Official World Cup 2014 Qualifying Thread (Blame It On RIO)

[GirlySports]

Maybe, Canada isn't as good as Honduras or Panama. They happened to catch Honduras when they were poor at the beginning of qualifying and also had a coach firing immediately. Should have beat them in Toronto. By the 8-1 game, Honduras were back to their old self and are showing it now.

Canada just can't score goals and get points. 6 goals in 6 games, 4 of them against Cuba and 1 after it was 8-0

[polak]

Yeah I too believe Canada just is not competitive with the top 5 teams on Concacaf.

Hell, after Gold Cup they might not even be top 10.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by browna

With Mexico stumbling, this is why I predicted last year that if Canada got into the Hex, they would've qualified for the WC. May go against logic and common sense and end up being a Cinderalla story, but just had a sense that they could've got it done somehow.

Basically, they'd be in the same spot as Honduras is, a draw with the US and maybe Costa Rica, then an upset win vs. Mexico, and beating the teams like Panama and Jamaica.

Anyways, not surprising to see the Mexicans overreact with a firing.

Not farfetched. I was thinking something very similar. They may not have made it, but they had a hell of a chance. That last game really sunk this country for the next few years.

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by Locke

That was stupid, they should have either fired him a long time ago or ridden him all the way through. Changing coaches now? What do they think thats going to accomplish?

for now they have promoted the u23 coach, they guy who coached Mexico to Olympic Gold last year.

[cam_wmh]

[seattleflamer]

Originally Posted by Locke

Not farfetched. I was thinking something very similar. They may not have made it, but they had a hell of a chance. That last game really sunk this country for the next few years.

That is quite the limb you're going out on considering you're more likely to qualify than not with a minimum of 3 and potentially 4 countries going to Brazil out of only 6.

Speaking of Canada like away performances, the US thoroughly outclassed by Costa Rica. Nightmare start with Bradley injured in warmups and 2 goals within the first 10 minutes. Another 3 of the starting 11--Altidore, Besler and Cameron--out for Tuesday due to yellow card accumulation.

All the confidence going into match has vanished and add to that a desperate Mexican side and you have an epic "La Guerra Fria" at Columbus.

I only wish I could hear Ray Hudson on color for this one too.

[Freeway]

Africa (5 will advance): Ethiopia, Cape Verde, Cote D'Ivore, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Nigeria, Egypt, Algeria, Cameroon and Senegal.

Ethiopia is the only team advancing to the two-legged final round that had to participate in the first round as well.

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by Freeway

Africa (5 will advance): Ethiopia, Cape Verde, Cote D'Ivore, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Nigeria, Egypt, Algeria, Cameroon and Senegal.

Ethiopia is the only team advancing to the two-legged final round that had to participate in the first round as well.

Going by the FIFA rankings, Cote D'Ivoire, Ghana, Algeria, Nigeria and Cape Verde will be seeded.

You'd think that Ethiopia are the weakest team. The Draw will be made on Sept 16.

[Bagor]

Originally Posted by Freeway

Africa (5 will advance): Ethiopia, Cape Verde, Cote D'Ivore, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Nigeria, Egypt, Algeria, Cameroon and Senegal.

Ethiopia is the only team advancing to the two-legged final round that had to participate in the first round as well.

Further represents the huge disparity between East and West sub-Saharan Africa in footballing terms.

Has an East African team made a finals or done half well even at an ACN in the last 20 years? An Ethiopian qualification would be huge for that whole region.

On a side note, they sure can churn out long distance runners though.

[cam_wmh]

English visit Kiev for their 8th qualifier.
That brutal Yellow on Welbeck means he's out.
Rooney, Sturridge, Ox out too.

I'd like to see:

----------- Lambert ------------
-- Milner -- Lampard -- Walcott -
------- Gerrard - Carrick --------
Baines - Jagielka - Cahill - Walker
------------- Hart --------------

I have concerns Roy does the following:
- Cleverly over Lampard
- Wilshere over Carrick

Finally, Dafoe subbed in if Lambert returns to earth.

[cam_wmh]

Originally Posted by cam_wmh

I have concerns Roy does the following:
- Cleverly over Lampard

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/24023700

[Bagor]

Originally Posted by cam_wmh

I have concerns Roy does the following:

- Wilshere over Carrick

Given that he said that there would only be one change (Welbeck) then it looks like Wilshere is starting.

[cam_wmh]

Originally Posted by Bagor

Given that he said that there would only be one change (Welbeck) then it looks like Wilshere is starting.

Right in the middle of the article haha.

Can't get too fired up I guess. Carrick hasn't played much internationally.

I think a tie is the aim.

[troutman]

Starting XI v Austria tonight in Vienna. Forde, Coleman, O’Shea, Dunne, Wilson, Walters, Green, McCarthy, Pilkington, Keane, Long

[GirlySports]

How Columbus got to host 4 consecutive USA-Mexico World Cup Qualifiers.

http://soccer.si.com/2013/09/10/colu...r-team-mexico/

[Locke]

Russia's leaky defence might cost them against half decent teams.

[SuperMatt18]

England 0 - Ukraine 0

Italy qualify for the World Cup with a 2-1 win over the Czech Republic

[devo22]

Austria beats Ireland 1-0, we're still alive need to win against Sweden away though to get to 2nd place, will be tough. Austria beat them at home though, so who knows

[Bagor]

FAI Press statement
September 11, 2013

Football Association of Ireland
The recent results against Sweden and Austria were very disappointing for everyone involved in Irish football, the manager, the players and supporters. Our aim of qualification, although mathematically possible, is now highly unlikely even though the team will always do everything within their power to keep that hope alive. The FAI Board of Management will now consider the current position over the coming days.
The post-match press conference which was due to take place this afternoon in Dublin has been cancelled

http://www.fai.ie/international/1035...statement.html

Martin O'Neill the early bookies favourite to succeed Trap.

On the bright side, Luxembourg beat the North to get their first win since 1972

[Montana Moe]

The United States is going to Brazil!

A 2-0 victory over Mexico, and a 2-2 draw between Honduras and Panama sealed the deal for the U.S. tonight.

It's good to know that they'll have full support from their friendly neighbors to the north!