Official 2010 World Cup Qualifying Thread

[Crybaby Bunting]

Isn't the biggest problem with Scotland not the manager (lets all remember, George hasn't done anything really different from McLeish but is being castrated for it) but the fact that they cannot beat every team that's worse than them. Surely Scotland wouldn't be in this predicament if they beat everyone else in their group, for they'd be ahead on points for the playoff place.

But that's it, they just cannot beat many teams away and that's a problem that doesn't lie solely with the manager, but also the quality of the players and the tactics that they are used to.

[METALMAN]

Are we out for definite then?

Looks like I'll be supporting France for the sixth tournament in a row.

Yes you're out because Norway beat Macedonia and finished second. Why support France though? Can't stand them.

I wonder.

I was worried that you might have linked to this for a minute.

[TheArsenal]

Isn't the biggest problem with Scotland not the manager (lets all remember, George hasn't done anything really different from McLeish but is being castrated for it) but the fact that they cannot beat every team that's worse than them. Surely Scotland wouldn't be in this predicament if they beat everyone else in their group, for they'd be ahead on points for the playoff place.

But that's it, they just cannot beat many teams away and that's a problem that doesn't lie solely with the manager, but also the quality of the players and the tactics that they are used to.

True, we don't kill teams off. But McLeish had us (narrowly) finish third in a group that included BOTH teams from the World Cup Final (Italy and France) and another World Cup Quarter Finalist in Ukraine. And we beat France home and away in that qualifying campaign.

Burley hasn't done anything inherently wrong, but that doesn't mean he inspires the same confidence that McLeish did, or the Smith /McCoist combo before him. Burley and his players are saying that the effort and committment shown in the last 2 home games have been superb, but it was needed earlier in the campaign. Burley, as manager, is responsible for getting this - like Capello has with England. Someone like Strachan wouldn' have put up with the performances we've been putting out.

[Adam]

For those who missed it, Argentina lost again and have now slipped to the play-off spot in the South American qualifying. They only have a 1 point lead on Uruguay and Venezuela and only 2 points on Colombia. There are two games to go. Argentina have the worst side in the group (Peru) at home - then Uruguay away on the last day.

EDIT: But don't write off the Peru game - Argentina could only draw 1-1 in the first meeting.

It'd be weird if Argentina didn't qualify. But surely a World Cup that doesn't include Portugal, Argentina and Sweden must be some kind of dream for us English?

I'd love to see Venezuela qualify though, that'd be great. The more different teams the better-looks like we're getting Slovakia too, have they EVER qualified before?

Edited September 10, 2009 by AdamDRFC

[stokeriño]

If you mean Slovakia in its post-Czechoslovakia form (their first international match post-split was in 1994), then no. They did not qualify for any of the 3 World Cups since.

Czechoslovakia have of course reached the World Cup final twice; in 1934 (beaten by Italy) and 1962 (beaten by Brazil).

[Pesci]

I'd absolutely love it if Slovakia and Slovenia qualified. Hungary as well. And let's not forget Latvia. I want Argentina in though, they're just majestic to watch, and most of the time performances in qualifiers don't mean anything when it comes to the tournament proper. As far as Portugal go, they can fuck off

[Crybaby Bunting]

I want Bosnia-Hertzifhaifhisdhfiof (sp ¬_¬) to qualify, I'm sure they haven't ever qualified for a World Cup before and they're second in their group.

[Pesci]

Yeah, them too. Though I'm sure that there's no way Hungary, Slovenia, Latvia and Bosnia finish second and won't meet in the playoffs

[mikevandam]

Well. Denmark seems to be pissing away our World Cup place. Two draws against Portugal (okay i guess) and Albania (after an awful display) So now we have to beat Sweden at home in October

[Adam]

Yeah, I meant post-split Slovakia. Thanks, didn't think they'd qualified, think it was Slovenia who made Euro 2000.

Chile are somebody different too, I can't remember the last time they qualified, it certainly wasn't since I got into football (just after France '98). They're looking good to qualify behind Brazil right now, as are Paraguay.

[METALMAN]

Chile did quite well at France 98. They had Salas and Zamorano. I remember watching them play Cameroon or something.

[Bryan Blade]

ya chile pulled out a 2-2 draw with italy that year was a great game salas scroed 2 for them and vieiri scored italys goals chile got through but were hammered then by brazil 4-0 i think

[DFF]

Bahrain beat Saudi Arabia on away goals to earn the right to play New Zealand for the Asia/Oceania cross over spot. Should be interesting to see if NZ can take their chance now that Aussies qualify in Asia now. Apparently Bahrain have never qualified for a World Cup, so this will be a huge play-off for them too.

Going back to the Argentina thing, with the way they've been playing as of late, even if they got to the play-offs they could easily succumb to Honduras/Costa Rica.

[Colossus]

If Portugal manages to qualify, it is going to be really painful in the actual competition. I didn't like Scolari, but Quiroz is just plain stupid

[Adam]

Bahrain beat Saudi Arabia on away goals to earn the right to play New Zealand for the Asia/Oceania cross over spot. Should be interesting to see if NZ can take their chance now that Aussies qualify in Asia now. Apparently Bahrain have never qualified for a World Cup, so this will be a huge play-off for them too.

Going back to the Argentina thing, with the way they've been playing as of late, even if they got to the play-offs they could easily succumb to Honduras/Costa Rica.

Ah that's great, either Bahrain or New Zealand are somebody different and interesting, so that's fantastic, especially as Saudi Arabia nver do anything when they get to the finals.

[The Future]

Which is a shame because Saudi have some good players going forward but they never do anything at the World Cup.

I hope Bahrain goes through, gotta root for some fellow brown guys since Bangladesh has no hope of ever winning a match in Qualification...let alone get to the World Cup.

[Adam]

South Africa

Denmark

Germany

England

Spain

Serbia

Italy

Holland

Ghana

Ivory Coast

Australia

Japan

North Korea

South Korea

Brazil

Paraguay

Chile

As of about 5 minutes ago thatsthe updated list of qualifiers for the main tournament. Argentina are lucky bastards though, Peru equalisd in the last minute only for Palermo to win it in the 93rd. Plus Ecuador lost to a last minute Forlan penalty against Uruguay so Argentina are into 4th with a game to go. USA and Honduras could both qualify in the next few hours but its unlikely as they play each other, Honduras have to beat USA and hope Trinidad & Tobago beat Costa Rica, then they'll both go through.

[Blue Rosler]

Honduras now have to beat El Salvador (likely) and hope that Costa Rica lose to the USA (unlikely). Mainly since CR will be going all out for the win, whilst USA have already qualified so will care that little bit less.

[IAceI]

It's looking increasingly likely that Argentina and Portugal are gonna snide their way into the World Cup. Damn

[HailtotheYo]

Honduras now have to beat El Salvador (likely) and hope that Costa Rica lose to the USA (unlikely). Mainly since CR will be going all out for the win, whilst USA have already qualified so will care that little bit less.

Not true. If CR/USA draw and Honduras wins, Honduras gets the auto qualifier on goals. They're +5 with CR. I also doubt heavily that the US won't care too much about this match.