2014 FIFA World Cup Qualification

[CAM]

Never in my life have I seen anything like that in a game of soccer.

I hate it for Panama. They've played exceptionally this year, and should be in that playoff. The looks on the Panamanian players' faces absolutely kills me.

Especially after how the Mexican fans acted at the Azteca against Costa Rica, I was fine with us losing. Especially since we played 10 backups and one starter.

Although, I guess that does bring up the fact that if you can't beat a B team, you probably don't belong in the Finals.

 

[marxlien]

I was watching that last 2 matches of the CONCACAF, poor Panamá.

And i feel like that the 3,5 spots are too much for CONCACAF, apart from the USA the game of the other teams is not that good.

 

[CinnamonOD]

Never in my life have I seen anything like that in a game of soccer.

I hate it for Panama. They've played exceptionally this year, and should be in that playoff. The looks on the Panamanian players' faces absolutely kills me.

Especially after how the Mexican fans acted at the Azteca against Costa Rica, I was fine with us losing. Especially since we played 10 backups and one starter.

Although, I guess that does bring up the fact that if you can't beat a B team, you probably don't belong in the Finals.

That is some truth well said...

I can also do that...

"If you only have one win and still have chances to go to the World Cup, you probably do have nothing to do there..."

But still, no Coach is able to completely change a team's style of play in two matches, he neither had the time... so the only thing we can expect here is the fact that players will not play with Mexico anymore (Chicharito and the yonkes) and that they need some fresh blood and Vela, but, "This is not the moment"

 

[CAM]

I'm not sure if I see Hernandez giving up match time anytime soon, seeing as he needs to do anything he can to convince Moyes to play him.

Either way, you guys have what should be a relatively easy game against New Zealand in a month's time and then we're both left to pray we don't get the Group of Death.

 

[CinnamonOD]

Or in the same group

 

[ASH32]

Does anyone know how the World Cup seedings work for non-UEFA nations? I would suspect at least the top CONCACAF team gets to be a top seed, if not two.

All the seedings will come from the next set of FIFA rankings, which really are a joke but that's how it is. I know no ranking system can ever be perfect but surely something could be done to make them a bit more accurate, especially when you then base seedings on them.

 

[Touring Mars]

Oh well, there goes another qualifying campaign - sadly, this is as good as it gets for us long-suffering Scottish people - qualifiers are now our World Cup... I just hope that the Euros are expanded to 32 teams such that we might play tournament football again in the foreseeable future, either that or we redouble our efforts in Operation Scottish Grandmother to find talented young South American footballers with Scottish ancestors.

It's hardly much to brag about, but at least we finished above Wales, despite the fact that they beat us twice... but 4 points from their other 8 games is disasterous... Coleman will get his marching orders shortly.

 

[MUSC4EVER]

Home Nations all had a good night last night, with England, Scotland and Ireland winning and Wales and Northern Ireland getting good points away from home

Surprised that Croatia have sacked Stimac, they are in the playoffs!

 

[sumbrownkid]

Das German of Team USA just said that he'll like to continue after the WC.

Seeing how we came to be enamored by his methods, I think Klinsmann's job security is safe for one more WC cycle. Who else can the USA honestly think of as a better manager?

He also happens to like the relative lack of media spotlight our soccer teams get compared to overseas where managers are put to the stake for every single little thing.

 

[Touring Mars]

So, a crumb of comfort for Scotland - we've moved up 28 places in the FIFA World Rankings to the dizzy heights of 35th in the world, and registered the single largest ranking points increase of any country in the world since the last rankings were published (164 points)... if only we could have found this run of form when it counted...

Italy and Holland both miss out on a top 7 ranking (and hence a top seed slot in the 2014 World Cup) by just 2 ranking points... Switzerland scrape in instead.

 

[Famine]

Tell you what, Switzerland and Belgium did bloody well in their groups. Really impressive - neither lost a single game, racking up 15 wins and 5 draws between them. Both were in pretty banana-skin groups too - Norway aren't an easy team to beat, Iceland and Albania are both capable of upsets and Slovenia qualified for the last world cup, while dealing with both Serbia AND Croatia in the same group is not an easy task.

In fact they both had a better qualifying record than Italy (okay, so Denmark, Bulgaria and Czech Republic isn't a stroll), England (who should have walked all over the group, but only won two games against their leading three opponents) or Russia (three of the easiest teams in the world to beat, plus the inconsistent Portugal and Israel)...

I'd be watching out for either in 2014. Belgium particularly - though I doubt they could win it, they could cause someone real problems in a semi-final.

 

[MUSC4EVER]

So the updated rankings were announced today and as predicted England haven't climbed enough places to get a seed for the World Cup draw in December, they have climbed from 17th to 10th and the top six teams and the hosts Brazil will get a seed for the draw..

 

[Akmuq]

I'd be watching out for either in 2014. Belgium particularly - though I doubt they could win it, they could cause someone real problems in a semi-final.

IMO, the 3 best teams in the world, by a long way, are Germany, Brazil and Spain.

After that all the teams like Holland, Belgium, France, Argentina, England etc. are somewhat close to each other in terms of skill.

Holland might have a chance but it does depend on the first three all slipping up.

Belgium are a monster team though...

 

[Inferno251]

Surprised that Croatia have sacked Stimac, they are in the playoffs!

Well Croatia shouldn't have lost lost to Belgium at home (especially since they drew with them at brussels) and shouldn't have lost to Scotland first-time around (maybe it should've been a draw), so it's not a surprise. Niko Kovac is taking over the squad.

Speaking of Europe, since the FIFA ranking were updated yesterday, the seeding for the playoffs is very interesting:

Seeded-Portugal, Greece, Croatia and Ukraine
Unseeded-France , Sweden, Romania and Iceland

Fingers crossed that Croatia don't get France (so any potential 'handballs' get awarded as goals 💡 )

 

[MoLiEG]

I'm not sure if I see Hernandez giving up match time anytime soon, seeing as he needs to do anything he can to convince Moyes to play him.

Either way, you guys have what should be a relatively easy game against New Zealand in a month's time and then we're both left to pray we don't get the Group of Death.

No game is easy for that pathetic excuse of a team we have...

I really want them to lose to New Zealand... not only because I made a bet against them... but because that team doesn't deserve anything...👎

BTW... Chicharito should retire... or be banned from the National Team...

And I'd like to see Sweden in and France out, mostly because of what happened before South Africa... they played that WC for free... and because I'd love to see Ibra on the big stage...

 

[C-ZETA]

Please may Portugal draw France. Also please may Iceland make it through, against Croatia preferably.

I would really love to see Bakkali in the Belgian team, making a couple of appearances even. That would be lovely for me.

 

[Akmuq]

BTW... Chicharito should retire... or be banned from the National Team...

35 goals from 57 games... definitely should be banned...

 

[RouWa]

Who else can the USA honestly think of as a better manager?

"Manager" is the point. A manager is responsible for everything. I would split it into "coach" and "sports director". Klinsmann is visionary and has great ideas for a better future of a football association, but is average at picking the right players and terrible at coaching (tactics). I would let him run the American FA, but get someone else for the national team.

 

[Inferno251]

And I'd like to see Sweden in and France out, mostly because of what happened before South Africa... they played that WC for free... and because I'd love to see Ibra on the big stage...

About time the French deserved a bit of Karma for what they did last time around

 

[Ross]

Wrong thread.

 

[dhandeh]

Wrong thread.

This any better?

 

[Ross]

This any better?

Much better, thank you

 

[Famine]

UEFA zone 2nd round draw has been made...

15/11/13 - Greece - Romania
15/11/13 - Iceland - Croatia
15/11/13 - Portugal - Sweden
15/11/13 - Ukraine - France

19/11/13 - Croatia - Iceland
19/11/13 - France - Ukraine
19/11/13 - Romania - Greece
19/11/13 - Sweden - Portugal

 

[Dennisch]

Portugal - Sweden should be a good set of games. France - Ukraine should give France the best odds.

Also, what is all this Belgium loving?? They have a nice team but I don't see how they are so cracking all of the sudden. They need the experience of a tournament, and I think the next European cup should be their goal. Not Brasil, yet.

 

[Pagey279]

Portugal-Sweden will be really good matches yes, but depending who's victorious it means we will be seeing the world cup without Ronaldo, or Ibra, which will be a shame.

 

[Dennisch]

I hope to see Ibrahimovic and his kung fu football. Ronaldo's ballet soccer and the Portugal dive squad can stay at home.

 

[HighSeasHoMastr]

Also, what is all this Belgium loving?? They have a nice team but I don't see how they are so cracking all of the sudden. They need the experience of a tournament, and I think the next European cup should be their goal. Not Brasil, yet.

They're just the hipster's international side. Lots of players who maybe fly under the radar a bit but form a solid collective. These days the players are a bit more high-profile, but there's still a few who start that aren't all that well-known, which makes people feel like they know something their friends don't when they talk about Belgium.

I don't know that many people are honestly expecting them to win in Brazil, but they should have a decent showing, and could surprise a few of the 'big' teams.

They do have a really solid team. Their midfield is really strong, and since they usually only play one striker they have a couple good options there too. Some really solid centerbacks and a goalkeeper on top of that and they look like a really good side once you see the teamsheet. They really lack in the fullback spots though, and that honestly really hurts them. They deputize Vertongen to left back a lot, but he's not exactly the world's most mobile player, and he gets caught upfield sometimes which leaves them really exposed. On the other side, Alderweireld is often guilty of the same thing, but he's been improving a lot.
A good team like Germany or Brazil will identify and exploit that weakness quickly though, which is why I don't see them winning in Brazil. As I said though, they should have a good showing. And they're pretty fun to watch too!

 

[Jimlaad43]

Belgium are now the third most expensive team by transfer fees. They have a really good team now and should be a wildcard in Brazil. I do agree that the Euros should be their target.

 

[MoLiEG]

Sorry CR7, but I want Ibra in Brazil...

I'm going to get crazy and say that Sweden will join Iceland, Ukraine and Greece @ the World Cup...

Also, what is all this Belgium loving?? They have a nice team but I don't see how they are so cracking all of the sudden. They need the experience of a tournament, and I think the next European cup should be their goal. Not Brasil, yet.

I'm on the same boat... too young to really make a serious run for the World Cup...

 

[CinnamonOD]

So today the Mexican team play vs the Finns at San Diego, a cousin got some tickets for him, my brother and me, but when I got out of school (around 4 o' clock), I made a call to get some info about how much time It'll take to cross the border and the lady said 3 hours, so it's a no for me