The Road To World Cup 2006
The weekend saw a few teams qualifying for next year's Soccer World Cup in Germany. Ukraine look set to make their World Cup debut after they became the first European team to qualify. It is commendable that they have qualified first in a group consisting of teams such as Turkey, Denmark and Euro Champions Greece. Another feather in his cap for the reigning European player of the year, Ukraine captain and AC Milan striker Andrei Shevchenko.
As expected, World Champions Brazil qualified after thrashing Chile 5-0 thanks to a hat-trick from Inter striker Adriano. With Adriano firing and Robinho giving good company upfront, time is running out for Ronaldo to prove his worth, who has now gone 6 matches without a goal. Brazil looks favourite to land their seventh World Cup next year at Germany.
Argentina looks to be the only team that can challenge Brazil. But they lost 1-0 at Paraguay but I guess it was due to lack of motivation as they are already qualified. Sir Alex Ferguson must be smiling after Gabriel Heinze picked up a red card playing for Argentina, which means he can have good rest ahead of a busy schedule ahead for the ManUtd defender.
Portugal seems like the next European team to qualify though they have a tricky encounter against the Russians in a couple of days. They seem to be scoring freely and are already the top scoring team in the qualifiers in Europe. With good defenders in Carvalho and Andrade and a midfield boasting of players like Ronaldo, Figo and Deco, Portugal look solid but then they always flatter to deceive at the World Cup.
Holland are almost on their way to the World Cup after Red Devil Ruud's goal gave them a 1-0 victory over Armenia and their close rival Czech Republic (without Nedved) losing 2-0 to Romania thanks to a brace from Chelsea reject Adrian Mutu. The Dutch coach and former legend Marco van Basten has not found use for star players like Van Bommel, Davids and Seedorf in his team and has largely depended on lesser known players and that seems to work but then, at the World Cup, the experience of these players would play a huge role.
England's famed squad struggled to win over Wales, with a deflected goal from Joe Cole saving their blushes. Coach Sven's ass was on fire after their 4-1 friendly loss to Denmark last week and Sven responded, if not convincingly, with a win. Still, they are 2 points behind group leaders Poland and they'll have to win their mid-week qualifier against Northern Ireland if their dream of automatic qualifying is to come alive.
The most interestingly poised group is one where 4 teams - Swiss, Ireland, France and Israel have the chance to top their group, with the former three on equal points and Israel just a point behind. France has been struggling in their qualifying and have a tough match ahead in Ireland on Wednesday. Prolific Arsenal striker Thierry Henry who scores easily against teams in the EPL, seems to struggle to score when playing for the Les Blues. And the fact, that he can't produce the same magic does make me question his abilities! Liverpool striker Cisse scored two and made up a third for Wiltord to set up a 3-0 victory over Faroe Islands, the score line the French coach will not be too pleased with.
Italy escaped with a draw after coming back from 1-0 behind to draw level with the Scots. Italy are sure to be looking over their shoulders now that they have lost 2 points. With a squad of superstars, it is unimaginable that they even come second in their group and face the ignominy of play-offs. I hope they win the rest of the matches easily and qualify!
Croatia and Sweden are battling it out for the top spot in their group and even if any team misses out on top spot, they still can finish in the top two second placed teams and qualify automatically, if they keep winning.
Spain is in an interesting group. Serbia & Montenegro is giving Spain a tough time. They are the top of their group and lead Spain by 2 or 3 points. Also, they are the only team not to have conceded a goal yet in the qualifiers. Again, it is Chelsea reject Mateja Kezman who is scoring the goals. Spain looks set to play in the play-offs. Again, a World Cup without Spain will be inconceivable because no team under-achieves at the World Cup as Spain does!
USA have also qualified for the fifth successive time after beating Mexico 2-0. Mexico need just a point to secure their berth at the World Cup and that should happen this week.
The African qualifiers are certain to produce some shocks with top teams like South Africa, Senegal, Cameroon and Nigeria struggling. I think Ivory Coast was in a strong position with Chelsea striker Drogba scoring a few goals but then lost their tie against Cameroon. If only Henry can score for France, they wouldn't be in such a precarious situation.
Countries that have qualified so far:
As expected, World Champions Brazil qualified after thrashing Chile 5-0 thanks to a hat-trick from Inter striker Adriano. With Adriano firing and Robinho giving good company upfront, time is running out for Ronaldo to prove his worth, who has now gone 6 matches without a goal. Brazil looks favourite to land their seventh World Cup next year at Germany.
Argentina looks to be the only team that can challenge Brazil. But they lost 1-0 at Paraguay but I guess it was due to lack of motivation as they are already qualified. Sir Alex Ferguson must be smiling after Gabriel Heinze picked up a red card playing for Argentina, which means he can have good rest ahead of a busy schedule ahead for the ManUtd defender.
Portugal seems like the next European team to qualify though they have a tricky encounter against the Russians in a couple of days. They seem to be scoring freely and are already the top scoring team in the qualifiers in Europe. With good defenders in Carvalho and Andrade and a midfield boasting of players like Ronaldo, Figo and Deco, Portugal look solid but then they always flatter to deceive at the World Cup.
Holland are almost on their way to the World Cup after Red Devil Ruud's goal gave them a 1-0 victory over Armenia and their close rival Czech Republic (without Nedved) losing 2-0 to Romania thanks to a brace from Chelsea reject Adrian Mutu. The Dutch coach and former legend Marco van Basten has not found use for star players like Van Bommel, Davids and Seedorf in his team and has largely depended on lesser known players and that seems to work but then, at the World Cup, the experience of these players would play a huge role.
England's famed squad struggled to win over Wales, with a deflected goal from Joe Cole saving their blushes. Coach Sven's ass was on fire after their 4-1 friendly loss to Denmark last week and Sven responded, if not convincingly, with a win. Still, they are 2 points behind group leaders Poland and they'll have to win their mid-week qualifier against Northern Ireland if their dream of automatic qualifying is to come alive.
The most interestingly poised group is one where 4 teams - Swiss, Ireland, France and Israel have the chance to top their group, with the former three on equal points and Israel just a point behind. France has been struggling in their qualifying and have a tough match ahead in Ireland on Wednesday. Prolific Arsenal striker Thierry Henry who scores easily against teams in the EPL, seems to struggle to score when playing for the Les Blues. And the fact, that he can't produce the same magic does make me question his abilities! Liverpool striker Cisse scored two and made up a third for Wiltord to set up a 3-0 victory over Faroe Islands, the score line the French coach will not be too pleased with.
Italy escaped with a draw after coming back from 1-0 behind to draw level with the Scots. Italy are sure to be looking over their shoulders now that they have lost 2 points. With a squad of superstars, it is unimaginable that they even come second in their group and face the ignominy of play-offs. I hope they win the rest of the matches easily and qualify!
Croatia and Sweden are battling it out for the top spot in their group and even if any team misses out on top spot, they still can finish in the top two second placed teams and qualify automatically, if they keep winning.
Spain is in an interesting group. Serbia & Montenegro is giving Spain a tough time. They are the top of their group and lead Spain by 2 or 3 points. Also, they are the only team not to have conceded a goal yet in the qualifiers. Again, it is Chelsea reject Mateja Kezman who is scoring the goals. Spain looks set to play in the play-offs. Again, a World Cup without Spain will be inconceivable because no team under-achieves at the World Cup as Spain does!
USA have also qualified for the fifth successive time after beating Mexico 2-0. Mexico need just a point to secure their berth at the World Cup and that should happen this week.
The African qualifiers are certain to produce some shocks with top teams like South Africa, Senegal, Cameroon and Nigeria struggling. I think Ivory Coast was in a strong position with Chelsea striker Drogba scoring a few goals but then lost their tie against Cameroon. If only Henry can score for France, they wouldn't be in such a precarious situation.
Countries that have qualified so far:
Germany (hosts - automatic qualification)
Argentina
Brazil
Iran
Japan
Saudi Arabia
South Korea
Ukraine
USA
A few more teams should qualify by Wednesday and a few more surprises in store, I am sure!
A few more teams should qualify by Wednesday and a few more surprises in store, I am sure!
posted by Lucas @ 3:00 PM
3 Comments:
Brazil have won it 5 times.So if they win in Germany, that makes it their 6th WC victory and not their 7th.
France in precarious position.No more.At last Henry has found his midas touch with a splendidn goal for France when needed the most
yeah...my mistake...Brazil are 5-time World Champs! As for France, they somehow managed to win thanks to a Henry. His goal was due for a long time and he has scored when it mattered the most!
I pity the Irish...they played better but lost...football is a cruel game...Sven can vouch for that after yesterday's disaster at Belfast!
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