big name cxcountries in peril of no-qualification for the world cup

[aftershavedave]

looks like the czechs and poles are going to struggle, france will be in play-offs and germany and russia will go to the wire.

portugal are looking more likely to grab a second spot (unless sweden get there) and i really can't see the argies falling to get at least 5th and a play-off against a team of no-hopers.

next round of matches will be interesting for sure, we can all relax and enjoy now!

 

[Gritt23]

I thought Poland were already out. Didn't they sack their manager this morning.

The Argies could miss out completely. 6th and no play-off at all is still very possible.

 

[Mellotron]

Wouldn't call the Czechs a big name team at all. Without Nedved they've got nothing going forward. Wouldn't mind their keeper though...

 

[aftershavedave]

I thought Poland were already out. Didn't they sack their manager this morning.

technically they can still qualify, but you're right, they're as good as dead

 

[Simster]

I wonder whether Denmark's draw in Albania might prove costly. They have Sweden and Hungary to play - although both are in Denmark.

Turkey will probably miss out to Bosnia.
Cameroon were looking dicey but they had a good result yesterday in Gabon.
Argentina actually DO look to be in trouble. They'll win their home game v Peru, but would you back them away to Uruguay - a team they are neck and neck with?

Nigeria are in a straight fight with Tunisia. Algeria hold a 3 point lead over Egypt.

 

[Mellotron]

Argentina actually DO look to be in trouble. They'll win their home game v Peru, but would you back them away to Uruguay - a team they are neck and neck with?

Yes but they'll still qualify, as their play off game will be against some RHUBARB team.

Although I suppose with Diego in charge anything is possible. I mean honestly, it's the same as appointing GAZZA England manager, isn't it? Insane.

 

[Sonic The Hedgehog]

The Czechs and Portugal are both still very much involved as both have two home matches left that they should win, although a win for Sweden in Denmark could scupper that, likewise a point for Slovenia away to Slovakia next time as the Slovenians finsih with San Marino.

Croatia will be shafted if England lose in the Ukraine and the Turks are relying on Bosnia failing to win in Estonia.

If Uruguay can get a point in Ecuador next time then it may come down to a straight shoot out between them and Argentina in the last match who will surely win at home to Peru next time out. Argentina and Uruguay (not Brazil) is probably the most frenzied rivalry in South America, so could be tasty!

 

[Simster]

Yes but they'll still qualify, as their play off game will be against some RHUBARB team.

Although I suppose with Diego in charge anything is possible. I mean honestly, it's the same as appointing GAZZA England manager, isn't it? Insane.

They won't have a play off match if they finish 6th - and that is very possible if you look at the table.

Sadly, CONCACAF is feeble - after the USA & Mexico, you're down to DREGS. One of Honduras and Costa Rica will finish 4th and therefore roll over to a South American team.

I do feel the winners of the 4th placed CONCACAF/5th placed S America playoff should have to face the 9th second best European team really. They really do have it very very easy in those regions. No wonder Brazil have qualified for every tournament.

 

[aftershavedave]

and how about france and germany both finishing second (very possible) and getting drawn together in the play-offs, that would be tasty

 

[patchamalbion]

the argies are in real trouble,the way they looked last night makes me think that uruguay could beat them to 5th!

 

[Easy 10]

To be as bad as Argentina have been under Maradona and STILL be in with a decent chance of qualifying just highlights what a shower of shit that South American qualification system is.

I watched Argentina lose to Paraguay last night, and they really are an absolute shambles. Messi could have been their Maradona, ie one outstanding player carrying an average team, however rest of those mugs are just so shocking, even Messi can't carry that lot. Veron still looks every inch the waste of skin he was for Man U (before getting sent off).

Great player, but Maradona couldn't manage a hard-on in a whorehouse.

 

[Mellotron]

To be as bad as Argentina have been under Maradona and STILL be in with a decent chance of qualifying just highlights what a shower of shit that South American qualification system is.

I watched Argentina lose to Paraguay last night, and they really are an absolute shambles. Messi could have been their Maradona, ie one outstanding player carrying an average team, however rest of those mugs are just so shocking, even Messi can't carry that lot. Veron still looks every inch the waste of skin he was for Man U (before getting sent off).

Great player, but Maradona couldn't manage a hard-on in a whorehouse.

I'm sorry but

Messi
Cambiasso
Mascherano
Aguero
Riquelme

are all WORLD CLASS, with Veron and others not far behind. This all points at the manager and the manager alone.

 

[Easy 10]

Riquelme isn't involved any more, him and Maradona have had a massive falling out.
Mascherano was clueless last night, truley woeful.

Yes, Maradona is the BIG problem there and undoubtedly the reason why the argies are such a shambles right now. THose players are shockingly under-performing, they looked (and have been looking) a LONG way from "world class" in a blue and white shirt.

 

[Mellotron]

Riquelme isn't involved any more, him and Maradona have had a massive falling out.
Mascherano was clueless last night, truley woeful.

Yes, Maradona is the BIG problem there and undoubtedly the reason why the argies are such a shambles right now. THose players are shockingly under-performing, they looked (and have been looking) a LONG way from "world class" in a blue and white shirt.

Fair enough. Interesting question -

If Lampard, Gerrard and Rooney continue to play as they are under Capello, the term "World Class" will be affixed to them more and more regularly.

Is this correct, when some people would've laughed at the same players being branded such under Sven or McClaren? Is it the manager who makes these players "World Class"?

 

[Man of Harveys]

and how about france and germany both finishing second (very possible) and getting drawn together in the play-offs, that would be tasty

It would - that Russia v Germany game will settle that. Germany seem to be hitting a decent bit of form though; that looked a solid enough showing against the might of, erm, Berti Vogts' Azeris last night.

Of course I much prefer it when Germany are complete CACK in qualifying, so get windily dismissed by everyone, then stride to the final.

 

[Easy 10]

Fair enough. Interesting question -

If Lampard, Gerrard and Rooney continue to play as they are under Capello, the term "World Class" will be affixed to them more and more regularly.

Is this correct, when some people would've laughed at the same players being branded such under Sven or McClaren? Is it the manager who makes these players "World Class"?

I think a managers primary purpose is to devise a system to enable his players to achieve their full potential. So in that respect, if a player has the potential to be World Class, then at the very highest level, he needs a manager to recognise this and deploy him in a system that enables him to PROVE that he is World Class.

So thats probably a "yes".

 

[turienzo's lovechild]

i just can't believe that either bahrain or new zealand will be in the world cup and yet france, portugal and argentina may miss out

"lol"

 

[Easy 10]

i just can't believe that either bahrain or new zealand will be in the world cup and yet france, portugal and argentina may miss out

"lol"

Well, thats the nature of a WORLD cup. Every corner of the planet is represented.
Otherwise, it'd be a case of dispensing with qualification groups and just having the top 32 FIFA-ranked teams getting together once every 4 years.

Its not a perfect system by any means (as the South American qualification method shows), but its the sheer diversity of the tournament that makes it the greatest sporting spectacle in the world.

 

[turienzo's lovechild]

oh, don't get me wrong, i f***ing LOVE 'minnows' in the world cup, they're always the most entertaining

personally i'd prefer bahrain to new zealand as i BET bahrain's fans are inSANE

i'm also praying that USA and North Korea are in the same group

that'd be incredible

 

[Garry Nelson's Left Foot]

oh, don't get me wrong, i f***ing LOVE 'minnows' in the world cup, they're always the most entertaining

personally i'd prefer bahrain to new zealand as i BET bahrain's fans are inSANE

i'm also praying that USA and North Korea are in the same group

that'd be incredible

Did IRAN qualify aswell? That'd be a brilliant group!