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Alejandro Sabella makes changes to Argentina squad for WCQ's
Los Albicelestes revealed both of their faces in Brazil 2014 World Cup qualifying earlier in the month, and it seems that coach Alejandro Sabella wasn't satisfied with what he saw, as he has made several changes to his squad to confront Argentina's two upcoming fixtures against Bolivia and Colombia.The two most important inclusions were that of Fernando Gago and Ezequiel Lavezzi, of Roma and Napoli, respectively. Gago, who participated in the 2011 Copa America, returns to the side after an injury setback. Lavezzi, who was also part of Argentina's squad for the competition also makes his return. Meanwhile, Sabella decided to call-up Pablo Guinazu of Internacional of Brazil and Luciano Monzon of French side Nice.
Copa America Replaces World Cup Qualifiers For 2014 Hosts Brazil—Aurelio
In three years’ time, Brazil will be hosting the 2014 FIFA World Cup. And whereas teams will be busy vying for a spot in the group stages of that tournament, the Seleçao won’t have any qualification encounter to worry about. Now as the hosts of the 2014 World Cup, Liverpool player Aurelio is hoping that Brazil will make the most of the 2011 Copa America. “I think that the Copa America is viewed like the Euros here,” Aurelio told LFC Weekly.
“It’s very important for all national teams, but especially for Brazil, because we won’t have any qualifying game for the next World Cup because we are the hosts.”
El Salvador v Honduras CONCACAF World Cup qualifier Match Preview
Los Catrachos will play El Salvador away in San Salvador and only a victory will give them the chance to claim the third spot in the unique group.
Table description, Honduras’ position
At the top of the table, the United States...
Chile v Ecuador South American qualifier Match Preview
Ecuador’s match against the Chileans promises to be a mouthwatering clash, especially because the Ecuadorians are behind Argentina and Uruguay who will lock horns in another decisive match on Wednesday.
Ecuador’s table status and statistical analysis
Ecuador are sixth in the table with twenty-three points. In contrast to the Uruguayans who are one point above them, the Ecuadorians have a negative goal difference.
This means that a draw will surely not be enough even if Uruguay lose to Argentina. A win for the Ecuadorians is the only solution for the country to have a chance of qualifying into the finals of the World Cup.
Brazil vs Venezuela South Africa 2010 World Cup Qualifier Match Preview
A ticket for Brazil, reconstruction for Venezuela
Having already qualified for South Africa 2010, Brazil will be playing to win regardless of their success thusfar. They come from a 2-1 loss in Bolivia, where the altitude proved to be a difficult task for them.
Venezuela unfortunately met their end this weekend when they lost to Paraguay at home 1-2. Of their past 5 games, this was their only loss and their eyes were set on South Africa.
Now, Venezuela must pick up the pieces and play for pride. A win away in Brazil would be huge for their countrymen and a good start at thinking about the next FIFA World Cup in 2014 in Brazil.
El Salvador v Honduras CONCACAF World Cup qualifier Match Preview
Los Catrachos will play El Salvador away in San Salvador and only a victory will give them the chance to claim the third spot in the unique group.
Table description, Honduras’ position
At the top of the table, the United States and Mexico have booked their tickets for the finals of the World Cup next summer.
At the foot of the standings, it is definitely all over for both Trinidad & Tobago and El Salvador. Meanwhile, the battle in the middle of the table between...
Portugal v Malta European World Cup qualifier Match Preview
A string of disappointing results throughout the qualifiers denied Portugal from clinching automatic tickets for the finals of the World Cup in South Africa. However, after a meaningful 3-0 victory at home to Hungary last Saturday, the Portuguese are favorites to maintain the second spot and ultimately qualify...
Uruguay vs Argentina South Africa 2010 World Cup Qualifier Match Preview
Importance of the game
Argentina made an amazing effort to grab the 3 points at home against Peru with a stoppage time goal by veteran Martin Palermo. They now currently stand in fourth place with 25 points.
Uruguay had an equally exciting game away in Ecuador with a last minute penalty goal by Diego Forlan. They currently are one point behind Argentina with 24 points.
While a tie could ensure an automatic spot for Argentina (unless Ecuador win away in Chile by 5 or more goals), a win is a must for Uruguay if they want that automatic spot.
Both countries want nothing more than to have that automatic entry to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, but the fifth place finisher will have to go to a home and away playoff against either Honduras or Costa Rica.
Costa Rica v Trinidad and Tobago – South Africa 2010 World Cup Qualifier
Costa Rica and Trinidad and Tobago’s table standings
It may not be the big game of the day in the CONCACAF Group – that would have to be the intriguing clash between Honduras and the USA – but for Costa Rica this will be the defining moment of their qualifying campaign.
After leading the group in this final round of qualifying matches Los Ticos have hit the wall losing their last three matches with no goals scored and eight conceded resulting in coach...
Mexico v El Salvador World Cup qualifier Match Preview
The big deal is that El Tri have the chance of celebrating their passage into the finals of the World Cup in South Africa in front of their home fans.
Mexico analysis: Bad memories can be brushed away
Moments before El Tri restored their pride and fortress with the leadership of Javier Aguirre, the Mexicans played the first leg of this encounter.
At the end of all proceedings, the visitors Mexico were left shattered by a late penalty scored by El Salvador’s Quintanilla.
Bolivia vs Brazil South Africa 2010 World Cup Qualifier Match Preview
Where they stand
Having already qualified and comfortably sitting at the top of the table, any result for Brazil will not affect their chances at reaching South Africa 2010.
Bolivia, on the other hand, look for a moral victory at home despite having already been knocked out of the 2010 edition of the FIFA World Cup.
Argentina vs Peru South Africa 2010 World Cup Qualifier Match Preview
Importance of the game
The last time these two teams met in World Cup Qualifying was on September 10, 2008, where they drew 1-1 in Lima.
Unfortunately for Peru, no result from this game will increase their chances for a ticket to South Africa, as they were the first team to be eliminated from South America...
Colombia v Chile South American World Cup qualifier Match Preview
Colombia’s task is to stay in contention for qualification whereas Chile’s aim is to seal their place in South Africa 2010.
Colombia table status and analysis
With two matches left to play in the qualification campaign, Colombia found themselves out of the automatic and play-off zones.
The Coffee Growers are three places and two points behind Argentina who are fifth. Colombia’s little number of points come from the fact that they’ve picked up more losses than they’ve clinched either victories or draws.
Honduras v the United States CONCACAF World Cup qualifier Match Preview
Honduras
Two defeats in September obviously didn’t help Honduras in their campaign. They now seat third behind the leaders USA and Mexico.
As things stand, Honduras are just inside the automatic qualification zone above fourth-placed Costa Rica.
According to Wigan Athletic’s Figueroa, his country’s hopes of reaching its first World Cup finals in over twenty-four years are well alive.
Ecuador v Uruguay South American World Cup qualifier Match Preview
Brazil and Paraguay have already booked their places into the finals of the World Cup in South Africa.
However, like Argentina, Venezuela, Colombia and even Chile in third, nothing is assured yet for both Ecuador and Uruguay.
These two teams will affront each other on Saturday and anything else than a draw will definitely put more fire in the already-hot race.
Republic of Ireland v Italy European World Cup qualifiers Match Preview
The Republic of Ireland's table status
The Irish stand second in Group 8 with sixteen points from eight matches.
They’ve won as much games as they’ve drawn.
Like Italy, they share an unbeaten record in the table. The Republic of Ireland are far ahead of third-placed Bulgaria who have eleven points but they trail Italy by four points.
Ukraine v England European World Cup qualifier Match Preview
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England have booked their tickets for the World Cup in South Africa but they are ready to pose a threat to the Ukrainians who have a play-off place at stake.
Group 6 – England, Ukraine, (and Croatia) facts:
England protect a 100% record in the qualifiers. This run was especially emphasized earlier in September with an overwhelming 5-1 victory against Croatia.
The most astonishing thing in the qualifiers is that England have scored as much as 31 goals which gives them a plus 26 goal difference as they’ve conceded only five.
Czech Republic v Poland European World Cup qualifier Match Preview
Things have astonishingly unfolded in Group 3 where Slovakia have the lead at the top of a congested table.
Whereas three points separate second-placed Slovenia from fifth-placed Poland in this six-team grid, five points detach the leaders Slovakia from the rest.
Anxiety and hope will surely reign in the camp of the Czechs ahead of Saturday’s crunch encounter at the Sparta Stadium against Poland.
Russia v Germany European World Cup qualifier Match Preview
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Russia will welcome Group 4 leaders Germany at the Luzhniki Stadium in a decisive World Cup qualifier.
Table status, comparisons, and analysis
In a table like Group 4 where other countries are already out of contention mathematically, the attention turns very much to the top where two fierce teams eye nothing but automatic qualification.
Both Russia and Germany have recorded seven wins in eight world cup qualifiers. The Germans’ dominance is mainly due to their goal scoring instinct. Germany have an average of three goals per game as they have scored 24 goals so far – six more than their nearest challengers Russia.
Portugal v Hungary European World Cup Qualifier Match Preview
The Estadio da Luz will witness Euro 2004 runners-up Portugal host the 1938 and 1954 World Cup finalists Hungary.
Portugal and Hungary’s table status and comparisons
Both teams are currently out of the qualifying zone behind the leaders Denmark and second placed Sweden.
Portugal and Hungary are locked on 13 points from 8 games and the Portuguese only have their noses in front thanks to a better goal difference.