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France v Republic of Ireland European World Cup Play-off Match Preview

Monday November 16, 2009
Tags: France, Republic of Ireland, World Cup, Play-offs
Fans of the French national team, Les Bleus, could finally breathe and celebrate if France finish the job which they started in Croke Park against the Republic of Ireland last Saturday.
France's players reacting in joy after Nicolas Anelka broke the dead lock in the second half against the Republic of IrelandFrance analysis – the job must be done

An away goal and a clean sheet found during ninety minute of unconvincing football could just be the perfect result to push France’s way through to the finals of the World Cup in South Africa next year.

Last Saturday, Les Bleus managed to hand the Irish their first home defeat in the World Cup qualifiers through Nicolas Anelka’s 62nd minute goal.

France’s ability to triumph away from home despite playing poorly somehow shows how lucky of a side they are.

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Oman vs Brazil International Friendly Match Preview

Sunday November 15, 2009
Tags: Oman, Brazil, International Friendly, Dunga, FIFA World Cup
This Tuesday, November 17th, Brazil will play Oman for the very first time at Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex in Muscat, Oman.

Strong aspirations for both sides

Currently at two very distinctive levels of soccer in their respective countries, Oman and Brazil share a common goal in continual growth with their levels of play.

Brazil, coming from a steady win against England in Qatar 1-0 this Saturday, will need another victory to show that they mean business and will be top contenders at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.

Oman, while not qualified for the 2010 edition of the World Cup, will continue to grow and set... Read full article »

Portugal v Bosnia European World Cup Play-offs Match Preview

Friday November 13, 2009
Tags: Portugal, Bosnia Herzegovina, World Cup, Play-offs
Saturday November 14th will be the date for the first leg of four different European World Cup play-offs matches. In Lisbon, Portugal will welcome Bosnia Herzegovina in a crunching encounter.
Simao Sabrosa enjoys his goal against Malta with the rest of his mate as Portugal edge closer to qualifyingHow Portugal qualified into the play-offs

It took a bit of miracle for Portugal to make it to this stage and ultimately stand the chance of reaching the finals of the World Cup in South Africa next summer.

The battle for the second spot went all the way down to the final moments in Group A.

On match-day 9, Sweden’s loss to Denmark suddenly put the 2004 European championship finalists in a better position to qualify at the expense of the Swedes. It meant that two victories out of two games would lift Portugal onto second in the six-team table and therefore put them in the play-offs.

Indeed, the Portuguese took all of their chances with a 3-0 win against Hungary and a 4-0 triumph over Malta on home soil.

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Russia v Slovenia European World Cup play-offs Match Preview

Friday November 13, 2009
Tags: Russia, Slovenia, World Cup, play-offs
The Luzhniki stadium in Moscow will witness another important event on Saturday as Russia host Slovenia in the first leg of their European World Cup play-off tie.
Russia's players celebrate in joy and excitment as the team leads during a World Cup qualifierHow Russia qualified into the play-offs

Twenty-two points were enough for Guus Hiddink’s team to secure the second spot in their group with four points beyond Finland and four points behind Germany.

The Russians enjoyed a good run throughout the European World Cup qualifiers which faltered towards the end as they lost to Germany and only drew away to Azerbaijan.

These results cost them the first automatic spot in the group which was rather won by the 2006 World Cup hosts Germany.

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Brazil vs England Match Preview

Thursday November 12, 2009
Tags: Brazil, England, FIFA World Cup, Capello, Dunga
Two favorites for the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2010 will battle it out in a friendly this Saturday, November 14th in Doha, the capital city of Qatar. Both will have a lot to prove as leaders of their respective groups in qualifying.
English TeamHigh flying teams meet their challenge

Two countries famous for their football meet in what could be one of the most exciting friendlies of the year.

After a very smooth qualification process for England winning 9 out of 10 in their group, Fabio Capello will look to try out his team against an equally impressive Brazilian side.

Brazilian coach Dunga, also with a strong showing in the South American qualification process, winning with 34 points, will try out his European based players to test the waters abroad.

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Spain vs Argentina Match Preview

Thursday November 12, 2009
Tags: Spain, Argentina, FIFA World Cup, Diego Maradona
Madrid will be the host of a post qualification friendly this Saturday, November 14th between South American giants Argentina and current European champions, Spain.

Different paths leading to the same tournament

After a rather shaky World Cup qualification for South American giants Argentina, coach Diego Maradona looks to improve his team by keeping the pressure high against current European champions Spain.

The Albiceleste come from two wins that were crucial for getting them the last direct qualification to the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. They beat Peru 2-1 at home and managed another close win away at Uruguay, 0-1.

Spain qualified for the tournament much earlier with a perfect 10-0 record in European qualification. Their recent wins include a 3-0 game against Estonia and a road victory against Bosnia-Herzegovina, 2-5.

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Costa Rica v Uruguay World Cup Play-off Match Preview

Wednesday November 11, 2009
Tags: Costa Rica, Uruguay, World Cup, Play-off
Costa Rica and Uruguay are both two steps away from qualifying into the finals of the World Cup in South Africa. On Saturday, they clash against each other in Costa Rica.
Costa Rica's players erupting in joy and celebration as they lead during a World Cup qualifierHow Costa Rica qualified into the play-offs

It was only on the last day of the campaign that CONCACAF’s table was truly decided. The battle in the middle was hotter than ever but Costa Rica unfortunately stumbled to its pressure.

A victory would have assured them a place in the top three and ultimately given them automatic tickets for the finals in South Africa.

Unfortunately for Costa Rica, they let a 2-0 lead slip away to draw 2-2 against the United States and the points were shared.

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Greece v Ukraine European World Cup Play-off Match Preview

Wednesday November 11, 2009
Tags: Greece, Ukraine, World Cup, Play-offs
The 2004 European champions are due to meet the runners-up of Group 6, Ukraine, on Saturday for the first part of the two-legged tie.
Greece's Gekas celebrates along with his team mates after scoring again against LatviaHow Greece qualified into the play-offs

The Greeks just about failed to qualify automatically for the finals of the World Cup in South Africa.

Had it not been because of Andronic’s late equalizer which reduced Greece’s three points to one against Moldova back in September, the former European champions might have reached the promise land already.

Either way, the Greeks held on to their nerves and bounced back with a vital 5-2 victory over Latvia marked by Theofanis Gekas’ astonishing form as he hit four goals in that game.

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Russia v Slovenia European World Cup play-offs Match Preview

Wednesday November 11, 2009
Tags: Russia, Slovenia, World Cup, play-offs
The Luzhniki stadium in Moscow will witness another important event on Saturday as Russia host Slovenia in the first leg of their European World Cup play-off tie.
Russia's players celebrate in joy and excitment as the team leads during a World Cup qualifierHow Russia qualified into the play-offs

Twenty-two points were enough for Guus Hiddink’s team to secure the second spot in their group with four points beyond Finland and four points behind Germany.

The Russians enjoyed a good run throughout the European World Cup qualifiers which faltered towards the end as they lost to Germany and only drew away to Azerbaijan.

These results cost them the first automatic spot in the group which was rather won by the 2006 World Cup hosts Germany.

Read full article »

Republic of Ireland v France European World Cup play-offs Match Preview

Tuesday November 10, 2009
Tags: Republic of Ireland, France, World Cup, play-offs
The Republic of Ireland will host the 1998 World Cup champions France on Saturday, November 14th, at 8:00 pm GMT as the first legs of the European World Cup play-offs take place over the continent.
The Republic of Ireland's players celebrate all together as they qualify to the play-offsHow the Republic of Ireland qualified into the play-offs

Unbeaten, yes – but not perfect. Four wins, no defeats, six draws.

The Republic of Ireland had an average run that put them through to the play-offs and stand the chance of qualifying to the finals of the World Cup which will take place in South Africa next year.

However, things could have been different and much more historic for the Irish if they had recorded two victories in October instead of two draws against Group 8’s leaders Italy and Montenegro respectively.

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