South Africa 2010 The Countdown

**Closed Account 2** · 14/10/2008, 3:28 PM

I saw Germany v Russia in a bar on Nevsky Prospect, St. Petersburg. It was a great game, with really positive play from both teams. Russia looked a tiny bit suspect at the back and I don't know why Hiddink didn't play Kolodin at the back. But upfront Russia are a real joy to watch, Arshavin starred and was teeing up Pogrebnyak time after time (but the big man had an off night). Zirkhov had a really good game too and was full of energy. But the star of the show was little Alan Dzagoev the North Ossetian from Beslan. He dispossed Lahm and fired the ball across the goal line (beating Adler the German keeper at his near post) and allowing Arshavin to tap in. At 18 years old he certainly looks to have a big future in the game.

Overall a draw would have been fair and if any team deserved to knick it I would have said it was the Russians. But you cant write off the Germans and in the end they eeked out the 3 points. Overall I'd say that I think Russia will still top the group and I think Germany will struggle away from home against some of the teams in the group. I can see them getting bogged down in the sands of the Caucuses outside Baku again!

**Metrostars** · 16/10/2008, 3:07 PM

In Concacaf, Canada are officially out. Through to the final round of 6 teams: USA, Costa Rica & El Salvador. Trinidad & Tobago are in a good position to make it.

Jamaica have had a good October winning both their games and coming back into contention in Group B This is an interesting scenario in that Mexico are on 10 points, Honduras 9 and Jamaica 7 with Honduras at home to Mexico and Jamaica at home to Canada in the final games next month. Could Sven's team lose to Honduras and jamaica beat Canada by enough to knock Mexico out? That would be quite a shocking turn of events.

**Pike B** · 16/10/2008, 3:49 PM

Originally Posted by Metrostars

In Concacaf, Canada are officially out. Through to the final round of 6 teams: USA, Costa Rica & El Salvador. Trinidad & Tobago are in a good position to make it.

Jamaica have had a good October winning both their games and coming back into contention in Group B This is an interesting scenario in that Mexico are on 10 points, Honduras 9 and Jamaica 7 with Honduras at home to Mexico and Jamaica at home to Canada in the final games next month. Could Sven's team lose to Honduras and jamaica beat Canada by enough to knock Mexico out? That would be quite a shocking turn of events.

Don't see it myself. I fancy Mexico to put Honduras to the sword and win over there. Reggae boys to sneak through in second.

**Pike B** · 23/10/2008, 10:44 AM

I heard something about this myself actually.
Just looking at the African draw, my five to join South Africa would be: Cameroon, Nigeria, Egypt, Ghana and Cote D'Ivoire.

**Pike B** · 20/11/2008, 9:39 AM

Honduras beat Mexico last night. They both went through to final stage at Jamaica's expense but Mexico only did on goal difference!! Sven is in trouble..

**Metrostars** · 20/11/2008, 3:36 PM

Originally Posted by Pike B

Honduras beat Mexico last night. They both went through to final stage at Jamaica's expense but Mexico only did on goal difference!! Sven is in trouble..

I watched the last 10 minutes of that Honduras-Mexico game last night, Mexico had two players sent off and could have conceeded a few more. You'd have to feel sorry for Jamaica though. They had a bad start to the campaign getting just 1 point from their first 3 games but then winning the last 3. Mexico are in a bad spell right now but I expect them to pick it up in the Hex round.

**Metrostars** · 09/02/2009, 12:22 PM

Qualifiers this week:

Tuesday:
North Korea-Saudi Arabia AFC (Round Four - Group B)

Wednesday:
UEFA:
Malta-Albania(Group 1)
San Marino-Northern Ireland(Group 3)
Ireland-Georgia(Group 8)

Concacaf:
USA-Mexico
Costa Rica-Honduras
El Salvador-Trinidad & Tobago

AFC:
Japan-Australia (Round Four - Group A)
Uzbekistan-Bahrain (Round Four - Group A)
Iran-South Korea (Round Four - Group B)

The USA-Mexico qualifier in Columbus is always a treat to watch. Good article on the rivalry: http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns...oot=us&cc=5901

**Pike B** · 09/02/2009, 12:51 PM

Originally Posted by Metrostars

Qualifiers this week:

Tuesday:
North Korea-Saudi Arabia AFC (Round Four - Group B)

Wednesday:
UEFA:
Malta-Albania(Group 1)
San Marino-Northern Ireland(Group 3)
Ireland-Georgia(Group 8)

Concacaf:
USA-Mexico
Costa Rica-Honduras
El Salvador-Trinidad & Tobago

AFC:
Japan-Australia (Round Four - Group A)
Uzbekistan-Bahrain (Round Four - Group A)
Iran-South Korea (Round Four - Group B)

The USA-Mexico qualifier in Columbus is always a treat to watch. Good article on the rivalry: http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns...oot=us&cc=5901

Theres real hatred there. I once saw Landon Donovan say it meant more to beat Mexico than play in the World Cup!!! Crazy comment, but it shows the rivalry..
Home win for me..
As for the rest:
North Korea 1-0Saudi Arabia

Costa Rica2-1Honduras
El Salvador1-1Trinidad & Tobago

Japan 1-1Australia
Uzbekistan2-1Bahrain
Iran2-1South Korea

**Metrostars** · 12/02/2009, 4:51 PM

Highlights from Concacaf:
USA Beats Mexico 2-0 - Bradley scores one at the end of each half while Rafa marquez is sent off for kicking Tim Howard

El Salvador 2 Trinidad & Tobago 2 (T&T were 2-0 up with 10 mins to go)
Costa Rica 2 Honduras 0

**Pike B** · 13/02/2009, 7:36 AM

Originally Posted by Metrostars

Highlights from Concacaf:
USA Beats Mexico 2-0 - Bradley scores one at the end of each half while Rafa marquez is sent off for kicking Tim Howard

El Salvador 2 Trinidad & Tobago 2 (T&T were 2-0 up with 10 mins to go)
Costa Rica 2 Honduras 0

Not too far off in my predictions

Great win for the U.S.
Marquez should bloody well know better.
T&T threw it away. That could come back to haunt them later I think.
Los Ticos off to a flyer as usual. USA, Costa Rica and Mexico to qualify, El Salvador into play-offs for me.

**Junior** · 07/11/2009, 6:49 AM

I see the 2nd phase closes on 16th November.

I didnt even look at applying in the first stage so not really aware of how that went, Im sure all the Ireland TST's went etc..

2nd phase is a first come first served - so not sure the deadline really has any relevance however it would be interesting to see how we stand in terms of qualifying come Sat night after the Home Leg on the 14th and prior to the 2nd leg on the 18th and if we feel confident enough to get applying for tickets - somehow I doubt it will be any clearer......

http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/organis...lesphases.html