World Cup 2010 Qualifying Updates

[khunking]

Australia should have stayed in Oceania and play off against a South American qualifier. The standard is much higher. Better to measure up.

With Australia having joined Asia, the Oceania federation has really been rendered meaningless and irrelevant. There's technically no continent anymore, just a scattering of sparesly populated islands. The rest of the Oceania should disband the federation and all join Asia.

 

[Ah Guan]

The impact of Socceroos' entry into AFC is more than just a world cup berth

Australian domestic league clubs now compete with other top Asian clubs in the AFC Champions League which I think it will benefit the Asia-Pacific football standard in the long run

 

[Ramseth]

Staying in Oceania and waiting to get lucky in a play-off with a middle rank South American country once every 4 years won't help improve the standards of the Oceania countries. Joining Asia, playing in the Asian qualifying rounds year in and year out with the Koreas, Japan and middle east countries etc. will help improve standards. And also, playing in the Asian Cup and Asian Champions League.

 

[Ah Guan]

The biggest problem with Australian soccer development has been their insulation at the Oceania group.

In the past, many Australian-born players have opted instead to play for their "motherland" (like Italy, England and Greece) instead of donning the gold-and-green national colours. But the latest crop of Socceroos have been doing well in Europe and getting top-level exposure.

Australian football (soccer) scene has experienced a phenomenal rise in standard in the past 10 years. They have the proven sporting culture and world class infrastructure.

Letting them into AFC will be mutually beneficial for all.

 

[khunking]

Until the World Cup is hosted again in Asia, asian teams will be cannon fodder during the group stages. The truth hurts.

Staying in Oceania and waiting to get lucky in a play-off with a middle rank South American country once every 4 years won't help improve the standards of the Oceania countries. Joining Asia, playing in the Asian qualifying rounds year in and year out with the Koreas, Japan and middle east countries etc. will help improve standards. And also, playing in the Asian Cup and Asian Champions League.

 

[Ramseth]

Going back to the South Africa 2010 World Cup, I think Argentina have a good chance. There're still top players like Messi, Riquelme etc. at their peaks, and it's going to be another winter World Cup like Argentina 1978.

 

[khunking]

Argentina is a team that has always believed in its own hype. It's tragic.

Going back to the South Africa 2010 World Cup, I think Argentina have a good chance. There're still top players like Messi, Riquelme etc. at their peaks, and it's going to be another winter World Cup like Argentina 1978.

 

[BlueCat]

North Korea joined their counterpart - South Korea and Australia n Japan into the World Cup 2010.

 

[Ramseth]

Asian group qualifiers have been completed:

Group A:
Australia - 20 points +11 goals (qualified)
Japan - 15 points +5 goals (qualified)
Bahrain - 10 points -2 goals (play-off)

Group B:
South Korea - 16 points +8 goals (qualified)
North Korea - 12 points +2 goals (qualified)
Saudi Arabia - 12 points -2 goals (play-off)

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In South Ameica, nothing is confirmed yet; the top 5 at the moment are:

Brazil - 27 points +19 goals
Chile - 26 points +9 goals
Paraguay - 24 points +7 goals
Argentina - 22 points +4 goals
Ecuador - 20 points -2 goals

 

[Ramseth]

Iran was the unfortunate casualty in the group of death where all 5 countries were previous World Cup qualifiers. Iran were leading South Korea 1:0 until a late equaliser made it 1:1, costing Iran 2 points. Iran would have qualified had they won. South Korea have qualified earlier anyway. Iran had one more chance to stay on for play-off if North Korea beat Saudi Arabia, but it ended 0:0 and ended Iran's hopes.

Interesting, this will be the first World Cup in which South Korea and North Korea qualified together. The last time there was such a similar politically interesting situation was 1974, when West Germany were hosts and East Germany also qualified, and both were drawn together in the same first round group. East Germany upset West Germany 1:0 but went out in the second round group, whereas West Germany went on to win that World Cup.

 

[khunking]

Fantastic. A less middle eastern feel from the Asian contingent this time round.

World Cup 2002
Germany 8 - 0 Saudi Arabia

19 December 1981, Malez Stadium, Riyadh
Saudi Arabia 0-5 New Zealand
Scorers: Wynton Rufer 16, 38, Brian Turner 17, 44pen., Steve Wooddin 39.

The qualifying loss above denied Asia an extra spot for World Cup 1982.

Iran was the unfortunate casualty in the group of death where all 5 countries were previous World Cup qualifiers. Iran were leading South Korea 1:0 until a late equaliser made it 1:1, costing Iran 2 points. Iran would have qualified had they won. South Korea have qualified earlier anyway. Iran had one more chance to stay on for play-off if North Korea beat Saudi Arabia, but it ended 0:0 and ended Iran's hopes.

Interesting, this will be the first World Cup in which South Korea and North Korea qualified together. The last time there was such a similar politically interesting situation was 1974, when West Germany were hosts and East Germany also qualified, and both were drawn together in the same first round group. East Germany upset West Germany 1:0 but went out in the second round group, whereas West Germany went on to win that World Cup.

 

[Ramseth]

Fantastic. A less middle eastern feel from the Asian contingent this time round.

I wouldn't say "fantastic" but as it is, the Asian Top 4 qualifiers are all Far East countries plus Australia. Let's see how the Asia-Oceania play-off goes; there may be no Middle East countries in the next World Cup.

 

[Ramseth]

19 December 1981, Malez Stadium, Riyadh
Saudi Arabia 0-5 New Zealand
Scorers: Wynton Rufer 16, 38, Brian Turner 17, 44pen., Steve Wooddin 39.

The qualifying loss above denied Asia an extra spot for World Cup 1982.

I remember that Asia's last qualifying berth for World Cup 1982 was lost by China to New Zealand in a one-leg neutral venue play-off held in Singapore. New Zealand 2 China 1; so can't blame it all on Saudi Arabia. That was one high point for China football until China actually qualified 20 years later for 2002.

 

[khunking]

5-0 was the exact scoreline that initiated the playoff.

I remember that Asia's last qualifying berth for World Cup 1982 was lost by China to New Zealand in a one-leg neutral venue play-off held in Singapore. New Zealand 2 China 1; so can't blame it all on Saudi Arabia.

 

[Ramseth]

The most intense competition for World Cup 2010 qualification must be the one in European Group 1 now:

Denmark - 16 points +11 goals (qualifying position)
Hungary - 13 points +6 goals (play-off position)
Portugal - 9 points +4 goals
Sweden - 9 points +4 goals

Each has 4 more games to play and the coming September 5th games may either cast the die in stone or blow the group wide open: Denmark v. Portugal and Hungary v. Sweden.

In European Group 6, England, leading Croatia by 10 points and a 16-goal advantage, will qualify if it beats Croatia in the coming September 9th game.

 

[khunking]

I think Scandinavia will only have 1 representative at the World Cup next year.

The most intense competition for World Cup 2010 qualification must be the one in European Group 1 now:

Denmark - 16 points +11 goals (qualifying position)
Hungary - 13 points +6 goals (play-off position)
Portugal - 9 points +4 goals
Sweden - 9 points +4 goals

 

[Ramseth]

I think Scandinavia will only have 1 representative at the World Cup next year.

Of the three Scandinavian countries (Norway, Sweden and Denmark):

1. If none qualifies, that's bad;
2. If one qualifies, that's normal;
3. If two qualify, that's good;
4. If all three qualify, the Vikings are back in force!

 

[Ramseth]

World Cup European qualifying rounds resume next Wednesday, August 12. The main game to watch is Belarus v. Croatia in Group 6. England have more or less anchored themselves on the top spot of the group. The 2nd spot is still very much open between Croatia, Ukraine and Belarus.

 

[Ramseth]

Friendly tomorrow night, Holland v. England.

Both teams have won all their World Cup qualifying games so far. Holland has confirmed qualification and England is on the brink of qualifying.

 

[Ramseth]

International Friendly

Holland 2 England 2


European Group 6 Qualifying

Belarus 1 Croatia 3


European Group 9 Qualifying

Norway 4 Scotland 0