European powers Portugal and Sweden are in serious danger of missing out on World Cup 2010 in South Africa as both sit well down the table in European Group 1. Currently Denmark and Hungary have a large lead as both sit on 13 points. Portugal has only 6 points from five matches while Sweden has only 4 points from four matches. The game in hand gives Sweden a little more hope, but bottom line both sides are in major trouble.
The June matches are do-or-die. Portugal travels to Albania on June 6 where they cannot afford a slip-up. Meanwhile, Sweden's hopes will likely be decided as they have two June home matches. On June 6th they host leaders Denmark. Then on June 10th Sweden hosts last place Malta. Grab 6 points from the two home matches and Sweden can get right back into contention for South Africa 2010.
Portugal is in deeper trouble though as they have already dropped a home match to Denmark and have been held to home draws with Albania and Sweden. It means Portugal will have to get difficult road wins to have hope of getting back into contention. They have trips to Denmark, Albania and Hungary left on their schedule.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Bora Milutinovic to coach Iraq
Bora Milutinovic has been named as the new coach of the Iraq Mens National Team. Americans will remember Milutinovic from his days with the US National Team including the 1994 World Cup.
Bora Milutinovic has led five different teams to World Cup tournaments, including the United States and Mexico. Iraq will be his eighth national team and he will coach Iraq at this year's Confederations Cup in South Africa. At the Confederations Cup, Iraq is grouped with host South Africa, Spain and New Zealand. The US, Brazil, Italy and Egypt are in the other group.
Bora Milutinovic has led five different teams to World Cup tournaments, including the United States and Mexico. Iraq will be his eighth national team and he will coach Iraq at this year's Confederations Cup in South Africa. At the Confederations Cup, Iraq is grouped with host South Africa, Spain and New Zealand. The US, Brazil, Italy and Egypt are in the other group.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Major Trouble in the Czech Camp
The string of poor results and poor behavior has forced the Czech FA to step in and clean house as they fired manager Petr Rada and kicked six players from the squad. National team coach Petr Rada had been with the Czech Republic for about a year since taking over and has led the team to a current 4th place standing in European Group 3 of World Cup 2010 qualifying.
They trail Northern Ireland by 5 and Slovakia by 4 points in the standings with only 4 matches left to play. The Czechs will need to win all four to have any chance of grabbing one of the top two spots in the group.
The Czech FA also banned six players from national team play including star forward Milan Baros. The other five suspended were Martin Fenin, Vaclav Sverkos, midfielders Radoslav Kovac and Marek Matejovsky and defender Tomas Ujfalusi. It is not clear how long the group is out of the squad.
The Czech Republic next faces a difficult road test in Slovakia in September.
They trail Northern Ireland by 5 and Slovakia by 4 points in the standings with only 4 matches left to play. The Czechs will need to win all four to have any chance of grabbing one of the top two spots in the group.
The Czech FA also banned six players from national team play including star forward Milan Baros. The other five suspended were Martin Fenin, Vaclav Sverkos, midfielders Radoslav Kovac and Marek Matejovsky and defender Tomas Ujfalusi. It is not clear how long the group is out of the squad.
The Czech Republic next faces a difficult road test in Slovakia in September.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Ireland snatches draw in Italy on late Keane goal
Ireland kept their hopes alive on Wednesday as they scored a late goal to snatch an important draw at 10 man Italy. The match was influenced very early on as Italy striker Giampaolo Pazzini was shown straight red only 4 minutes into the match and Italy were forced to play the entire game with 10 men.
Even short a man the Italians took the lead in the 11th minute when Vincenzo Iaquinta touched home a perfect cross from Andrea Pirlo. The lead would hold up as Italy were organized and resolute in their defence.
Ireland would turn up the pressure as the match progressed forcing Italian keeper Buffon to display his quality on several saves. Finally just minutes before the end Ireland would grab the equalizer as Robbie Keane latched onto a loose ball and stabbed it home.
The draw kept Italy on top in Group 8 on 14 points while Ireland is just behind on 12 with four matches remaining until World Cup 2010 qualifying ends.
Even short a man the Italians took the lead in the 11th minute when Vincenzo Iaquinta touched home a perfect cross from Andrea Pirlo. The lead would hold up as Italy were organized and resolute in their defence.
Ireland would turn up the pressure as the match progressed forcing Italian keeper Buffon to display his quality on several saves. Finally just minutes before the end Ireland would grab the equalizer as Robbie Keane latched onto a loose ball and stabbed it home.
The draw kept Italy on top in Group 8 on 14 points while Ireland is just behind on 12 with four matches remaining until World Cup 2010 qualifying ends.
Mexico falls in Honduras 3-1
After a convincing home win on the weekend over Costa Rica many in the Mexico camp felt things were looking up. Not so anymore as they got blasted in Honduras Wednesday night 3-1 and heat is once again on coach Sven-Goran Eriksson.
Rafa Marquez was still out on suspension and the backline suffered greatly as Honduras attacked in waves. It took only 15 minutes for Honduras to jump in front as Carlos Costly found the net to the delight of the home crowd. The real dagger came just before halftime when Carlos Pavon scored in the 43rd minute and giving Honduras a comfortable 2-0 lead.
It would be Costly once again in the 78 as Honduras led 3-0 before Nery Castillo grabbed one back for Mexico. The loss leaves Mexico 4th in CONCACAF qualifying with only 3 points to show from 3 matches thus far. The US leads the group on 7 followed by Costa Rica with 6 and Honduras 4.
Rafa Marquez was still out on suspension and the backline suffered greatly as Honduras attacked in waves. It took only 15 minutes for Honduras to jump in front as Carlos Costly found the net to the delight of the home crowd. The real dagger came just before halftime when Carlos Pavon scored in the 43rd minute and giving Honduras a comfortable 2-0 lead.
It would be Costly once again in the 78 as Honduras led 3-0 before Nery Castillo grabbed one back for Mexico. The loss leaves Mexico 4th in CONCACAF qualifying with only 3 points to show from 3 matches thus far. The US leads the group on 7 followed by Costa Rica with 6 and Honduras 4.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Argentina blasted in Bolivia
Everything looked great on the weekend as Maradona made his qualifying coaching debut and Argentina cruised to an easy 4-0 win over Venezuela. Oh how a few days can change everything though. A trip to play in the altitude at Bolivia and all went wrong.
Bolivia jumped all over Argentina as they notched three goals in each half on their way to a 6-1 thrashing. Joaquin Botero netted a hat-trick on the night and Bolivia earned a famous win in a campaign in which they are doubful to qualify for South Africa 2010.
"I suffered with them (the Argentine public)," Maradona told reporters. "Every Bolivia goal was a stab in my heart.
The loss leaves Argentina 4th in the South American qualifying for South Africa 2010 trailing Paraguay, Brazil and Chile. They'll next face Columbia at home in June.
Bolivia jumped all over Argentina as they notched three goals in each half on their way to a 6-1 thrashing. Joaquin Botero netted a hat-trick on the night and Bolivia earned a famous win in a campaign in which they are doubful to qualify for South Africa 2010.
"I suffered with them (the Argentine public)," Maradona told reporters. "Every Bolivia goal was a stab in my heart.
The loss leaves Argentina 4th in the South American qualifying for South Africa 2010 trailing Paraguay, Brazil and Chile. They'll next face Columbia at home in June.
England gets by Ukraine 2-1
England is well on its way to South Africa 2010 with a 2-1 win over Ukraine in London. It was not a dominating performance at all, but in qualifying 3 points is 3 points.
Peter Crouch put England in front in the 29th minute when he volleyed home from close range. The lead would last into the 2nd half until John Terry committed a silly foul giving Ukraine a set piece opportunity. The free kick fell right to striker Andriy Shevchenkowho tucked it home and the pressure was right back on England.
The winner would come in the 84th minute as John Terry would be the hero. Terry finished after Gareth Barry won a header and England had their win. England leads Group 6 with a perfect 15 points. Croatia follows on 10.
Peter Crouch put England in front in the 29th minute when he volleyed home from close range. The lead would last into the 2nd half until John Terry committed a silly foul giving Ukraine a set piece opportunity. The free kick fell right to striker Andriy Shevchenkowho tucked it home and the pressure was right back on England.
The winner would come in the 84th minute as John Terry would be the hero. Terry finished after Gareth Barry won a header and England had their win. England leads Group 6 with a perfect 15 points. Croatia follows on 10.
Late goal lifts South Korea over North Korea
South Korea looks comfortable now to book their place in South Africa 2010 after substitute Kim Chi-woo's freekick became the winner in the 87th minute sending the home crowd into a frenzy. The match between the two rivals looked headed for a draw until a Kim freekick caused all kinds of confusion in the North Korea defense and somehow ended up going stright into the net. The two rivals had tied in their last four meetings.
It marks North Korea's first loss in qualifying and allows South to jump over them and into the top spot. The top two squads advance to the World Cup. Now North Korea and Saudi Arabia will fight it out for the second spot with North holding the advantage having already won in Saudi Arabia.
It marks North Korea's first loss in qualifying and allows South to jump over them and into the top spot. The top two squads advance to the World Cup. Now North Korea and Saudi Arabia will fight it out for the second spot with North holding the advantage having already won in Saudi Arabia.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)