Luck Of Draw: Brazil On Hot Plate

 

The so-called Groups of Death did not materialize at last Friday's draw in Cape Town for the 32 nations taking part in the Fifa 2010 World Cup finals. Most teams are generally happy with the draw that was broadcast to 250 million viewers worldwide.

The closest to a Group of Death this time, as pundits see it, is Group G where five-time winners Brazil will be pitted against the likes of Portugal, Ivory Coast and North Korea.

Is it any surprise that the team from Samba Land are usually installed as favourites?

Although Brazil and Euro 2008 champions Spain were quickly installed by bookies as joint favourites, the Brazilians have to be wary of Portugal and Ivory Coast who are in the same Group G.

The last time when Brazil were hot favourites was in the 1982 World Cup finals in Spain but they were bundled out of the tournament by a resurgent Italy who went on to win the Jules Rimet trophy in style. Paulo Rossi was the Italian star of the tournament.

In the words of Brazil's pragmatic coach Dunga, playing against Portugal would be "like Brazil against Brazil," as the Portuguese have the same flair and style of play as the Brazilians. Not to mention they speak the same language - Portuguese.

The other team that could pose a big problem is Ivory Coast. The West Africans are one of the strongest teams out of Africa and they have some of the best players from the continent.

Everyone will place a big question mark on North Korea. The last time the North Koreans played in a World Cup finals was in 1966 in England where they shocked the soccer world by beating Italy in the group phase.

Portugal, who were also there in 1966, in turn beat the North Koreans in one of the World Cup’s most famous games. The North Koreans romped ahead 3-0 within 24 minutes before a four-goal Eusebio inspired the Portuguese to win one of the greatest comebacks in soccer history.

So will history repeat itself here in South Africa? Bet you it's not likely this time, but it will be an interesting game to watch between two past adversaries who are to meet each other again after all these years.

There will always be an element of surprise in the world's most watched spectator sports which is a multi-billion dollar industry employing more than 450 million  people across the world.

If the likes of Kaka (picture), Luis Fabiano and Robinho are on song, then Brazil need not worry about topping their group.

But then Portugal have the world's most expensive footballer in Cristiano Ronaldo to strut the stage.

And don't forget that the Ivory Coast can boast of deadly striker Didier Drogba (picture) and other experienced players such as Didier Zokora, Salomon Kalou, Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Eboue in their line-up. Watch the Elephants to produce some good results.

Group G is definitely a hot plate, so be prepared for a couple of shocks.

World Cup hosts South Africa and Brazil are in for a tough time. Friday's draw for the 32-nation tournament has placed them in difficult groups where they may face early exit.

These two nations aside, the draw has conjured up "easy groups" for the other seeded teams. South Africa are seeded for being the host nation.

The Grouping at a glance with seeded team in bold:

Group A: France, Mexico, South Africa, Uruguay
Group B: Argentina, Greece, Nigeria, South Korea
Group C: Algeria, England, Slovenia, United States
Group D: Australia, Germany, Ghana, Serbia
Group E: Cameroon, Denmark, Japan, Netherlands
Group F:  Italy, New Zealand, Paraguay, Slovakia
Group G: Brazil, Ivory Coast, North Korea, Portugal
Group H: Chile, Honduras, Spain, Switzerland

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FIFA To Increase Prize Money

  Soccer Snippets...  

Whatever the outcome at the end of the day, I mean the 2010 World Cup Final, all the 32 participating nations in the finals can be satisfied with one thing - the payout.

Fifa, the governing body of world soccer, has agreed that the prize money for the 2010 World Cup teams will be increased by 60 percent, according to a Xinhua report.

The report says  Fifa's executive committee has approved the increase in prize money for the 32 teams in South Africa from 261 million to 420 million US dollars  after a meeting on Robben Island, South Africa, yesterday.

The winner will take home 31 million while each of the 32 teams will receive at least 9 million from the first round, according to Fifa secretary general Jerome Valcke.

France In The Limelight Again For Being 'Unpopular'

The stage is set for a very exciting draw for the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa tomorrow. France are back in the limelight.

In a surprise move by Fifa, France are not included in the eight top seeds.

For all the unsavoury international attention they have gained after Thierry Henry's blatant handball put them through in that controversial play-off against Ireland, the French have become even more unpopular albeit this time in a sporting sense.

The 1998 World Cup winners and runners-up in 2006 have become the most dangerous floater in Friday's draw for the 32-nation tournament. They are a team the others want to avoid.

Fifa decided to base the top seeds on its October rankings instead of the Novemebr list which  paved the way for England to be included in the top eight, leaving France and Portugal out.

England were ranked No. 7 in October and slipped down to No. 9 in the November rankings with Portugal surging from 10th to fifth and France jumping from ninth to seventh.

So it's a done deal for the World Cup seedings with host nation South Africa grouped with the other top seeds in Pot 1 -- Brazil, Spain, Italy, Germany, Argentina, England and Holland.

The other pot draws:

Pot 2 comprises eight teams from Asia, North and Central America and Oceania -- Australia, Honduras, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, North Korea, South Korea and United States.

Pot 3 comprises five other African countries and three remaining South American nations -- Algeria, Cameroon, Chile, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Paraguay and Uruguay.

Pot 4 comprises the eight remaining teams from Europe -- Denmark, France, Greece, Portugal, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia and Switzerland.

Tomorrow's draw in Cape Town will be a nail-biting event that will be broadcast live to more than 200 countries.

Unfortunately, Argentina's Diego Maradona will be the only coach who has to watch the spectacular event on TV. He has been banned by Fifa for two months for his tirade against newsmen after his team's qualification for the finals.

'Humble' Irish Request and Final Draw Excitement

Some eyebrows were raised when the Irish FA made a "humble" request to Fifa to consider including Ireland in the World Cup Finals as the 33rd team. The grudging reason as we all know was the controversial play-off exit to France with the aid of Thierry Henry's 'magical' hand.

According to Fifa president Sepp Blatter, Ireland did make the request but he ruled out the possibility of allowing an extra team into the finals.

"Naturally they were unhappy with what happened and asked very humbly whether they could be team number 33....I will bring it to the attention of the executive committee but if we do that, we will also have to bring in Costa Rica," said Blatter.  

The Final Draw

The Fifa's executive committee meets Wednesday in Cape Town, two days ahead of the final draw for the World Cup.

Excitement is in the air, not only for the 32 qualified nations, but millions of people will view the draw live on Friday in more than 200 countries.

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WC Euro Playoffs Come Down To The Wire

It's going to be a neck-and-neck finish for eight of the European nations when they play off in the second leg on Wednesday (Nov 18) to qualify for that all-important trip to the World Cup 2010 finals in South Afica next summer.

Egypt and Algeria will meet in the return match on neutral ground in Sudan to settle the last of Africa's qualifying berths after a dramatic late goal gave the Egyptians a 2-0 win on Saturday.

Substitute Emad Moteab's late header gave Egypt the winning margin they needed over Algeria and ensured they finished level at the top of Group C, forcing a sudden-death playoff.

Another African giant, Nigeria, just managed to make it when the Super Eagles beat Kenya 3-2, and thanks to Mozambique for doing them the favour when they beat contenders Tunisia 1-0. That was a tricky one for Nigeria who were almost out of the running.

Not surprisingly, the other soccer big boys in Africa - Ivory Coast, Cameroon and Ghana - are all through to the finals.

In the CONCACAF/CONMEBOL playoff, a Diego Lugano goal in the first half against Costa Rica brightened Uruguay hopes of playing in South Africa. The return leg in Montevideo will give Uruguay the home advantage to confirm their qualification unless the Costa Ricans can cause a major upset.

In the Oceania/Asia playoff, New Zealand celebrated with a 1-0 victory over favourite Bahrain to qualify for the World Cup finals for the second time in their history. The All-White played in the 1982 finals in Spain which saw Italy become the world champions.

World Cup Qualifying Playoffs - 2nd Leg

Ukraine v Greece

In the UEFA playoffs, seeded Greece must be kicking themselves for failing to overcome Ukraine in the first leg in Athens where a 0-0 draw has given Andriy Shevchenko and Co the home ground advantage to perform a "Greek tragedy".

Greece are finding a hard time getting the goals and the return match in Donetsk could well end in another goalless contest if
Greece's German coach Otto Rehhagel is true to his words that they will not allow the Ukrainians to score. He's hoping they will go down to penalty kicks to settle the issue.

Don't bank on Rehhagel to pull it off. My money is on an improving Ukraine to go through to their first World Cup finals.

France v Rep of Ireland

France coach Raymond Domenech may love to tinker with the Zodiac signs but not many French fans and the media are enamoured of him because of his "weird" tinkering of the French squad.

Domenech may have taken France to the World Cup final in 2006 and ended up as runners-up to Italy but he screwed up big time in Euro 2008 and yet he's still around as coach.

A saving grace for France is that the squad has some of the most skilful and gifted players around led by captain Thierry Henry.

Going into the second leg in Paris, Les Bleus will face a fighting Ireland side under their wily Italian coach Giovanni Trapattoni. We can expect the Irish to battle all the way as they did in Dublin where they went down by one goal scored by Nicolas Anelka via a deflection.

The French 'astrologer' aside, my hunch is that Irish eyes won't be smiling in Paris.

Bosnia-Herzegovina v Portugal

Portugal rode their luck in Lisbon winning by a Bruno Alves goal, but the Bosnians came close a few times with quick counter-attacks while playing a defensive game. There were scary moments late in the game when hotshot Edin Dzeko, who plays in the Bundesliga, headed against the bar. The Portuguese escaped again when Zlatan Muslimovic saw his shot hit a post.

Taking a one goal lead into the second leg in Zenica may not be enough for Portugal who are missing their pin-up boy Cristiano Ronaldo whose ankle injury is not doing their coach Carlos Queiroz any favour.

Bosnia-Herzegovina can be expected to come out of their shell to overturn the Portuguese lead. Coach Miroslav Blazevic is likely to tell his boys to be more adventurous this time despite missing three suspended players in Samir Muratovic, Emir Spahic and Elvir Rahimic who were booked.

It will be a tough one for Portugal against a team that have shown resilience and attacking flair in their qualifying campaign. Queiroz has plenty to do to stay ahead of the game.

Slovenia v Russia

The fact that all the first leg results, except for the Greece-Ukraine match, saw teams winning by one-goal margins reflects the closeness of these contests. Russia were the only team to net two goals against Slovenia who caught the Russians sleeping with a late goal by substitute Nejc Pecnik. Pecnik missed a golden opportunity to square the result shortly after.

The Russians dominated the game on their plastic surface but the return leg is causing apprehension. Russian midfielder Sergei Semak was reported to have expressed unease by the late Slovenian goal and there are mixed feelings because of the one-goal difference.

Slovenia coach Matjaz Kek felt that they "have found a goal that keeps us in the game."

Although playing away this time, Russia should have the players to take them to through to the finals. All they need is a draw in Slovenia but I think the Russians will win again.

World Cup Qualifying Playoffs  - 1st Leg

UEFA Playoffs

Rep of Ireland   0   France  1




Russia  2   Slovenia  1
Portugal  1  Bosnia Herzegovina  0



Greece  0  Ukraine   0

Africa Playoffs

Egypt  2   Algeria   0

(Africa Group B Qualifiers)
Kenya  2  Nigeria  3
Mozambique 1 Tunisia 0

CONCACAF/CONMEBOL Playoff

Costa Rica 0 Uruguay 1

Oceania/Asia Playoff

New Zealand 1  Bahrain  0

Maradona Slapped With Two-Month Ban and Fine

Diego Maradona's rant at newsmen following Argentina's qualification for the World Cup 2010 finals in South Africa has come back to haunt him.

The Argentina coach was given a suspension of two months - from Nov 15 to Jan 15 - and fined £14,800 by FIFA for his outburst.

Maradona was in Zurich on Sunday for his hearing before a FIFA disciplinary committee.

The trouble started when Maradona rounded on his critics in the press following a crucial 1-0 win last month over Uruguay in Montevideo that confirmed Argentina's place at the finals.

In 1994 he shot at journalists with an air rifle outside his home in Buenos Aires, injuring four people, and was given a suspended jail sentence of two years and ten months.

Argentina played Spain in a friendly in Madrid on Sunday, losing 2-1.

Ronaldo Blow to Portugal In Crucial WC Play-Off Games

World Cup Qualifiers - Europe Zone Play-offs, First Leg

November 14, 2009

Rep of Ireland v France (Dublin)
Portugal v Bosnia Herzegovina (Lisbon)
Russia v Slovenia (Moscow)
Greece v Ukraine (Athens)

Is it all gloom and doom for Portugal's World Cup hope?

The Portuguese are in a quandary with their Real Madrid 'galactico' Cristiano Ronaldo still suffering from a recurring ankle injiury.

It's also a big blow to Real Madrid if their £80m summer signing from Manchester United is not able to be fit in time for the upcoming clash with Primera Liga leader Barcelona who are one point ahead of them.

The crucial play-off matches for European teams kick off with the first leg on Nov 14. That won't give crocked Ron enough time to recover when Portugal face Bosnia Herzegovina in Lisbon, according to his Dutch specialist Prof Niek van Dijk.

Reports on Friday revealed that Ronaldo had been advised by Van Dilk to continue treatment before returning for a fresh evaluation in 15 days' time.

That would put a damper on the 24-year-old Portuguese superstar's chances of playing in the two-leg play-off, the second leg is slated four days later in Zenica.

Tension and thrills

Bosnia-Herzegovina, who finished in second place in the European Zone Group 5 in which Euro 2008 champions Spain came out tops, are not exactly a pushover. And with the prospect of playing their first-ever World Cup finals in South Africa, they will be more determined to upset Portugal minus Ronaldo.

Bosnia-Herzegovina are No. 42 in the Fifa World Ranking. This time around, the Bosnians have a well-balanced side and they had scored 25 goals in their World Cup qualifying campaign. That makes them one of the most prolific teams in the European Zone.

We can expect the play-off rounds to produce matches filled with tension and thrills as eight teams - France, Republic of Ireland, Portugal, Bosnia Herzegovina, Russia, Slovenia, Greece and Ukraine - make their 'last bid' to win their tickets to South Africa.

Some pundits are saying this will be a wide-open contest. The four seeded teams - France, Russia, Portugal and Greece - are by no means guaranteed of a smooth path. There could well be an upset or two, with the most likely to come from the Greece v Ukraine and Portugal v Bosnia Herzegovina games.

> Ronaldo out for two more weeks
> European play-offs wide open

Is Maradona still a soccer joke?

Diego Armando Maradona can afford to cry for joy on an emotional Wednesday night at the Estadio Centenario in Montevideo. The 48-year-old pudgy Argentina coach must have been the happiest man in the world on that night.

A last-gasp goal against neighbour Uruguay by unlikely hero Mario Bolatti, a second-half substitute, had put the Albiceleste through to next summer's World Cup in South Africa.

As was the case four days earlier at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires, Argentina left it quite late to beat Peru with a Martin Palermo goal on a rain-soaked pitch. Palermo was also a substitute in Argentina's 2-1 win.



Maradona's team selection in the World Cup qualifying campaign had been quite bizarre and was looked upon as some kind of joke by some.

Some might question his tactical and technical nous as a soccer coach. But who can deny that this Argentine hero was a winner as a player and hailed as one of the greatest players in the world if not the best?

No doubt, like most coaches, he has his ups and downs. As national coach, Maradona had taken the boys in blue and white along some bumpy roads and had his fair share of brickbats, especially from the media, for living dangerously with his team selection.

With qualification in the bag, Maradona thanked players and fans who had their faith in him as coach but he did not spare those "who did not believe in the national team and treated me like dirt."

So far, he had fielded more than 70 players in this World Cup campaign which made him appear to be a fickle-minded coach who has yet to settle down with a stable selection of players.

But what does it matter when the man, who seems to always evoke divine help, finally vindicated himself by taking his beloved country to the finals despite a tortuous journey involving many a setback?

Argentina can boast of some of the best soccer players in the world with the likes of Lionel Messi, who plies his trade at Spanish club Barcelona, leading a new generation of players.

Other names that could well be talking points in South Africa are Carlos Tevez, Javier Macherano, Diego Milito, Gonzalo Higuain, Martin Demichelis, Pablo Aimar, Pablo Saviola and Sergio Aguero.

One player badly missed by Argentine fans is playmaker Juan Riquelme who has yet to smoke the peace pipe with Maradona. If both player and coach can come to terms, that will be a great help to the Argentine cause in South Africa.

Just imagine if Argentina had failed to qualify, the 2010 World Cup would be missing the prospect of a potential grudge match between the Albiceleste and the Three Lions (that's England). And a return match between Argentina and Brazil would surely light up the World Cup finals.

Meanwhile, there's more homework to be done for Maradona and the squad. Okay, Argentina's overall performance in the qualifying campaign leaves much to be desired and Maradona will need to put his house in order by welding his players into a workable team.

Come South Africa, they will be facing a tough bunch of teams with the same aspiration to win the greatest prize in world soccer - the 2010 World Cup.

To get there from here, can Maradona continue to bank on divine aid to achieve spectacular results?

Palermo 'Miracle' Lifts Maradona's Spirit

South America (CONMEBOL) - World Cup qualifiers:





Diego Maradona was truly elated and no doubt thankful for divine help when substitute Martin Palermo grabbed a stoppage-time goal to give Argentina a badly-needed 2-1 win against bottom-place Peru on Saturday in Buenos Aires.

The beleaguered Argentina coach flattened himself on the rain-soaked field with great joy when the whistle blew. And he called the crucial victory that put Argentina into fourth position in the South America standing the "Miracle of St Palermo."

Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Higuain had put Argentina in the lead in the 48th minute, but Peru's Hernan Rengifo equalized with only about 20 seconds left in regulation time.

Palermo was sent in as the clock ticked away with Maradona's World Cup dream fading away. But then came Palermo's "Miracle" and what a relief for Maradona. Another act of God?

Argentina now have 25 points, one more than Uruguay whom they meet in Montevideo on Wednesday in their last qualifying match which will probably decide who get into the finals automatically. The top four teams qualify for the FIFA World Cup finals in South Africa.

A draw would be good enough for Argentina but if they lose, then they will have to negotiate a playoff with a CONCACAF team, either Honduras or Costa Rica.

Uruguay, who beat Ecuador 2-1 in Quito on Saturday, are an in-form side and will be no push-over for Maradona's side on home ground.

Ecuador still have a slim chance of squeezing in for a playoff date if they beat Chile in their last qualifier, and with the proviso that Argentina lose. If there is a draw in Montevideo, then Uruguay will be out unless Ecuador get beaten by third-place Chile who already qualified for the finals.

Brazil and Paraguay are already safe and sound, standing at No. 1 and No. 2 respectively.

With qualification assured, Brazil coach Dunga fielded a below-strength side against Bolivia on Sunday and lost 2-1 in La Paz. The Brazilians will face Venezuela in Campo Grande in their final qualifying match next week which is just academic by now.

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Days of Reckoning for World Cup Wannabes

South Africa or Bust! 11 Nations 
Have Qualified, 21 More To Go

It's either freaking cold or sizzling hot depending on which way you look at it. The World Cup qualifying barometer is acting out of sort as we go into an exciting, nail-biting weekend of soccer.

It will be a day of reckoning for most teams that have yet to make sure of qualifying for that all-important trip to South Africa for the World Cup finals.

Some teams will be sweating profusely, wondering about their fate. Argentina and Portugal come to mind. Supporters of countries whose chances are still hanging in the balance will be biting their fingernails.

The fever is back, more intense than ever.

Thirty-two nations will take part in the finals, including hosts South Africa.

There will be 13 nations from Europe, six from Africa, four from South America, four from Asia and three from CONCACAF. Two more places will be decided in an Oceania/Asia play-off and a CONCACAF/South America play-off.

The teams who have already qualified are:

 South Africa (CAF - as hosts)
 Japan (AFC)
 Australia (AFC)
 South Korea (AFC)
 Netherlands (UEFA)
 North Korea (AFC)
 Brazil (CONMEBOL)
 Ghana (CAF)
 England (UEFA)
 Spain (UEFA)
 Paraguay (CONMEBOL)

Here are the upcoming weekend's fixtures:

AFRICA

GROUP A
Cameroon v Togo
Saturday, Oct 10

A win for favourites in this group, Cameroon, over their neighbours will secure their ticket to South Africa. They will earn ten points from five games. If Gabon lose at home to Morocco, Cameroon qualify automatically with a win.

GROUP B
Nigeria v Mozambique
Sunday, Oct 11

The Super Eagles face a do-or-die situation when they meet Mozambique. Nigeria are two points behind Tunisia with two games left. A draw, coupled with a win for Tunisia over Kenya, will see Nigeria eliminated. Fans in football-mad Nigeria are sweating hoping for a positive result.

ASIA/OCEANIA

Bahrain v New Zealand
Saturday, Oct 10

This is one of the best chances for New Zealand to join the football elites in the finals for the seond time since 1982. But it's going to be a tough call  against a team that had already dumped Middle East giants Saudi Arabia.

EUROPE

GROUP 1
Denmark v Sweden
Saturday, Oct 10
Portugal v Hungary (Match to watch)
Saturday, Oct 10

Phew, this is a group on a knife-edge. The permutaton is mind-boggling for the contenders to see who win a berth. Denmark are in a strong position if they beat neighbours Sweden who, in turn, must win to nick second spot. But that depends on a drawn match between Portugal and Hungary.

Defeat at home for the Portuguese will end their hopes of qualification, and it would be a shame not to see Cristiano Ronaldo in South Africa.

Image Credit: the junes

Ronaldo (picutre) did not play in Real Madrid's defeat by Sevilla in La Liga last week due to injury. Portugal coach Carlos Queiroz will surely need Ronaldo back for this crucial match.

The Magyars are behind the Portuguese only on goal difference. Portugal also need to beat Malta in their last match and hope that Denmark and Sweden slip up.

The other two minnows, Albania and Malta, are out of the reckoning.

GROUP 2

Switzerland are on top, three points ahead of Greece and Latvia. All having to play two more matches. Israel are still in with a chance, two points behind. Luxembourg and Moldova are out.

GROUP 3
Czech Republic v Poland
Sunday, Oct 11

The Czechs need to beat the Poles and ensure that Slovakia don't lose to Slovenia if they are to keep their hopes of second place alive.

GROUP 4
Russia v Germany
Saturday, Oct 10

It's down to Germany and Russia in this group. Win or lose, both are guaranteed a play-off place. So this match is all about who will have bragging rights by grabbing first place.

Germany will go to South Africa if they win, regardless of their result against Finland in their final qualifier.

Russia need not only to defeat Germany but also to win their last match against Azerbaijan in Baku to book a place in the finals.

GROUP 5
Armenia v Spain
Sunday, Oct 11
Belgium v Turkey
Monday, Oct 12

Spain, who have qualified for the finals, will go through the motion with Armenia. The second spot will probably be a tussle between Bosnia-Herzegovina and Turkey

Bosnia-H are four points ahead of Turkey with two games remaining. If they beat Estonia, or if Turkey drop any points in the next matchday, they finish second.

If Bosnia fail to beat Estonia they face a tense last matchday against Spain. A loss might pave the way for Turkey who meet Belgium on Monday. and Armenia in their last match.

GROUP 6
Ukraine v England
Sunday, Oct 11

Fabio Capello's England squad have already qualified, meaning that only Croatia and Ukraine are battling it out for second place. Belarus and Kazakhstan are out.

GROUP 7
France v Faroe Islands
Sunday,Oct 11

Serbia are assured of second place after drawing with France. Now, all they must do is beat struggling Romania to guarantee top spot. The Serbs are four points ahead of France who, themselves, are four ahead of Austria.

If Les Bleus beat the Faroe Islands they will be guaranteed second spot. Franck Ribery (picture), who is injured, will be sitting out on this crucial match for the French. Austria, Lithuania and Romania are effectively out of contention.

GROUP 8
Republic of Ireland v Italy
Saturday,Oct 10

Second place is assured for the Azzurri. Marcello Lippi's team need only to draw away in this match to finish top dogs.

Italy are on 20 points, Ireland on 16, and Bulgaria on 11 with two games remaining.

However, if the Irish beat the Italians, the race for top spot is open. Bulgaria must win against Cyprus to keep their hopes of second place alive.

Ireland, under Italian coach Giovanni Trapattoni (picture), have a chance to keep their hopes for top spot alive if they beat Italy at Croke Park, Dublin. Albeit with the proviso that the Azzurri drop points to the Cypriots. At least, the Irish will be guaranteed a second place if they win. 
 

GROUP 9

This group has finished all their matches.. The Netherlands finished with eight wins out of eight; Norway edged past Scotland and Macedonia into second place. The Norwegians, however, will almost certainly be ranked the weakest of the runners-up and thus will not enter into the play-offs.

SOUTH AMERICA (CONMEBOL)

Argentina v Peru (Match to watch)
Sunday, Oct 11
Bolivia v Brazil
Sunday, Oct 11
Colombia v Chile
Sunday, Oct 11

These are trying times for Argentina coach Diego Maradona. He's not happy with the way things are going with the Albiceleste. He's not happy with interference in his job. He's not happy with technical director Carlos Bilardo who had made some decisions without consulting him.

From the "happiest guy in the world" when he was appointed a year ago, Maradona is planning to straighten things out with Argentine FA president Julio Grondona.

Argentina face the danger of not qualifying for the finals for the second time since 1970 unless they beat Peru and then take on Uruguay who, together with Venezuela, Ecuador and Colombia, are direct rivals for a play-off place.

Argentina realistically must beat Peru to stay in the hunt before facing a more formidable Uruguay in Montevideo in the last match.

For resurgent Chile, it's just a matter of beating Colombia in Bogota to get their South Africa ticket.

Paraguay already joined Brazil for the finals. Only two automatic places are left and one play-off spot remaining.

Ecuador, on 23 points, will enhance their chances if they beat Uruguay in Quito, albeit with the proviso that Argentina lose in their last match and both Colombia and Venezuela drop points, then they qualify automatically.

NORTH/CENTRAL AMERICA (CONCACAF)

Honduras v USA (Match to watch)
Sunday, Oct 11
Mexico v El Salvador
Sunday, Oct 11

The USA must win this one and they'll be packing for South Africa. Their final match against Costa Rica will be of no consequence then.

For Honduras, a win, coupled with a defeat for Costa Rica to unfancied Trinidad and Tobago, means qualification for them.

The USA and a resurgent Mexico already guaranteed themselves at least a play-off spot with two games left. If Mexico beat El Salvador then they qualify.

Three teams qualify directly from the final group of six, while a further one meets the fifth placed CONMEBOL team in a play-off.  El Salvador will still have a chance for the play-off if they can beat Mexico.

World Cup Qualifiers: Maradona Faces A Crucial Week

World Cup Qualifiers:
Argentina v Peru (Oct 10)
Uruguay v Argentina (Oct 14)


This is a crucial week for teams that have to confirm whether they make the cut for the World Cup finals to be staged in South Africa next year. Argentina, who are in danger of missing out if they continue their losing streak, will need to buck up in order to gain a play-off berth.

Argentina are fifth in the South American group, a position valid for a playoff with the team finishing fourth in the CONCACAF region. Only the top four qualify automatically

For Argentina coach Diego Maradona, Saturday's match against lowly Peru at home may well see if he can perform a "miracle" of sort to give them a lifeline to South Africa.

Argentina will play their last qualifying match against Uruguay in Montevideo four days later.

Maradona will be hoping to see a change in fortune for his team that seems to have lost their way after they were beaten by Brazil 3-1 and Paraguay 1-0.

Meanwhile, Argentine media are reporting that Maradona, who had just returned from a 10-day break in Italy, is not happy that technical director Carlos Bilardo was making some decisions without consulting him.

Bilardo, coach of Argentina's World Cup winning team in 1986, was reportedly the one who publicized the addition of nine home-based players, including Boca Juniors striker Martin Palermo, to the squad.

Palermo scored a brace in the friendly against Ghana in Cordoba last week (see video), and on Sunday night, Palermo was in form again when he netted the winning goal in Boca's 3-2 win over Velez Sarsfield.

On the Maradona front, it's going to be a make-or-break week for him to make sure that Argentina will see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Maradona has been getting sticks for his lack of selection consistency and team strategy. And the Bilardo issue has certainly got his goat.

According to a Reuters report, the proud Maradona said he would meet with Argentine FC president Julio Grondona to discuss his job and that "If I carry on, it will be on my terms."



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The Argentina squad:

Goalkeepers: Sergio Romero (AZ Alkmaar), Mariano Andujar (Catania), Diego Pozo (Colon de Santa Fe)

Defenders: Emiliano Insua (Liverpool), Martin Demichelis (Bayern Munich), Gabriel Heinze (Olympique Marseille), Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City), Nicolas Pareja (Espanyol), Rolando Schiavi (Newell's Old Boys), Nicolas Otamendi (Velez Sarsfield), Fabian Monzon (Boca Juniors)

Midfielders: Javier Mascherano (Liverpool), Mario Bolatti (Huracan), Luis Gonzalez (Olympique Marseille), Jonas Gutierrez (Newcastle United), Angel Di Maria, Pablo Aimar (both Benfica), Enzo Perez, Juan Sebastian Veron (both Estudiantes), Federico Insua (Boca Juniors)

Forwards: Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Sergio Aguero (Atletico Madrid), Carlos Tevez (Manchester City), Gonzalo Higuain (Real Madrid), Ezequiel Lavezzi (Napoli), Martin Palermo (Boca Juniors)

England Squad: No Tinkering for Capello

World Cup qualifiers:

Ukraine v England  (Oct 10)

England v Belarus  (Oct 14)

England prepare for their last two World Cup qualifying matches - against Ukraine and Belarus - this month with a full-strength squad.

Coach Fabio Capello is sticking to his winning formula. England already qualified for the finals in South Africa next year and are unbeaten in their Group Six.

On Sunday, they travel to Ukraine for a tie that's now a formality for the England team. Four days later, they will meet Belarus back home.

Back between the posts will be Portsmouth goalkeeper David James who has recovered from his injury. Manchester United's Ben  Foster makes way for the man we used to nickname him as "Calamity James."

Tottenham Hotspur's Jermaine Defoe who's suffering a hand injury will be replaced by in-form Aston Villa striker Gabriel Agbonlahor.

Missing out on the action are attacking midfielders Joe Cole and Theo Walcott. Both have been out injured for long spells and just returned recently. Guess they have to wait a while before their Italian coach decides to send them out to play.

The England squad:

Goalkeepers: Robert Green (West Ham United), David James (Portsmouth), Paul Robinson (Blackburn Rovers).

Defenders: Wayne Bridge (Manchester City), Wes Brown (Manchester United), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United), Glen Johnson (Liverpool), Joleon Lescott (Manchester City), John Terry (Chelsea), Matthew Upson (West Ham United).

Midfielders: Gareth Barry (Manchester City), David Beckham (LA Galaxy), Michael Carrick (Manchester United), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Aaron Lennon (Tottenham Hotspur), James Milner (Aston Villa), Shaun Wright-Phillips (Manchester City).

Forwards: Gabriel Agbonlahor (Aston Villa), Carlton Cole (West Ham United), Peter Crouch (Tottenham Hotspur), Emile Heskey (Aston Villa), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United).

Maradona's Losing Streak Continues...

Lately, nothing seems to be going right for the pudgy one who goes by the name of Diego Armando Maradona.

According to Los Angeles Times' Grahame L. Jones, the Argentina coach lost again - this time off the field.

Italian tax authorities relieved him of his $5,900 earrings when he took a quick trip to the Italian spa town of Merano to lose a bit of flab.

Remember, Argentina went on a losing streak, beaten by Brazil 3-1 and Paraguay 1-0 in their latest World Cup qualifying encounters.

Maradona and his floundering team are facing the prospects of missing out on the action in South Africa next year if no miracle is forthcoming.

Sorry Maradona, Pele Says Di Stefano Is Better

Footbuzz...

Who is the best player ever in world football?

Sir Alf Ramsey, who managed the England team that won the World Cup in 1966, was attributed as saying that Pele was a brilliant player but Diego Maradona was from a different planet.

That was quite a compliment for Maradona.

As we all know, Pele and Maradona are like daggers staring at each other.

Last month, Maradona was reported as saying that Pele only played for South American clubs while he had spent a decade at European sides.

"He won more World Cups. But playing in Europe is another thing," said Maradona who, as Argentina national coach, is presently faced with the hard truth that his country may not make it to the World Cup finals in South Africa.

The Brazil legend took a swipe at Maradona when he told reporters in Madrid on Thursday that he feels another Argentine-born player, Real Madrid's iconic former striker Alfredo di Stefano, is the best player ever.

According to an AFP report, Pele said: "Maradona was a great player, but he could not kick with his right foot and did not score goals with his head. The only time he scored an important goal with his head, it turned out he had used his hand."

Pele was referring to Maradona's infamous 'Hand of God' goal in Argentina's 2-1 win over England during the 1986 FIFA World Cup™ quarter-finals in Mexico, when he fooled the referee by punching the ball into the net.

Di Stefano, who played for Real from 1953-63 and has been its honourary president since 2000, scored 418 goals in 510 games for the Spanish giants. A two-time European Player of the Year, he became a Spanish citizen in 1956

•  World Cup qualifiers
• Groups and Standings - South America

Capello's England Lions Are Roaring

The Don Believes England's
"Golden Generation" Has Arrived

This time around, it's a resounding roar we are hearing from the England squad under Fabio Capello (picture credit: wikipedia.org). With their 5-1 demolition of a hapless Croatia last Wednesday, England look like they are ready to take on the world. They are heading for South Africa.

There is no doubt that their sharp-dressed Italian manager, fondly tagged as The Don, has transformed an England squad from a ragtag bunch of players under the hapless Steve McClaren two years ago into something that resembles a world class act.

But euphoria shouldn't get to their heads so soon after finishing their World Cup qualifying round with a 100 percent record that is only matched by Spain and the Netherlands.

England, their fans and the media have often in the past blew their trumpets about their greatness to win titles but each time they fell flat with "glorious failure."

Under The Don, England are playing with greater conviction and purpose. Granted, Capello is a man not easily prone to hyperbole, he can be excused his exhilaration and conviction that this present squad is seen as the birth of England's "golden generation".

In Aaron Lennon, Capello has found the Tottenham Hotspur player to be a revelation on a night when he made the Croatian defence look silly. Together with Arsenal's Theo Walcott, the England manager can be envied for having two bright young players he can depend on as an alternative to David Beckham who is probably on his last lap.

The other good news is that Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard are capable of working in tandem, laying to rest the notion of their incompatibility in midfield. And so long as Wayne Rooney does not lose his temper, he is as good as gold in the England attack.

Capello, unlike Diego Maradona and the wretched Argentina team, is bringing cohesion, composure and confidence to the England squad, thanks to his vast experience as a football manager.

But nothing is won yet. England fans may be counting the chickens before the eggs are hatched. Only next summer in South Africa will Capello find out whether this England squad can rise to the occasion when confronted by the likes of Brazil, Spain, the Netherlands and Italy. - By Mark Khoo

The Last Tango For Diego Maradona

Maradona may put on a show of bullishness and that he would still fight for World Cup qualification because Argentina are "still alive."

But it's alarmingly clear that the 1-0 defeat in Asuncion on Wednesday by Paraguay has the Argentina coach on the brink.

Argentina are in dire straits with their final two qualifying matches against Peru at home and Uruguay away.

Argentina are now in fifth place, one point behind fourth-placed Ecuador in the standings. They will face Peru on October 10, and then away to sixth-placed Uruguay three days later.

Maradona has to pull out all the stops to see Argentina clear these two hurdles with victories to avoid a playoff with a CONCACAF team, or worse.

One more defeat and it's the last tango for Maradona - as the national coach of Argentina.

Some journalists are pressing for his removal before further damage is inflicted on the national team.

World Cup Qualifying - CONMEBOL Qualifying Stage

                
                GP W D L GS GC     P
Brazil 16 9 6 1 32      9 33
Paraguay 16 9 3 4 22 13 30
Chile 16 8 3 5 27 20 27
Ecuador 16 6 5 5 21 23 23
Argentina 16    6 4    6 20 19 22
Uruguay 16 5    6 5 26 18 21
Venezuela 16 6 3 7     22 27 21
Colombia 16 5 5 6 10   14 20
Bolivia 16 3 3 10 20 34 12
Peru 16 2 4 10  9 32 10

Qualifies for World Cup: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th
Playoff with a nation from CONCACAF: 5th

Maradona, Is It Time To Cry For Argentina?

It was supposed to be a dream job. When his name was confirmed by the Argentine FA last November that he would take over the national team from Alfio Basile, everyone was elated. Optimism was the order of the day.

It was a good choice.

Who could have said nay to Diego Maradona, the living football legend who inspired Argentina to win the 1986 World Cup in Mexico?

Whether he had divine blessing when he was assisted by the "Hand of God" in scoring that infamous first goal for Argentina that led to England's defeat in the quarter-finals is moot now.



His second goal was an amazing 75-metre run past six England players and goalkeeper Peter Shilton before he put the ball in the net. That was hailed as "The Goal of the Century."

Diego Maradona had arrived.

Who could have doubted the choice of Maradona - regarded by many as the greatest player in the world at the height of his glorified years - as the national coach of a world soccer power, Argentina?

Although he had little previous managerial experience, it did not matter much to those who clamoured for him.

Adulation of great players is a culture ingrained in the minds of football fans all over the world. A football superhero is more reason for fans to go ga-ga.

Over time in modern football history, since the emergence of a 17-year-old Brazilian wunderkind by the name of Pele in the 1958 World Cup finals in Sweden, the "beautiful game" has spawned more great players than you can kicked a football at.

But none stood out like Pele and Maradona.

Although both belong to different era on the international football stage, their names immediately leap to mind when we debate who's the greatest player of all time. Soccer aficionados may argue until the cows come home as who is numero uno.

Maradona was the anointed successor to Pele to wear the crown of the greatest player in the world. He was voted FIFA Player of the Century and shared the award with none other than Pele.



Last Saturday, Maradona's ambition for another World Cup glory as Argentina coach became a hellish experience as his Brazilian counterpart, Carlos Dunga, put a spanner in the works.

The 3-1 result in Saturday's 'classico' showed that pragmatism won the day for Dunga. Judging by past results between the two South American giants, Dunga's tactical approach has given him three victories over Argentina since 2006.

Maradona and Dunga, who captained Brazil to the 1994 World Cup title, are poles apart in their coaching philosophy. While the Brazilian believes in being pragmatic, the Argentinian endorses romantic attacking football.

Maradona's idea of football is to play a cavalier attacking game. But like a cunning master in the art of warfare, Dunga had Brazil playing it patiently, drawing out the Argentines, and counter attacked when the opportunity opened.

Maradona's coaching ability was previously whispered. The latest defeat has sparked concern with the Argentine media crying out loud that Argentina's ticket to South Africa is at stake.

Maradona is staring down the barrel.

In fact, the warning signs had been there when Argentina suffered a 6-1 humiliation inflicted by Bolivia at altitude in La Paz on April 1 this year. Then came June when Ecuador dealt them another blow, winning 2-0.



Maradona was gutted after that crushing defeat by Bolivia, saying "every Bolivia goal was a stab in my heart."  His tactics and team selection were raising eyebrows.

Argentina, under Maradona's tutelage, have found themselves between a rock and a hard place. They are in a precarious position as far as the World Cup qualification is concerned. Maradona cannot afford another defeat.

Maradona will need to inspire his players when they take on Paraguay in a crucial qualifying match on Wednesday. Not an easy task.

Second-placed Paraguay will be no walkover. After that, two more fixtures remain in the South American World Cup qualifiers - against Peru and Uruguay who are just two points behind Argentina.

Following the latest defeat, one Argentinian newspaper, Critica, headlined that Maradona's dream of taking Argentina to South Africa now lies "In the Hands of God." Argentinians can only pray for a miracle. -- Mark Kho

On The Road To South Africa!

Welcome to Goal!2010.

This blog is all about the Beautiful Game. It's about soccer at the highest level - the World Cup. It's about passion, expectation and despair. It's about the quest to attain the highest prize in world soccer. It's about countries, coaches, players and fans looking out for national glory, fame and rich rewards. It's about heroes and zeroes. geniuses and legends.

Initially we'll focus on the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. We'll bring you the passion of the "beautiful game" with articles, news and everything in between the goalposts! Follow us on the road to South Africa.