By TRAVIS CLARK
There's plenty at stake tomorrow in terms of World Cup qualifying. Aside from the ever-important match for the U.S. down in Port of Spain, a quick look around the world reveals how desperate nations are as qualification nears conclusion.
Perhaps standing out above the rest is England's chance to seal qualification against Croatia. It's been smooth sailing for Fabio Capello in his role as England manager, and they'll look to maintain their perfect record against the nation that dumped them out of Euro 2008 qualification. Adding intrigue to the match-up is the Eduardo diving saga resulting in the two game suspension handed down.
Even if England fails to clinch Wednesday, it's almost a certainty that they'd make it via automatic qualification — Croatia would need to win both their remaining games (including tomorrow), then hope for a massive England collapse to overtake first place.
Here's a look at some other important match-ups in World Cup Qualifying outside CONCACAF:
Portugal vs. Hungary
Is it possible for Portugal to miss out on the World Cup? The European club failed to win in Denmark, and after each day qualification is looking more and more precarious. They've simply failed to find the back of the net, something that was evident against the Danes. Cristiano Ronaldo continues to disappear for long stretches, something that could result in his nation's failure to qualify for South Africa. A win against Hungary would temper fears, likely vaulting them back into second place in their group.
Argentina vs. Paraguay
For all the doom and gloom surrounding Argentina's qualification chances, the failure of Ecuador to win against Colombia kept Diego Maradona's squad in fourth place — making tomorrow's match against Paraguay one of utmost important. Winning keeps the pressure off, but failure to grab at least a point would result in the possibility of Argentina falling out of the top five in CONMEBOL.
Bahrain vs. Saudi Arabia
It's all on the line for both countries from Asia as the second leg of the playoff concludes tomorrow. Last Saturday's first leg ended in a 0-0 tie, as Bahrain failed to capitalize on its scoring chances. The winner earns a two-legged playoff with New Zealand for one last chance at a World Cup spot. Bahrain has never qualified for the World Cup and will need a remarkable performance in Riaydh just to have the chance to do so.
France vs. Serbia
Another big country whose World Cup chances look slim — Les Blues struggled to a 1-1 tie against Romania and sit four points behind their opponents in the table. For France to have any hope of winning Group 7 and assure automatic qualification they must win. A win for Serbia clinches a spot in the World Cup, so they'll be fired up to wrap things up in front of a home crowd Belgrade.
——
What do you think of these match-ups? Who will make the World Cup? Can France, Portugal or Argentina make a late run to secure qualification? Share your thoughts below.
Uh, no way a win puts Portugal second. They are two points behind Sweden, and Sweden play at Malta.
Portugal’s only hope is for the Swedes to stumble @Denmark (loss) and for Portugal to win out. A Swedish draw @Den could mean it would come down to goal difference.
I want whatever improves our chances at the WC, so I’m hoping all the big powers in danger miss out.
I understand wanting the best teams in, but my priority is what’s best for the US, not the sport. The sport doesn’t need help. With a few exceptions, it’s doing just fine. I think it might stick.
This Guy, don’t be that guy.
no mention of Italy-Bulgaria? Game is massive.
Colombia will make the world cup and argentina wont make it unless uruguay bends over for argentina the the last game like they always do. Argentina deserve not to make it after cheating colombia out of the world cup for 2002
The U.S. will be just fine. By the time the WC comes around, the U.S. will have even a better side that almost won the Confederations Cup.
as some other people mentioned, portugal is in worse position than this article suggests. qualifying is no longer in their hands, since if sweden wins the rest of their games, portugal won’t even make it to a playoff. even if they win all three of their remaining games, they still probably only have a 50% chance of qualifying (depends on sweden vs. denmark).
I kind of like ‘Throwball’
Ah, well, it will never catch on. Guess I will just have to watch Soccer and Football here in New Jersey, and Futball everywhere else.
Hungary is not to be underestimated. Portugal had better bring their “A” game.
France is done. Serbia will win that match, especially at home.
Bahrain/SA…who cares??
Paraguay 2 Argentina 0…and a tough road ahead for Maradona & Co.
@JohnC…the US will not be in the play in game. If we take care of business against T&T, which we should, then I foresee a road pt against Honduras & 3 pts at home against CR. At 20 pts, that should shore up a bid, if not 1st place, depending on what Mexico does.
Mike, you’re quick to be calling everyone else a hypocrite, but becareful of the splinter in your OWN EYE!
Rooney is a tossbag
He only posted 2/3 of an article about Eduardo? What was the other 1/3 of the article about? 😉
Posted by: brant | September 08, 2009 at 04:10 PM
2 – 3 (or) 2 or 3 articles about diving, not two/thirds of an article.
———————————-
The Eduardo dive was easily worse than the Rooney dive.
mike,
are you serious?
Posted by: This Guy | September 08, 2009 at 03:59 PM
Are you that ignorant and that big of a hypocrite. Rooney was never touched by Bostjan Cesar. Its funny cause Rooney was pulling Cesar’s shirt and kicked him in the ankle to injuring him and then fell to the ground. There was no contact with Rooney nor any shirt pulling.
Watch the evidence for proof. If you really think Rooney was fouled, give me some of those drugs you are smoking.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JtwWLaTmiic
If that was a foreginer who dived, all hell would be unleashed even worse than Eduardo because it would have been against England. But because it was Rooney, no ones really talking about it.
Ribery, Messi, Ronaldo, who cares if they don’t qualify. There are other deserving nations with good players who deserve it. The sport does not rely on these primadonna’s anyway. Football is bigger than they are. Give me Denmark, Serbia and the rest and I’m just as happy to watch.
Portugal- with the final matches being Portugal v malta and Denmark v Hungary, this battle comes down to a home and away between Por. and Hun. I’ll give 2nd to Portugal.
Argentina- Will get 3 pts at home vs Peru and it will be very tough for Columbia or Equador to get more than 4 pts in thier final three matches. Argentina holds on to 4th.
France- I think they will fall to Serbia but they are a lock for 2nd. They will make it to the World Cup with 3 other 2nd place teams: Croatia, Greece, and Portugal.
Bahrain v Saud- The Saudi’s will likely take this one but I’d like to see them fall to the Kiwi’s.
What is a “glood”?
I am taking my wife for a prenatal appointment tomorrow (where are my priorities:). Luckily, we had enough foresight to schedule it for very early in the a.m., so I definitely get to watch US v. T&T and the tape-delayed Russia v. Wales on FSC. We may be back early enough to catch Ukraine v. Belarus.
But there are just tons of other meaningful games tomorrow, in UEFA and CONMEBOL. Heck, Mexico v. Honduras looks like it could be a whale of a game.
WC with out Portugal and France would be fine with me! Argentina will make it even if they have to beat Costa Rica or Honduras..
“BTW who the heck cares about Bahrain and Saudi- this region combined with the rest of the Pacific ocean countries gets way too many teams for the simple reason they offer tons of money and viewers.”
Posted by: JohnC | September 08, 2009 at 04:30 PM
Whoa 4, maybe 5 spots out of 46 member region. You are right they are total hogs. FIFA should know better!
Not unlike CONCACAF where there are 3 possible 4 out of a 35 member region.
This is like totally unfair and biased towards the continent that is largest on the earth.
This guy, in this country angela is right. and its not throwball, its football, just because the zelics get mad because we call it something else dosen’t mean that we need to change, you can like both sports, it really is ok! I don’t get why so many american soccer fans feel the need to protect themselves by bashing other american sports, its stupid
Argentina will make it, come on, if they finish 5th then they will demolish the likes of Costa Rica or sadly USA. However, I am very worried about Portugal- they had all the chances in the world versus Denmark and could not capitalize. Ronaldo does become invisible at times but is one of those few players that given a couple chances in a game he can make magic happen. BTW who the heck cares about Bahrain and Saudi- this region combined with the rest of the Pacific ocean countries gets way too many teams for the simple reason they offer tons of money and viewers.
I feel a head cold coming on. Best to stay home from work tomorrow to avoid infecting the office.
Zico,
Football as in Futbol, Footy, Calcio…….not football as in throwball
What Angela said. This Guy has it backwards. For example-
Argentina 1-3 Brazil
BUF 21 @ GB 31
sweden will be in second place in the group above portugal if portugal happens to win as sweden is currently 2 pts up on portugal and plays malta tomorrow. portugal has a remaining schedule of 2 matches vs hungary and 1 vs malta. sweden has malta, denmark and albania.
i hate S. America versus N. America… why can’t we play OFC and S. America plays Asia?
Shrek
You posted 2/3 articles about players like Eduardo diving. Why haven’t you posted one on Rooney’s 10x worse outrageous dive vs Slovenia on Saturday. Hypocrites.
Posted by: mike | September 08, 2009 at 03:55 PM
He only posted 2/3 of an article about Eduardo? What was the other 1/3 of the article about? 😉
Angela,
Actually in soccer the home team is last. In football the home team is listed first.
umm, in soccer the home team is listed first, get with the program dude
Who can believe Arg are in this position? With the players they have it is hard not to stick it on the coach/system. How can Arg be behind Paraguay & Chile? If Parguay take them out tomorrow we’ll all be in shock. It would really be sad to have a WC w/ no Messi.
The Eduardo dive was easily worse than the Rooney dive.
mike,
are you serious?
France tied Romania, not Hungary. Hungary isnt even in the same group as france.
You posted 2/3 articles about players like Eduardo diving. Why haven’t you posted one on Rooney’s 10x worse outrageous dive vs Slovenia on Saturday. Hypocrites.
I want France — well, Ribery — in the World Cup.
Ugh…another SCTC day.
France played Romania
France drew with Romania over the weekend, not Hungary.
Thanks for the report. Do you know the times that these games will be played?