2014 FIFA World Cup Football/Soccer Thread

[BroadwayBomber55]

From FIFA.com and ESPN Soccernet Live Chat

Europe (UEFA) - UEFA First Round

Group A: Wales, Macedonia, Scotland, Belgium, Serbia, Croatia
Group B: Malta, Armenia, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Italy
Group C: Kazakhstan, Faroe Islands, Austria, Ireland, Sweden, Germany
Group D: Andorra, Estonia, Romania, Hungary, Turkey, Netherlands
Group E: Iceland, Cyprus, Albania, Switzerland, Slovenia, Norway
Group F: Luxembourg, Azerbaijan, Northern Ireland, Israel, Russia, Portugal
Group G: Liechtenstein, Latvia, Lithuania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Slovakia, Greece
Group H: San Marino, Moldova, Poland, Ukraine, Montenegro, England
Group I: Finland, Georgia, Belarus, France, Spain

[BroadwayBomber55]

CONCACAF has 30 teams remaining.

Edited, thank you.

[BroadwayBomber55]

2014 FIFA World Cup qualification - Qualifying Guide
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/feature...ifying?cc=5901

July 30 Draws in Full

Africa (CAF)
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/st...eliminary-draw

Asia (AFC)
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/st...eliminary-draw

North, Central America and the Caribbean (CONCACAF)
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/st...eliminary-draw

Oceania (OFC)
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/st...eliminary-draw

Europe (UEFA)
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/st...y-draw?cc=5739

[DanBC]

From FIFA.com and ESPN Soccernet Live Chat

Europe (UEFA) - UEFA First Round

Group A: Wales, Macedonia, Scotland, Belgium, Serbia, Croatia
Group B: Malta, Armenia, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Italy
Group C: Kazakhstan, Faroe Islands, Austria, Ireland, Sweden, Germany
Group D: Andorra, Estonia, Romania, Hungary, Turkey, Netherlands
Group E: Iceland, Cyprus, Albania, Switzerland, Slovenia, Norway
Group F: Luxembourg, Azerbaijan, Northern Ireland, Israel, Russia, Portugal
Group G: Liechtenstein, Latvia, Lithuania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Slovakia, Greece
Group H: San Marino, Moldova, Poland, Ukraine, Montenegro, England
Group I: Finland, Georgia, Belarus, France, Spain

A: interesting one, might be close but i would expect Serbia and Croatia to battle it out
B: Italy or the Czechs
C: Ze Germans
D: Holland surely
E: Between Norway and the Swiss
F:Ruski or Portugal
G:This will be tighter than a flys arse!
H:Should be England all the way!
I: Unlucky frogs getting the World and Euro champs! Spain!

the Euro qualifying is the toughest to get through next to South America but I know what people feel when they say it is a waste of time as the usual (Germany, Spain, England, italy etc) always get through but you never know, shocks are known to happen........USA 94 with no England!!!!

[BroadwayBomber55]

A: interesting one, might be close but i would expect Serbia and Croatia to battle it out
B: Italy or the Czechs
C: Ze Germans
D: Holland surely
E: Between Norway and the Swiss
F:Ruski or Portugal
G:This will be tighter than a flys arse!
H:Should be England all the way!
I: Unlucky frogs getting the World and Euro champs! Spain!

the Euro qualifying is the toughest to get through next to South America but I know what people feel when they say it is a waste of time as the usual (Germany, Spain, England, italy etc) always get through but you never know, shocks are known to happen........USA 94 with no England!!!!

Or even 2002 without the Dutch.

In my mind, Europe and South America have the toughest qualifications.

[DanBC]

Or even 2002 without the Dutch.

In my mind, Europe and South America have the toughest qualifications.

absolutely! i do enjoy seeing the argies and their neighbours play each other!

there are some real easy ways to get to the world cup.........im looking at you australia!

[BroadwayBomber55]

absolutely! i do enjoy seeing the argies and their neighbours play each other!

there are some real easy ways to get to the world cup.........im looking at you australia!

With Australia, they have a better chance to qualify automatically since they joined Asia after the 2006 FIFA World Cup rather than winning the Oceania qualifying tournament and then had to go to a two-legged Inter-Confederation play-off with either a team from CONMEBOL South America or even UEFA Europe like the Socceroos used to do while they were members of OFC.

Don't forget, the OFC has no direct route to the World Cup.

New Zealand did it for the 1982 and 2010 World Cup appearances. They have to do it again.

[Yankeesfan924]

Go Liechtenstein!

[DanBC]

With Australia, they have a better chance to qualify automatically since they joined Asia after the 2006 FIFA World Cup rather than winning the Oceania qualifying tournament and then had to go to a two-legged Inter-Confederation play-off with either a team from CONMEBOL South America or even UEFA Europe like the Socceroos used to do while they were members of OFC.

Don't forget, the OFC has no direct route to the World Cup.

New Zealand did it for the 1982 and 2010 World Cup appearances. They have to do it again.

thats what makes the qualifiers fun! the aussies were very lucky they get the easy way now!

the kiwis were the only undefeated team in the last world cup i believe

[BroadwayBomber55]

thats what makes the qualifiers fun! the aussies were very lucky they get the easy way now!

the kiwis were the only undefeated team in the last world cup i believe

Yep, all three draws for the All Whites.

[EvanJ]

http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/prelimi.../fixtures.html has the schedule for Friday September 2 when there will be 21 qualifiers, 10 in Asia and 11 in CONCACAF (it would have been 12 but Bahamas withdrew).

[BroadwayBomber55]

2014 FIFA World Cup Qualifying: Asia (AFC)

From FIFA.com

Third Round Qualifying Stage

Group Matchday Fixtures: September 2-6, 2011

02/09/11 16:30 Tursunzade Tajikistan - Uzbekistan
02/09/11 17:00 Arbil Iraq - Jordan
02/09/11 19:00 Muscat Oman - Saudi Arabia
02/09/11 19:24 Saitama Japan - Korea DPR
02/09/11 19:30 Al Ain City United Arab Emirates - Kuwait
02/09/11 20:00 Kunming China PR - Singapore
02/09/11 20:00 Goyang Korea Republic - Lebanon
02/09/11 20:00 Manama Bahrain - Qatar
02/09/11 20:00 Tehran Iran - Indonesia
02/09/11 20:06 Brisbane Australia - Thailand

06/09/11 16:30 Pyongyang Korea DPR - Tajikistan
06/09/11 17:00 Beirut Lebanon - United Arab Emirates
06/09/11 18:30 Bangkok Thailand - Oman
06/09/11 19:00 Amman Jordan - China PR
06/09/11 19:00 Tashkent Uzbekistan - Japan
06/09/11 19:00 Jakarta Indonesia - Bahrain
06/09/11 19:30 Singapore Singapore - Iraq
06/09/11 19:30 Doha Qatar - Iran
06/09/11 20:00 Kuwait City Kuwait - Korea Republic
06/09/11 20:30 Dammam Saudi Arabia - Australia

[BroadwayBomber55]

2014 FIFA World Cup Qualifying: Asia (AFC)

From FIFA.com

News: August 19, 2011

Syria were replaced by Tajikistan in the Third Round on 19 August 2011 following the awarding of both Second Round matches to Tajikistan.

Syria was disqualified for fielding an ineligible player in that tie.
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/prelimi...ewsid=1495459/

FIFA awarded both legs 3-0 wins in the second round for Tajikistan over Syria.

[BroadwayBomber55]

BB55's Picks: 2014 FIFA World Cup Qualifying: Asia (AFC) - Third Round

Note: Top 2 teams advance to the fourth round.

Group A
1. Iraq
2. China

Followed by...
3. Jordan
4. Singapore

Group B
1. South Korea (Korea Republic)
2. Kuwait

Followed by...
3. Lebanon
4. United Arab Emirates

Group C
1. Japan
2. North Korea (Korea DPR)

Followed by...
3. Uzbekistan
4. Tajikistan

Group D
1. Australia
2. Saudi Arabia

Followed by...
3. Thailand
4. Oman

Group E
1. Bahrain
2. Iran

Followed by...
3. Qatar
4. Indonesia

[BroadwayBomber55]

2014 FIFA World Cup Qualifying: North, Central America and the Caribbean (CONCACAF)

Second Round

Group Matchday Fixtures: September 2-6, 2011

From FIFA.com

02/09/11 15:00 Port-Au-Prince Haiti - US Virgin Islands
02/09/11 15:30 St. George's Grenada - Belize
02/09/11 16:00 Port Of Spain Trinidad and Tobago - Bermuda
02/09/11 18:00 Paramaribo Suriname - Cayman Islands
02/09/11 18:00 Roseau Dominica - Nicaragua
02/09/11 19:00 St. John's Antigua and Barbuda - Curacao
02/09/11 19:30 San Salvador El Salvador - Dominican Republic
02/09/11 20:00 Georgetown Guyana - Barbados
02/09/11 20:00 Basseterre St. Kitts and Nevis - Puerto Rico
02/09/11 20:00 Toronto Canada - St. Lucia
02/09/11 20:00 Guatemala City Guatemala - St. Vincent / Grenadines

06/09/11 TBA Nicaragua - Panama
06/09/11 15:00 San Cristobal Dominican Republic - Suriname
06/09/11 15:00 Kingstown St. Vincent / Grenadines - Grenada
06/09/11 15:30 Frederiksted US Virgin Islands - Antigua and Barbuda
06/09/11 16:00 Bridgetown Barbados - Trinidad and Tobago
06/09/11 16:00 Belmopan Belize - Guatemala
06/09/11 18:00 Gros Islet St. Lucia - St. Kitts and Nevis
06/09/11 19:30 Georgetown Cayman Islands - El Salvador
06/09/11 20:00 Georgetown Guyana - Bermuda
06/09/11 20:00 Bayamon Puerto Rico - Canada
06/09/11 20:00 Willemstad Curacao - Haiti

[BroadwayBomber55]

BB55's Picks: 2014 FIFA World Cup Qualifying: North, Central America and the Caribbean (CONCACAF) - Second Round

Note: Group winners advance to Third Round.

Group A
1. El Salvador

Followed by...
2. Cayman Islands
3. Suriname
4. Dominican Republic

Group B
1. Trinidad and Tobago

Followed by...
2. Barbados
3. Bermuda
4. Guyana

Group C
1. Panama

Followed by...
2. Nicaragua
3. Dominica

Group D
1. Canada

Followed by...
2. Saint Lucia
3. Puerto Rico
4. Saint Kitts and Nevis

Group E
1. Guatemala

Followed by...
2. Grenada
3. Belize
4. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Group F
1. Haiti

Followed by
2. Antigua and Barbuda
3. Curacao
4. U.S. Virgin Islands

[EvanJ]

You missed Group F.

In a prediction contest I'm running on BigSoccer, Cayman Islands has an average of 1.59 points and St. Lucia has an average of 0.95 points so I'm surprised you predicted both of those countries second. I'm also surprised you predicted Guyana to finish last. Here are my predictions:

El Salvador: 18
Suriname: 10
Dominican Republic: 7
Cayman Islands: 0

Trinidad and Tobago: 18
Guyana: 10
Barbados: 5
Bermuda: 1

Panama: 12
Dominica: 2
Nicaragua: 2

Canada: 18
St. Kitts and Nevis: 8
Puerto Rico: 8
St. Lucia: 0

Guatemala: 16
Grenada: 13
St. Vincent and the Grenadines: 2
Belize: 2

Haiti: 14 (wins group on goal differential)
Antigua and Barbuda: 14
Curacao: 6
U.S. Virgin Islands: 0

[BroadwayBomber55]

You missed Group F.

In a prediction contest I'm running on BigSoccer, Cayman Islands has an average of 1.59 points and St. Lucia has an average of 0.95 points so I'm surprised you predicted both of those countries second. I'm also surprised you predicted Guyana to finish last. Here are my predictions:

El Salvador: 18
Suriname: 10
Dominican Republic: 7
Cayman Islands: 0

Trinidad and Tobago: 18
Guyana: 10
Barbados: 5
Bermuda: 1

Panama: 12
Dominica: 2
Nicaragua: 2

Canada: 18
St. Kitts and Nevis: 8
Puerto Rico: 8
St. Lucia: 0

Guatemala: 16
Grenada: 13
St. Vincent and the Grenadines: 2
Belize: 2

Haiti: 14 (wins group on goal differential)
Antigua and Barbuda: 14
Curacao: 6
U.S. Virgin Islands: 0

And for Asia?

[EvanJ]

And for Asia?

Maybe I'll predict Asia later, but my prediction contest on BigSoccer at http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1794072 is only for CONCACAF so that's all I posted yesterday.

[BroadwayBomber55]

2014 FIFA World Cup Qualifying: Asia (AFC)

From FIFA.com

Third Round Qualifying Stage

Group Matchday FT Scores: September 2, 2011

Group A
China edged Singapore 2-1 thanks to a Zheng Zhi penalty and a Yu Hai strike 4 minutes apart in the second half cancelling Aleksandar Duric's first half tally.

Hasan Mahmoud and Abdullah Allah Deeb scored to give Jordan a 2-0 win over Iraq.

China 2-1 Singapore

Iraq 0-2 Jordan

Group B
Arsene Wenger and the Arsenal supporters will like to see Park Chu-Young in action.

The Gunners' latest signing bagged a hat trick as former 2002 Top 4 finisher South Korea (Korea Republic) thrashed Lebanon 6-0.

Sunderland's Steve Bruce is also pleased with his Korean signing as Ji Dong-Won bagged a brace.

Yousef Nasser's two goals were enough as Kuwait, despite leading 3-0, had to hang on and defeat the United Arab Emirates 3-2.

South Korea 6-0 Lebanon

United Arab Emirates 2-3 Kuwait

Group C
The reigning AFC Asian Cup champions Japan put somemore smiles to Japanese soccer in 2011 after former Nagoya Grampus Eight center half Maya Yoshida scored in the 94th minute to help the Blue Samurai edged North Korea (Korea DPR) 1-0 in Saitama.

Uzbekistan edged reinstated Tajikistan 1-0.

Group D
Tabata will be more relieved.

Despite dominating throughout the match inside Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium, Australia only edged a injury-raging, but gritty Thailand 2-1.

Teerasil Dangda gave the War Elephants a shock 1-0 lead in the 15th minute.

However, Josh Kennedy got the Socceroos on the board with his 58th minute equalizer to make it 1-1.

And former Brisbane Roar and Sydney FC player Alex Brosque scored the winner with 4 minutes to go to the delight of coach Holger Osieck.

Australia will get a test on the road as they take on Frank Rijkaard and Saudi Arabia on Tuesday.

Australia 2-1 Thailand

Oman 0-0 Saudi Arabia

Group E
Javad Nekonam's double sees Iran throttled Indonesia 3-0.

And two-time Inter-confederation play-off runners-up Bahrain had a goalless draw against the hosts of the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar.

Iran 3-0 Indonesia

Bahrain 0-0 Qatar

[BroadwayBomber55]

2014 FIFA World Cup Qualifying: North, Central America and the Caribbean (CONCACAF)

Second Round

Group Matchday FT Scores: September 2, 2011

From FIFA.com

Group A
Rodolfo Zelaya's brace gives El Salvador a good start in their quest for a third FIFA World Cup appearance with a 3-2 win over the Dominican Republic to the delight of the crowd inside Estadio Cuscatlán in San Salvador.

Friso Mando's 11th-minute penalty was good enough for Suriname against the Cayman Islands.

Suriname 1-0 Cayman Islands

El Salvador 3-2 Dominican Republic

Group B
Stoke City striker Kenwyne Jones was on target in Trinidad and Tobago's 1-0 win over Bermuda.

The Soca Warriors are not on top of Group B though as Guyana defeats Barbados 2-0 thanks to goals from Shawn Beveney and Charles Pollard.

Trinidad & Tobago 1-0 Bermuda

Guyana 2-0 Barbados

Group C
Raul Leguias and Felix Rodriguez strikes help Nicaragua defeat Dominica 2-0 in a three-team Group C following the withdrawal of the Bahamas.

Dominica 0-2 Nicaragua

Group D
Josh Simpson's brace leads Canada to a 4-1 rout over Saint Lucia.

A goalless stalemate between St. Kitts and Nevis and Puerto Rico.

Canada 4-1 St. Lucia

St. Kitts and Nevis 0-0 Puerto Rico

Group E
Guatemala and Belize open with wins.

Grenada 0-3 Belize

Guatemala 4-0 St. Vincent and Grenadines

Group F
Cruise control domination by Haiti and Antigua and Barbuda.

Haiti 6-0 US Virgin Islands

Antigua and Barbuda 5-2 Curacao

[BroadwayBomber55]

2014 FIFA World Cup Qualifying: Asia (AFC)

From FIFA.com

Third Round Qualifying Stage

Group Matchday FT Scores: September 6, 2011

Group A
Jordan reaches the top of Group A with a 2-1 win over China PR.

Baha'a Abdul-Rahman and Amer Deeb struck for Jordan who are a perfect 2 for 2.

Meanwhile, Iraq pick up a win against bottom-feeders Singapore 2-0. Alaa Abdul-Zahra and Younis Mahmoud struck for Iraq.

Singapore 0-2 Iraq

Jordan 2-1 China

Group B
Arsenal's Park Chu-Young gave South Korea a 1-0 lead in Kuwait 8 minutes in, but were held 1-1 as Hussain Fadel equalized in the 53rd minute.

Lebanon cruised to a 3-1 win over United Arab Emirates.

Mohammed Ghaddar's penalty in the 37th minute followed by second half strikes from Akram Moghrabi and Roda Antar offset Mahmood Khamees's 16th minute goal.

Lebanon 3-1 United Arab Emirates

Kuwait 1-1 South Korea

Group C
Japan needed a Shinji Okazaki goal to escape Tashkent with a point in their 1-1 draw against Uzbekistan.

The Blue Samurai trailed 1-0 8 minutes in when Server Djeparov struck.

However, Stuttgart forward Okazaki equalized to give Japan a point in their toughest test.

Meanwhile, North Korea (Korea DPR) edged Tajikistan 1-0 in Pyongyang when Pak Nam-Chol scored the only goal of the match in the 14th minute.

North Korea 1-0 Tajikistan

Uzbekistan 1-1 Japan

Group D
Australia passed their toughest test as they earned a 3-1 victory in the sweltering heat in Dammam over Frank Rijkaard's Saudi Arabia.

Former German Bundesliga player Joshua Kennedy scored twice and a penalty Luke Wilkshire gave the Socceroos the win.

Thailand thrashed Oman 3-0. Sompong Soleb, Teerasil Dangda and a Rashid Al-Farsi own goal gave the Thai's a clean sheet win in Bangkok's Rajamangala Stadium.

Thailand 3-0 Oman

Saudi Arabia 1-3 Australia

Group E
Bahrain gets on the win column with a 2-0 win over Indonesia.

Sayed Saeed and 2009 AFC Play-off hero Ismail Abdul-Latif scored for the Bahrainis.

And Iran and 2022 FIFA World Cup hosts Qatar settle for a 1-1 stalemate. Mohamed El-Sayed cancelled Hadi Aghili's goal.

Indonesia 0-2 Bahrain

Qatar 1-1 Iran

[BroadwayBomber55]

2014 FIFA World Cup Qualifying: Asia (AFC)

From FIFA.com

Third Round Qualifying Stage

Group Standings: As of September 6, 2011

Note: Top 2 teams advance to AFC Fourth Round.

Group A
Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
Jordan 2 2 0 0 4 1 +3 6
China PR 2 1 0 1 3 3 0 3
Iraq 2 1 0 1 2 2 0 3
Singapore 2 0 0 2 1 4 −3 0

Group B
Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
South Korea 2 1 1 0 7 1 +6 4
Kuwait 2 1 1 0 4 3 +1 4
Lebanon 2 1 0 1 3 7 −4 3
United Arab Emirates 2 0 0 2 3 6 −3 0

Group C
Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
Japan 2 1 1 0 2 1 +1 4
Uzbekistan 2 1 1 0 2 1 +1 4
North Korea 2 1 0 1 1 1 0 3
Tajikistan 2 0 0 2 0 2 −2 0

Group D
Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
Australia 2 2 0 0 5 2 +3 6
Thailand 2 1 0 1 4 2 +2 3
Saudi Arabia 2 0 1 1 1 3 -2 1
Oman 2 0 1 1 0 3 −3 1

Group E

Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
Iran 2 1 1 0 4 1 +3 4
Bahrain 2 1 1 0 2 0 +2 4
Qatar 2 0 2 0 1 1 0 2
Indonesia 2 0 0 2 0 5 −5 0

[BroadwayBomber55]

2014 FIFA World Cup Qualifying: North, Central America and the Caribbean (CONCACAF)

Second Round

Group Matchday FT Scores: September 6, 2011

From FIFA.com

Group A
El Salvador cruised to a 4-1 victory over the Cayman Islands. Luis Anaya delivered a brace.

Suriname and the Dominican Republic settle for a 1-1 draw.

Dominican Republic 1-1 Suriname

Cayman Islands 1-4 El Salvador

Group B
Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago are tied for first after their latest wins.

The Soca Warriors outclassed Barbados 2-0 thanks to goals from Keon Daniel and Darryl Roberts.

Guyana edged Bermuda 2-1 behind two goals from Vurlon Mills.

Guyana goes on top of TNT for first in Group B based on goals scored.

Barbados 0-2 Trinidad & Tobago

Guyana 2-1 Bermuda

Group C
Luis Tejada and Blas Perez helped Panama edged Nicaragua 2-1.

Nicaragua 1-2 Panama

Group D
Canada blitzed Puerto Rico behind goals from Preston North End's Iain Hume, Norwich City's Simeon Jackson and Tosaint Ricketts.

Saint Kitts and Nevis defeated Saint Lucia 4-2.

St. Lucia 2-4 St. Kitts and Nevis

Puerto Rico 0-3 Canada

Group E
Gustavo Cabrera and Mynor Lopez struck for Guatemala against Belize.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Grenada meet on September 18.

Belize 1-2 Guatemala

Group F
Haiti and Antigua and Barbuda won their matches.

Antigua and Barbuda crippled U.S. Virgin Islands 8-1 behind braces from Peter Byers and Randolph Burton.

Haiti defeated Curacao 4-2.

US Virgin Islands 1-8 Antigua and Barbuda

Curacao 2-4 Haiti

[BroadwayBomber55]

In future World Cup news, Qatar 2022 could cost 138bn GBP ($220.5bn USD)
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/st...L138bn?cc=5901