World Cup and European leagues

[ScotsFan]

Well, things loosened up a bit in the CONCACAF standings as the US and Mexico are now 1-2 seperated by only a point followed by Hondurus 3 points clear of the US.  And Costa Rica sit in the dreaded 4th spot 4 points behind the Amreicans.  The US topped T&T 1-0 on the road last night while Mexico topped Hondurus 1-0 at the Azteca.

Clearly, El Tri seems to be in the best form of any of the contenders.  They have won 4 qualifying matches in a row including wins over the US, Costa Rica and Hondurus!  They also seem to have the easiest road to qualify as they are home vs. El Salvador and finish up at T&T.

The US can clinch a trip to South Africa with a win in their next match at Hondurus.  If they can't get it done they finish up at home vs. Costa Rica.  If the US can manage draws in their final 2 matches they should be in as well. 

[ECSUalum]

Incredibly exciting Rep. of Ireland vs Italy WCQ last night in Croke Park Dublin.

Ireland scored first @ 7 minutes, on free kick by Liam Lawrence, (actually backward), to Glenn Whelan who sent a rocket into the right top corner of the net. No chance for Italian goalkeeper.

Italy equalized on a (26') Camoranesi header off a corner


Ireland scored again on another set piece @ the 87 minute, when Steven Hunt sent a brilliant ball toward the far corner of the net where Sean St Ledger dove horizontal 2 feet off the pitch for the header making it 2-1!!!!

Unfortunately Italy's Alberto Gilardino scored @ the 90th minute for the equaizer and punched thier ticket to South Africa.

Ireland finished behind Italy, and though they have one more qualifier vs Montenegro, will soon focus on the playoff round, on November 14 and 18,  in a home away series, with one of the other Group second place finishers.  It is likely to be either France, Russia or Greece!!!  The 4 playoff winners move on to South Africa

[Mr. Ypsi]

I assume anyone reading this thread is already aware of it, but just in case: USA clinched a WC berth with a 3-2 win over Honduras (after a scoreless first half).

[ScotsFan]

I assume anyone reading this thread is already aware of it, but just in case: USA clinched a WC berth with a 3-2 win over Honduras (after a scoreless first half).

The US actually survived a late PK miss by Hondurus to hang on for the 3-2 road win!

Nice to be able to come home with no pressure for Wed's game with Costa Rica!

I wonder if this might be an advantage for Costa Rica.  Honduras is still in position to overtake CR with a win at El Salvador and a Costa Rica loss or tie at the US.  But, I would imagine the US won't be fielding their 'A' team vs CR seeing as how they have already clinched a WC birth.  Should be interesting to see who gets the unenviable task of having to face South America's 5th place finisher which is still very much up for grabs.  Especially when that 5th place finisher could be Argentina!

As it stands now, Argentina is holding a slim one point lead on that 4th and final qualifying spot over Uruguay.  And guess who's playing each other in the final WC qualifyer?  Whomever wins between Argentina and Uruguay is in.  However, the loser could drop out of qualifying altogether if Equador manages a win over Chile in their final qualifyer!  All Argentina needs to qualify is a draw at Uruguay and they are in.  Uruguay would then have to hope for Equador to lose or draw to gain the playoff spot.  So, there is a very good possibility that Argentina finishes outside of the top five in South American qualifying and not even have the chance to qualify for South Africa via the playoff! 

BTW, Uruguay is home vs. Argentina and Equador is on the road at Chile...

[Hoosier Titan]

I am writing this from the Atlanta airport en route to Chile...will report on the Ecuador match.  Last time I was there, they played Brazil and everything was televised--even the team bus making its way to the National Stadium.  Very exciting now that they have qualified for the WC!

[Mr. Ypsi]

I am writing this from the Atlanta airport en route to Chile...will report on the Ecuador match.  Last time I was there, they played Brazil and everything was televised--even the team bus making its way to the National Stadium.  Very exciting now that they have qualified for the WC!

Very cool!

My wife and I want to make it to Chile someday.  She was a foreign exchange student there in high school (before most posters were born - don't ask!   OK, a hint: Allende was President!) - poor dear, since American students generally go during our summer, she got three consecutive winters!

While I have no direct ties, I always root for Chile (once Pinochet was 'retired').

[Hoosier Titan]

My wife and I want to make it to Chile someday.  She was a foreign exchange student there in high school (before most posters were born - don't ask!   OK, a hint: Allende was President!) - poor dear, since American students generally go during our summer, she got three consecutive winters!

While I have no direct ties, I always root for Chile (once Pinochet was 'retired').

I started coming to Chile before Pinochet was "retired."  It's a lot more fun now that there aren't army personnel with machine guns on the street and random explosions going off while one is having dinner in a restaurant!  The country is doing better, too.  It's definitely a place to visit--write me if you want more ideas of places to go.

I can't say that the match was dull (especially since the TV was surrounded by about 30 Chileans and a six-foot long Chilean flag.  One guy had a voice that could only be described as "stentorian.")  The National Stadium was packed, and I'm told that the usual starters played with the exception of Mark Gonzalez (left winger/striker who played for Liverpool a couple of years ago).  But overall, I wasn't terribly impressed with the football.  Ecuador, with the exception of Edison Mendez, struck me as a little thuggy.  They only got three yellow cards, same as Chile, in addition to a straight red (for kicking a Chilean player in the groin).  But they had a huge number of fouls, most from just grabbing people and throwing them down.  Chile is more of a finesse team; they love little back-kicks and usually do them well.  They started strongly and should have scored several times before the break, just lacking the final touch to put it home.  Toward halftime the Chilean defense seemed to run out of gas a bit and the marking was simply sloppy.   In the one minute of stoppage time before the break Ecuador nearly took a lead; Mendez's solo effort going just wide of the net.  Chile finally put together a solid run in the second half with Humberto Suazo's point blank shot (assist to Arturo Vidal).  Chile picked up the intensity a bit and had several more opportunities to score but even after the red card they were unable to get the second goal.  I think they'll need to be a bit more efficient at both ends if they are to progress in South Africa.  But it was a victory, and nothing was at stake.  Sometimes a win is just a win!

It's so much fun to watch football in countries where it is THE sport!

[Hoosier Titan]

Oops--forgot to report that the final was 1-0, although perhaps you all inferred that or saw it elsewhere.

Also, coincidentally, tomorrow I am planning to observe an asteroid with the name "Stentor," but the guy yelling "Vamos Chile!" really did have a very loud voice!

[ECSUalum]

Below, find the 2 match, (home and away), draw for the European Zone 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ qualifying play-offs. for 14/18 November starts.

Republic of Ireland vs France
Portugal vs BosniavsHerzegovina
Greece vs Ukraine
Russia vs Slovenia

The top four nations in the draw were seeded according to the latest edition of the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking, published on 16 October. France (ranked number 9), Portugal (10), Russia (12) and Greece (16) were placed in Pot 1 and were drawn with the teams in Pot 2, Ukraine (22), Republic of Ireland (34), Bosnia Herzegovina (42) and Slovenia (49).

There has been some controversy concerning FIFA's last minute seeding and draw for the playoffs, with some thinking that it was done to promote certain teams, (and players), to South Africa. 

The team scoring more goals on aggregate wins the play-off. If the scores are level on aggregate, away goals count double. If the teams are level on away goals, or if both matches end goalless, extra-time of two periods of 15 minutes each will be played at the end of the second match. If the score is level after extra time, penalty kicks will be taken to determine the winner.

The 4 winners go to South Africa, losers are out.

Any comments on the above outcomes??

[DIIIdad]

Interesting.  However, I find it very surprising that France, Portugal and Russia all need playoffs to get into the World Cup. 

[ECSUalum]

DIIIdad.

Yeah, Unfortunately, when you finish second in points during round 1 qualification stage in your group, which France, Russia, Portugal did, you go into a playoff with all the other second place teams, for the final four spots in the South Africa World Cup.

I think some people were surprised these world ranked teams did not win thier groups.  Russia might have had the more difficult job, with Germany in thier group. Ireland with Italy as well.

Portugal beat out by Denmark in Group 1
Russia beat out by Germany in Group 4
France beat out by Serbia in Group 7
Greece by Switzerland
Rep. of Ireland by Italy, ( two draws between the teams with Italy equalizing in Dublin in 89th min two weeks ago)


go to: http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/europe/standings/round1.html for full round 1 European grouping results

[sac]

all you need to know about World Cup passion.......

http://www.comcast.net/sports/writethatdown/2095/honduranradioannouncergoesballisticthankstotheunitedstates/

.....this is classic.

[Mr. Ypsi]

Great find, sac!  +k

I barely understood a word, yet understood the whole thing!

[And since USA had nothing really to play for against CR, they'd better thank us gringos! ]

[ECSUalum]

Republic of Ireland is defeated by France 1-0 @ Croak Park Dublin. ROI Must score in Paris Wednesday and keep a clean sheet to stay alive.

Other Playoff first round matches:

Portugal 1 Bosnia-Herzegovina 0
Greece 0 Ukraine 0
Russia 2 Slovenia 1

[ECSUalum]

Republic of Ireland mugged last night in the Stade de France by officials who missed two players offsides and two hand touches by Henry to set up overtime goal by France.

FIFA deciding to seed the top teams and last nights officiating leads me to believe that FIFA is a joke and could give a s..t about fair play and only care about the cash.

Watch the videos of the Thierry Henry handball on the internet to see for yourself.
http://www.soccer-blogger.com/2009/11/18/france-vs-ireland-highlights-goals/

Ireland kicked France's ass for 104 minutes last night and it is heartbreaking to see them denied a chance at the SA World Cup due to this travesty!!!!!!!!!!!!

The BOYS IN GREEN WERE OUTSTANDING LAST NIGHT, and made France look sick