World Cup playoffs: Who will grab the final places for Brazil 2014?
World Cup playoffs: Who will grab the final places for Brazil 2014?
Ronaldo vs Ibrahimovic has been given the big build-up but
there's far more on offer in the coming week as the full 32 qualifiers
will be confirmed
Golden touch: Ronaldo will skipper Portugal against Sweden with a World Cup place on the line
Bryn Lennon
The countdown to next summer's World Cup ticks closer and closer and
in the next week the final 11 teams will book their places in the Brazil
showpiece.
The draw for the the group stage of competition will
take place in Bahia on December 6 and traditional powerhouses such as
Germany, Argentina, Italy and Spain have already claimed their place.
We already know 21 of the qualifiers:
Australia, Japan, South Korea, Iran (Asia); Belgium, Germany, Italy,
Netherlands, Switzerland, Russia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, England, Spain
(Europe); Costa Rica, United States, Honduras (North and Central
America); Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Ecuador, Chile (South America).
But
aside from those already secure, who could we see secure their passage
to world football's most prestigious competition? Let's take a look:
Europe
Portugal vs Sweden
- The match that has everyone salivating is that between Cristiano
Ronaldo and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, with the actual tie between a
workmanlike Sweden and a too-often uninspired Portugal approaching
something of an afterthought. And while the bookmakers have Portugal as
favourites, expect it to be tight. Game-changer: Sweden will look to Ibrahimovic for magic
Reuters
France vs Ukraine - Ukraine were edged out by
England in qualifying while France experienced likewise at the hands of
Spain. Met at Euro 2012 in Donetsk - France winning 2-0 - and both have
improved since. Wingers Frank Ribery and Yehven Konoplyanka will be
key. Iceland vs Croatia - Croatia made a complete
mess of qualification, losing three of their last four qualifiers and
arrive in Iceland with a new manager in tow - Niko Kovac. But with the
likes of Luka Modric, Darijo Srna and Mario Mandzukic to call upon, they
should be too strong over two legs for Lars Lagerback's minnows, who
are bidding to become the smallest ever country to qualify for the World
Cup. Greece vs Romania - Greece have won their
last five qualifiers without conceding a goal as they continue to
strangle the life out of opponents. Romania are capable of eye-catching
wins but are just as capable of self-destructing.
Africa
Nigeria vs Ethiopia
(Nigeria lead 2-1 after first leg) - The Super Eagles won the African
Cup of Nations back at the start of the year and despite a poor showing
in Addis Ababa, two goals from Emmanuel Emenike have them in pole
position. Should finish the job on November 16. At the double: Fenerbahce striker Emmanuel Emenike has Nigeria almost there
Gallo Images
Senegal vs Ivory Coast (Ivory Coast lead 3-1
after first leg) - The Elephants were cruising to their third successive
World Cup finals but the concession of a late Papiss Cisse goal may
have given room for doubt. The second leg - being played in Casablanca -
should still be little more than a formality for Didier Drogba, Yaya
Toure and company however. Cameroon vs Tunisia
(0-0 after first leg) - A dour first leg in Rades is best forgotten.
Expect a tight, nervy affair which will either a) end Samuel Eto'o's
international career (again) or b) prolong it. Algeria vs Burkina Faso
(Burkina Faso lead 3-2 after first leg) - A wildly entertaining first
leg saw Paul Put's Burkina Faso grab a slender advantage thanks to a
late penalty from Aristide Bance. If Tuesday night's return is as
unpredictable, viewers will be in for a treat. Egypt vs Ghana
(Ghana lead 6-1 after first leg) - Ghana, quarter-finalists in 2010,
have one foot and four toes in the finals after decimating Bob Bradley's
side last month. Only the most ridiculous of comebacks on November 19
will deny the Black Stars.
Intercontinental
Jordan vs Uruguay - Boasting a forward line comprising of Edinson Cavani and Luis Suarez, South American giants Uruguay eased to a 5-0 win in today's first leg in Amman,
meaning only a Lazarus-like second leg performance will see the
Jordanians make it to next summer's finals. A fifth place finish in
South American qualifying may show that La Celeste aren't the force that
reached the 2010 semi-finals, but they'll be too strong. Expectation: Suarez and the 2011 Copa America winners are expected to qualify with ease
Reuters
Mexico vs New Zealand - The Oceania
qualifiers New Zealand left the 2010 tournament unbeaten with three
draws from matches and they'll need to be at their resilient best in the
Azteca tonight. Mexico may have been through four coaches during an
embarrassing qualification campaign and have only called up home-based
players, but they're still favourites.
It is so so sad that we will be missing one of Cristiano Ronaldo or Ibrahimovich and this is sad sad sad for football at this time; just wish something could be done for both of them to be at the mundial but alas they should have topped their group. anyway we wait to see how it pans out...
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