The Rest Of The World's Games May Be More Meaningful But This Is Our Game So Who Cares
I've been pretty busy as my alterego, the politically tinged LiveJournalist, to get around to summarizing the most important fixtures today in World Cup qualifying. And by the time most people read this, some of the matches I'm about to describe will have already happened.
I'm going to leave out, in the interest of time, the fixtures that are obvious like the Australia v. Solomon Islands to decide the OFC title (and to take on the fifth place team out of CONMEBOL for a World Cup spot) and the AFC fifth place match between Uzbekistan and Bahrain (to decide who faces the fourth place team in CONCACAF for a World Cup spot). Those matches are more important in the second leg taking place midweek anyhow.
Here are the most important matches in Africa, Europe, South America, and here in our region (going simply by start times):
South Africa at Burkina Faso: South Africa, the hosts in 2010 of course, currently sit tied with Ghana for first place in CAF group two at 15 points. The tie-break, however, heaving favors the west African nation (+9 goal differential to +0). South Africa needs a win against fifth place Burkina Faso to put themselves in the drivers seat and assure themselves a spot in the World Cup before they host. It helped the United States immensely in 1990 to qualify before hosting in 1994. The news isn't great for the southerners, however, as Ghana faces last placed Uganda tomorrow and then finishes at 4th place (currently) Cape Verde Islands. South Africa finishes up with third place DR Congo at home. Both matches take place the first week of October.
Tunisia at Kenya: Tunisia can clinch a World Cup spot by winning on the road. Morocco, currently in second is at home to Botswana today so it's not likely. If the two sides both win, lose, or tie, the biggest match in the entirety of African qualifying this campaign takes place on October 8 in Tunis, Tunisia as the north African derby between Morrocco and Tunisia will be decided.
Senegal at Zambia: This is do or die for the Senaglese as a loss to Zambia, who sit ahead of them in the table will deny one of the surprise teams from the last World Cup a spot in this one. Similarly, Cameroon plays at Ivory Coast on Sunday. A loss in that game and one of the other African surprsie makers goes out. Ivory Coast with a star studded lineup lead by Didier Drogba, can clinch a spot in the World Cup with a victory at home.
Czech Republic at Romania: This game between the second placed Czech Republic and third place Romania isn't as important as it looks on paper. Romania with two games in hand, however, can still put pressure on Holland and the Czechs (sung to the tune of "Benny & The Jets" of course) by pulling ahead of both with a victory. Holland plays lowly Armenia tomorrow (though without Bayern Munich's Roy Makaay and probably without Arjen Robben on Chelsea) but a victory for the Romanians still means they pull into second position and, most likely, one of the three lucky loser spots in Europe when all is said and done. Though the Czechs should be able to bounce back with two games in hand. Oh to have the problems that The Netherlands does - to have to replace Arjen Robben with Jan Venegoor of Hesselink or Dirk Kuyt (both Premiership big money targets over the summer).
Liechtenstein at Russia: Slovakia and Russia are jockeying for the second spot out of UEFA Group Three. Russia can pull even with the Slovaks with a win over one of the weakest teams in all of Europe. This group will be more decided on Wednesday however as Russia travels to Portugal and Slovakia travel to Latvia. Neither is a small task. However, it must be said that Slovakia's road is much easier.
Bulgaria at Sweden: A loss for Bulgaria and the one time threat is eliminated from contention. A win for Sweden puts them in a nearly unknockoffable (it's late here in Chicago so I can make up words) position of 2nd in Group Eight and they can make a run at Croatia in the final three matches. Croatia, for their part, travel to Iceland tomorrow still in the driver's seat.
Israel at Switzerland: I can't even crunch the numbers in this group (especially with France getting reinforcements ahead of their game in Dublin on Wednesday and the French play the Faroe Islands, who like to give teams a hard time and then roll over this qualifying around) so I'll just call this another 1-1 draw like all the teams with a chance in this group like to do.
Ukraine at Georgia: Believe it or not, last year I was at the opposite number of this fixture in Lviv, Ukraine. Back then, Ukraine seemed like a fluke. Tomorrow they can clinch a spot in World Cup 2006 with a win even further east than they already sit when they're at home.
Italy at Scotland: I have to give the Scots some credit, they never say die. And, well, a win at home against the Italians and all we'll be hearing is how Scotland will make the World Cup no matter what (the what being that they're still behind both Norway and Slovenia). I actually hope Italy wins because I'm so tired of hearing Scotland supporters say they're better than the United States. Sure we wouldn't beat Italy at home either but the less points they finish with the better.
Denmark at Turkey: Another scorcher in UEFA Group Two (they all are though). Denmark wins, they're alive. Turkey wins and Ukraine loses - well it's anyone's game who wins the group between the two. Greece has something to say about that, but anyone who's seen them play recently knows that's mathematics and not actually on the pitch quality talking.
Poland at Austria: This game shows if the Poles are honestly contenders to win the group ahead of England or just pretenders. Group six is basically a two horse race and will be in reality one too if Austria loses. Yeah, there's a little game between England and Wales in this group too but, come on, if Wales wins it will be an upset the likes that we're rare to see again. Anything's possible in a United Kingdom derby but that game is all hype (the English press hype an opponent as better than they are? NEVER!) and no substance. Meaningless.
Lithuania at Serbia & Montenegro: The tiny Baltic republic is looking to pick up the torch of the aging Latvia side that's been making minor waves. But if they lose in the balkans, their ship is sunk. Belgium also goes to Bosnia and an upset by that balkan state over the lowlanders means Spain and Serbia play for all the marbles here on in.
Norway at Slovenia: This is, by far, the biggest match that will take place tomorrow (even though it doesn't look that way on paper). Italy holds the pole in Group Five but these are the two teams that have a chance of grabbing the second spot playing each other. That is, unless Scotland pulls off a William Wallace sized miracle run.
Ecuador at Bolivia: Ecuador has a pretty hollow third place in CONMEBOL qualifying. They've yet to lose at home and yet to win on the road. They, along with Paraguay, Colombia, and Chile are all vying for the third through sixth spots. Bolivia is dead last in South America and can actually be eliminated tomorrow with a loss and an upset of Argentina by Paraguay (not likely, but still). If Ecuador can't win this game, they're my pick for 32nd place at the World Cup (if they even make) because they're aren't many mountains in Germany (at least the World Cup venue) to give them an altitude advantage.
Peru at Venezuela: Only interesting because if they tie and Colombia or Chile win, both are eliminated from World Cup contention.
Costa Rica at Panama: Costa Rica wins further down Central America way and Panama can only grasp onto hopes for the the 4th spot in CONCACAF and that's only if Guatemala doesn't take care of business out on the islands.
Mexico at United States: If you need to know why this game is important, get the hades off my blog right now and go back to watching college football or take up darts because you are not a footcer fan. Seriously. I don't care if I lose a reader. Alright, maybe I do. ;) Anyhow, in the grand scheme of things this is about the 20th most important match tomorrow in terms of qualifying. But that don't even matter. This is the be-all, end-all of matches for the United States (unless of course we lose and then it's just another qualifier) since it is the two 500 pound gorillas of North America going head-to-head, mano-a-man. If there's a winner, they qualify for Germany. The other one will qualify on Wednesday barring disaster -- BUT WHO CARES! If you don't watch this match, Bruce Arena will hunt you down. Swear to fate!
Yeah, I'm being half sarcastic and half not. I will be watching the match with baited breath hoping to shut our friendly neighbors to the south up about how much better they are (and that they won in Mexico City in the same way that Ecuador always win in Quito - the altitude problem) than us. Given the choice of matches to watch out of the whole spectrum, this wouldn't be the one but this is our game and I hope we "protect this house" and qualify early.
I'm going to leave out, in the interest of time, the fixtures that are obvious like the Australia v. Solomon Islands to decide the OFC title (and to take on the fifth place team out of CONMEBOL for a World Cup spot) and the AFC fifth place match between Uzbekistan and Bahrain (to decide who faces the fourth place team in CONCACAF for a World Cup spot). Those matches are more important in the second leg taking place midweek anyhow.
Here are the most important matches in Africa, Europe, South America, and here in our region (going simply by start times):
South Africa at Burkina Faso: South Africa, the hosts in 2010 of course, currently sit tied with Ghana for first place in CAF group two at 15 points. The tie-break, however, heaving favors the west African nation (+9 goal differential to +0). South Africa needs a win against fifth place Burkina Faso to put themselves in the drivers seat and assure themselves a spot in the World Cup before they host. It helped the United States immensely in 1990 to qualify before hosting in 1994. The news isn't great for the southerners, however, as Ghana faces last placed Uganda tomorrow and then finishes at 4th place (currently) Cape Verde Islands. South Africa finishes up with third place DR Congo at home. Both matches take place the first week of October.
Tunisia at Kenya: Tunisia can clinch a World Cup spot by winning on the road. Morocco, currently in second is at home to Botswana today so it's not likely. If the two sides both win, lose, or tie, the biggest match in the entirety of African qualifying this campaign takes place on October 8 in Tunis, Tunisia as the north African derby between Morrocco and Tunisia will be decided.
Senegal at Zambia: This is do or die for the Senaglese as a loss to Zambia, who sit ahead of them in the table will deny one of the surprise teams from the last World Cup a spot in this one. Similarly, Cameroon plays at Ivory Coast on Sunday. A loss in that game and one of the other African surprsie makers goes out. Ivory Coast with a star studded lineup lead by Didier Drogba, can clinch a spot in the World Cup with a victory at home.
Czech Republic at Romania: This game between the second placed Czech Republic and third place Romania isn't as important as it looks on paper. Romania with two games in hand, however, can still put pressure on Holland and the Czechs (sung to the tune of "Benny & The Jets" of course) by pulling ahead of both with a victory. Holland plays lowly Armenia tomorrow (though without Bayern Munich's Roy Makaay and probably without Arjen Robben on Chelsea) but a victory for the Romanians still means they pull into second position and, most likely, one of the three lucky loser spots in Europe when all is said and done. Though the Czechs should be able to bounce back with two games in hand. Oh to have the problems that The Netherlands does - to have to replace Arjen Robben with Jan Venegoor of Hesselink or Dirk Kuyt (both Premiership big money targets over the summer).
Liechtenstein at Russia: Slovakia and Russia are jockeying for the second spot out of UEFA Group Three. Russia can pull even with the Slovaks with a win over one of the weakest teams in all of Europe. This group will be more decided on Wednesday however as Russia travels to Portugal and Slovakia travel to Latvia. Neither is a small task. However, it must be said that Slovakia's road is much easier.
Bulgaria at Sweden: A loss for Bulgaria and the one time threat is eliminated from contention. A win for Sweden puts them in a nearly unknockoffable (it's late here in Chicago so I can make up words) position of 2nd in Group Eight and they can make a run at Croatia in the final three matches. Croatia, for their part, travel to Iceland tomorrow still in the driver's seat.
Israel at Switzerland: I can't even crunch the numbers in this group (especially with France getting reinforcements ahead of their game in Dublin on Wednesday and the French play the Faroe Islands, who like to give teams a hard time and then roll over this qualifying around) so I'll just call this another 1-1 draw like all the teams with a chance in this group like to do.
Ukraine at Georgia: Believe it or not, last year I was at the opposite number of this fixture in Lviv, Ukraine. Back then, Ukraine seemed like a fluke. Tomorrow they can clinch a spot in World Cup 2006 with a win even further east than they already sit when they're at home.
Italy at Scotland: I have to give the Scots some credit, they never say die. And, well, a win at home against the Italians and all we'll be hearing is how Scotland will make the World Cup no matter what (the what being that they're still behind both Norway and Slovenia). I actually hope Italy wins because I'm so tired of hearing Scotland supporters say they're better than the United States. Sure we wouldn't beat Italy at home either but the less points they finish with the better.
Denmark at Turkey: Another scorcher in UEFA Group Two (they all are though). Denmark wins, they're alive. Turkey wins and Ukraine loses - well it's anyone's game who wins the group between the two. Greece has something to say about that, but anyone who's seen them play recently knows that's mathematics and not actually on the pitch quality talking.
Poland at Austria: This game shows if the Poles are honestly contenders to win the group ahead of England or just pretenders. Group six is basically a two horse race and will be in reality one too if Austria loses. Yeah, there's a little game between England and Wales in this group too but, come on, if Wales wins it will be an upset the likes that we're rare to see again. Anything's possible in a United Kingdom derby but that game is all hype (the English press hype an opponent as better than they are? NEVER!) and no substance. Meaningless.
Lithuania at Serbia & Montenegro: The tiny Baltic republic is looking to pick up the torch of the aging Latvia side that's been making minor waves. But if they lose in the balkans, their ship is sunk. Belgium also goes to Bosnia and an upset by that balkan state over the lowlanders means Spain and Serbia play for all the marbles here on in.
Norway at Slovenia: This is, by far, the biggest match that will take place tomorrow (even though it doesn't look that way on paper). Italy holds the pole in Group Five but these are the two teams that have a chance of grabbing the second spot playing each other. That is, unless Scotland pulls off a William Wallace sized miracle run.
Ecuador at Bolivia: Ecuador has a pretty hollow third place in CONMEBOL qualifying. They've yet to lose at home and yet to win on the road. They, along with Paraguay, Colombia, and Chile are all vying for the third through sixth spots. Bolivia is dead last in South America and can actually be eliminated tomorrow with a loss and an upset of Argentina by Paraguay (not likely, but still). If Ecuador can't win this game, they're my pick for 32nd place at the World Cup (if they even make) because they're aren't many mountains in Germany (at least the World Cup venue) to give them an altitude advantage.
Peru at Venezuela: Only interesting because if they tie and Colombia or Chile win, both are eliminated from World Cup contention.
Costa Rica at Panama: Costa Rica wins further down Central America way and Panama can only grasp onto hopes for the the 4th spot in CONCACAF and that's only if Guatemala doesn't take care of business out on the islands.
Mexico at United States: If you need to know why this game is important, get the hades off my blog right now and go back to watching college football or take up darts because you are not a footcer fan. Seriously. I don't care if I lose a reader. Alright, maybe I do. ;) Anyhow, in the grand scheme of things this is about the 20th most important match tomorrow in terms of qualifying. But that don't even matter. This is the be-all, end-all of matches for the United States (unless of course we lose and then it's just another qualifier) since it is the two 500 pound gorillas of North America going head-to-head, mano-a-man. If there's a winner, they qualify for Germany. The other one will qualify on Wednesday barring disaster -- BUT WHO CARES! If you don't watch this match, Bruce Arena will hunt you down. Swear to fate!
Yeah, I'm being half sarcastic and half not. I will be watching the match with baited breath hoping to shut our friendly neighbors to the south up about how much better they are (and that they won in Mexico City in the same way that Ecuador always win in Quito - the altitude problem) than us. Given the choice of matches to watch out of the whole spectrum, this wouldn't be the one but this is our game and I hope we "protect this house" and qualify early.
posted by incendiarymind at 12:21 AM
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