rout.
Mexico next host Costa Rica and visit Honduras later this month in matches which are seen as key to Eriksson's future as well as Mexico's World Cup aspirations.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Bruckner steps down as Austria coach
Austria national soccer team Coach Karel Bruckner has stepped down in an apparent agreement with new Austrian Futbol President Leo Windtner. Austria has struggled in their bid to qualify for the 2010 World Cup under Bruckner. Austria only have 1 win from 4 matches in Group 7 European qualifying. They trail Serbia and Lithuania who both have 3 wins already and are tied with a struggling France side on 4 points. Austria faces a do-or-die home match with Romania April 1st.
Windtner said: "I would like to sincerely thank Mr Brückner for his efforts in recent months. Together we agreed that we would end our collaborative work amicably and with immediate effect."
Windtner said: "I would like to sincerely thank Mr Brückner for his efforts in recent months. Together we agreed that we would end our collaborative work amicably and with immediate effect."
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