FIFA World Cup 2014

[joew2005]

AFC Qualification - AFC 3rd Round


Group A
Jordan P2 W2 D0 L0 GS4 GA1 GD+3 Points=6
PRC P2 W1 D0 L1 GS3 GA3 GD0 Points=3
Iraq P2 W1 D0 L1 GS2 GA2 GD0 Points=3
Singapore P2 W0 D0 L2 GS1 GA4 GD-3 Points=0

11 October 2011 - China PR vs Iraq / Singapore vs Jordan
11 November 2011 - Jordan vs Singapore / Iraq vs China PR
15 November 2011 - Jordan vs Iraq / Singapore vs China PR
29 February 2012 - China PR vs Jordan / Iraq vs Singapore


Group B
Soth Korea P2 W1 D1 L0 GS7 GA1 GD+6 Points=4
Kuwait P2 W1 D1 L0 GS4 GA3 GD+1 Points=4
Lebanon P2 W1 D0 L1 GS3 GA7 GD-4 Points=3
UAE P2 W0 D0 L2 GS3 GA6 GD-3 Points=0

11 October 2011 - South Korea vs UAE / Lebanon vs Kuwait
11 November 2011 - Kuwait vs Lebanon / UAE vs South Korea
15 November 2011 - Kuwait vs UAE / Lebanon vs South Korea
29 February 2012 - South Korea vs Kuwait / UAE vs Lebanon


Group C
Uzbekistan P2 W1 D1 L0 GS2 GA1 GD+1 Points=4
Japan P2 W1 D1 L0 GS2 GA1 GD+1 Points=4
North Korea P2 W1 D0 L1 GS1 GA1 GD0 Points=3
Tajikistan P2 W0 D0 L2 GS0 GA2 GD-2 Points=0

11 October 2011 - Japan vs Tajikistan / North Korea vs Uzbekistan
11 November 2011 - Uzbekistan vs North Korea / Tajikistan vs Japan
15 November 2011 - Uzbekistan vs Tajikistan / North Korea vs Japan
29 February 2012 - Japan vs Uzbekistan / Tajikistan vs North Korea


Group D
Australia P2 W2 D0 L0 GS5 GA2 GD+3 Points=6
Thailand P2 W1 D0 L1 GS4 GA2 GD+2 Points=3
Saudi Arabia P2 W0 D1 L1 GS1 GA3 GD-2 Points=1
Oman P2 W0 D1 L1 GS0 GA3 GD-3 Points=1

11 October 2011 - Australia vs Oman / Thailand vs Saudi Arabia
11 November 2011 - Saudi Arabia vs Thailand / Oman vs Australia
15 November 2011 - Saudi Arabia vs Oman / Thailand vs Australia
29 February 2012 - Australia vs Saudi Arabia / Oman vs Thailand


Group E
Iran P2 W1 D1 L0 GS4 GA1 GD+3 Points=4
Qatar P2 W0 D2 L0 GS1 GA1 GD0 Points=2
Bahrain P2 W1 D1 L0 GS2 GA0 GD+2 Points=4
Indonesia P2 W0 D0 L2 GS0 GA5 GD-5 Points=0

11 October 2011 - Iran vs Bahrain / Indonesia vs Qatar
11 November 2011 - Qatar vs Indonesia / Bahrain vs Iran
15 November 2011 - Qatar vs Bahrain / Indonesia vs Iran
29 February 2012 - Iran vs Qatar / Bahrain vs Indonesia


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014_FI..._Th ird_Round



AFC Qualification - AFC 4th round
3rd round final group winners + runner-ups.(total 10 nations).
Draw into 2 diff groups of 5 teams in each group.
The draw date, location & procedure for 4th round will be confirmed by the end of 3rd round by the Organising Committee for the FIFA World Cup Brazil 2014.
The AFC hv proposed tat the teams tat qualify 4 tis stage will be ranked according 2 the latest FIFA rankings @ the time of the draw

The final 2 group winners + group runner-ups of the 4th round would clinch auto the 4 auto berths to WC2014.

The 4th round matches r scheduled 2 take place betw 3 June 2012 & 18 June 2013.



AFC Qualification - AFC 5th round
The final two 3rd placed nation in the 4th round shall go into a home~away leg play-off.
Winner over the 2 legs shall go in2 the Inter-confederation play-off, 2 determine a possible 5th qualifier fr Asia 4 WC2014.
The draw date, location & procedure for the 5th will be confirmed by the end of 4th round by the Organising Committee for the FIFA World Cup Brazil 2014.
The 5th round matches r scheduled 2 be played on 6 & 10 Sept 2013, with the order of the 2 legs yet 2 be determined.



Intercontinental play-off
The AFC 5th round winner will play CONMEBOL's(south america) 5th-placed team in a home-&-away play-off. The winner of tis play-off qualifies 4 the 2014 FIFA World Cup finals.

[joew2005]

CAF Qualification - 1st round

1st leg on 11 Nov 2011
Seychelles vs Kenya
Guinea-Bissau vs Togo
Djibouti vs Namibia
Mauritius vs Liberia
Comoros vs Mozambique
Equatorial Guinea vs Madagascar
Somalia vs Ethiopia
Lesotho vs Burundi
Eritrea vs Rwanda
Swaziland vs Congo DR
São Tomé-&-Príncipe vs Congo
Chad vs Tanzania

2nd leg on 15 Nov 2011
Kenya vs Seychelles
Togo vs Guinea-Bissau
Namibia vs Djibouti
Liberia vs Mauritius
Mozambique vs Comoros
Madagascar vs Equatorial Guinea
Ethiopia vs Somalia
Burundi vs Lesotho
Rwanda vs Eritrea
Congo DR vs Swaziland
Congo vs São Tomé-&-Príncipe
Tanzania vs Chad

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014_FI...helles_v_Kenya


CAF 2nd round grouping

Group A - South Africa, Botswana, Central African Republic & Somalia/Ethiopia.

Group B - Tunisia, Cape Verde, Sierra Leone & Equatorial Guinea/Madagascar.

Group C - Côte d'Ivoire, Morocco, Gambia & Chad/Tanzania.

Group D - Ghana, Zambia, Sudan & Lesotho/Burundi.

Group E - Burkina Faso, Gabon, Niger & São Tomé-&-Príncipe/Congo

Group F - Nigeria, Malawi, Seychelles/Kenya & Djibouti/Namibia.

Group G - Egypt, Guinea, Zimbabwe & Comoros/Mozambique.

Group H - Algeria, Mali, Benin & Eritrea/Rwanda.

Group I - Cameroon, Libya, Guinea-Bissau/Togo & Swaziland/Congo DR.

Group J - Senegal, Uganda, Angola & Mauritius/Liberia.

10 groups consisting of 4 nations each, the 6 match-days hv been scheduled on:
1) 1–5 June 2012
2) 8–12 June 2012
3) 22–26 March 2013
4) 7–11 June 2013
5) 14–18 June 2013
6) 6–10 September 2013

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014_FI...ification_(CAF)

CAF 3rd round pairing -
All 2nd round group winners(10 teams) shall proceed 2 the 3rd round.
The 10 teams would be drawn into a 2-leg playoff against another team(Oct/Nov 2013).
The 5 winners over the 2 legs in the 3rd round shall clinch the auto berth 2 WC2014.

[joew2005]

CONCACAF Qualification - 2nd Round

Group A
El Salvador P2 W2 D0 L0 GS7 GA3 GD+4 Pts=6
Suriname P2 W1 D1 L0 GS2 GA1 GD+1 Pts=4
Dominican Republic P2 W0 D1 L1 GS3 GA4 GD–1 Pts=1
Cayman Islands P2 W0 D0 L2 GS1 GA5 GD–4 Pts=0

7 October 2011 - Dominican Republic vs El Salvador / Cayman Islands vs Suriname
11 October 2011 - El Salvador vs Cayman Islands / Suriname vs Dominican Republic
11 November 2011 - Suriname vs El Salvador / Dominican Republic vs Cayman Islands
15 November 2011 - El Salvador vs Suriname / Cayman Islands vs Dominican Republic


Group B
Guyana P2 W2 D0 L0 GS4 GA1 GD+3 Pts=6
Trinidad and Tobago P2 W2 D0 L0 GS3 GA0 GD+3 Pts=6
Bermuda P2 W0 D0 L2 GS1 GA3 GD–2 Pts=0
Barbados P2 W0 D0 L2 GS0 GA4 GD–4 Pts=0

7 October 2011 - Bermuda vs Trinidad and Tobago / Barbados vs Guyana
11 October 2011 - Trinidad and Tobago vs Barbados / Bermuda vs Guyana
11 November 2011 - Guyana vs Trinidad and Tobago / Bermuda vs Barbados
15 November 2011 - Trinidad and Tobago vs Guyana / Barbados vs Bermuda


Group C
Nicaragua P2 W1 D0 L1 GS3 GA2 GD+1 Pts=3
Panama P1 W1 D0 L0 GS2 GA1 GD+1 Pts=3
Dominica P1 W0 D0 L1 GS0 GA2 GD–2 Pts=0

7 October 2011 - Nicaragua vs Dominica
11 October 2011 - Panama vs Nicaragua
11 November 2011 - Dominica vs Panama
15 November 2011 - Panama vs Dominica


Group D
Canada P2 W2 D0 L0 GS7 GA1 GD+6 Pts=6
Saint Kitts & Nevis P2 W1 D1 L0 GS4 GA2 GD+2 Pts=4
Puerto Rico P2 W0 D1 L1 GS0 GA3 GD-3 Pts=1
Saint Lucia P2 W0 D0 L2 GS3 GA8 GD–5 Pts=0

7 October 2011 - Saint Lucia vs Canada / Puerto Rico vs Saint Kitts and Nevis
11 October 2011 - Canada vs Puerto Rico / Saint Kitts and Nevis vs Saint Lucia
11 November 2011 - Saint Kitts and Nevis vs Canada / Saint Lucia vs Puerto Rico
15 November 2011 - Canada vs Saint Kitts and Nevis / Puerto Rico vs Saint Lucia


Group E
Guatemala P2 W2 D0 L0 GS6 GA1 GD+5 Pts=6
Belize P2 W1 D0 L1 GS4 GA2 GD+2 Pts=3
Grenada P1 W0 D0 L1 GS0 GA3 GD–3 Pts=0
Saint Vincent & Gren. P1 W0 D0 L1 GS0 GA4 GD–4 Pts=0

18 September 2011 - Saint Vincent and the Grenadines vs Grenada
7 October 2011 - Belize vs Grenada / Saint Vincent and the Grenadines vs Guatemala
11 October 2011 - Grenada vs Saint Vincent and the Grenadines / Guatemala vs Belize
11 November 2011 - Guatemala vs Grenada / Belize vs Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
15 November 2011 - Grenada vs Guatemala / Saint Vincent and the Grenadines vs Belize


Group F
Haiti P2 W2 D0 L0 GS10 GA2 GD+8 Pts=6
Antigua and Barbuda P2 W2 D0 L0 GS13 GA3 GD+10 Pts=6
Curaçao P2 W0 D0 L2 GS4 GA9 GD–5 Pts=0
U.S. Virgin Islands P2 W0 D0 L2 GS1 GA14 GD–13 Pts=0

7 October 2011 - U.S. Virgin Islands vs Haiti / Curaçao vs Antigua and Barbuda
11 October 2011 - Haiti vs Curaçao / Antigua and Barbuda vs U.S. Virgin Islands
11 November 2011 - Antigua and Barbuda vs Haiti / U.S. Virgin Islands vs Curaçao
15 November 2011 - Haiti vs Antigua and Barbuda / Curaçao vs U.S. Virgin Islands

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014_FI...F_Second_Round


CONCACAF 3rd round -
Consist of USA,Mexico,Honduras,Jamaica,Costa Rica &Cuba + 6 2nd round group winners.
Group A - USA, Jamaica, 2nd round Group E Winner & 2nd round Group F Winner.
Group B - Mexico, Costa Rica, 2nd round Group A Winner & 2nd round Group B Winner.
Group C - Honduras, Cuba, 2nd rounp Group C Winner & 2nd round Group D Winner.

3rd round games shall be played fr 8 June 2012 to 16 October 2012

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014_FI...AF_Third_Round


CONCACAF 4th round -
The final 3rd round group winners + runner ups shall proceed to 4th round, & compete in a single group.
The final top 3 positioned teams in the 4th round shall clinch the auto berth 2 WC2014, while the 4th placed team goto the Inter-confederation play-off.
against OPC 1st Place.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014_FI...tion_(CONCACAF)

[joew2005]

CONMEBOL Qualification Round -

7 October 2011
Uruguay vs Bolivia / Peru vs Paraguay / Argentina vs Chile / Ecuador vs Venezuela

11 October 2011
Venezuela vs Argentina / Paraguay vs Uruguay / Chile vs Peru / Bolivia vs Colombia

11 November 2011
Argentina vs Bolivia / Paraguay vs Ecuador / Colombia vs Venezuela / Uruguay vs Chile

15 November 2011
Colombia vs Argentina / Venezuela vs Bolivia / Chile vs Paraguay / Ecuador vs Peru

2/3 June 2012:Argentina vs Ecuador / Bolivia vs Chile / Peru vs Colombia / Uruguay vs Venezuela

9/10 June 2012:Bolivia vs Paraguay / Venezuela vs Chile / Uruguay vs Peru / Ecuador vs Colombia

7 September 2012:Colombia vs Uruguay / Ecuador vs Bolivia / Argentina vs Paraguay / Peru vs Venezuela

11 September 2012:Peru vs Argentina / Uruguay vs Ecuador / Chile vs Colombia / Paraguay vs Venezuela

12 October 2012:Argentina vs Uruguay / Colombia vs Paraguay / Ecuador vs Chile / Bolivia vs Peru

16 October 2012:Bolivia vs Uruguay / Paraguay vs Peru / Chile vs Argentina /Venezuela vs Ecuador

22 March 2013:Argentina vs Venezuela / Uruguay vs Paraguay / Peru vs Chile / Colombia vs Bolivia

26 March 2013:Bolivia vs Argentina / Ecuador vs Paraguay / Chile vs Uruguay / Venezuela vs Colombia

7 June 2013:Argentina vs Colombia / Bolivia vs Venezuela / Paraguay vs Chile / Peru vs Ecuador

11 June 2013:Ecuador vs Argentina / Chile vs Bolivia / Colombia vs Peru / Venezuela vs Uruguay

8 September 2013:Paraguay vs Bolivia / Chile vs Venezuela / Peru vs Uruguay / Colombia vs Ecuador

10 September 2013:Uruguay vs Colombia / Bolivia vs Ecuador / Paraguay vs Argentina / Venezuela vs Peru

11 October 2013:Argentina vs Peru / Ecuador vs Uruguay / Colombia vs Chile / Venezuela vs Paraguay

15 October 2013:Uruguay vs Argentina / Paraguay vs Colombia / Chile vs Ecuador / Peru vs Bolivia

The final top 4 positioned teams shall clinch auto berths to WC2014.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014_FI...tion_(CONMEBOL)


Inter-confederation play-off -
AFC 5th round winner shall go into a 2-leg play-off against CONMEBOL 5th-placed team in a home-and-away play-off.
The winner over 2-legs betw AFC 5th round winner & CONMEBOL 5th-placed team shall clinch ticket to WC2014.

[joew2005]

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/feature...r-pace?cc=4716

Brazil's 2014 concerns gather pace
October 5, 2011

With less than a thousand days 2 go b4 Brazil 2014, the 20th WC, there is a stand-off betw Dilma Rousseff & Sepp Blatter, the presidents of Brazil & FIFA respectively.

At the heart of the dispute r the problems of staging the World Cup in a developing economy. 4 FIFA, the WC is low risk as it makes its $ fr the sale of TV rights. Meanwhile, it makes all sorts of demands on the host nation &, in a country such as Brazil, there r many competing claims on the public purse.

If there is 1 country in the developing world with the leverage 2 stand up 2 FIFA, it is Brazil - 5-time world champions & globally synonymous with the glamour of the game. Rousseff appears keen 2 use some of tat leverage.

FIFA has been anxiously waiting 4 Brazil 2 pass a law bringing in2 effect a legislative framework for 2014, but Brazil has been in no hurry & is unwilling 2 give FIFA all it 1s. Brazilian law, 4 example, decrees tat senior citizens shld pay half price 4 public events, while some of the country's 27 states extend the same right 2 students. FIFA 1s no discounts; Brazil does not 1 2 bend. And tat is also the case on other points of conflict, such as the sale of alcoholic drinks inside the stadiums (banned in some states) or the severity of punishment 4 those selling pirate merchandise (FIFA 1s tougher penalties).

Rousseff is digging in her heels on the issue of sovereignty becos the Brazilian State has already been forced in2 an uncomfortable position with regard 2 preparation 4 the tournament. In theory, there was plenty of time 4 planning; in practice, it was wasted.

It was clear as far back as March 2003 tat Brazil would be staging the 2014 World Cup. Blatter announced tat under the (shortlived, as it turned out) rotation principle, 2014 would go 2 South America. CONMEBOL, the continent's football confederation, instantly announced tat Brazil was its only candidate so, when Brazil was officially given the job in October 2007, it was mere ratification. At tis point, Brazil should hv had its plans in place. Instead, it had not even named its host cities. Nor would it.

The controversial Ricardo Teixeira has been president of the CBF, Brazil's FA, since 1989. He also presides over the 2014 Local Organising Committee, an uncommon accumulation of powers. But he did not 1 2 take the political heat 4 excluding cities fr the party, so, unusually, the decision was passed 2 FIFA. Its choices were announced @ the end of May 2009. Years had been needlessly thrown away.

It is hard 2 escape the conclusion tat Rouseff's predecessor, the charismatic Lula, should take some of the blame. 1s a critic of Teixeira, Lula became an ally, his efforts @ playing the global statesman bolstered by a friendship with the effective owner of the Brazilian national team. Not enough pressure was placed on Teixeira 2 name the host cities & speed up the planning process. Fr tis point, the 2014 WC carried 2 certainties - tat it would cost the hard-pressed Brazilian taxpayer more than it should, while also providing less than it should in return.

Costs spiralled, & the government had 2 pick up the bill. Teixeira's sales patter had been tat the $ 4 stadiums would all be pte. In the event, it is nearly all public & it is hard 2 see how some of the stadiums, esp those in Cuiaba & Manaus, will be viable 1s the circus has left town.

With public $ being thrown @ stadiums & also @ airport capacity - the Achilles' heel of the 2014 WC- a scale-back is already taking place on urban mobility projects, the area where Brazilian society could most benefit fr the event.

But wat of the tourist who flies in 2 enjoy the party? Brazil's crime rate makes security a legitimate concern &, while the country has a good track record of providing security 4 major events, the nationwide scope of the WC will be an extra challenge.

Expense is also a consideration. Brazil's currency, the 'real', has gained enormously in strength over the last few years. Sao Paulo & Rio de Janeiro were recently named as respectively the 10th & 12th most expensive cities in the world. There might be a change by 2014 - the exchange rate is making it difficult 4 Brazil 2 export manufactured goods - but sound advice 2 potential WC fans would be 2 start saving up early.

It may also be necessary 2 bring a variety of clothes. Tis is another 'Winter WC' but in a country the size of a continent where the season only really bites in the south. Temperatures in Porto Alegre & Curitiba could even be around freezing. Further north, there r plenty of venues hitting abv 30 degrees Celsius.

Such vast temperature differences betw host cities could well prove controversial. Those teams based in the south 4 their group games r likely 2 feel @ a disadvantage if they hv 2 move 2 the much hotter north 4 a knockout match. Amid all the fuss abt human failings, it could be tat the most criticised aspect of the 2014 WC is 1 laid on by Mother Nature.

[joew2005]

CONMEBOL Qualification Round -

Argentina P1 W1 D0 L0 GS4 GA1 GD+3 Pts=3
Uruguay P1 W1 D0 L0 GS4 GA2 GD+2 Pts=3
Ecuador P1 W1 D0 L0 GS2 GA0 GD+2 Pts=3
Chile P0 W0 D0 L1 GS1 GA4 GD-3 Pts=0
Colombia P0 W0 D0 L0 GS0 GA0 GD0 Pts=0
Paraguay P0 W0 D0 L0 GS0 GA0 GD0 Pts=0
Peru P0 W0 D0 L0 GS0 GA0 GD0 Pts=0
Bolivia P1 W0 D0 L1 GS2 GA4 GD−2 Pts=0
Venezuela P1 W0 D0 L1 GS0 GA2 GD−2 Pts=0

7 October 2011
Uruguay 4-2 Bolivia / Peru vs Paraguay / Argentina 4-1 Chile / Ecuador 2-0 Venezuela

11 October 2011
Venezuela vs Argentina / Paraguay vs Uruguay / Chile vs Peru / Bolivia vs Colombia

11 November 2011
Argentina vs Bolivia / Paraguay vs Ecuador / Colombia vs Venezuela / Uruguay vs Chile

15 November 2011
Colombia vs Argentina / Venezuela vs Bolivia / Chile vs Paraguay / Ecuador vs Peru

2/3 June 2012
Argentina vs Ecuador / Bolivia vs Chile / Peru vs Colombia / Uruguay vs Venezuela

9/10 June 2012
Bolivia vs Paraguay / Venezuela vs Chile / Uruguay vs Peru / Ecuador vs Colombia

7 September 2012
Colombia vs Uruguay / Ecuador vs Bolivia / Argentina vs Paraguay / Peru vs Venezuela

11 September 2012
Peru vs Argentina / Uruguay vs Ecuador / Chile vs Colombia / Paraguay vs Venezuela

12 October 2012
Argentina vs Uruguay / Colombia vs Paraguay / Ecuador vs Chile / Bolivia vs Peru

16 October 2012
Bolivia vs Uruguay / Paraguay vs Peru / Chile vs Argentina /Venezuela vs Ecuador

22 March 2013
Argentina vs Venezuela / Uruguay vs Paraguay / Peru vs Chile / Colombia vs Bolivia

26 March 2013
Bolivia vs Argentina / Ecuador vs Paraguay / Chile vs Uruguay / Venezuela vs Colombia

7 June 2013
Argentina vs Colombia / Bolivia vs Venezuela / Paraguay vs Chile / Peru vs Ecuador

11 June 2013
Ecuador vs Argentina / Chile vs Bolivia / Colombia vs Peru / Venezuela vs Uruguay

8 September 2013
Paraguay vs Bolivia / Chile vs Venezuela / Peru vs Uruguay / Colombia vs Ecuador

10 September 2013
Uruguay vs Colombia / Bolivia vs Ecuador / Paraguay vs Argentina / Venezuela vs Peru

11 October 2013
Argentina vs Peru / Ecuador vs Uruguay / Colombia vs Chile / Venezuela vs Paraguay

15 October 2013
Uruguay vs Argentina / Paraguay vs Colombia / Chile vs Ecuador / Peru vs Bolivia


The final top 4 position teams shall clinch tickets to WC2014.
(4 teams fr CONMEBOL goes to WC2014)

Final 5th position shall go into Inter-confederation play-off against AFC 5th round winner.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014_FI...tion_(CONMEBOL)


Inter-confederation play-off -
CONMEBOL 5th-placed team shall go in2 a 2 lef play-off(home-and-away) against AFC 5th round winner.
The winner over 2-legs betw CONMEBOL 5th-placed & AFC 5th round winner shall clinch ticket to WC2014.

[joew2005]

CONMEBOL Qualification Round -

Argentina P1 W1 D0 L0 GS4 GA1 GD+3 Pts=3
Uruguay P1 W1 D0 L0 GS4 GA2 GD+2 Pts=3
Ecuador P1 W1 D0 L0 GS2 GA0 GD+2 Pts=3
Peru P1 W1 D0 L0 GS2 GA0 GD+2 Pts=3
Chile P1 W0 D0 L1 GS1 GA4 GD-3 Pts=0
Colombia P0 W0 D0 L0 GS0 GA0 GD0 Pts=0
Paraguay P1 W0 D0 L1 GS0 GA2 GD-2 Pts=0
Bolivia P1 W0 D0 L1 GS2 GA4 GD−2 Pts=0
Venezuela P1 W0 D0 L1 GS0 GA2 GD−2 Pts=0

7 October 2011
Uruguay 4-2 Bolivia / Peru 2-0 Paraguay / Argentina 4-1 Chile / Ecuador 2-0 Venezuela

11 October 2011
Venezuela vs Argentina / Paraguay vs Uruguay / Chile vs Peru / Bolivia vs Colombia

11 November 2011
Argentina vs Bolivia / Paraguay vs Ecuador / Colombia vs Venezuela / Uruguay vs Chile

15 November 2011
Colombia vs Argentina / Venezuela vs Bolivia / Chile vs Paraguay / Ecuador vs Peru

2/3 June 2012
Argentina vs Ecuador / Bolivia vs Chile / Peru vs Colombia / Uruguay vs Venezuela

9/10 June 2012
Bolivia vs Paraguay / Venezuela vs Chile / Uruguay vs Peru / Ecuador vs Colombia

7 September 2012
Colombia vs Uruguay / Ecuador vs Bolivia / Argentina vs Paraguay / Peru vs Venezuela

11 September 2012
Peru vs Argentina / Uruguay vs Ecuador / Chile vs Colombia / Paraguay vs Venezuela

12 October 2012
Argentina vs Uruguay / Colombia vs Paraguay / Ecuador vs Chile / Bolivia vs Peru

16 October 2012
Bolivia vs Uruguay / Paraguay vs Peru / Chile vs Argentina /Venezuela vs Ecuador

22 March 2013
Argentina vs Venezuela / Uruguay vs Paraguay / Peru vs Chile / Colombia vs Bolivia

26 March 2013
Bolivia vs Argentina / Ecuador vs Paraguay / Chile vs Uruguay / Venezuela vs Colombia

7 June 2013
Argentina vs Colombia / Bolivia vs Venezuela / Paraguay vs Chile / Peru vs Ecuador

11 June 2013
Ecuador vs Argentina / Chile vs Bolivia / Colombia vs Peru / Venezuela vs Uruguay

8 September 2013
Paraguay vs Bolivia / Chile vs Venezuela / Peru vs Uruguay / Colombia vs Ecuador

10 September 2013
Uruguay vs Colombia / Bolivia vs Ecuador / Paraguay vs Argentina / Venezuela vs Peru

11 October 2013
Argentina vs Peru / Ecuador vs Uruguay / Colombia vs Chile / Venezuela vs Paraguay

15 October 2013
Uruguay vs Argentina / Paraguay vs Colombia / Chile vs Ecuador / Peru vs Bolivia


The final top 4 position teams shall clinch tickets to WC2014.
(4 teams fr CONMEBOL goes to WC2014)

Final 5th position shall go into Inter-confederation play-off against AFC 5th round winner.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014_FI...tion_(CONMEBOL)


Inter-confederation play-off -
CONMEBOL 5th-placed team shall go in2 a 2 lef play-off(home-and-away) against AFC 5th round winner.
The winner over 2-legs betw CONMEBOL 5th-placed & AFC 5th round winner shall clinch ticket to WC2014.

[joew2005]

CONCACAF Qualification - 2nd Round

Group A
El Salvador P3 W3 D0 L0 GS9 GA4 GD+5 Pts=9
Suriname P3 W2 D1 L0 GS3 GA1 GD+2 Pts=7
Dominican Republic P3 W0 D1 L2 GS4 GA6 GD–2 Pts=1
Cayman Islands P3 W0 D0 L3 GS1 GA6 GD–5 Pts=0

7 October 2011 : Dominican Republic 1-2 El Salvador / Cayman Islands 0-1 Suriname
11 October 2011 : El Salvador vs Cayman Islands / Suriname vs Dominican Republic
11 November 2011 : Suriname vs El Salvador / Dominican Republic vs Cayman Islands
15 November 2011 : El Salvador vs Suriname / Cayman Islands vs Dominican Republic


Group B
Guyana P3 W3 D0 L0 GS6 GA1 GD+5 Pts=9
Trinidad and Tobago P3 W2 D0 L1 GS4 GA2 GD+2 Pts=6
Bermuda P3 W1 D0 L2 GS3 GA4 GD–1 Pts=3
Barbados P3 W0 D0 L3 GS0 GA6 GD–6 Pts=0

7 October 2011 : Bermuda 2-1 Trinidad and Tobago / Barbados 0-2 Guyana
11 October 2011 : Trinidad and Tobago vs Barbados / Bermuda vs Guyana
11 November 2011 : Guyana vs Trinidad and Tobago / Bermuda vs Barbados
15 November 2011 : Trinidad and Tobago vs Guyana / Barbados vs Bermuda


Group C
Panama P2 W2 D0 L0 GS7 GA1 GD+6 Pts=6
Nicaragua P2 W1 D0 L1 GS3 GA2 GD+1 Pts=3
Dominica P2 W0 D0 L2 GS0 GA7 GD–7 Pts=0

7 October 2011 : Dominica 0–5 Panama
11 October 2011 : Panama vs Nicaragua
11 November 2011 : Nicaragua vs Dominica
15 November 2011 : Panama vs Dominica


Group D
Canada P3 W3 D0 L0 GS14 GA1 GD+13 Pts=9
Saint Kitts & Nevis P3 W1 D2 L0 GS5 GA3 GD+2 Pts=5
Puerto Rico P3 W0 D2 L1 GS1 GA4 GD-3 Pts=2
Saint Lucia P3 W0 D0 L3 GS3 GA15 GD–12 Pts=0

7 October 2011 : Saint Lucia 0-7 Canada / Puerto Rico 1-1 Saint Kitts & Nevis
11 October 2011 : Canada vs Puerto Rico / Saint Kitts & Nevis vs Saint Lucia
11 November 2011 : Saint Kitts & Nevis vs Canada / Saint Lucia vs Puerto Rico
15 November 2011 : Canada vs Saint Kitts & Nevis / Puerto Rico vs Saint Lucia


Group E
Guatemala P3 W3 D0 L0 GS9 GA1 GD+8 Pts=9
Belize P3 W1 D0 L2 GS5 GA6 GD-1 Pts=3
Grenada P3 W1 D0 L2 GS5 GA6 GD–1 Pts=3
Saint Vincent & Gren. P3 W1 D0 L2 GS2 GA8 GD–6 Pts=3

7 October 2011 : Belize 1-4 Grenada / Saint Vincent & the Grenadines 0-3 Guatemala
11 October 2011 : Grenada vs Saint Vincent and the Grenadines / Guatemala vs Belize
11 November 2011 : Guatemala vs Grenada / Belize vs Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
15 November 2011 : Grenada vs Guatemala / Saint Vincent and the Grenadines vs Belize


Group F
Haiti P3 W3 D0 L0 GS17 GA2 GD+15 Pts=9
Antigua & Barbuda P3 W3 D0 L0 GS14 GA3 GD+11 Pts=9
Curaçao P3 W0 D0 L3 GS4 GA10 GD–6 Pts=0
U.S. Virgin Islands P3 W0 D0 L3 GS1 GA21 GD–20 Pts=0

7 October 2011 : U.S. Virgin Islands 0-7 Haiti / Curaçao 0-1 Antigua & Barbuda
11 October 2011 : Haiti vs Curaçao / Antigua & Barbuda vs U.S. Virgin Islands
11 November 2011 : Antigua & Barbuda vs Haiti / U.S. Virgin Islands vs Curaçao
15 November 2011 : Haiti vs Antigua & Barbuda / Curaçao vs U.S. Virgin Islands

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014_FI...F_Second_Round


CONCACAF 3rd round -
Consist of USA,Mexico,Honduras,Jamaica,Costa Rica &Cuba + 6 2nd round group A~F winners.
Group A - USA, Jamaica, 2nd round Group E Winner & 2nd round Group F Winner.
Group B - Mexico, Costa Rica, 2nd round Group A Winner & 2nd round Group B Winner.
Group C - Honduras, Cuba, 2nd rounp Group C Winner & 2nd round Group D Winner.

3rd round games shall be played fr 8 June 2012 to 16 October 2012

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014_FI...AF_Third_Round


CONCACAF 4th round -
The final 3rd round group winners + runner ups shall proceed to 4th round, & compete in a single group.
The final top 3 positioned teams in the 4th round shall clinch the auto berth 2 WC2014, while the 4th placed team goto the Inter-confederation play-off.
against OPC 1st Place.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014_FI...tion_(CONCACAF)

[joew2005]

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/st...g-wins?cc=4716

Argentina, Uruguay claim big wins
October 8, 2011

Gonzalo Higuain scored a hat-trick & created a goal 4 Lionel Messi as Argentina beat Chile 4-1 in the opening round of the South American qualifiers 4 the 2014 WC.

Higuain started becos of injury 2 Sergio Aguero & took full advantage, opening the scoring in the 9th minute. Real Madrid team-mate Angel Di Maria sent in a long pass fr the left which Higuain controlled & shot past goalkeeper Claudio Bravo.

Higuain then turned provider in the 25th min when he received the ball fr Jose Sosa & sent the ball in2 the box 2 find Messi who doubled the advantage.

Following the half-time break, Higuain put Argentina 3-0 up when he converted Di Maria's cross fr the left.

Chile pulled 1 back when goalkeeper Mariano Andujar failed 2 clear the ball & Matias Fernandez pounced 2 reduce the deficit to 2 goals.

However, Higuain hit back 3 mins later when Messi intercepted Bravo's clearance & combined with the Real Madrid striker who completed his hat-trick.

Uruguay got off 2 an ideal start as they opened their 2014 WC qualifying campaign with a 4-2 win over Bolivia.

Uruguay reached the semi-finals of last year's WC in South Africa & won the Copa America 2 months ago 2 become 1 of the top countries in the region.

They almost went ahead in the 1st minute when Maximiliano Pereira almost opened the scoring & just 2 mins later they did go ahead thru Luis Suarez who pounced on a loose ball following a corner.

Bolivia though hit back & Rudy Cardozo levelled in the 17th minute b4 Uruguay regained the lead 8 mins later when Diego Lugano headed home Diego Forlan's cross.

An Edinson Cavani header 9 mins afterwards gave Uruguay a 2-goal lead.

Lugano pounced on indecision by the Bolivia defence fr Forlan's free-kick 2 score the 4th in the 71st min b4 Marcelo Martins reduced the arrears 2wards the end with a penalty.

"The result is the less important thing here. What has real value is tat we were clearly superior 2 our rivals. The only negative issue is tat we missed 2 many goals," Uruguay boss Oscar Tabarez said.

"I'm very satisfied with the players' performance. We tried 2 play as we always do, in the rivals' field & feeding the 4wards. It went very well."

Meanwhile, Paolo Guerrero scored twice 2 give Peru a 2-0 win @ home 2 Paraguay.

There was nothing 2 choose betw the sides at the start, with both teams concentrating on defence.

Peru were on top by the end of the 1st half with Paolo Guerrero & Claudio Pizarro both having efforts. They took the lead a min aft the break when Guerrero took on the goalkeeper Diego Barret 2 open the scoring.

In the 72nd min, Pizarro crossed & Guerrero slotted home 2 seal the victory.

Ecuador beat Venezuela 2-0 thanks 2 goals by Jaime Ayovi & Christian Benitez in Quito.

The hosts were on top fr the start & they opened the scoring in the 14th min when Antonio Valencia crossed 4 Benitez whose header came back off the bar but Ayovi pounced on the rebound & headed home.

They doubled the lead in the 27th min, Valencia played the ball in fr the right which Benitez headed in2 the net.

"We scored in the perfect time, & then we just had 2 control the game," said Ecuador's Colombian coach Reinaldo Rueda. "It would hv been nice 2 score more, we had like 14 goal chances, but anyway was a nice victory.

"Tis is a young team, with a very promising future in the qualifiers. If we keep the balance we will become stronger."

[joew2005]

AFC Qualification - AFC 3rd Round

Group A
Jordan P3 W3 D0 L0 GS7 GA1 GD+6 Points=9
Iraq P3 W2 D0 L1 GS3 GA2 GD+1 Points=6
PRC P3 W1 D0 L2 GS3 GA4 GD-1 Points=3
Singapore P3 W0 D0 L3 GS1 GA7 GD-6 Points=0

11 October 2011 : China PR 0-1 Iraq / Singapore 0-3 Jordan
11 November 2011 - Jordan vs Singapore / Iraq vs China PR
15 November 2011 - Jordan vs Iraq / Singapore vs China PR
29 February 2012 - China PR vs Jordan / Iraq vs Singapore


Group B
Soth Korea P3 W2 D1 L0 GS9 GA2 GD+7 Points=7
Kuwait P3 W1 D2 L0 GS6 GA5 GD+1 Points=5
Lebanon P3 W1 D1 L1 GS5 GA9 GD-4 Points=4
UAE P3 W0 D0 L3 GS4 GA8 GD-4 Points=0

11 October 2011 : South Korea 2-1 UAE / Lebanon 2-2 Kuwait
11 November 2011 - Kuwait vs Lebanon / UAE vs South Korea
15 November 2011 - Kuwait vs UAE / Lebanon vs South Korea
29 February 2012 - South Korea vs Kuwait / UAE vs Lebanon


Group C
Japan P3 W2 D1 L0 GS10 GA1 GD+9 Points=7
Uzbekistan P3 W2 D1 L0 GS3 GA1 GD+2 Points=7
North Korea P3 W1 D0 L2 GS1 GA2 GD-1 Points=3
Tajikistan P3 W0 D0 L3 GS0 GA10 GD-10 Points=0

11 October 2011 : Japan 8-0 Tajikistan / North Korea 0-1 Uzbekistan
11 November 2011 - Uzbekistan vs North Korea / Tajikistan vs Japan
15 November 2011 - Uzbekistan vs Tajikistan / North Korea vs Japan
29 February 2012 - Japan vs Uzbekistan / Tajikistan vs North Korea


Group D
Australia P3 W3 D0 L0 GS8 GA2 GD+6 Points=9
Thailand P3 W1 D1 L1 GS4 GA2 GD+2 Points=4
Saudi Arabia P3 W0 D2 L1 GS1 GA3 GD-2 Points=2
Oman P3 W0 D1 L2 GS0 GA6 GD-6 Points=1

11 October 2011 : Australia 3-0 Oman / Thailand 0-0 Saudi Arabia
11 November 2011 - Saudi Arabia vs Thailand / Oman vs Australia
15 November 2011 - Saudi Arabia vs Oman / Thailand vs Australia
29 February 2012 - Australia vs Saudi Arabia / Oman vs Thailand


Group E
Iran P3 W2 D1 L0 GS10 GA1 GD+9 Points=7
Qatar P3 W1 D2 L0 GS4 GA3 GD+1 Points=5
Bahrain P3 W1 D1 L1 GS2 GA6 GD-4 Points=4
Indonesia P3 W0 D0 L3 GS2 GA8 GD-6 Points=0

11 October 2011 : Iran 6-0 Bahrain / Indonesia 2-3 Qatar
11 November 2011 - Qatar vs Indonesia / Bahrain vs Iran
15 November 2011 - Qatar vs Bahrain / Indonesia vs Iran
29 February 2012 - Iran vs Qatar / Bahrain vs Indonesia


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014_FI..._Th ird_Round



AFC Qualification - AFC 4th round
3rd round final group winners + runner-ups.(total 10 nations).
Draw into 2 diff groups of 5 teams in each group.
The draw date, location & procedure for 4th round will be confirmed by the end of 3rd round by the Organising Committee for the FIFA World Cup Brazil 2014.
The AFC hv proposed tat the teams tat qualify 4 tis stage will be ranked according 2 the latest FIFA rankings @ the time of the draw

The final 2 group winners + group runner-ups of the 4th round would clinch auto the 4 auto berths to WC2014.

The 4th round matches r scheduled 2 take place betw 3 June 2012 & 18 June 2013.



AFC Qualification - AFC 5th round
The final two 3rd placed nation in the 4th round shall go into a home~away leg play-off.
Winner over the 2 legs shall go in2 the Inter-confederation play-off, 2 determine a possible 5th qualifier fr Asia 4 WC2014.
The draw date, location & procedure for the 5th will be confirmed by the end of 4th round by the Organising Committee for the FIFA World Cup Brazil 2014.
The 5th round matches r scheduled 2 be played on 6 & 10 Sept 2013, with the order of the 2 legs yet 2 be determined.



Intercontinental play-off
The AFC 5th round winner will play CONMEBOL's(south america) 5th-placed team in a home-&-away play-off. The winner of tis play-off qualifies 4 the 2014 FIFA World Cup finals.

[joew2005]

CONCACAF Qualification - 2nd Round

Group A
El Salvador P4 W4 D0 L0 GS13 GA4 GD+9 Pts=12
Suriname P4 W2 D1 L1 GS4 GA4 GD0 Pts=7
Dominican Republic P4 W1 D1 L2 GS7 GA7 GD0 Pts=4
Cayman Islands P4 W0 D0 L4 GS1 GA10 GD–9 Pts=0

11 October 2011 : El Salvador 4-0 Cayman Islands / Suriname 1-3 Dominican Republic
11 November 2011 : Suriname vs El Salvador / Dominican Republic vs Cayman Islands
15 November 2011 : El Salvador vs Suriname / Cayman Islands vs Dominican Republic


Group B
Guyana P4 W3 D1 L0 GS7 GA2 GD+5 Pts=10
Trinidad and Tobago P4 W3 D0 L1 GS8 GA2 GD+6 Pts=9
Bermuda P4 W1 D1 L2 GS4 GA5 GD–1 Pts=4
Barbados P4 W0 D0 L4 GS0 GA10 GD–10 Pts=0

11 October 2011 : Trinidad and Tobago 4-0 Barbados / Bermuda 1-1 Guyana
11 November 2011 : Guyana vs Trinidad and Tobago / Bermuda vs Barbados
15 November 2011 : Trinidad and Tobago vs Guyana / Barbados vs Bermuda


Group C
Panama P3 W3 D0 L0 GS12 GA2 GD+10 Pts=9
Nicaragua P3 W1 D0 L2 GS4 GA7 GD-3 Pts=3
Dominica P2 W0 D0 L2 GS0 GA7 GD–7 Pts=0

11 October 2011 : Panama 5-1 Nicaragua
11 November 2011 : Nicaragua vs Dominica
15 November 2011 : Panama vs Dominica


Group D
Canada P4 W3 D1 L0 GS14 GA1 GD+13 Pts=10
Saint Kitts & Nevis P4 W1 D3 L0 GS6 GA4 GD+2 Pts=6
Puerto Rico P4 W0 D3 L1 GS1 GA4 GD-3 Pts=3
Saint Lucia P4 W0 D1 L3 GS4 GA16 GD–12 Pts=1

11 October 2011 : Canada 0-0 Puerto Rico / Saint Kitts & Nevis 1-1 Saint Lucia
11 November 2011 : Saint Kitts & Nevis vs Canada / Saint Lucia vs Puerto Rico
15 November 2011 : Canada vs Saint Kitts & Nevis / Puerto Rico vs Saint Lucia


Group E
Guatemala P4 W4 D0 L0 GS12 GA2 GD+10 Pts=12
Belize P4 W1 D0 L3 GS6 GA9 GD-3 Pts=3
Grenada P3 W1 D0 L2 GS5 GA6 GD–1 Pts=3
Saint Vincent & Gren. P3 W1 D0 L2 GS2 GA8 GD–6 Pts=3

11 October 2011 : Guatemala 3-1 Belize
15 October 2011 : Grenada vs Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
11 November 2011 : Guatemala vs Grenada / Belize vs Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
15 November 2011 : Grenada vs Guatemala / Saint Vincent and the Grenadines vs Belize


Group F
Antigua & Barbuda P4 W4 D0 L0 GS24 GA3 GD+21 Pts=12
Haiti P4 W3 D1 L0 GS18 GA3 GD+15 Pts=10
Curaçao P4 W0 D1 L3 GS6 GA12 GD–6 Pts=1
U.S. Virgin Islands P4 W0 D0 L4 GS1 GA31 GD–30 Pts=0

11 October 2011 : Haiti 2-2 Curaçao / Antigua & Barbuda 10-0 U.S. Virgin Islands
11 November 2011 : Antigua & Barbuda vs Haiti / U.S. Virgin Islands vs Curaçao
15 November 2011 : Haiti vs Antigua & Barbuda / Curaçao vs U.S. Virgin Islands

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014_FI...F_Second_Round


CONCACAF 3rd round -
Consist of USA,Mexico,Honduras,Jamaica,Costa Rica &Cuba + 6 2nd round group A~F winners.
Group A - USA, Jamaica, 2nd round Group E Winner & 2nd round Group F Winner.
Group B - Mexico, Costa Rica, 2nd round Group A Winner & 2nd round Group B Winner.
Group C - Honduras, Cuba, 2nd rounp Group C Winner & 2nd round Group D Winner.

3rd round games shall be played fr 8 June 2012 to 16 October 2012

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014_FI...AF_Third_Round


CONCACAF 4th round -
The final 3rd round group winners + runner ups shall proceed to 4th round, & compete in a single group.
The final top 3 positioned teams in the 4th round shall clinch the auto berth 2 WC2014, while the 4th placed team goto the Inter-confederation play-off.
against OPC 1st Place.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014_FI...tion_(CONCACAF)

[joew2005]

CONMEBOL Qualification Round -

Uruguay P2 W1 D1 L0 GS5 GA3 GD+2 Pts=4
Argentina P2 W1 D0 L1 GS4 GA2 GD+2 Pts=3
Ecuador P1 W1 D0 L0 GS2 GA0 GD+2 Pts=3
Colombia P1 W1 D0 L0 GS2 GA1 GD+1 Pts=3
Peru P2 W1 D0 L1 GS4 GA4 GD0 Pts=3
Chile P2 W1 D0 L1 GS5 GA6 GD-1 Pts=3
Venezuela P2 W1 D0 L1 GS1 GA2 GD−1 Pts=3
Paraguay P2 W0 D1 L1 GS1 GA3 GD-2 Pts=1
Bolivia P2 W0 D0 L2 GS3 GA6 GD−3 Pts=0


11 October 2011
Venezuela 1-0 Argentina / Paraguay 1-1 Uruguay / Chile 4-2 Peru / Bolivia 1-2 Colombia

11 November 2011
Argentina vs Bolivia / Paraguay vs Ecuador / Colombia vs Venezuela / Uruguay vs Chile

15 November 2011
Colombia vs Argentina / Venezuela vs Bolivia / Chile vs Paraguay / Ecuador vs Peru

2/3 June 2012
Argentina vs Ecuador / Bolivia vs Chile / Peru vs Colombia / Uruguay vs Venezuela

9/10 June 2012
Bolivia vs Paraguay / Venezuela vs Chile / Uruguay vs Peru / Ecuador vs Colombia

7 September 2012
Colombia vs Uruguay / Ecuador vs Bolivia / Argentina vs Paraguay / Peru vs Venezuela

11 September 2012
Peru vs Argentina / Uruguay vs Ecuador / Chile vs Colombia / Paraguay vs Venezuela

12 October 2012
Argentina vs Uruguay / Colombia vs Paraguay / Ecuador vs Chile / Bolivia vs Peru

16 October 2012
Bolivia vs Uruguay / Paraguay vs Peru / Chile vs Argentina /Venezuela vs Ecuador

22 March 2013
Argentina vs Venezuela / Uruguay vs Paraguay / Peru vs Chile / Colombia vs Bolivia

26 March 2013
Bolivia vs Argentina / Ecuador vs Paraguay / Chile vs Uruguay / Venezuela vs Colombia

7 June 2013
Argentina vs Colombia / Bolivia vs Venezuela / Paraguay vs Chile / Peru vs Ecuador

11 June 2013
Ecuador vs Argentina / Chile vs Bolivia / Colombia vs Peru / Venezuela vs Uruguay

8 September 2013
Paraguay vs Bolivia / Chile vs Venezuela / Peru vs Uruguay / Colombia vs Ecuador

10 September 2013
Uruguay vs Colombia / Bolivia vs Ecuador / Paraguay vs Argentina / Venezuela vs Peru

11 October 2013
Argentina vs Peru / Ecuador vs Uruguay / Colombia vs Chile / Venezuela vs Paraguay

15 October 2013
Uruguay vs Argentina / Paraguay vs Colombia / Chile vs Ecuador / Peru vs Bolivia


The final top 4 position teams shall clinch tickets to WC2014.
(4 teams fr CONMEBOL goes to WC2014)

Final 5th position shall go into Inter-confederation play-off against AFC 5th round winner.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014_FI...tion_(CONMEBOL)


Inter-confederation play-off -
CONMEBOL 5th-placed team shall go in2 a 2 lef play-off(home-and-away) against AFC 5th round winner.
The winner over 2-legs betw CONMEBOL 5th-placed & AFC 5th round winner shall clinch ticket to WC2014.

[joew2005]

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/feature...ots-up?cc=4716

Latin America's power struggle
October 18, 2011

Just a few rounds gone &, of the 9 teams in contention, only 2 hv yet 2 win a game. The other 7 already hv 1 success 2 their name, but nobody has 2. The figures don't just show it, they shout it: World Cup qualification in South America is more competitive than anywhere else on the planet.

True, Brazil r not in the running tis time - as they qualify automatically as 2014 hosts - & the continent has retained all of its slots (the top 4 go straight thru 2 the World Cup, with the side finishing 5th playing off against opponents fr Asia). But even with so many places available, 4 South America's sides the short trip 2 Brazil will only come @ the end of a long & bumpy road, full of pitfalls, especially away fr home.

Of the 8 games played over the 1st 2 rounds, 6 were won by the home side. Long journeys, a variety of conditions including altitude & heat, the intimidating atmosphere created by the home fans - all can take their toll on the traveling team. The high profile victims last Tuesday were Argentina, Lionel Messi & all, who slumped 2 a 1-0 defeat visiting Venezuela in Puerto La Cruz.

It was a result tat made headlines all over the world. Aft all, tis was history being made as Venezuela had never previously beaten Argentina.

But no 1 acquainted with the contemporary reality of the South American game should hv been particularly surprised. Like Ecuador a few years ago, Venezuela's star has been rising with astonishing speed - in itself a tribute 2 the dramatic rise in standards since South America adopted the current marathon format of qualifiers in 1996.

Where previously there had been huge gaps betw competitive games, suddenly the South Americans had the kind of calendar tat European national teams take 4 granted, with regular qualifying matches, guaranteed income & the chance 2 keep a team 2gether & invest in youth development. The less traditional nations hv not looked back. Venezuela's triumph on Tuesday, thoroughly deserved on the balance of play, is the crowning glory of tis process. The national team of a country more associated with baseball & beauty contests than with the beautiful game were able 2 overcome an Argentina side who had thrashed Chile 4-1 in Buenos Aires the previous Friday. Quite simply, there r no minnows left in South American football.

If a 'minnow' has 2 be picked, then Bolivia come closest 2 falling within the category. They look like the weakest side in the continent, & r unlikely 2 pick up many points on their travels. At home, though, it is a different matter. No 1 relishes the trip 2 La Paz, 3,600 metres abv sea level. The lack of oxygen can be torture 4 unacclimatised opponents - Argentina lost 6-1 there in the previous campaign.

But it is 4 tis reason tat Colombia can consider themselves the big winners of these 1st 2 rounds. They were the only team 2 win on the road, claiming the points when Falcao gave them a 2-1 victory in Bolivia with the last kick of the game. Indeed, it worked 2 Colombia's advantage tat they sat out the 1st round. It gave them more time 2 prepare 4 La Paz &, since Colombia's capital Bogota is itself @ altitude, the trip holds fewer fears 4 them than 4 most of the other countries.

Still, they had not won there in recent campaigns & hv consistently fallen agonisingly short of making the play-off position as a result. Starting out with 3 points is a real boost, & Colombia had special reason 2 be delighted with a performance of skill & great maturity on the left of midfield fr James Rodriguez. As he matures thru the campaign the hopes r tat the Porto youngster could help provide the touch of quality 2 take his side 2 the World Cup 4 the 1st time since 1998.

Another late goal stopped Uruguay becoming the 2nd team 2 win away fr home. A goal up against Paraguay - Diego Forlan's strike making him the national team's all-time top scorer - Uruguay were only denied the 3 points when Richard Ortiz forced in a last gasp equaliser. Even so, aft brushing Bolivia aside 4-2 in the opening game - with Luis Suarez putting them ahead aft just 3 mins - the Copa America champions & last year's World Cup semi-finalists top the group & r the only team still unbeaten aft 2 matches (both Ecuador & Colombia hv played 1).

It is worth recalling tat Uruguay finished the last set of World Cup qualifiers in 5th place, & only booked their slot 2 South Africa aft squeezing past Costa Rica in the play-offs. The fact tat the Uruguayans hv since gone on 2 hit such heights is an illustration of the strength in depth of international football in South America. Indeed, as well as being ultra-competitive, the continent's World Cup qualifiers also hv the potential 2 provide an outstanding spectacle. 27 goals were scored in the opening 2 rounds, a huge difference fr the tight, attritional football the same teams produced just 3 months ago in the Copa America.

In tournaments, the priority is often avoiding defeat. In a league system, the emphasis is on winning, & the South American sides hv switched focus as a consequence. Some of the football played was gloriously open & those fierce Pacific rivals Chile & Peru came up with a showstopping classic in Santiago. Chile won 4-2, but Peru hit the woodwork 4 times in a pulsating 90 mins - the kind of game tat makes the neutral fan very glad tat rounds 3 & 4 r only a month away.

[joew2005]

AFC Qualification - AFC 3rd Round

Group A
Jordan P3 W3 D0 L0 GS7 GA1 GD+6 Points=9
Iraq P3 W2 D0 L1 GS3 GA2 GD+1 Points=6
PRC P3 W1 D0 L2 GS3 GA4 GD-1 Points=3
Singapore P3 W0 D0 L3 GS1 GA7 GD-6 Points=0

11 November 2011 - Jordan vs Singapore / Iraq vs China PR
15 November 2011 - Jordan vs Iraq / Singapore vs China PR
29 February 2012 - China PR vs Jordan / Iraq vs Singapore


Group B
Soth Korea P3 W2 D1 L0 GS9 GA2 GD+7 Points=7
Kuwait P3 W1 D2 L0 GS6 GA5 GD+1 Points=5
Lebanon P3 W1 D1 L1 GS5 GA9 GD-4 Points=4
UAE P3 W0 D0 L3 GS4 GA8 GD-4 Points=0

11 November 2011 - Kuwait vs Lebanon / UAE vs South Korea
15 November 2011 - Kuwait vs UAE / Lebanon vs South Korea
29 February 2012 - South Korea vs Kuwait / UAE vs Lebanon


Group C
Japan P3 W2 D1 L0 GS10 GA1 GD+9 Points=7
Uzbekistan P3 W2 D1 L0 GS3 GA1 GD+2 Points=7
North Korea P3 W1 D0 L2 GS1 GA2 GD-1 Points=3
Tajikistan P3 W0 D0 L3 GS0 GA10 GD-10 Points=0

11 November 2011 - Uzbekistan vs North Korea / Tajikistan vs Japan
15 November 2011 - Uzbekistan vs Tajikistan / North Korea vs Japan
29 February 2012 - Japan vs Uzbekistan / Tajikistan vs North Korea


Group D
Australia P3 W3 D0 L0 GS8 GA2 GD+6 Points=9
Thailand P3 W1 D1 L1 GS4 GA2 GD+2 Points=4
Saudi Arabia P3 W0 D2 L1 GS1 GA3 GD-2 Points=2
Oman P3 W0 D1 L2 GS0 GA6 GD-6 Points=1

11 November 2011 - Saudi Arabia vs Thailand / Oman vs Australia
15 November 2011 - Saudi Arabia vs Oman / Thailand vs Australia
29 February 2012 - Australia vs Saudi Arabia / Oman vs Thailand


Group E
Iran P3 W2 D1 L0 GS10 GA1 GD+9 Points=7
Qatar P3 W1 D2 L0 GS4 GA3 GD+1 Points=5
Bahrain P3 W1 D1 L1 GS2 GA6 GD-4 Points=4
Indonesia P3 W0 D0 L3 GS2 GA8 GD-6 Points=0

11 November 2011 - Qatar vs Indonesia / Bahrain vs Iran
15 November 2011 - Qatar vs Bahrain / Indonesia vs Iran
29 February 2012 - Iran vs Qatar / Bahrain vs Indonesia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014_FI..._Th ird_Round


AFC Qualification - AFC 4th round
3rd round final 5 Group Winners + 5 Runner-ups will progress 2 the 4th Round.
The 10 teams will be drawn into 2 Groups of 5 teams each.

4th round matches r scheduled 2 take place betw 3 June 2012 & 18 June 2013.
4th round final 2 Group Winners + 2 Runner-ups would clinch 4 auto berths to WC2014.


AFC Qualification - AFC 5th round
4th round final 2 3rd placed teams of the 2 groups shall go into a home~away leg play-off.
5th round matches r scheduled 2 be played on 6 & 10 Sept 2013, with the order of the 2 legs yet 2 be determined.
Winner over the 2 legs shall go in2 the Inter-confederation play-off, 2 determine a possible 5th qualifier fr Asia 4 WC2014.



Intercontinental play-off
AFC 5th round winner will play CONMEBOL's final 5th-placed team in a home-&-away play-off. The winner of tis play-off qualifies 4 the 2014 FIFA World Cup finals.

[joew2005]

CAF Qualification

1st Round 1st leg - 11 Nov 2011
Seychelles vs Kenya
Guinea-Bissau vs Togo
Djibouti vs Namibia
Mauritius vs Liberia
Comoros vs Mozambique
Equatorial Guinea vs Madagascar
Somalia vs Ethiopia
Lesotho vs Burundi
Eritrea vs Rwanda
Swaziland vs Congo DR
São Tomé-&-Príncipe vs Congo
Chad vs Tanzania

1st Round 2nd leg - 15 Nov 2011
Kenya vs Seychelles
Togo vs Guinea-Bissau
Namibia vs Djibouti
Liberia vs Mauritius
Mozambique vs Comoros
Madagascar vs Equatorial Guinea
Ethiopia vs Somalia
Burundi vs Lesotho
Rwanda vs Eritrea
Congo DR vs Swaziland
Congo vs São Tomé-&-Príncipe
Tanzania vs Chad

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014_FI...helles_v_Kenya


2nd Round

Group A - South Africa, Botswana, Central African Republic & Somalia/Ethiopia.

Group B - Tunisia, Cape Verde, Sierra Leone & Equatorial Guinea/Madagascar.

Group C - Côte d'Ivoire, Morocco, Gambia & Chad/Tanzania.

Group D - Ghana, Zambia, Sudan & Lesotho/Burundi.

Group E - Burkina Faso, Gabon, Niger & São Tomé-&-Príncipe/Congo

Group F - Nigeria, Malawi, Seychelles/Kenya & Djibouti/Namibia.

Group G - Egypt, Guinea, Zimbabwe & Comoros/Mozambique.

Group H - Algeria, Mali, Benin & Eritrea/Rwanda.

Group I - Cameroon, Libya, Guinea-Bissau/Togo & Swaziland/Congo DR.

Group J - Senegal, Uganda, Angola & Mauritius/Liberia.

The match-days hv been scheduled as follows:
1) 1–5 June 2012
2) 8–12 June 2012
3) 22–26 March 2013
4) 7–11 June 2013
5) 14–18 June 2013
6) 6–10 September 2013

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014_FI...ification_(CAF)


3rd Round -
Final 2nd round 10 Group Winners shall proceed 2 the 3rd round.
The 10 teams shall be drawn into a 2-leg playoff against another team(Oct/Nov 2013).
The 5 winners over the 2 legs in the 3rd round shall clinch the auto berth 2 WC2014.