FIFA World Cup 2014 Qualifying

[Keystone Phil]

Confederations Cup

Group A

Brazil
Japan
Mexico
Italy


Group B

Spain
Uruguay
Tahiti
African Champion

[Lief 🗽]

All my money on Tahiti.

[bore]

Not really (or at all) world cup related but this seems to be the generic international thread, so:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20631963

Seems like they didn't like any of the bids, although its a shame they didn't choose Scotland.

[Keystone Phil]

I was just about to make a separate thread.

I hate this idea. I like having the spotlight on a host(s) and this will be killer on teams. Ugh.

[minionofmidas]

Ugh, I didn't think for a minute they'd actually go through with that. Goodbye, Euro.

[Franzl]

What a stupid idea.

[Keystone Phil]

I don't think I've seen one person (aside from Platini/UEFA) say this is a good idea.

The only good news is that it is supposedly for the 60th Anniversary and only a one time deal.

[Keystone Phil]

Final 2012 FIFA rankings are out. Italy somehow jumped up a spot to finish in fourth, Spain are on top and one of the worst Brazil teams ever fell five places to 18th.

[Keystone Phil]

Not really (or at all) world cup related but this seems to be the generic international thread, so:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20631963

Seems like they didn't like any of the bids, although its a shame they didn't choose Scotland.

Following up...

Euro 2020 will be in thirteen (!) different cities and only one venue per country -http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21203253

[minionofmidas]

I hope future historians will agree not to count the 2020 title.

[Keystone Phil]

Qualifying action from that joke confederation tonight. I'm going to watch Mexico's game with my Dad since he loves Jamaica in general and is delusional enough to think they'll get at least at draw at the Azteca. The miracle by the U.S. not too long ago gives the delusionals hope.

The real action is in the Friendly matches playing out now. I'm lucky enough to have a Soccer bar a block away from my work that was kind enough to put on Italy vs. The Netherlands on the big screen just for me. Huge saves from Buffon so far.

[Keystone Phil]

And in other news, Rooney scores for England against Brazil.

[Goodwin]

How did the USA lose to Honduras? If they don't beat Costa Rica next month, they could be in real trouble going into the Mexico clash.

[Lief 🗽]

Honduras is the best team in CONCACAF after Mexico and USA and the United States has historically always had problems in away games in CONCACAF. That said, we also played like sh[inks].

[Keystone Phil]

The U.S. not qualifying would be hilariois but that almost can't happen.

By the way, Nigeria won the African Cup of Nations. They'll be Africa's representative in the Confederations Cup.

[morgieb]

Oh England. Won't qualify for the World Cup in soccer, looking like a possible third-tier qualifier for the RWC, and destined for more irrelevancy in Netball.

At least you still have Cricket, right?

lol, what?

Wow we've been bad this qualifying phase. At least we haven't played a lot of home games yet....

[morgieb]

All my money on Tahiti.

Haha, how did they get in?

[Keystone Phil]

All my money on Tahiti.

Haha, how did they get in?

Yeah, I'm wondering the same. Australia is now in the Asian confederation (for a challenge). I figured New Zealand would have a lock on it now. I guess not.

[morgieb]

All my money on Tahiti.

Haha, how did they get in?

Yeah, I'm wondering the same. Australia is now in the Asian confederation (for a challenge). I figured New Zealand would have a lock on it now. I guess not.

I think we changed confederations because it was easier to play in the World Cup in Asia rather than Oceania.

But yeah I thought with us gone the Kiwis were the top dogs by far.

[Keystone Phil]

Easier in Asia than Oceania? Uh...what?

[morgieb]

Easier in Asia than Oceania? Uh...what?

Oceania can't get automatic qualification into the World Cup IIRC, Asia can.

Note that I only said getting in the World Cup. Of course the competition is stronger in Asia.

[Keystone Phil]

Oh, right. The playoff. Still, I imagined their chances were better in the playoff against a CONCACAF or CONEMBOL team than in Asia. Apparently not.

[minionofmidas]

This way, Australia actually play regular competitive games against worthy opponents, yet are not outmatched. Sound decision. (Kazakhstan, otoh, found themselves in over their heads after switching to Europe from Asia. But of course, the European club competitions and the money brought in for tv rights for the big sides' away games must have influenced that decision as well.)


I'm not sure how serious New Zealand took the OFC cup or if they even played their full first squad. Although their semifinal defeat was a major shock, it was good enough to keep their world cup hopes alive - and indeed after four out of six games in that round-robin tournament, they're on track to win Oceania's halfberth for 2014. And if they stumble, it will be to New Caledonia, not Tahiti.
Tahiti did win the Oceanian qualifier for the 2009 U21 World Cup recently. Though they were completely outclassed there, losing 0-8 to both Spain and Venezuela and 0-5 to Nigeria.

It seems all but three Tahitian players play at home; there's one in the fifth French division and one in the Belgian third. And there's a guy currently playing (with a very minor club) in the Greek first division (on loan from a French first divison side) who was born in Tahiti, raised in France, has played for French internationally as a junior, and doesn't play for Tahiti regularly. Marama Vahirua. I assume he'll be in the Confed Cup, though.

[Keystone Phil]

Back in action on Friday and next Tuesday. This will mark the half way point in the UEFA qualifying campaign. Israel and Portugal will continue to battle for second place in Group F. The two will face off on Thursday in Israel then both teams are on the road. Israel has the "tougher" opponent (Northern Ireland) but Portugal has to travel all the way to Azerbaijan. All of that traveling might take a toll. Best match will be next week's France vs. Spain showdown. The French are hosting.

Italy vs. Brazil "Friendly" in Geneva on Thursday. 

[Keystone Phil]

Plane carrying Italian team to Switzerland struck by lightening during flight - http://www.sportsmole.co.uk/off-the-pitch/italy/news/report-italian-team-plane-struck-by-lightning_75234.html

Cue to "Is this an omen?"...