2014 World Cup qualifying

[theworm2345]

The US always flop at the World Cup? They're as much overachievers as we are. Second round in 2010 before being edged out by Ghana and knocked out in the quarters in 2002 courtesy of a German handball.
Flopping is relative, obviously. Considering the ridiculous expectations the people here have and the ease of Qualifying from CONCACAF in the past, yes, all but 2002 have been flops.

[Charlie Darwin]

That's like saying Ireland flopped at the Euros because the public expected us to take a scalp. In the eyes of the world, we performed about as well as expected, whereas the US generally do better at World Cups than their talent would suggest.

[theworm2345]

That's like saying Ireland flopped at the Euros because the public expected us to take a scalp. In the eyes of the world, we performed about as well as expected, whereas the US generally do better at World Cups than their talent would suggest.
As I said flopping is relative. You can call it whatever you want, I'll enjoy anything that sees the arrogant ****s who "support" the team when the World Cup comes around (and even the odd ones during qualifiers) brought down a peg. The indignity when they lost to Ghana (Ghana! Do they even have electricity there? I think the guy who scored is their Prince. I was looking at their roster on FIFA...they have a few players whose rating is in the 60s! Its OK though, we still tied with England and they're, like, the best team in the world. I mean, they even have David Beckham, one of the best ever.)!

Anyway, speaking of Ghana, I am looking forward to the return of CAF Qualifying as thats hands down the most intriguing Confederation...you never know what will happen.

[Metrostars]

As I said flopping is relative. You can call it whatever you want, I'll enjoy anything that sees the arrogant ****s who "support" the team when the World Cup comes around (and even the odd ones during qualifiers) brought down a peg. The indignity when they lost to Ghana (Ghana! Do they even have electricity there? I think the guy who scored is their Prince. I was looking at their roster on FIFA...they have a few players whose rating is in the 60s! Its OK though, we still tied with England and they're, like, the best team in the world. I mean, they even have David Beckham, one of the best ever.)!

Anyway, speaking of Ghana, I am looking forward to the return of CAF Qualifying as thats hands down the most intriguing Confederation...you never know what will happen.

I've lived here over 20 years and I've never heard a US fan talk like that. I've gone to a few US games locally and from my experience with US fans, the average US fan is.... just like your average fan any place else. Maybe it's something in the water in Chicago. Don't they dye it green for every Paddy's day?

[theworm2345]

I've lived here over 20 years and I've never heard a US fan talk like that. I've gone to a few US games locally and from my experience with US fans, the average US fan is.... just like your average fan any place else. Maybe it's something in the water in Chicago. Don't they dye it green for every Paddy's day?
Hmm...in that case it seems to me like your hearing may be going the way of your judgement.

[SkStu]

It seems to me that you just hate Americans as opposed to the USA team, in which case you're no different to about half of your fellow countrymen and 90% of the rest of the world! :)

Support your feckin country man, jaysus!

[ArdeeBhoy]

Why should he? Like every Irish soccer fan supports the national team...

Admittedly his 'logic' seems a little twisted?

[theworm2345]

It seems to me that you just hate Americans as opposed to the USA team, in which case you're no different to about half of your fellow countrymen and 90% of the rest of the world! :)

Support your feckin country man, jaysus!
Wrong. The average American does not care (or sort of/pretend to care) in the least about soccer. The vast majority of the people who "support" the team seem to be these sort of yuppie, suburban douchebags who tend to either be sort of Hipsters or Bros (if you know the terms). Would you like me to go on?

[SkStu]

Wrong. The average American does not care (or sort of/pretend to care) in the least about soccer. The vast majority of the people who "support" the team seem to be these sort of yuppie, suburban douchebags who tend to either be sort of Hipsters or Bros (if you know the terms). Would you like me to go on?

Yes please! You're just not a fan of football fans of the team then. Why would that stop you from supporting your country? It makes no sense to me.


Why should he? Like every Irish soccer fan supports the national team...

Admittedly his 'logic' seems a little twisted?

So which side of the argument are you coming down on, jaysus? I would venture that those weirdos that don't support the Irish national team don't actively want to see the team lose every game.

[theworm2345]

Yes please! You're just not a fan of football fans of the team then. Why would that stop you from supporting your country? It makes no sense to me.
In isolation, I suppose that, theoretically, I might be able to support the team. I did not always hate them. I remember watching the 2002 World Cup and hoping they would win those matches, but not really getting excited over them. I never really felt any great attraction to the team even then though. I may have not been happy when they lost to Germany but my real support was for Ireland. I can't even really remember liking any of the players then either. In the years following that though after I had the misfortune of really interacting with people who called themselves supporters of the team was when the dislike really came on. That, coupled with my general apathy (or even dislike in some cases) towards many of the players on the team, is what fuels it.

[Metrostars]

I understand Worm's reasons for not supporting the US team, MLS or anything to do with soccer in the United States, not that I agree with him though. All MLS/US supports are dicks according to him so therefore he is embarrassed by them and cannot be in anyway associated with them e.g. I remember you once said that fans at a US game singing songs was stupid as that is not done in any other US sport (even though its done the world over in soccer). He also does not consider US "supporters" to be at the same level of an Irish/English/Italian/Spanish etc "supporter". Maybe this is because the average American doesn't care about soccer.

Also Worm, which US players do you not like and why?

[Dodge]

I understand Worm's reasons for not supporting the US team, MLS or anything to do with soccer in the United States, not that I agree with him though. All MLS/US supports are dicks according to him so therefore he is embarrassed by them and cannot be in anyway associated with them e.g. I remember you once said that fans at a US game singing songs was stupid as that is not done in any other US sport (even though its done the world over in soccer). He also does not consider US "supporters" to be at the same level of an Irish/English/Italian/Spanish etc "supporter". Maybe this is because the average American doesn't care about soccer.


I think thats why he fits in with all the lads who hate Irish (non international) football in the Ireland forum

[theworm2345]

I understand Worm's reasons for not supporting the US team, MLS or anything to do with soccer in the United States, not that I agree with him though. All MLS/US supports are dicks according to him so therefore he is embarrassed by them and cannot be in anyway associated with them e.g. I remember you once said that fans at a US game singing songs was stupid as that is not done in any other US sport (even though its done the world over in soccer).
Not exactly, but that is sort of the gist of it.


He also does not consider US "supporters" to be at the same level of an Irish/English/Italian/Spanish etc "supporter". Maybe this is because the average American doesn't care about soccer.

Also Worm, which US players do you not like and why?
Depends what you mean by level of supporter. In terms of actually supporting the team, that is a tough one as there are obviously plenty of "barstoolers," etc in Europe. I don't think I need to point out the number of fans of the Ireland team in Poland just along for the singsong. I think its different and incomparable though as the culture surrouding the game is so much different. In terms of knowledge in terms of everything about the game in general, I don't think its even close though. There are several players I have really disliked over the years, Lalas, Mathis, Donovan, Bradley, etc. Far more though are players I just didn't care about one way or the other. The only players I really remember having any affinity for were the Beasley brothers and I don't really know why, though I stopped caring about them a long time ago.

I think thats why he fits in with all the lads who hate Irish (non international) football in the Ireland forum
I might fit in with them, but would stress I'm not one of them. I do at least try to make an effort with the League of Ireland, the problem there being I don't have a team to support and never have. I did at one point like Galway United because they had three Caribbean internationals (Wes Charles, Alvin Rouse, and Regi Nooitmeer) plus Galway is Chicago's sister city, but that faded when those guys left. I'm sure most would agree, its hard to watch the League of Ireland as a neutral.

[Dodge]

I might fit in with them, but would stress I'm not one of them. I do at least try to make an effort with the League of Ireland, the problem there being I don't have a team to support and never have. I did at one point like Galway United because they had three Caribbean internationals (Wes Charles, Alvin Rouse, and Regi Nooitmeer) plus Galway is Chicago's sister city, but that faded when those guys left. I'm sure most would agree, its hard to watch the League of Ireland as a neutral.

I know you do, fair play

[pineapple stu]

A bump on this, as we've our first team to actually qualify (not counting the hosts) - Japan have come out of the Asian qualifying. South Korea are all but qualified, and if they beat Iran at home while Uzbekistan beat Qatar at home, the Uzbeks are through too. Australia have to do better at home against Iraq than Oman do in Jordan to qualify. If Jordan win; they're in the play-offs. So Uzbekistan/Iran v Oman/Jordan for the right to play, at the moment, Venezuela, for a World Cup spot.

Ethiopia, Zambia, Libya, Congo and Egypt are all leading their groups in Africa; the ten group winners then go into a play-off against each other for five places, so we could still end up with a more mundane African contingent. South Africa have to win in Ethiopia to have any hope of qualifying, Ghana have been walloping everyone bar losing to Zambia, and now need to beat them at home to qualify. Zambia are maybe a bit lucky, having lost 2-0 to Sudan only to get a 3-0 default for Sudan fielding a suspended player.

The Hex is way tighter than usual; the Yanks and Mexico are both struggling for form, and a Panama win in America tonight would make things really interesting. As it stands, Panama v New Zealand will be a play-off for a World Cup spot.

Meanwhile the worst second-place team in Europe right now is England (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014_FIFA_World_Cup_qualification_(UEFA)#Ranking_o f_second-placed_teams), while the first team to be eliminated in Europe was Scotland. :p

A few games tonight and tomorrow morning - full schedules in North and South America; should be interesting.

[ArdeeBhoy]

​http://www.statto.com/football/stats/results

[BonnieShels]

Brilliant stuff Stu.

Being in Europe sucks sometimes when you see how it all pans out for WCQ.

[pineapple stu]

Boo as America beat Panama. Mexico draw again though, and now they're in the play-off spot, and Honduras in fourth have a game in hand. Half the group to go yet though.

Malawi conceded a last-minute own goal at home to Kenya; had they won, they'd have gone to Nigeria for the last game level on points with them.

Venezuela lost at home to Uruguay, which puts a big dent in their qualification hopes. Still the only South American team (not counting Suriname and Guyana, who play in CONCACAF, and French Guyana, who aren't in FIFA) never to have qualified.

[ArdeeBhoy]

The US were at home though and apparently the Mexican fans were playing up as they only drew 0-0 at home and have failed to score in their last 3 games?
And the Chavez boys are unlikely to ever qualify, surely?

[JC_GUFC]

Meanwhile the worst second-place team in Europe right now is England (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014_FIFA_World_Cup_qualification_(UEFA)#Ranking_o f_second-placed_teams), while the first team to be eliminated in Europe was Scotland. :p



That's obviously not quite the full picture with England though as they have a game less played. England should win the group anyway with 3 of their last 4 games at home.

If Ireland manage to get 2nd place in our group we are in real danger of being ranked as the worst second placed team - assuming we get 4 points from the Sweden and Austria matches, lose to Germany and beat Kazakhstan (a few other results need to go our way for us to be 2nd with these results) we would end up with 12 points against the top 5 teams in the group.

For 2010 the 9th team, Norway, had 10 points while the 8th placed team, Ireland, had 12 points. For 2012 the 9th team, Turkey, had 11 points while the 8th placed team, Montenegro had 12 points.

Looking through the groups as they stand in Group A, Croatia should pick up at least 4 more points and would be boosted if Scotland finish bottom of the group to discount their last loss. They currently have 10 points against the top 5 teams so look comfortable.

Group B looks like it will be near the bottom too - both the Czechs and Bulgaria have to travel to Italy and still play each other. Denmark can't possibly manage more than 12 points, which would include a home win against Italy. It is possible Bulgaria finish 2nd with 11 points against the top 5 (lose to Italy, win at Armenia and draw with Czechs) but if they were to beat the Czechs at home they'd have 13 - that could be a crucial match for us!

Group D is another weak looking group for the 2nd placed team at the moment but Romania look best placed here though having played Holland twice and are left with 3 of their 4 games at home and their away match at Andorra. They should manage 7 points from home games against Hungary, Turkey and Estonia which would leave them on 14 points against the top 5. If Hungary manage to get a result away to them in the next game it may make things closer.

Group E is probably looking worst with all the teams taking points off each other. It is also far from sure who will finish bottom. Norway with 3 of their 4 remaining matches at home are probably very slight favourites to get 2nd despite being in 4th currently. If they were to get 7 points from their matches against Switzerland (H), Slovenia (A), Iceland (H) as well as beating Cyprus they would end up with 12 points against the top 5 teams.

Group F looks like Russia and Portugal are carving it up between them. Russia already have 12 points against the top 5 teams and Portugal have 11. No way either of these sides will be worst runners-up

Group G is similar to Group F - Greece and Bosnia already have 13 points against the top 5 teams so won't be finishing as worst runners-up.

Group H is probably going to be safe too - Ukraine haven't yet played San Marino, they've 11 points against the top 5 so even just 2 points from home games against England and Poland should see them safe. If England were to lose at Ukraine they'd still have home games against Moldova, Montenegro and Poland - 7 points from those would give them 13 against the top 5 teams.

Group I is the group with only 5 teams - Spain have 11 points and France have 10 both have 3 games left and have played each other twice so they will be same.


Obviously a lot can change but it really does look like it's groups B C and E who are most likely to have the worst runners-up spot. The worry for Ireland is that if teams are level on points the GD comes in to play and our Germany result will come back to haunt us.

[JC_GUFC]

Just as an after thought these are the current FIFA World Rankings of the teams possibly in the playoffs - this is what the seeding was based on for the last draw (when we played France)

Croatia - 4 (Group A)
Czech Rep - 24 (Group B)/Bulgaria - 46 (Group B)/Denmark - 20 (Group B)
Ireland - 41 (Group C)
Romania - 34 (Group D)/Hungary - 33 (Group D)
Norway - 29 (Group E)/Albania - 38 (Group E)/Iceland - 61 (Group E)
Portugal - 6 (Group F)/Russia - 11 (Group F)
Greece - 16 (Group G)/Bosnia - 15 (Group G)
England - 9 (Group H)/Ukraine - 39 (Group H)/Montenegro - 25 (Group H)
France - 18 (Group I)

So basically there's no way we're getting seeded - if it's done by either FIFA Rankings or Points gained in the group stages. We'll be the easy draw everyone will want... If we get that far.

[pineapple stu]

That's obviously not quite the full picture with England though as they have a game less played. England should win the group anyway with 3 of their last 4 games at home.
Yeah, I know. It's still funny though. :) But Ukraine's 4-0 win in Montenegro was a great win for England, unfortunately.


And the Chavez boys are unlikely to ever qualify, surely?
They've improved hugely in recent campaigns, in fairness. Missed out on a play-off by two points last time, for example. In 1998 qualifying, the got three points in the whole thing.

They're only a goal off the play-offs now, but have three tough games to go, and others have a game in hand. They really needed to beat Uruguay.

[DeLorean]

That's obviously not quite the full picture with England though as they have a game less played. England should win the group anyway with 3 of their last 4 games at home.

They could win all three home games and still not win the group if they lose in Ukraine. I think they're looking in big enough trouble and seem to be particularly poor at Wembley anyway.

Montengro.....PLD 7 PTS 14
England.........PLD 6 PTS 12
Ukraine.........PLD 7 PTS 11

Montengro ------ England ------ Ukraine
Poland (a) ----- Moldova (h) --- San Marino (h)
England (a) ----- Ukraine (a) ---- England (h)
Moldova (h) ----- Montengro (h) -- Poland (h)
----------------- Poland (h) ----- San Marino (a)

[peadar1987]

Dear Santa, I have been a good boy all year, and all I want for Christmas is for England to be knocked out of World Cup Qualifying...

[KK77]

I would hope they will qualify. Always good to have home nations involved.

[Stuttgart88]

They could win all three home games and still not win the group if they lose in Ukraine. I think they're looking in big enough trouble and seem to be particularly poor at Wembley anyway.

Montengro.....PLD 7 PTS 14
England.........PLD 6 PTS 12
Ukraine.........PLD 7 PTS 11

Montengro ------ England ------ Ukraine
Poland (a) ----- Moldova (h) --- San Marino (h)
England (a) ----- Ukraine (a) ---- England (h)
Moldova (h) ----- Montengro (h) -- Poland (h)
----------------- Poland (h) ----- San Marino (a)Lampard's late equaliser against Ukraine at Wembley may prove crucial for them, the same night that we beat Oman.

[Closed Account 2]

They could win all three home games and still not win the group if they lose in Ukraine. I think they're looking in big enough trouble and seem to be particularly poor at Wembley anyway.

Montengro.....PLD 7 PTS 14
England.........PLD 6 PTS 12
Ukraine.........PLD 7 PTS 11

Montengro ------ England ------ Ukraine
Poland (a) ----- Moldova (h) --- San Marino (h)
England (a) ----- Ukraine (a) ---- England (h)
Moldova (h) ----- Montengro (h) -- Poland (h)
----------------- Poland (h) ----- San Marino (a)

I think they are in a spot of bother and they are relying on others dropping points. The only easy(ish) game for them left is Moldova at home. Montenegro could play for a 0-0 at Wembley and would have a reasonable chance of getting that, Ukraine will get 6 more points from the two San Marino games and they also know that a win at home to England should mean they are certainties for at least 2nd - England would do well to get a draw in Kiev. England v Poland at Wembley, well we saw how many Poles saw were at our match in Dublin, it could be the same for the English at "home" - and Poland are a big game team at the Euros they were good against Russia but whimpered against Greek and Czech teams they should have been a match for.

The guys on Sky Sports News were ecstatic about Ukraine winning in Montenegro last week but I think a draw would have been a better result for England as would have meant Ukraine were less likely to catch them.

[DeLorean]

The amazing thing is that they didn't seem to stop for a second and think..."Jesus, Ukraine just won 4-0 in a place where we were hanging on for a draw, they might actually be pretty good and we still have to go there".

[Closed Account 2]

Yeah and Ukraine had their striker, Zozulya, sent off just before half time, when the game was 0-0. You think of the trouble England had breaking down Montenegro with 11 men yet Ukraine did it with 10 men. (To be fair Montenegro then had a man sent off at 0-1 to make it 10 vs 10, and then they had another sent off at 0-2)

[bennocelt]

I would hope they will qualify. Always good to have home nations involved.

Like that, funny:)

[ArdeeBhoy]

Funny how we're more objective about even their chances of qualifying than our own...

Would make up for our own likely disappointment if that shower were also missing.

[JC_GUFC]

Ethiopia, Zambia, Libya, Congo and Egypt are all leading their groups in Africa; the ten group winners then go into a play-off against each other for five places, so we could still end up with a more mundane African contingent. South Africa have to win in Ethiopia to have any hope of qualifying, Ghana have been walloping everyone bar losing to Zambia, and now need to beat them at home to qualify. Zambia are maybe a bit lucky, having lost 2-0 to Sudan only to get a 3-0 default for Sudan fielding a suspended player.



A few more games in African today - Tunisia are in the final 10 despite not playing, a win for Ivory Coast in Tanzania tomorrow would see them through to the next phase too. Zambia only drew at home to Sudan so Ghana will jump above them if they win at Lesotho tomorrow, though Lesotho have drawn their 2 home games in the group. If Ghana win they'd just need a point at home to Zambia to get through. Congo lost at home to Burkina Faso, when a draw would have qualified them, a win at Niger in the last game would still get them through. A draw for Nigeria at home to Malawi would also see them progress to the final round. Libya, including Eamon Zayed in their squad, had a win against Togo which leaves them 3 points ahead of Cameroon, with a game more played. Depending on how Cameroon v DR Congo goes tomorrow Libya may only need a point away at Cameroon to go through. Uganda beat Angola which eliminates them but leaves Uganda top of the group but Senegal play at Liberia tomorrow.

It looks like most of the big names will get through to the final 10 - Morocco are the biggest team gone so far.

[pineapple stu]

Ethiopia 2-1 up on South Africa with five minutes to go; that'd see them qualify for the play-offs with a match to go.

Ivory Coast are the first team there after beating Tanzania 4-2. Egypt 1-0 up on Mozambique with 5 to go too; that'd see them through.

[JC_GUFC]

Ethiopia 2-1 up on South Africa with five minutes to go; that'd see them qualify for the play-offs with a match to go.

Ivory Coast are the first team there after beating Tanzania 4-2. Egypt 1-0 up on Mozambique with 5 to go too; that'd see them through.

Yeah a few things resolved today:

Countries definitely qualified for the last 10 are:

Ethiopia, Tunisia, Ivory Coast, Egypt and Algeria

The other 5 will be decided in September

Ghana v Zambia - Ghana need just a point a defeat would see Zambia through

Congo or Burkina Faso - as explained before Burkina Faso need to win at home to Gabon and hope Congo fail to win in Niger

Nigeria v Malawi - Nigeria just need to draw, a win sees Malawi through

Cameroon v Libya - Cameroon need to win, otherwise Libya go through

Senegal v Uganda - Senegal just need a draw, a Uganda win would put them through.

Hard to see any of Ghana, Nigeria or Senegal failing to get the draw they need. Cameroon may have it tougher against Libya though.

[Charlie Darwin]

No Bafana Bafana. We may be facing a World Cup with the appalling vista of absolutely no vuvuzelas anywhere. One of football's finest traditions is dying :(

[JC_GUFC]

Final day of the Asian Groups on Tuesday. Looking at Korea v Iran - if this match is drawn Korea will qualify and Iran would qualify if Uzbekistan fail to beat Qatar by 4 or more (Uzbekistan have only scored 6 goals in 7 games in the group)!
Australia will join Japan at the WC if they win at home to Iraq, if Jordan beat Oman at home they will leap-frog them into the playoff against either Iran or Uzbekistan.

[pineapple stu]

Gas that four of the five remaining groups in Africa will be decided by winner-takes-all games.

[MariborKev]

http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/news/newsid=2110660/index.html

ethiopia not through yet.....

[pineapple stu]

Bloody heck.

There's already been three games awarded 3-0 in the African groups so far; Burkino Faso have probably been knocked out as a result (they're one point behind Congo - drew 0-0 with them in the first round, but forfeited 3-0 on account of an ineligible player)

Still, you'd imagine Ethiopia would be able to beat the Central African Republic (three points so far) in the last round if necessary.

[Spudulika]

Was it just me or did anyone else hear the story about Zimbabwe and their not having enough players for a match? I don't know if it was poor translation from me, but I am certain they said there was some issue with tickets and visas. Maybe money too. Seanie must have cleaned them out!

[ArdeeBhoy]

A few links.
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1674988-breaking-down-africas-world-cup-qualifying-standings-and-predicting-final-day

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014_FIFA_World_Cup_qualification_(CAF)

http://www.goal.com/en-za/news/4622/africa/2013/06/16/4052898/africa-world-cup-2014-qualifying-wrap-tunisia-egypt-algeria

[pineapple stu]

Was it just me or did anyone else hear the story about Zimbabwe and their not having enough players for a match? I don't know if it was poor translation from me, but I am certain they said there was some issue with tickets and visas. Maybe money too. Seanie must have cleaned them out!

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/blogs/world-of-sport/zimbabwe-may-field-two-goalkeepers-world-cup-qualifier-143713844.html

[ArdeeBhoy]

Ethiopia in trouble?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22930519 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22930519)

[DeLorean]

Sensational own goal ends South Africa's World Cup dream (http://thescore.thejournal.ie/south-africa-bernard-parker-header-own-goal-ethiopia-954900-Jun2013/)



Ethiopia 2-1 up on South Africa with five minutes to go; that'd see them qualify for the play-offs with a match to go.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uUcAVJh_yCA&feature=player_embedded

[pineapple stu]

That's impressive!

Australia have 14 minutes to score against Iraq, or else they could well get dumped down to the play-offs. 0-0 at present, which means an Oman win against Jordan would see Oman qualify and Australia play off against Iran or Uzbekistan.

[pineapple stu]

1-0 Australia; 83 minutes. :(

[DeLorean]

Will that mean they'll qualify automatically?

[JC_GUFC]

Will that mean they'll qualify automatically?

Yeah - they're through to Brazil.

Oman and Jordan have a shoot-out for 3rd place in the group - which leads to a playoff against 3rd in the other group (Uzbekistan or Iran) the winner of which plays the 5th placed South American team.

[DeLorean]

Massive goal so. Wouldn't mind drawing the Aussies in Brazil :)

[BonnieShels]

yeah - they're through to brazil.

Oman and jordan have a shoot-out for 3rd place in the group - which leads to a playoff against 3rd in the other group (uzbekistan or iran) the winner of which plays the 5th placed south american team.

europe sucks!