World Cup Qualification - Brazil 2014

[just some bloke]

They've come close a couple of times now, haven't they?

I believe so, steathpapes, I believe so.

[just some bloke]

USA take the lead from a great header off of Eddie Johnston's header. Mexico in deep, deep trouble now.

[just some bloke]

I know you're all asleep but, 2-0 USA

[just some bloke]

US beat Mexico 2-0. Meanwhile, Panama have equalized in Tegucigalpa, which if things stay that way puts Mexico into 5th in the group. If things stay that way it will be the Panamanians going to New Zealand, not Mexico.

[Libertine]

US has clinched qualification with 2 games remaining, as did Costa Rica, as Honduras and Panama drew. Mexico are in complete shambLOLes. They just fired their head coach, sit in 5th place in the hex and have work to do just to get into the play-off with New Zealand.

US Soccer did a great job though scheduling the game for Crew Stadium. It is the closest thing the US has to a "fortress". In WC qualifiers, over a 10 game span, 7 wins, 3 draws, 0 losses and only one goal conceded. 4th consecutive WC qualifier that the US has defeated Mexico 2-0 in Columbus.

Great job from the US with Bradley injured and Cameron and Altidore suspended having picked up their 2nd yellow cards in hex play during the Costa Rica game. I was worried, this wasn't just a game Mexico wanted, it was one they desperately needed with the US having to field a weakened side. Outside of the first 20 minutes though Mexico looked dire...with the talent they have, in this region, they are a disgrace right now.

[stealthpapes]

Argentina also qualified, beating Paraguay 5-2. Colombia need a win from their next game to make sure. They lost to Uruguay but have Paraguay last game and they're pretty rubbish this time around.

[stealthpapes]

Actually given that the next game is Colombia vs Chile, at least one of them is going to qualify. Colombia appear to have finally recovered from the whole "the massive drug lord that funded their team getting shot on a roof top and country descending into near civil war without his money and muscle" thing.

[Green]

first home WC win since 1972

So the last time Luxembourg managed to win at home in the World Cup was before I was born?

Christ, that must depressing for any fans they might have. Even more so for any footballer with talent who has the misfortune to be born there.

I dunno, certain amount of fun to be had in being the underdog, unlike being an EngLOLand fan with all that goes with it.

I'd love to see UEFA introduce a minnow qualifying pre round for these countries, not that I want to make it harder for them to qualify, on the contrary I think it could be quite a competitive group and would give the eventual winner much needed practice before taking on the big boys.

[stealthpapes]

If they did that, I'd be well up for Faroes vs Andorra or something equally silly like Wales vs Leichtenstein.

FWIW, UEFA still has 53 members so 4 3 team groups and winners go through gives perfect maths for most tournaments. This currently included Norn Iron, fwiw.

[just some bloke]

Here's that CONCACAF Group:




Mexico are in it deep, but if they beat Panama at home - and there's no reason to suppose they will after only one win in eight - they should be able to make that two-leg play off with New Zealand. I fancy Honduras' chances of picking up 3 points against either Costa Rica or Jamaica, so I can't see Mexico getting through automatically now.

Mexico face Panama at home and Costa Rica away in their last two. Panama's other game is at home to the USA.

It's actually ridiculous that even after such piss-poor performances - four goals and one win in eight games against mediocre at best opposition - that there is a realistic to good chance that Mexico could still get through. Why CONCACAF has 3.5 spots is beyond me.

[Libertine]

Here's that CONCACAF Group:




Mexico are in it deep, but if they beat Panama at home - and there's no reason to suppose they will after only one win in eight - they should be able to make that two-leg play off with New Zealand. I fancy Honduras' chances of picking up 3 points against either Costa Rica or Jamaica, so I can't see Mexico getting through automatically now.

Mexico face Panama at home and Costa Rica away in their last two. Panama's other game is at home to the USA.

It's actually ridiculous that even after such piss-poor performances - four goals and one win in eight games against mediocre at best opposition - that there is a realistic to good chance that Mexico could still get through. Why CONCACAF has 3.5 spots is beyond me.

To justify having a tournament? In most WC cycles if you only took the top 2 it would mean no one else other than the US and Mexico would be going. But truth be told, while I think 2 spots is justified for this region, I think many better teams (especially from Europe) aren't going just so the third and fourth best teams in CONCACAF do...

This is the 7th consecutive WC the US has qualified for, and that is probably a larger number for Mexico...a run for Mexico which is in peril. Tbf Costa Rica has been magnificent in qualifying, they fully deserve going...

[stealthpapes]

I think many better teams (especially from Europe) aren't going just so the third and fourth best teams in CONCACAF do...

Yup.

Of the 'best' 32 teams in the world (fifa rankings), 20 are from UEFA, 3 from CAF, 2 from CONCACAF, 7 from CONMEBOL and 0 from AFC.

[just some bloke]

I don't know why World Cup spots have to be distributed in this way. How about like this?

Western Europe: 7 spots
Eastern Europe: 4 spots
Middle East: 2 spots
Central and South Asia: 1 spot
Far East: 2 spots
Africa: 4 spots
Spanish South America: 4 spots
North America: 3 spots
Oceania: 1 spot
British Isles: 1 spot
Brazil: 1 spot
Holders: 1 spot
Hosts: 1 spot

[LUX]

I don't know why World Cup spots have to be distributed in this way. How about like this?

Western Europe: 7 spots
Eastern Europe: 4 spots
Middle East: 2 spots
Central and South Asia: 1 spot
Far East: 2 spots
Africa: 4 spots
Spanish South America: 4 spots
North America: 3 spots
Oceania: 1 spot
British Isles: 1 spot
Brazil: 1 spot
Holders: 1 spot
Hosts: 1 spot

Why dissoci8 the British Isles from Western Europe

[just some bloke]

Why dissoci8 the British Isles from Western Europe

Because I'm a rabid, Sun-reading Euro-skeptic, who sat in a deckchair in Torremolinos all summer with a handkerchief knotted over my head and Union Jack shorts on, looking disapprovingly at Jonny Foreigner, making the occasional disparaging and ill-informed comment to anyone who'd listen.

[LUX]

Yes, but why should the UK/ Ireland be guaranteed a place?

[stealthpapes]

Reminding the wops, dagoes and other folk of a dusky nature that we're boss. Yah?

[Barry the bird boggler]

Don't get why Brazil should get a spot either. They should have to qualify like everyone else.

[Brum Royal]

Anyone got a running list of those qualified thus far?

[stealthpapes]

Brazil
Japan, Australia, South Korea, Iran - Jordan to play off vs South American team
Argentina with one of Chile or Colombia
Two from Europe (can't remember who right now EDIT - Netherlands, Italy) with either Bosnia or Greece plus Spain or France.
USA, Costa Rica
New Zealand to play off vs North American