World Cup 2010 Qualifiers Thread

[Edgar]

Seems like Spain is the 10th team in the worldcup

Congratulations!!

[Who]

I haven't seen Brazil play in the last year or so ... but for now ... I think England and maybe Spain are my favourites to win the World Cup.

I just watched the highlights. England certainly steamrollered Croatia this evening but there are still weak spots in the team.
Heskey up front being the most obvious.

I think Heskey's contributions are very valuable. He does superb work both by joining the play together and by constantly giving the defense a problem to deal with. Awful goal-scorer but I think that's fine, England have two excellent scoring midfielders in Lampard and Gerrard and many other goal threats around the pitch, plus they can always call upon Crouch or Defoe whenever they need more of a goal threat.

I think England's midfield is incredible shape and it should only get better once Joe Cole returns ... plus hopefully the continued improvement from Lennon who looks like he's finally fulfilling that massive potential of his.

The defense for England is still very strong. Excellent centre halfs, two of the best in the world, and one of the best left backs in the world in Ashley Cole. They also get great cover from Gareth Barry in midfield, and for the first time in a long time they have a defensive midfielder who can both disrupt the play defensively + kick start their attack going the other way.

Glen Johnson is excellent going forward but only a mediocre defender, he's their main weakness, but as weaknesses go that's a fairly small one. The next weakness would be the keeper, but as long as David James doesn't do a nutty (which can happen at any time) then they'll be fine there too, because most of the time he's a good keeper.

What I like the most about Capello's management of the England squad is his use of his subs. He's very careful to have at least one, and normally 2-3, substitutions who are game changing players who possess skills which are in contrast to the players already on the pitch. For example, Heskey to Defoe, or Becks to Lennon or SWP. I think those subs have given England a huge lift during this campaign ... and it's definitely not something seen under previous managements.

[ederson]

I watched the game with English commentetators and they were pretty disappointed that England didn`t keep a clean sheet and said that defense is the weak link in this team.


IMHO the keeper is the weak link....


Although Heskey is nowhere near the lever of the strikers in other teams i think he very suitable for England. They have midfielders with great attacking skills and often are in the CF position. Heskey`s job is to create empty spaces and collect long balls.

[Edgar]

El Salvador 1 - Costa Rica 0
Si se puede... Si se puede.......

p.s. a beauty of the game, El Salvador miss like 100 goals and score in the last
minute of overtime.
One of the best "almost goals i have ever saw in my life" a self made "chilena" from
outside the big area. that hit the horizontal on first time.
Darn...was an emotional game

Sadly we are in Math but almost imposible in reality
but faith is the last thing u lose.

Great young team , we will be something in 4 years....


P.s.2. USA made the stupidiest thing not taking Arturo Alvarez in their own team. The leftie is a crac. Hes everything u want from a leftie midfielder
wow i am impressed with this kids quality
he showed on utah under an injurie
and yesterday he shines


p.s.3. this goal wasnt counted...darn referees make us suffer to much

[ACF]

It is getting a bit too exciting to be a Dane these days. Denmark and Albania played to a tie yesterday and Denmark did not look too good :-S We have two remaining home matches now, one vs Sweden and the other vs Hungary. So we can still make sure we will be in South Africa next year.

[ederson]

Denmark - Sweeden looks like a convinient draw

[rrc589]

I'm pulling for USA and France. I started following the world cup in 2006 and now follow those 2 national teams much more closely.

USA won yesterday but didn't play all that well.

France managed to tie Serbia even after their goalie got red carded 10 minutes into the game! The red card was completely bogus too.

[ChampKind]

Need a little help.  Not a big soccer fan, but as a 3rd generation Croat, I try my best to watch when they're playing. 

So now England has won their group and qualified, by virtue of the worst loss in Croatian national team history...what's the next step in qualifying for Croatia?  Is there a consolidated regroup of losing teams from other groups?

TPs for someone who can explain the qualifying process succinctly and easily.

[ederson]

here it is

From the 9 groups the best 8 in second place wll form 4 pairs and the winners qualify to the WC

[ChampKind]

Thanks very much.  TP!

[Edgar]

Meanwhile in CONCACAF

Trinidad & Tobago - United States 0 - 1 9/9/09 19:11  
Mexico - Honduras 1 - 0 9/9/09 20:00  
El Salvador - Costa Rica 1 - 0 9/9/09 20:00  

 
  Team Matches Home Away Goals
                   Pts
 United States     16 
 Mexico            15
 Honduras          13
 Costa Rica        12
 El Salvador       8 
 Trinidad & Tobago 5


Costa Rica - Trinidad & Tobago - - - 10/10/09 00:00  
Mexico - El Salvador - - - 10/10/09 00:00  
Honduras - United States - - - 10/10/09 21:00

El Salvador - Honduras - - - 10/14/09 00:00  
Trinidad & Tobago - Mexico - - - 10/14/09 00:00  
United States - Costa Rica - - - 10/14/09 19:30

Ok lets assume El Salvador wins at home against Honduras.
that leave them with 11 points
Honduras 13
and costa rica 12


Sadly Costa Rica have the easiest game and El Salvador the toughest one next game
so most likely the things will be closed next october 10th and we will not have to wait
The fun thing will be to watch who will face Argentina in repechaje

At the beginning of this I though ESA will end with 4 points so 4 more are great for this young guys I am happy with this youth development

[ACF]

Denmark - Sweeden looks like a convinient draw

Are you sure you are not Italian? 

[ederson]

There is branch of my family that comes from Corfu so maybe there some italian blood in me


But this has happened a few years ago. I think euro 2004 Denmark Sweeden 2-2 , both qualified and Italy went home.

[ACF]

There is branch of my family that comes from Corfu so maybe there some italian blood in me


But this has happened a few years ago. I think euro 2004 Denmark Sweeden 2-2 , both qualified and Italy went home.

That was the one I was referring to 
But seriously, if there is one team we love to beat and hate to lose to, it's Sweden.

[Edgar]

soon to come the video...dont miss the best almost gol of the season