Thursday, December 27, 2012

Burkina Faso and Gabon docked points for ineligible players

On 2 June 2012, Burkina Faso played to a 0-0 draw at home to Congo.  On 3 June 2012, Niger played to a 0-0 draw at home to Gabon.  According to FIFA's rulings handed down in the past week, those two matches have been awarded as 3-0 victories to Congo and Gabon.

FIFA apparently think they are now bigger than the game they govern.  CAF had cleared the two players deemed ineligible by FIFA for action at the 2012 African Cup of Nations.  The Gabonese player Charly Moussono had featured in four competitive matches during that tournament, and the Burkinabe player Herve Zengue also featured in the tournament during qualifying.  Moussono (pictured, right) had appeared at a FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in 2006 for Cameroon.  Zengue (pictured, left) is Cameroonian by birth and Burkinabe by marriage.

The two teams have until mid-January 2013 to appeal the stupid suspensions.  Hopefully, an arbitration panel will overturn these technicality-induced penalties and restore competitive balance in CAF Group E.  Gabon and Niger surely thought that clearance from CAF and no previous FIFA intervention meant that their players were eligible, but FIFA claim that they did not have governing control over the 2012 African Cup of Nations.  The arbitration panel selected is hopefully intelligent enough to see right through that pathetic claim.

The current group standings pending the appeal are given below.

Congo 6 pts
Niger 3 pts +2
Gabon 3 pts -2
Burkina Faso 0 pts -4

News Reports:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20782436
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/news/newsid=1975992/index.html
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20816001

Saturday, December 15, 2012

Wish List for 2013

With the final draw for Brasil 2014 less than a year away, now is a good time to ask politely for which teams I want to see at the final draw.  Keep in mind that UEFA receives thirteen places, including four from intraconfederation playoffs, CAF receives five places, AFC receives four places, CONMEBOL receives four places, and CONCACAF receives three places.  Add in Brasil as hosts plus the two intercontinental playoff winners (AFC-CONMEBOL, CONCACAF-OFC) and we have our final thirty-two contenders.

UEFA
Group A - Belgium

The young bucks striving for a shot at glory would be a fun team to watch.  Christian Benteke, Romelu Lukaku, Kevin de Bruyne, Eden Hazard, Axel Witsel, Marouane Fellaini, and Vincent Kompany will all be aged 28 or less when Brasil 2014 comes around.

Group B - Italy

Would it be a FIFA World Cup without them?

Group C - Germany

See Italy.

Group D - Netherlands

They are aging, yes.  They are in decline, yes, as evidenced by their flameout at Euro 2012.  But they are clearly the class of their group, and after having lost three grand finals before, who would deny this generation of the Oranje one final shot at glory?

Group E - Switzerland

It's either them or Norway, folks.  Let's see if Diego Benaglio can concede zero goals in the Swiss net like Pascal Zuberbuhler before him did at Germany 2006.

Group F - Russia

After their slipup in the playoffs against Slovenia in 2009 and their shock group stage elimination at the hands of Greece at Euro 2012, the Euro 2008 semifinalists who showed so much promise have yet to put it together on the biggest stage.  With hosting privileges awaiting them in 2018, let's hope Russia can put together a run in 2014.  Knocking Portugal five points off the pace in Group F was a good start.

Group G - Bosnia and Herzegovina

The strike force is world class, and a wish list is built around attacking football.  Edin Dzeko, Vedad Ibisevic,  Miralem Pjanic, and Zvjezdan Misimovic have combined for fourteen goals in four qualifiers so far.  If they avoid the playoffs, they avoid bug-a-boo Portugal, thus qualifying for their maiden major international tournament.

Group H - Montenegro

The newest national team in UEFA has the inside track at making its first FIFA World Cup finals.  Captain Mirko Vucinic would put a wonderful face on Balkan football at Brasil 2014, and young star Luka Dordevic could be a revelation.  Center back Marko Basa, overlooked for Germany 2006 by Serbia and Montenegro, would make his first appearance at a FIFA World Cup finals.

Group I - Spain

Whether the two-time defending European champions and defending world champions get in via direct qualification or through the playoffs does not matter to me.  It would be more interesting to watch the French media freak out during a playoff after the debacle at South Africa 2010 and the circumstances under which they defeated Ireland in the playoffs.  Plus, I feel Spain are likely to snatch a victory in Saint-Denis when the two powers next meet in Group I play.

Playoff One - England

Perhaps going through the playoffs would unify a team that always seems to be disjointed in some fashion.  Brasil 2014 would be better off with England around than at home with the talent they bring to the equation, and their high ranking would see them avoid being drawn with a France or Portugal in the playoffs, giving them a good chance to advance.

Playoff Two - France

They may not win their group, but the new crop of players is motivated to put South Africa 2010 behind them.

Playoff Three - Sweden

After the four-goal shows they put it to come back from 4-0 down in Germany for a tie in qualifying and to defeat England 4-2 in a home friendly, the world needs Zlatan Ibrahimovic in the showcase.

Playoff Four - Portugal

Why Portugal with the final spot?  Perhaps I could have asked for Croatia or Greece, and indeed, Portugal have been a disappointment since making the semifinals of Euro 2012.  Why, then, select Portugal?  Simply put, Portugal have a better chance of going deep into any tournament than the other two teams do.  Also, would you rather watch Mario Mandzukic, Georgios Samaras, or Cristiano Ronaldo?  Exactly.

AFC
Group One - South Korea

See Italy, Germany.

Group One - Uzbekistan

What better way for the White Wolves to continue as the shining light in Central Asia than to be become the first Central Asian and third Soviet republic to make the FIFA World Cup finals (after Russia and Ukraine)? Midfielder Odil Ahmedov was the player of the year for his Russian club, Anzhi Makhachkala, over Yuri Zhirkov and even Samuel Eto'o, but the world has yet to recognize his existence.

Group Two - Japan

They have already wrapped up a spot barring forfeiture of their final three matches.  The world needs to be ready for Shinji Okazaki, Shinji Kagawa, Yuto Nagatomo, and the rest of the 2011 AFC Asian Cup champions.

Group Two - Australia

The Socceroos are having all sorts of difficulties at the moment, but would we truly prefer to see Jordan, Oman, or Iraq in their place?  And miss the rise of Matt McKay, Alex Brosque, and Robbie Kruse?  And miss the last hurrah of Brett Emerton, Tim Cahill, Mark Schwarzer, and Lucas Neill?

Iran and Iraq were under consideration for spots in their respective groups.  Honestly, though, who would not tune in to watch an Iran-Iraq fifth-place playoff series for the right to take on a South American opponent?

CAF
Spot One - Cote d'Ivoire

The golden generation needs to make it to the knockout stages of the FIFA World Cup to solidify its legacy.  A kinder draw would be helpful, too.  Also, winning the 2013 African Cup of Nations after finishing second in 2006 despite conceding no goals would earn them a trip to the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup to acclimate themselves to the stadia in Brasil.  The world already loves the old guard (Didier Drogba, Yaya Toure, Kolo Toure, Emmanuel Eboue, Salomon Kalou, Boubacar Barry), and the world will fall for the new guard in time (Max Gredel, Gervinho).

Spot Two - Zambia

The 2012 African champions were one point away from qualifying from United States 1994 in spite of suffering a tremendous loss of life in a plane crash in 1993.  They have placed the sad memory away for motivation and instead are living the dream, having taken their maiden continental title in the same country (Gabon) where that plane went down.  The Chipolopolo have stockpiles of underappreciated talent with Rainford Kalaba, Chisamba Lungu, Emmanuel Mayuka, and Stoppila Sunzu all still early in their career arcs.  Also, if Zambia qualify, that means Ghana are out, and quite frankly I am tired of watching the Black Stars' anemic offense magically reach the knockout stages of FIFA World Cups on the backs of penalty kicks resulting from handballs in the box by their opponents.

Spot Three - Nigeria

For all the disarray in which the Super Eagles have found themselves, they remain one of the premier teams in Africa.  They even placed their women's side at Germany 2011.  What fan base in Africa could be more passionate than that of the overly-demanding Nigerian fans?

Spot Four - Egypt

Oh, right, the Egyptian fans, the only group more passionate and desparate than the Nigerian fans.  Egypt won four African Cup of Nations since 1998, including three consecutive cups between 2006 and 2010, yet they have not made it to a FIFA World Cup finals since Italy 1990.  Much maligned American coach Bob Bradley has a chance to prove his doubters wrong and to bring joy to a country now struggling to reestablish its government and political stability.

Spot Five - Mali

Spot five contenders included Ethiopia, Senegal, and Tunisia.  The allure of Tunisia would be the opportunity to see Youssef Msakni on the big stage for the first time.  Senegal would bring the strike force of Demba Ba and Papiss Cisse to the table.  Ethiopian qualification would shed light upon the Horn of Africa, a region often overlooked in the footballing world but now on the rise following Ethiopia's shock qualification for the 2013 African Cup of Nations.  Also, it would be interesting to see if Saladin Said would be able to use the platform to facilitate a move abroad to a major club, the first for a habesha player in quite some time.  However, the choice was Mali because Les Aigles have been so close to continental glory on so many occasions only to fall at the semifinal hurdle four times since 1994.  Plus, who doesn't want to see Seydou Keita and Mahamadou Diarra make one appearance on the grandest of stages before exiting the international scene?

CONCACAF
Spot One - Mexico

Mexico believe they are in a golden generation, having won the 2007 and 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cups along with the 2012 Olympic gold medal.  Will this finally be the tournament where they advance to a quarterfinal away from home soil?  Five straight trips to the Round of Sixteen, four straight losses and a shootout exit in 1994.  Their only win in the knockout stages was at home in 1986.  Mexico's all-time record in the knockout stages is a depressing 1 win, 5 losses, 2 draws with 2 penalty shootout losses.  If this team cannot make the breakthrough as a potential seed, can we say for certain that Mexico are jinxed?

Spot Two - United States of America

See Italy, Germany, South Korea.

Spot Three - Panama

This team is big and physical.  Felipe Baloy in the back is a tank.  Luis Tejada up top is a bulldozer, and his strike partner Blas Perez is a great finisher.  La Marea Roja has been on the rise for the past eight years, and in fact made a quiet appearance in the 2005 CONCACAF Gold Cup final match, which they drew with the United States only to fall on penalties.

Playoff with OFC - Honduras

With regards to the playoff, I simply do not see this incarnation of New Zealand as being as bright as the 2010 version.  This is why I wish for a fourth CONCACAF side to advance.  Quite honestly, any of the remaining three teams would have much to offer, but Costa Rica and Jamaica simply do not speak to me the way Los Catrachos do.  Oscar Boniek Garcia is a midfield maestro, and with forwards Mario Martinez and Jerry Bengston, center back Victor Bernardez, and midfielder Roger Espinoza in tow, no other country could better exemplify the strength of Major League Soccer.  All I know for certain is that the CONCACAF Fourth Round will be spectacular.

CONMEBOL
Hosts - Brasil

See Italy, Germany, South Korea, United States of America.

Spot One - Argentina

Who would deny the world a chance to see Lionel Messi, Gonzalo Higuain, Sergio Aguero, and Angel di Maria up top in Brasil 2014?  Also, see Italy, Germany, South Korea, United States of America, Brasil.

Spot Two - Colombia

Radamel Falcao, James Rodriguez, Guillermo Cuadrado, Freddy Guarin... Feel free to start drooling at any time.

Spot Three - Ecuador

Would it not be spectacular to see four former constituent countries of Gran Colombia at a FIFA World Cup finals together (Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela)?  Especially after none had qualified for the previous tournament?

Spot Four - Venezuela

One of the most underrated footballers of his generation would finally get his due on an international stage in what may well be his last attempt to qualify for the grandest of stages.  Juan Arango, the left winger and undisputed greatest player in the history of La Vinotinto, is highly regarded by German fans since his stint in the Bundesliga began in 2009.  With his exploits going unnoticed by the biggest clubs in the world, it is a fair question to ask if the reason he has not received a transfer to a big club is because of his nationality.  If Venezuela make it to Brasil 2014, the stigma attached to their players should vanish and never again would a talent like Arango be overlooked.

Playoff with AFC - Uruguay

I was debating either Iran or Iraq for the final spot, but with the tournament finals being held on continental soil, the party would be better served with another South American side.  Chile are in disarray in terms of discipline within their ranks, and though I would love to see Peru with Paolo Guerrero, Juan Vargas, Jefferson Farfan, and Claudio Pizarro in attack, their road form in qualifying will surely let them down.  The choice is Uruguay, who are no strangers to the playoffs, having claimed CONMEBOL's playoff spot in the past three tournaments.

The picture for this article is a reflection of a draw I made based on the current ELO ratings and the thirty-two teams for which I have politely asked to be at Brasil 2014.

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Azerbaijan 1 - Northern Ireland 1

Belfast was the site for the final Brasil 2014 match of 2012 with Azerbaijan paying a visit to Northern Ireland.  The miserable foggy night was indicative of the miserable fog that was to come for the hosts on headed chances.  The hosts nearly went ahead in the third minute when Niall McGinn's cross found Kyle Lafferty five yards from goal, but Lafferty blasted his header over the bar.  Two minutes later, the visitors found a goal via a wonder strike by Rauf Aliyev.  He was well marked and put under pressure from thirty yards, but he curled the ball around his defender and into the corner out of reach of the diving goalkeeper.    On the half hour, the hosts managed to hit three headers inside the box in succession only to see Craig Cathcart head wide with the goal at his mercy.  Azerbaijan took their 1-0 lead into the break.

The hosts remained in the ascendancy in the second period, but a well-hit cross by Shane Ferguson was inexplicably headed down wide of the net by Christopher Baird.  Northern Irish fans around the stadium surely must have felt that their side were going to lose until a free kick opportunity from just outside the box presented itself.  David Healy dribbled a simple shot around a six-person wall and into the net without much trouble, leaving the knowledgeable observer wondering how the wall could have been so poorly positioned.  The final whistle blew with the final score a 1-1 draw.

Russia 12 pts +8
Israel 7 pts +5
Portugal 7 pts +3
N. Ireland 3 pts -2
Azerbaijan 2 pts -4
Luxembourg 1 pts -10

Goals
Azerbaijan
Rauf Aliyev 5

Northern Ireland
David Healy 90+6

Match Reports:
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/news/newsid=1900961/index.html

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NdyrMR_-eWE

Montenegro 3 - San Marino 0

The crowd in Podgorica was expectant of a Montenegro victory over visiting San Marino and hopeful for the impending move by the home side to the top of Group H.  Montenegro opened their account just before the quarter hour with a one-two-one play from Vladimir Volkov and Filip Kasalica, but Volkov's chose to slot across the goal rather than shooting.  Luckily for him, Andrija Delibasic was at the far post for the simple tap-in and a 1-0 lead.  Seventeen minutes on, a Simon Vukcevic corner found a completely unmarked Mitar Novakovic at the back post.  However, rather than aim for the net, Novakovic headed down for Delibasic, who toe poke before his defender could slide tackle him, giving Montenegro a 2-0 lead they would take into the locker room.

Midway through the second half, Montenegro closed their scoring tab.  Luka Djordjevic passed off for Elsad Zverotic, who stopped the ball fifteen yards from goal, surveyed his options, and then swung hard enough to beat the goalkeeper on a dive for a three-goal advantage.  Blazo Igumanovic struck the woodwork with a free kick in stoppage time for Montenegro, but the outcome was not affected.  Montenegro win 3-0 to take first place in Group H.

Montenegro 10 pts +10
England 8 pts +10
Poland 5 pts +2
Moldova 4 pts -5
Ukraine 2 pts -1
San Marino 0 pts -16

Goals
Montenegro
Andrija Delibasic 14, 31
Elsad Zverotic 68

Match Reports:
http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/world-cup-montenegro-beat-san-marino-leapfrog-england-194713293.html

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Y340U9GTIw

Full Match Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1axgZaUgEdw

Uzbekistan 1 - Iran 0; Qatar 1 - Lebanon 0

Doha was the site for Qatar's home match against Lebanon.  Qatar had defeated Lebanon 1-0 in the two teams' opening AFC Fourth Round fixture.  This match was a tale of two halves.  The first half saw the rise of Lebanon.  Abbas Ahmad Batwi fired a shot from the half circle that was plucked out of the air on the dive by Qatar goalkeeper Qasem Burhan, who had yet another vintage performance on this night.  Ahmad Zreik nearly sent a goal in from thirty yards, but once again Burhan was alert and rose to catch the ball.  The half ended 0-0.

The second half saw the fall of Lebanon.  Sebastian Soria made a solo run from the halfway line unmarked to a spot thirty-two yards from goal, from where he decided it wise to unleash an outside-of-the-boot swerve.  His shot left Lebanon goalkeeper Abbas Hassan rooted on his spot as the ball sailed into the back of the net.  Hassan made a crucial save mere moments later on a driven shot from Lawrence Quaye, but his offense could mount no charge on an equalizer.  Qatar win 1-0 to jump into a tie for second-place.

Tehran was the site of the rematch between visiting Uzbekistan and Iran.  The visiting White Wolves felt hard-done by the officiating in their home match against Team Melli on Matchday One, so they wanted to even the score on the road tonight.  Team Melli were without their usual support as the rain-drenched Azadi Stadium was filled to less than half-capacity.  Team Melli scored the opener through Mohammed Nori, but his goal was ruled back for offsides as his teammate Mohammed Khalatbari was blocking the goalkeeper's vision while in an offside position.  A fight nearly broke out when a felled Uzbek player had a ball back-heeled into his head by an Iranian player as he lay on the pitch.  Server Djeparov has his usual dangerous self for the White Wolves, and his free kicks caused havoc all night.  Iran were lackluster for the most part, and the first half ended in a tepid 0-0.

With twenty minutes to go, Djeparov stood over another free kick forty yards from goal.  The ball kept floating on a low line before dipping to hip level inside the six-yard box.  Ulugbek Bakaev ran onto the ball after getting goalside on his defender, giving himself an easy volley from three yards to give the White Wolves a lead.  Sanjar Tursonov nearly made it two to the good, but his effort inside the six-yard box was deflected off frame.  Iran scored another offside goal in stoppage time, leaving them to ponder what could have been.  Uzbekistan win 1-0 to move alone at the top of Group One.

Uzbekistan 8 pts +1
South Korea 7 pts +5
Iran 7 pts 0
Qatar 7 pts -2
Lebanon 4 pts -4

Goals
Qatar
Sebastian Soria 75

Uzbekistan
Ulugbek Bakaev 71

Match Reports:
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/news/newsid=1900130/index.html
http://boxscorenews.com/uzbekistan-stuns-iran-as-bakaev-nets-winner-in-afc-world-cup-qualifying-p50861-68.htm

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8nkLQ0PvDqg&feature=relmfu (Qatar v. Lebanon)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IznDusB2QUI&feature=relmfu (Uzbekistan v. Iran)

Full Match Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibv0OSdYhjA (Uzbekistan v. Iran)

Iraq 1 - Jordan 0; Japan 2 - Oman 1

Oman welcomed Group Two leaders Japan to Muscat in the hopes of finally breaking their duck against the Samurai Blue by recording a first win in their ninth match against Japan.  However, even a draw would see Oman skip idle Australia to move into second position in the group.  Oman had a golden chance ten minutes into the match when Ismail Al Ajmi's run down the right side of the box drew two defenders and the goalkeeper before laying a ball off in front of the empty net.  However, Fawzi Bashir missed the easy effort well over the goal.  Japan would punish Bashir's miss ten minutes later.  Japanese left back Yuto Nagatomo sent a weak cross from the left side of the box that somehow eluded all the Oman defenders in the area, allowing Hiroshi Kiyotake to score his first international goal to give Japan a 1-0 lead.  The visitors took that lead into the break.

With less than one quarter hour remaining in the match, Oman found their equalizer.  Ahmed Mubarak stood over a free kick from twenty-three yards.  Mubarak selected a low ball that rolled around the wall and curled into the far corner as it passed beyond the reach of multiple outstretched legs searching for a redirecting touch.  In the final minute, the crowd were stunned into silence.  Gotoku Sakai raced down the let flank and sent a ball into the box that was flicked on at the near post by Yasuhito Endo.  Shinji Okazaki was the beneficiary as the ball bounced to him for a tidy short-range put away and a road victory.  Japan win 2-1, guaranteeing themselves at worst a spot in the Asian fifth-place playoff with today's result.

Doha, Qatar was the home site for Iraq against Jordan.  This match was dominated by the two goalkeepers: Noor Sabri of Iraq and Amer Shafi of Jordan.  A whipped in cross was too much for Jordan forward Tha'er Bawab to handle as his header could not find the frame unmarked from ten yards.  Jordan right winger Khalil Bani Attiah preserved the tie later in the half as his last-ditch sliding block prevented an Iraqi shot from five yards.  Jordan had a good chance to go ahead near the end of the period, but Abdallah Deeb's dipping effort from outside the box was parried away on the short hop by Sabri.  The half ended scoreless.

In the latter portions of the second half, Shafi was called into action often.  He punched away a strong strike from substitute Amjed Rahdi.  With four minutes left, Iraq's Hammadi Ahmed took advantage of the time and space he had at the left side of the half circle by unleashing a ball that tailed away from a diving Shafi and into the Jordanian net.  Iraq held onto their new-found 1-0 lead for the remainder of the match to grab their first win of the campaign 1-0 over Jordan.

Japan 13 pts +11
Australia 5 pts 0
Iraq 5 pts -1
Oman 5 pts -3
Jordan 4 pts -7

Goals
Japan
Hiroshi Kiyotake 20
Shinji Okazaki 89

Oman
Ahmed Mubarak 77

Iraq
Hammadi Ahmed 86

Match Reports:
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/news/newsid=1900115/index.html
http://msn.foxsports.com/foxsoccer/soccer/story/Japan-beats-Oman-21-in-WCup-qualifier-20504303
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/news/newsid=1900117/index.html
http://www.sfgate.com/sports/article/Iraq-beats-Jordan-1-0-in-2014-WCup-qualifier-4036526.php

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjCh5aAwS5A&feature=g-all-u (Japan v. Oman)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50I9dCipWRE&feature=relmfu (Iraq v. Jordan)

Full Match Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYeRIiRV-Pw (Japan v. Oman)

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

CONCACAF Fourth Round Schedule

The final six teams in CONCACAF will face each other in a double round-robin that will see each team play ten fixtures over a nine-month period.  The top three finishers in this final group stage will progress directly to the 2014 FIFA World Cup finals in Brasil.  The fourth-place finisher will advance to an aggregate-scoring home-and-away playoff against the first-place finisher in Oceania.

The draw for the CONCACAF Fourth Round took place on 7 November 2012 in Miami Beach, United States of America.  Each of the ten originally scheduled matchdays were slated to have three games, but Matchday Six conflicted with Mexico's participation in the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup, so their match scheduled for that date was moved forward by two weeks in order to accommodate their busy schedule.

6 February 2013
United States of America at Honduras
Jamaica at Mexico
Costa Rica at Panama

22 March 2013
Mexico at Honduras
Panama at Jamaica
Costa Rica at United States of America

26 March 2013
Jamaica at Costa Rica
United States of America at Mexico
Honduras at Panama

4 June 2013
Mexico at Jamaica

7 June 2013
Honduras at Costa Rica
United States of America at Jamaica
Mexico at Panama

11 June 2013
Jamaica at Honduras
Costa Rica at Mexico
Panama at United States of America

18 June 2013
Panama at Costa Rica
Honduras at United States of America

6 September 2013
United States of America at Costa Rica
Honduras at Mexico
Jamaica at Panama

10 September 2013
Panama at Honduras
Costa Rica at Jamaica
Mexico at United States of America

11 November 2013
Costa Rica at Honduras
Panama at Mexico
Jamaica at United States of America

15 November 2013
Mexico at Costa Rica
Honduras at Jamaica
United States of America at Panama

Thursday, November 1, 2012

Match Schedule: November 2012

Matchday Six of the AFC Fourth Round takes place in November, as do two matches in Europe.  The small slate of six games marks the end of Brasil 2014 matches until February 2013.

All times are given in Central Time (GMT-6).

14 November 2012
Japan at Oman 5:30 Muscat
Jordan at Iraq 7:00 Doha, Qatar
Lebanon at Qatar 8:45 Doha
Uzbekistan at Iran 10:30 Tehran
San Marino at Montenegro 11:00 Podgorica
Azerbaijan at Northern Ireland 13:45 Belfast

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Poland 1 - England 1

The match in Warsaw between visiting England and Poland was rained out the day before, an embarrassing fact given that there is a retractable roof on the Polish stadium, but we digress.  The two teams now had the honor of closing Brasil 2014 play for the month of October 2012, and a full stadium was on hand to witness the spectacle.  The beginning of the match was slow as the two teams were feeling each other out and regaining adrenaline spent the day before in anticipation of yesterday's start time.  On the half hour mark, a Steven Gerrard corner found Wayne Rooney's head seven yards from goal, and Rooney flicked a headed goal without even jumping to put England ahead 1-0.  At the end of the half, Robert Lewandowski (pictured, white #9) flicked a rainbow through ball over Joleon Lescott's (pictured, blue #6) head into the path of Kamil Grosicki, but Grosicki shot wide, letting England off the hook.  The halftime scoreboard read England 1, Poland 0.

In the second half, Poland were much superior.  Fullback Glen Johnson had to made a sliding clearance along the six-yard line to save the Three Lions after Phil Jagielka had tripped during the initial clearance attempt.  Goalkeeper Joe Hart (pictured, red) saved a goalbound shot from Ludovic Obraniak three minutes later, but England surely could not hold out forever.  A short free kick from the side of the Polish penalty area gave England their only chance of the half but forward Jermaine Defoe scuffed a volley after having beaten his defender on a run to the back post.  Five minutes after that missed chance, Poland had a corner kick chance.  Hart come way off his line to clear with twenty minutes left to play, but sadly he came nowhere close to reaching Obraniak's cross as Kamil Glik rose above his marker Lescott to head into the vacated net for the equalizer.  The pace of the match slowed at the end, resulting in no further chances for either team.  The two teams tie 1-1.  England move top of the group, but Montenegro make up their game in-hand next month against San Marino.

England 8 pts +10
Montenegro 7 pts +7
Poland 5 pts +2
Moldova 4 pts -5
Ukraine 2 pts -1
San Marino 0 pts -13

Goals
England
Wayne Rooney 31

Poland
Kamil Glik 70

Match Reports:
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/news/newsid=1787483/index.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2012/oct/17/slumbering-england-poland-wake-up-call
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/news/newsid=1785814/index.html
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/blog/_/name/espnfcunited/id/1165?cc=5901

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KuvI97QVms

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Mexico 2 - El Salvador 0; Costa Rica 7 - Guyana 0

Costa Rica greeted Guyana as the paid a visit to San Jose and its artifical playing surface.  Costa Rica needed a win to secure advancement to the final phase of qualifying.  Tico forward Alvaro Saborio scuffed a shot, but the ball rolled into Randall Brenes's path for a finish and an early 1-0 lead.  It would be that kind of night for Guyana.  Four minutes later, Cristian Gamboa sent a wonder strike into the side netting from seventeen yards to give the Ticos a 2-0 lead.  The Ticos led by that same score at the end of the half.

A poor Saborio cross three minutes into the half was flicked on by Guyana defender Charles Pollard, turning it into a perfect header opportunity for Brenes, who converted for 3-0.  Walter Moore sent off for second yellow in minute 50, leaving Guyana with ten men and facing a penalty kick.  Saborio converted for 4-0.  The fifth goal came off an unlucky deflection with the foot of a Guyanese defender block a cross only to put it into his own net.  The sixth goal came off a Guyana clearance that was blocked on the six-yard box and someone went into the roof of the net.  The seventh came when Saborio headed a ball down off a cross that beat the goalkeeper on a bounce.  Saborio missed a penalty kick for his hat trick chance seven minutes from time.  Costa Rica win 7-0 and advance to the CONCACAF Fourth Round.

Torreon was the site for Mexico's final home game of the CONCACAF Third Round as they took on El Salvador.  La Selecta needed to win in Mexico and then hope for a Costa Rica loss, or alternatively they needed a three-goal win in Mexico paired with a Costa Rica draw.  Neither scenario seemed likely, but La Selecta held tough in the first half.  In the only chance of the first period, Mexican attacking midfielder Angel Reyna missed on an open goal to keep the scoreline inert at zero goals apiece at the break.

El Salvador come out of the break knowing that Costa Rica had taken a huge lead and that for all intents and puroposes their tournament would end in forty-five minutes.  The reshuffled Mexico lineup began to find its rhythm in the second frame.  Andres Guardado floated an early chip attempt just wide of goal.  Midway through the period, Oribe Peralta, playing on his club pitch, opened the scoring after a Reyna shot drew a save from goalkeeper Dagoberto Portillo.  Peralta was there to tap home the rebound.  Hector Herrera nearly had a second goal for Mexico, but his shot from twenty yards clanged the crossbar.  With a quarter hour remaining, Portiloo had a flying save to deny Reyna.  However, Mexico killed off the game with five minutes left when an Elias Hernandez cross was kneed home by Javier Hernandez, as he had gotten goal side of center back Steve Purdy to free up space.  Mexico win 2-0.  El Salvador are eliminated from Brasil 2014.

Mexico 18 pts IN
Costa Rica 10 pts IN
El Salvador OUT
Guyana OUT

Goals
Costa Rica
Randall Brenes 10, 48
Cristian Gamboa 14
Alvaro Saborio 51 PK, 76
Cristian Bolaños 60
Celso Borges 71

Mexico
Oribe Peralta 65
Javier Hernandez 85

Match Reports:
http://www.ncnguyana.com/ncntv/costa-rica-demolishes-golden-jaguars-7-0/
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1374129-mexico-vs-el-salvador-score-highlights-and-grades
http://www.goal.com/en-us/match/72590/mexico-vs-el-salvador/report

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPdDZCCOwKc (Costa Rica v. Guyana)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DnwsyA08c28 (Mexico v. El Salvador)

Argentina 2 - Chile 1

Santiago was the site as La Roja of Chile played host to Argentina.  Five minutes into the match, La Roja had a chance to go ahead.  Gary Medel's shot was saved by Argentina goalkeeper Sergio Romero, but a rebound was given up and Sebastian Pinto had a great opportunity from seven yards to finish, but he blew it miserably.  Ten minutes later, Chile winger Mark Gonzalez got free in the box to unleash a diving header off a cross, but Romero was there for the save.  Argentina took advantage of the reprieves from Chile.  Fernando Gago played a great lofted through ball that played Lionel Messi (pictured, blue) behind an offside trap.  Messi gathered the ball, faked a shot to lose his trailing defender, and then floated home Argentina's first goal.  Three minutes after that, striker Gonzalo Higuain took a cross-field pass, slalomed through two defenders, and then left the goalkeeper rooted to his line with a finish into the far side netting.  Argentina were hitting on all cylinders and have put all their realized potential in kinetic motion this past year.  Sergio Aguero nearly made it three goals to the good, but his strike hit a post in the final minute.  Argentina led 2-0 at halftime.

Jean Beausejour  showed the world that Chile still had fight in them with a nice cross to Pinto, who this time header over the bar on a snap header.  In stoppage time, Chile were still trying their hearts out, and a reward came in the form of a goal from Felipe Gutierrez, whose low shot from nine yards was partially blocked by Romero but ended up bouncing in off the post after what initially appeared to be a save.  Time ran out on Chile, however, and Argentina win 2-1 to extend their lead atop the CONMEBOL standings.

Argentina 20 pts +13
Ecuador 17 pts +3
Colombia 16 pts +8
Venezuela 12 pts -1
Uruguay 12 pts -2
Chile 12 pts -4
Bolivia 8 pts -2
Peru 8 pts -5
Paraguay 7 pts -10

Goals
Argentina
Lionel Messi 28
Gonzalo Higuain 31

Chile
Felipe Gutierrez 90+1

Match Reports:
http://msn.foxsports.com/foxsoccer/latinamerica/story/chile-1-2-argentina-match-report-conmebol-world-cup-qualifying-lionel-messi-game-winner-101612
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1374107-chile-vs-argentina-2-1-victory-puts-argentina-in-comfortable-conmebol-lead

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFkLFjDy51o

Full Match Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGcR-LBbWBM

United States of America 3 - Guatemala 1; Jamaica 4 - Antigua and Barbuda 1

Jamaica welcomed Antigua and Barbuda to their office in Kingston with Jamaica praying for a miracle in the other group match to allow them to make up goal differential and move on.  The matches kicked off simultaneously, so Jamaica would have to receive news periodically of the other score knowing that a draw between the United States of America and Guatemala would eliminate them.  However, Jamaica had to worry about winning by enough of a margin to overcome a goal differential deficit should the other match not end in a draw.  A Demar Philipps shot from distance was misjudged by Antigua goalkeeper Molvin James and bounced its way in for Jamaica's opener.  One minute later, Nyron Nosworthy converted off a header from a corner kick.  Jamaica went into halftime up 2-0 and with the knowledge that they were currently even in goal differential with Guatemala for the second spot in Group One.

In the second period, Antigua pulled one back through a twenty-five yard free kick from Quinton Griffith that temporarily had Jamaica eliminated.  With a dozen minutes later in their tournament, however, the Reggae Boyz scored again as a ball dropped off from the end line was sent home by an open Dane Richards.  With two minutes left, Jamaica secured passage to the CONCACAF Fourth Round when a long ball sent from their own half was volleyed on the sprint by Richards as James had come off his line to close the angle.  Jamaica win 4-1 to stay alive in Brasil 2014.

Kansas City was the site of the match between hosts United States of America and visiting Guatemala.  Both teams knew that a draw would be enough to see them safely through to the CONCACAF Fourth Round.  There was talk before the match that both teams might play to a gentlemanly draw, but those doing the talking clearly do not remember the bad blood that circulates between these two teams as evidenced by their qualifier in Guatemala for the 2010 FIFA World Cup on 20 August 2008.  Gustavo Cabrera elbowed Eddie Lewis in the head, knocking Lewis out of the American national team picture and earning a red in the process.  In that same game, Carlos Ruiz took the liberty to intentionally kick goalkeeper Tim Howard in the face, so needless to say, the United States were not looking to help Guatemala achieve any of their goals on this night.

With all the background in this match now listed, it is on to the matchup itself.  Ruiz made himself the bane of the Americans yet again, but this time he did so by scoring a goal in the fifth minute of play.  A long, long ball went over the heads of four American defenders as Ruiz latched onto the ball.  He came head-to-head against Howard and then coolly dribbling around Howard as the goalkeeper went to ground before tapping home with the outside of his foot to give Los Chapines a 1-0 lead.   The early goal seemed to wake the Americans from their slumber.  Center back Carlos Bocanegra, who was hopelessly trailing Ruiz on the goal, redeemed himself five minutes later.  A Graham Zusi corner kick was headed from the near post by Clint Dempsey (pictured, red and white) across the box to two Americans who had lost their markers.  Bocanegra got to the ball to tap in for the equalizer.  Eight minutes later, Eddie Johnson was operating up the right flank when he slotted a slow rolling cross that somehow evaded all the Chapines in the area and came to Dempsey's feet for a side-foot sliding finish and a 2-1 lead.  The Americans did not let up, and their third goal came not quite twenty minutes after their second.  Midfielder Michael Bradley had received the ball on the run and chipped the oncoming goalkeeper Ricardo Jerez.  Dempsey continued his run to knock the ball into the net, making sure that the chip did not hit the post or go wide.  The United States led 3-1 at halftime.

Guatemala were out of answers offensively, so their best hope in the second half was for Antigua to close the gap so that they could advance on goal differential.  Jerez saved Dempsey's hat trick bid five minutes into the second half.  With twenty minutes left, it appeared the referee had saved Guatemala's tournament by not calling a penalty when Ruiz chopped Bradley in the penalty area.  However, with the late turnaround in Kingston and the 3-1 win for the United States, Guatemala have been eliminated from the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

USA 13 pts IN
Jamaica 10 pts +3 IN
Guatemala 10 pts +1 OUT
Antigua OUT

Goals
Jamaica
Demar Philipps 16
Nyron Nosworthy 17
Dane Richards 78, 88

Antigua and Barbuda
Quinton Griffith 61

United States of America
Carlos Bocanegra 10
Clint Dempsey 18, 36

Guatemala
Carlos Ruiz 5

Match Reports:
http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20121019/cleisure/cleisure4.html
http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20121017/sports/sports1.html
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/soccer/10/16/united-states-guatemala-world-cup-qualifier.ap/index.html?sct=hp_t2_a2&eref=sihp
http://www.kansascity.com/2012/10/16/3870550/us-prevails-over-guatemala-in.html

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BqZGO2zvC4E (Jamaica v. Antigua)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QzUCgSHmOhU&noredirect=1 (USA v. Guatemala)

Ecuador 1 - Venezuela 1

Hot and humid Puerto La Cruz was the site selected for hosts Venezuela's adventure against Ecuador.  Both teams were struck by absences, with Ecuador missing striker Felipe Caicedo and Venezuela missing center backs Oswaldo Vizcarrondo and Andres Tunez, midfielders Tomas Rincon and Cesar Gonzalez, and fullback Jose Manuel Velasquez.  Venezuela's captain and talisman left winger Juan Arango (pictured, burgundy) wanted to silence all the talk of absences, and he did so with a wonder goal after five minutes had elapsed.  Arango's strike had no spin and just flew like a knuckleball from thirty-five yards into the upper ninety, leaving Ecuador goalkeeper Alexander Dominguez reaching for air as he dove.  La Vinotinto were up 1-0 and were looking to move two points clear into fourth place with a win.  Arango became Venezuela's all-time leading goal scorer with his twenty-third goal for La Vinotinto.  Five minutes later, an Arango pass put Josef Martinez through on goal, but Dominguez saved.  Three minutes later, Dominguez saved another long-distance Arango strike.  However, from that point on Ecuador were the better side.  Lackadaisical defending by Venezuela allowed Segundo Castillo to take a touch on a loose ball in the box before he whipped a shot beyond a sliding Fernando Amorebieta and into the goal for the equalizer.  Left back Walter Ayovi and left winger Michael Arroyo were absolutely dominant on the left side of the pitch and caused Venezuela no shortage of fires to put out.  The half ended 1-1.

Arango hit a free kick onto the top of the crossbar nine minutes into the second period, and then had a shot saved by a diving Dominguez eleven minutes later.  Yet again, Ecuador dominated the later portion of the half.  Three minutes after the Dominguez save, Arroyo clanged the crossbar from a short-angle free kick.  Jefferson Montero came off the bench for Ecuador with ten minutes to go and with his first touch fired into the legs of Venezuela goalkeeper Dani Hernandez, letting La Vinotinto off the hook.  An Antonio Valencia ball to Arroyo four minutes after that nearly caused a goal but a flying save by Hernandez kept the score level.  The teams split the points after a 1-1 draw.

Goals
Venezuela
Juan Arango 6

Ecuador
Segundo Castillo 22

Match Reports:
http://in.reuters.com/article/2012/10/17/soccer-world-venezuela-arango-idINDEE89G00R20121017
http://www.eluniversal.com/deportes/121017/vinotinto-se-acerca

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qsm_7Ry3sm0

Full Match Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lxNy83R1Dyw (1st half)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oChwYNGs_e4 (2nd half)

Paraguay 1 - Peru 0

Asuncion was the site for Peru's visit to Paraguay to take on the Albirroja.  Peru were feeling good after having revived their hopes of qualification over the previous three rounds; Paraguay were looking to add points in a bid to eventually move out of last place.  Both teams looked legitimately inept in offense, which was more surprising from Peru who have a fantastic foursome in attack.  Paraguay have been anemic for the past two years.  The first half ended as a boring 0-0 game.

In the only memorable play of this most forgettable match.  Peru winger Luis Advincula committed a silly foul with the attacker facing away from the goal, putting Peru at risk on a set piece, their defense weakness.  Julio Dos Santos put in a nice ball to a spot seven yards from goal, and center back Pablo Aguilar shook his mark and rose above the crowd to head home for the only exciting occurrence in the match.  Paraguay win 1-0.

Goals
Paraguay
Pablo Aguilar 52

Match Reports:
http://www.clarin.com/deportes/Paraguay-Peru-choque-urgencias_0_793120805.html
http://elcomercio.pe/deportes/1483901/noticia-paraguay-peru-falta-entrega-inconsistenciacuatro-invisibles

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-X0Zk3fj3Q

Honduras 8 - Canada 1; Cuba 1 - Panama 1

Havana was the site of Cuba's final match of Brasil 2014 as their campaign ended at home against group leaders Panama.  Panama needed a draw to guarantee themselves a berth in the next phase of qualifying.  Cuba had yet to register a goal or a point during the campaign, but they found their first goal with seven minutes left in the half as a cross came in over the heads of two Panama defenders, leaving Alberto Gomez to take one touch at the penalty spot and then finish for an unexpected 1-0 halftime lead for Cuba.

Panama, who under normal circumstances would be under intense pressure to equalize, knew of the scoreline of the other match and were able to relax, and the lack of urgency was apparent.  Panama did manage a lucky goal as a Nelson Barahona cross flew over the head of a teammate and a defender and then bounced over another teammate and his defender to nestle itself into the upper ninety for the equalizer.  Panama went on to tie the match 1-1 to advance to the CONCACAF Fourth Round.

The simultaneously starts (and Cuba's propensity to avoid night matches at home) necessitated that the crucial Honduras home match against Canada in San Pedro Sula take place in the early afternoon in sweltering heat.  The men of the Great White North needed a draw to advance and eliminate Honduras, but they melted under a combination of the heat and the pressure.  The most anticipated qualifier of the day turned into one of the all-time maulings.  The Canadian back four were an absolute disgrace to the game of football and will be named in the hopes that they are embarrassed and shamed into performing better in the future: Left back Mike Klukowski (pictured, red #3), captain and center back Kevin McKenna (pictured, red, back to camera), center back Andre Hainault (pictured, red #5), and right back David Edgar.  Jerry Bengston notched two goals in the first sixteen minutes to send Honduras on their way to the next phase of qualifying; Honduras needed a win to advance.  Carlo Costly scored his first and headed from a Bengston header to the back post.  3-0 was insufficient for one half, so Mario Martinez added the fourth after nutmegging Hainault to send Honduras comfortably up 4-0 into the break.

The avalanche of goals continued into the second half with Costly getting his second for 5-0.  Martinez finished his personal tally with a nice finish from outside the penalty area, putting Honduras up 6-0 after one hour of play.  Canada substitute Iain Hume surprisingly had the goal of the match off a free kick to make it 6-1.  Bengston then finished his hat trick after turning and spinning and leaving Hainault on the ground in his wake.  Costly finished a hat trick of his own with two minutes to go to give Honduras an 8-1 victory that eliminated Canada from Brasil 2014.  Canada coach Stephen Hart resigned in the wake of the disaster.  It is hard to believe that these were the same Canucks who should have defeated Honduras at home in what ended up being a scoreless draw in June.

Honduras 11 pts +9 IN
Panama 11 pts +4 IN
Canada OUT
Cuba OUT

Goals
Cuba
Alberto Gomez 38

Panama
Nelson Barahona 76

Honduras
Jerry Bengston 7, 16, 82
Carlo Costly 28, 48, 88
Mario Martinez 32, 59

Canada
Iain Hume 76

Match Reports:
http://www.cubaheadlines.com/2012/10/18/36387/panama_draws_with_cuba_late_advances.html
http://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/story/2012/10/16/sp-canada-honduras-world-cup-qualifying.html
http://www.goal.com/en-us/match/72601/honduras-vs-canada/report

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXZcwa-LWqU (Cuba v. Panama)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sqwlX3ySlQU (Honduras v. Canada)

Bolivia 4 - Uruguay 1

Bolivia needed a win at home in La Paz to resurrect their campaign, and luckily for them they caught Uruguay in a swoon of form.  In the fifth minute, Bolivia earned a corner kick.  Rudy Cardozo's ball was flicked on at the near post to the back post by Marvin Bejarano.  Carlos Saucedo continued his sprint to the back post and knocked the ball into the goal on a slide to give his team the lead.  Gualberto Mojica nearly doubled the lead eight minutes on, but Uruguay goalkeeper Fernando Muslera denied him.  Twelve minutes later, however Mojica would not be denied his goal.  His free kick from twenty-two yards was sent on a rocket into the side netting beyond a diving Muslera, giving Bolivia a 2-0 lead they would take into the intermission.

Five minutes after the restart, another Mojica free kick resulted in a goal, this time with Saucedo finishing on a sliding redirect of the ball three yards in front of Muslera, who had been anticipating the need to save the Mojica kick.  But four minutes later Bolivia had done it again.  Cardozo did an audacious chipped cross from the end line that floated over two defenders and Muslera for a free point-blank header for Saucedo.  Saucedo's hat trick gave the home team a 4-0 lead.  Ten minutes from time, a Luis Suarez free kick from the top of the half circle curled over the wall and into the net to make the scoreline more respectable.  Bolivia win 4-1.

Goals
Bolivia
Carlos Saucedo 6, 50, 54
Gualberto Mojica 26

Uruguay
Luis Suarez 80

Match Reports:
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/soccer-bolivia-revive-world-cup-hopes-4-1-222343558--sow.html
http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/soccer/general/view/20221017bolivia_hammers_uruguay_4-1_in_thin_air_in_la_paz/srvc=sports&position=recent_bullet

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WfwQ1dK6jS0

Northern Ireland 1 - Portugal 1; Russia 1 - Azerbaijan 0; Israel 3 - Luxembourg 0

Moscow was the locale for Russia's match for the second time in five days as Azerbaijan paid a visit to the Group F leaders.  Russia were completely dominant the whole match, but Azerbaijan were resolute in their defensive third for the full ninety minutes.  Alexander Kerzhakov took a pass into the box from Alexander Kokorin, but Russia's potential opener curled onto the top of the crossbar and nothing more.  Kerzhakov had a free kick opportunity from twenty-two yards soon thereafter, but the woodwork was struck this time only after Azerbaijan goalkeeper Kamran Agayev tipped the shot.  In spite of myriad chances for Russia, they went into the locker room tied at zero goals apiece.

The two teams came out of the break, but the story did not change.  An Igor Denisov swerving ball was turned goalward on the fly by Roman Shirokov, but Agayev used his legs to block the near post and save Azerbaijan yet again.  Russian appeals for a penalty were waved away on what appeared to be a valid shout for a foul in the box, but a few minutes later Russia did receive a penalty when Vladimir Bystrov was taken down on what appeared to be a foul just outside the box.  Either way, Russia deserved to be at the penalty spot once in the final ten minutes, and Shirokov finished to give Russia the lead with six minutes left.  Russia win 1-0 and remain alone atop Group F.

Tel Aviv was the site of the return match as hosts Israel took on Luxembourg for the second time in a five-day span.  Israel won 6-0 in the first match and took only a dozen minutes to reopen the scoring today.  Bebras Natcho send a nice ball forward that took care of one Luxembourg defender.  Tomer Hemed's first touch took care of the second defender; Hemed's second touch took care of the goalkeeper near post to give Israel a 1-0 lead.  A supremely confident Israel side were toying around with the Luxembourg defense.  Eden Ben Besat beat a very high line to latch onto a ball.  Ben Basat then made an audacious chip off a half-volley from nineteen yards.  The ball looked to be in orbit before it came safely to the ground inside the goal. Israel led 2-0 at halftime.

An Elad Gabay cross was knocked home by a Hemed diving header in the opening minutes of the second period as Israel put the match to bed.  Hemed scored his fifth goal in the two-game series with Luxembourg on the play.  Israel cooled the jets and coasted to the finish.  In stoppage time, Luxembourg nearly had a goal when late substitute Tom Laterza gathered and fired on the spin inside the box, but Dekel Keinan headed the well-hit shot over the crossbar to clear the lines for the home side.  Israel win 3-0.

A match in Porto was supposed to be just what the doctor ordered for hosts Portugal as they sought to erase the memory of losing in Russia on Friday.  The celebration of superstar winger Cristiano Ronaldo's one hundredth cap was the focus of the prematch ceremony, but visiting Northern Ireland were none too keen to simply make up the numbers as a historical footnote.  The visitors held tough for a half hour before capitalizing on a turnover in the midfield.  Jonny Evans stepped up to make and interception and carried the ball many yards before knocking the ball upfield to Kyle Lafferty.  Lafferty drew all the defenders to his side, so he had an easy slotted pass to play to Niall McGinn who finished with his first international goal to give Northern Ireland a shock 1-0 lead in the rain.  Craig Cathcart nearly turned the ball into his own net six minutes on, but luckily for him the ball connected flush with the crossbar and bounced out so quickly that Ronaldo had no time to react to the ball coming his way and therefore could not score the equalizer.

In the second half, Portugal winger Nani slotted a cross along the ground to Ronaldo for a one-time shot, but Northern Ireland goalkeeper Roy Carroll made a kick save to safety.  Portugal were the much stronger side in the second period, and their persistence paid off with just over ten minutes left in the match.  A Bruno Alves cross to the far post was headed back to the six-yard box by Eder.  The ball was mishit by Nani, but thankfully for Portugal Helder Postiga (pictured, red) was there to complete the goal with a turnaround finish.  Portugal nearly had the winner in stoppage time when a great cross was whipped in by Silvestre Varela that was on route to an Eder tap-in, but Evans got a touch to the ball to skip it over Eder's leg.  Northern Ireland survive the onslaught and draw 1-1 on the road.

Russia 12 pts +8
Israel 7 pts +5
Portugal 7 pts +3
N. Ireland 2 pts -2
Azerbaijan 1 pts -4
Luxembourg 1 pts -10

Goals
Russia
Roman Shirokov 84 PK

Israel
Tomer Hemed 13, 48
Eden Ben Besat 35

Northern Ireland
Niall McGinn 30

Portugal
Helder Postiga 79

Match Reports:
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/news/newsid=1785728/index.html
http://rt.com/sport/football/russia-azerbaijan-portugal-worldcup2014-581/
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/news/newsid=1785732/index.html
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19977579
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story/_/id/1192190/andy-brassell:-ronaldo's-big-night-falls-flat?cc=5901
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/news/newsid=1785827/index.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2012/oct/16/portugal-northern-ireland-world-cup-report

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nju3rFXuulQ (Russia v. Azerbaijan)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZwV8r10WE9w (Israel v. Luxembourg)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjIca2uFtKI (Northern Ireland v. Portugal)

France 1 - Spain 1; Belarus 2 - Georgia 0

Belarus were hoping a home date in Minsk would be the solution to their pointless start to their 2014 FIFA World Cup as Georgia came calling.  Belarus had their opener with Georgia defender Zurab Khizanishvili was stripped as he tried to clear.  The ball fell to Renan Bardini Bressan, who smacked home the opener for Belarus with five minutes gone. Bressan sent in a cross to the near post on a free kick later in the half.  Stanislav Dragun beat two defenders to the near post and rose to head home without any pressure.  Tornike Okriashvili nearly scored for Georgia directly off a corner kick, but Belarus goalkeeper Sergei Veremko knocked the ball off his crossbar as the halftime whistle blew.  Belarus took a 2-0 lead into the locker room.

With only nineteen minutes left on the clock, Belarus nearly had a third, but after latching onto a through ball Vitaly Rodionov fired onto the near post.  Georgia did not put on their best display, and they showed little attacking spirit in the second half, letting Belarus win comfortably 2-0.

Madrid was the site for the day's most anticipated qualifier as France came to town to face 2010 FIFA World Cup champions Spain.  Spain had the upper hand   The twenty-fifth minute was a rollercoaster of emotion for Spain center back Sergio Ramos.  Ramos had a free header that hit the post.  As Ramos held his head in his hands in disbelief, the ball magically returned to him, so he put it into the roof of the net for the Spanish opener.  Ramos celebrated his good fortune with a magnificent tumbling routine.  France nearly got the goal back nine minutes later.  Karim Benzema was on a breakaway when he fired low at the Spanish goal; however, Iker Casillas, his club teammate at Real Madrid was there in goal to make the save.  Benzema thought he had an assist two minutes on from the save when his header at the far post on a free kick allowed Jeremy Menez to head home at the near post and in, but Menez was deemed to be offside.  France center back Laurent Koscielny absolutely destroyed Pedro Rodriguez inside the penalty area a couple minutes on, but his goalkeeper Hugo Lloris made a diving save of the resulting Cesc Fabregas penalty kick to keep France close.  Lloris had a double save on Rodriguez and Fabregas in the final minute of the half as well.  Spain led 1-0 after the first forty-five.

From then on, France rose into the ascendancy.  Benzema was again the danger man, this time sending in a chest-high cross to substitute Moussa Sissoko, who could not bring his shot below the level of the crossbar. In stoppage time, Sissoko made good when he started the game-tying fast break.  He slotted the ball off to Franck Ribery once France were in the attacking zone.  Ribery sent a ball to a spot eight yards from goal from where Olivier Giroud header to the far corner for the equalizer.  The match ends 1-1 with the two teams tied atop Group I.

Spain 7 pts +5
France 7 pts +3
Georgia 4 pts -2
Belarus 3 pts -5
Finland 1 pts -1

Goals
Belarus
Renan Bardini Bressan 6
Stanislav Dragun 28

Spain
Sergio Ramos 25

France
Olivier Giroud 90+4

Match Reports:
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/news/newsid=index.html
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/blog/_/name/espnfcunited/id/1142?cc=5901&updated
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/writers/sid_lowe/10/17/spain-france-olivier-giroud/index.html?sct=sc_bf3_a3
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/news/newsid=1785825/index.html

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uscNOVx6jog (Belarus v. Georgia)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nj9FjjtXV0U&feature=related (Spain v. France)

Full Match Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBHS6YtFcqg (Belarus v. Georgia: first half)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nlfZBIXWTjM (Belarus v. Georgia: second half)

Sweden 4 - Germany 4; Austria 4 - Kazakhstan 0; Ireland 4 - Faroe Islands 1

Torshavn and the locals Faroe Islands were paid a visit by Ireland.  Keith Andrews missed an open net that would have given the visitors and early lead, and a couple other chances went begging for Ireland as well.  The half ended with having witnessed a goal.

It took less than one minute in the second period for Ireland to score when Marc Wilson hit a laser from the top of the box into the upper ninety.  Six minutes later, Jon Walters had headed home for Ireland's second goal as Robbie Keane kept the goalkeeper honest with a whiffed attempt at a redirect.  At the midway point of the period, a weakly floated cross was not dealt with well by John O'Shea as the substitute Arnbiorn Hansen rose above him to head to the far corner, cutting Ireland's lead to 2-1.  The Faroe Islands scored five minutes later, though this time it was in their own net as Pol Johannus Justinussen reached for a ball going behind him without any Ireland attackers in the area and accidentally poked into his own goal.  Ireland finished off the match in style as Darren O'Dea headed into goal off a corner kick with Faroe center back Rogvi Baldvinsson hanging all over his shirt.  Ireland win 4-1.

Vienna was the site of the return match as Austria hosted Kazakhstan having just visited them four days prior.  Austria were certainly hoping to improve upon their scoreless draw from Friday.  David Alaba whipped in a sharp cross midway through the half that allowed Marc Janko to run onto it and head home for the opening goal.  An Alaba volley from twenty-one yards someone went through a crowd of people three minutes later to hit the far post.  Austria led one goal to nil at intermission.

Alaba and Janko replayed their first goal down to the distance and position on the field as they combined for Austria's second goal midway through the half.  A visibly tired and unenthusiastic Kazakh defense let up a third goal as Marko Arnautovic picked up a cleared ball and then slotted for Alaba, who beat his non-alert defender to the ball and then chipped the goalkeeper as he was thinking about sliding.  On a stoppage time breakaway Arnautovic picked up his second assist when he played a bouncing ball in for Martin Harnik, who finished for the final tally.  Austria win 4-0.

Berlin was the site of the day's most memorable qualifiers as hosts Germany welcomed Sweden to town.  Thomas Muller nearly gave Germany the lead after two minutes of play, but Sweden goalkeeper Andreas Isaksson came up with a nifty double save.  Germany made this match look like a stroll in the park from then on.  Marco Reus slotted a ball short of where Miroslav Klose was stationed, so Klose cut inside of Sweden defender Jonas Olsson to find himself a one-time finish for 1-0.  Reus then played a one-two-one with Muller before sending a ball across the box to Klose, whose initial shot was saved.  Klose toe poked the rebound home and Germany were up 2-0 after a quarter hour.  Muller saved a ball from bouncing out of bounds with a header back into the Swedish box, and from there his center back Per Mertesacker struck a nice goal to give Germany a 3-0 lead they would take into halftime.

Ten minutes into the second half, Germany had an unassailable four-goal lead when a Muller cross missed its targets but fell to Mesut Ozil with time and space.  Ozil finished far post as a teammate halted his forward momentum to avoid touching the ball in an offside position.  Kim Kallstrom gave Sweden something to cheer about when his cross put in striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic as the striker beat a two-man offside trap and headed from ten yards on the road for a vintage Ibrahimovic goal.  Two minutes later, Kallstrom sent in a ball beyond a one-man offside trap to Mikael Lustig, who then nutmegged the goalkeeper at the near post to bring Sweden within 4-2.  Alexander Kacaniklic ran onto a long through ball along the left flank before sending a ball across the German box to Johan Elmander for a one-timed finish and a 4-3 scoreline with fifteen minutes left in regulation.  Poor Holger Badstuber was the defender victimized on Sweden's second and third goals.  In stoppage time, a Swedish cross was headed on by Ibrahimovic and was half-volleyed into the goal from the penalty spot by Rasmus Elm.  Germany suffer the most embarrassing of 4-4 home draws.

Germany 10 pts +9
Sweden 7 pts +3
Ireland 6 pts -1
Austria 4 pts +3
Kazakhstan 1 pts -7
Faroes 0 pts -6

Goals
Ireland
Marc Wilson 46
Jon Walters 52
Pol Johannus Justinussen 73 OG
Darren O'Dea 89

Faroe Islands
Arnbiorn Hansen 68

Austria
Marc Janko 24, 63
David Alaba 71
Martin Harnik 90+3

Germany
Miroslav Klose 8, 15
Per Mertesacker 39
Mesut Ozil 56

Sweden
Zlatan Ibrahimovic 62
Mikael Lustig 64
Johan Elmander 76
Rasmus Elm 90+3

Match Reports:
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/news/newsid=1785753/index.html
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19954418
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/news/newsid=1785766/index.html
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/soccer-alaba-inspires-austria-4-0-win-over-205956382--sow.html
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/writers/raphael_honigstein/10/19/germany-sweden-joachim-loew/index.html
http://www.rantsports.com/soccer/2012/10/17/germany-4-4-sweden-germany-needs-killer-instinct/
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/news/newsid=1785809/index.html
http://www.goal.com/en-us/match/92452/germany-vs-sweden/report
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jjTnDnj1esyDqkzocAC0VQzL-duw?docId=CNG.6eb94815e1babf849998590e97a79062.471

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0m5PZcBoyXg (Ireland v. Faroe Islands)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMEVnswMMII (Austria v. Kazakhstan)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=loMXEFyAik0&feature=related (Sweden v. Germany)

Switzerland 2 - Iceland 0; Albania 1 - Slovenia 0; Norway 3 - Cyprus 1

Reykjavik was the site of a crucial tuggle between group leaders Switzerland and the home side Iceland who were only a point behind in the standings.  After a baker's dozen of minutes had elapsed, Iceland had Gylfi Sigurdsson standing over a free kick.  He sent it bending over the wall, but Swiss goalkeeper Diego Benaglio sent it bending over the top of the goal.  Switzerland threatened a go-ahead goal on the cold night, but Iceland had the best chance of the half with under five minutes left when Alfred Finnbogason sent Benaglio to his left to make a magnificent save.  The half ended scoreless.

On the hour mark, Birkir Bjarnason beat Benaglio but not the woodwork, and Iceland surely must have felt hard done by their lack of goals to that point.  Just after the midway point of the half was when the Swiss began to up their level of play.  Ricardo Rodriguez strongly avoided a tackle before laying the ball off for Tranquillo Barnetta.  Captain Barnetta curled a shot from the top of the box into the top corner for a 1-0 lead to the visitors.  Iceland almost equalized when a Finnbogason header had Benaglio on the wrong foot, but the netminder was able to leap up and tip the ball over his bar.  With a dozen minutes left on the clock, Switzerland put the match to bed.  Four Swiss players linked up after an initial headed clearance by Iceland. The final pass was provided by Stephan Lichtsteiner as Mario Gavranovic had the easiest job: tap the ball in.  Switzerland win 2-0 and are well-positioned at the top of Group E.

Cyprus were hoping a home match in Larnaca against Norway could provide a second win and chance to climb the standings.  Cyprus would have had an opener from a snap header by Giorgos Efrem but for the combination of a diving Rune Jarstein in goal for Norway and the post which made the secondary save.  Cyprus looked the danger side early on, but the tide began to turn at the half hour mark.  A looping Norwegian free kick that bounced in the box was nearly redirected by Vegard Forren, but his the ball played his head and went off frame.  Cyprus caught a break on their first goal as a mishit cross from Efstathios Aloneftis floated into the net above the outstretched hand of Jarstein for the opener with three minutes left in the period.  A turn of bad luck then struck Cyprus two minutes later as they defended a free kick, when two soft clearances allowed the ball to drop to the feet of an open Brede Hangeland, who finished to make the score 1-1 at the half.

Ruben Jenssen had a ball with which to score for Norway, but he allowed it to play his upper leg right into the body of the Cypriot goalkeeper with twenty minutes left in the match.  Four minutes later, Efrem had the goal at his mercy but saw his attempt at the far post roll just wide.  Norway were awarded a penalty when Cyprus captain Elias Charalambous arm tackled his mark's leg.  Norway converted the penalty kick for 2-1, and then made it 3-1 two minutes later.  Tarik El Younoussi lead Norway on the break and then fed Joshua King, who carried the ball upfield, cut inside his defender, and then slotted home to the near post.  Cyprus had little time left to respond and were unable to do so.  Norway win 3-1 on the road.

Tirana was a city hopeful of witnessing Albania dispatch visiting Slovenia.  The driving rain made visibility hard, but it nearly aided Albania take a lead with seventeen minutes left in the half as the ball skimmed the top of Armando Sadiku's head and went careening just wide of the far post.  Emiljan Vila sent in a cross that was met by Odise Roshi's head over two defenders to send a shot into the Slovenian goal to give Albania a 1-0 lead with nine minutes to go in the period.  Roshi celebrated by removing his shirt, thereby protesting the constraints of clothing.  1-0 was the score in favor of the hosts at the break.

Albania appeared to be much more comfortable in the rain.  Ten minutes into the half, Roshi nearly had a second as he cut across the inside of his defender and sent a shot low to the near post, but Slovenia goalkeeper Samir Handanovic slid along the ground to parry the ball.  Slovenia never seemed to muster energy in attack and they went down meekly with a scoreline flattering to their performance.  Albania win 1-0.

Switzerland 10 pts +6
Norway 7 pts +1
Albania 6 pts 0
Iceland 6 pts 0
Slovenia 3 pts -3
Cyprus 3 pts -4

Goals
Switzerland
Tranquillo Barnetta 66
Mario Gavranovic 79

Norway
Brede Hangeland 44
Tarik El Younoussi 81 PK
Joshua King 83

Cyprus
Efstathios Aloneftis 42

Albania
Odise Roshi 36

Match Reports:
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/news/newsid=1785773/index.html
http://www.sportinglife.com/football/live/match-report/253510/iceland-v-switzerland
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/news/newsid=1785748/index.html
http://www.uefa.com/worldcup/season=2014/matches/round=2000294/match=2008637/postmatch/report/index.html
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/news/newsid=1785800/index.html

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlLeiicRLZw (Switzerland v. Iceland)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QvzbQdGM_C0 (Norway v. Cyprus)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yEZFvjkTvMU (Albania v. Slovenia)

Macedonia 1 -Serbia 0; Belgium 2 - Scotland 0; Croatia 2 - Wales 0

Croatia came home to Osijek to take on Wales in the hopes of winning and going top of Group A.  Wales goalkeeper Lewis Price had a busy day from the start of the match, but he was up to the task on multiple occasions to deny Croatia.  Oddly, it was a weak back pass that did in Wales in the first period as an Ashley Williams pass checked up on the patchy surface, giving Croatia forward Mario Mandzukic time to come up and force a hurried price clearance that struck Williams.  Mandzukic latched onto the rebound and slotted home into an open net for 1-0.  Price redeemed himself well with a point-blank reaction save of Ivan Perisic's shot to take the game into the half at 1-0.

Croatia surely must have felt that they deserved a bigger scoring margin.  A dozen minutes in and Croatia had their second.  Perisic's header was weakly blocked by a defender on the post, so a rebound was relinquished and Eduardo made no mistake with his finish.  With little more than a quarter hour left, Wales survived a scare.  Eduardo headed a cross off the crossbar and then Price made a save off Mandzukic and prevented an Eduardo tap-in.  Croatia made the tactical mistake of not playing more defensively and it nearly cost them as Wales winger Gareth Bale run a one-man counterattack through three defenders, but goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa was there to save their blushes.

Skopje was the selected site for Macedonia as they laid out the welcome mat for Serbia.  Serbia were the favorites, but they came out flat and never picked up their level of play.  Nevertheless, they had the only chances in the first half.  However, they would waste them all.  The half ended 0-0.

The match turned on a foul in minute 57.  Serbia's Nenad Tomovic was shown a straight red in the penalty area for a shirt pull as the last defender.  The resulting penalty kick was converted, and Macedonia had a 1-0 lead with a man advantage.  They would have double it were it not for a timely block Milan Bisevac ten minutes later.  With five minutes to go, Serbia's Aleksandar Ignjovski fired from just outside the penalty area, but Macedonia goalkeeper Tome Pacovski set the ball to himself for the catch.  Macedonia win 1-0.

Belgium knew a win at home in Brussels over struggling Scotland would lift them into first place alongside Croatia.  Two minutes in and Scotland's back line were all ready faltering.  Gary Caldwell was dispossessed by Dries Mertens, but his goalkeeper Allan McGregor was there to pick up the pieces with a flurry of three saves.  McGregor made at least seven saves in the first quarter of the match.  Shaun Maloney had a chance for Scotland on a curling free kick, but McGregor's counterpart Thibaut Courtois made a leaping save to keep the affair level on zero goals apiece.  With less than five minutes on the clock, Courtois made another fine sprawling save to deny a Kris Commons free kick that was bent around the wall.

Belgium were reborn as their dominant selves in the second period, but an early opportunity was headed onto the top of the crossbar from within the six-yard box by Christian Benteke.  A Kevin de Bruyne cross provided Benteke with a redo twenty minute after his earlier miss, and this time Benteke made no mistake with a clinical headed finish.  Belgium center back Vincent Kompany then made himself out to be a center forward as he joined the attack, juked his man back and forth, and unleashed a powerful strike for Belgium's second goal four minutes after their first.  Belgium win 2-0.

Belgium 10 pts +7
Croatia 10 pts +4
Serbia 4 pts +1
Macedonia 4 pts -1
Wales 3 pts -8
Scotland 2 pts -3

Goals
Croatia
Mario Mandzukic 27
Eduardo 58

Macedonia
Agim Ibraimi 59 PK

Belgium
Christian Benteke 69
Vincent Kompany 71

Match Reports:
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/news/newsid=1785746/index.html
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19974731
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/news/newsid=1785769/index.html
http://www1.skysports.com/football/live/match/253504/report
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/news/newsid=1785805/index.html
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2218672/Belgium-2-Scotland-0--match-report-Craig-Levein-hurtling-sack.html

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-Zd578CWVk (Croatia v. Wales)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qui41BKwvZI (Macedonia v. Serbia)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KX5CYp6wY4U (Belgium v. Scotland)