Is seeding the World Cup play-offs playing fair?
October 12, 2009
For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction and for every FIFA marketing slogan there is a subsequent decision that can make fans wonder if world football’s governing body is being serious.
“Fair Play Please” is the current favourite but how, exactly, does that square with the decision to make the European zone World Cup playoffs a seeded affair?
Nowhere in the acres of pre-qualifying regulations was there a suggestion that the playoffs would be seeded but now the good people of Zurich have realised that some of the biggest names in the game could be involved in the November home and away matches, the new rule has been presented as a fait accompli.
So the eight teams in the playoffs will be seeded according to their FIFA ranking — conveniently avoiding the prospect of France playing, say, Portugal and one of the continent’s big guns being forced to miss out.
Unsurprisingly, the decision was not welcomed by the likes of Ireland – into the playoffs but likely to be seeded in the “bottom half”.
Bosnia were too busy celebrating making the playoffs on Saturday to worry about their structure but wouldn’t they be right in thinking they deserve as much a chance of facing, say, Greece or Slovenia as Russia or France?
The nine group winners got their reward in automatic qualification. Shouldn’t the best eight second-place teams (Norway look set to be the unlucky ninth-best runners-up who will miss out altogether) be left to take their chances having, in some cases, overcome tough seeding in the group the first time round to make it this far?
The arrival of bright new teams, and the chance for unfamiliar players to make names for themselves on the biggest stage of all, help keep the World Cup fresh and exciting. If the rules just make it more likely that the Big Boys always make it, the worry must be that the game and the tournament will end up being the loser.
PHOTO: Ireland’s Liam Lawrence reacts after their 2010 World Cup qualifying soccer match against Italy at Croke Park Stadium in Dublin October 10, 2009. REUTERS/Darren Staples
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Rooney out of England´s final qualifier
October 12, 2009
England striker Wayne Rooney will miss Wednesday’s final 2010 World Cup qualifier against Belarus after the Manchester United forward picked up a calf strain in Saturday’s 1-0 defeat away to Ukraine.
The news is a surprise as Rooney got through the entire game, turning in a decent performance for an England side that was reduced to 10 men after 15 minutes following the dismissal of Robert Green.
Rooney, however, must now undergo treatment in the hope of being fit for United’s Premier League encounter with Bolton.
He will also be making the reverse journey to Ben Foster, who was named as Green’s replacement given the West Ham keeper is now suspended for the Belarus encounter, one of only three remaining before manager Fabio Capello has to name his squad for next summer’s World Cup.
Unless injury hits one of his other four strikers, Capello is unlikely to call in a replacement.
The Italian has the option of pushing Steven Gerrard into a more advanced position, which he plays in so successfully for Liverpool.
Alternatively, he could pair Carlton Cole with Emile Heskey, or possibly Aston Villa’s Gabriel Agbonlahor, who was an unused substitute on Saturday.
England, with wins in their first eight matches, had already ensured automatic qualification to the world Cup before the defeat to Ukraine as Group 6 leaders.
LONDON (AFP)
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Tunisia, Nigeria World Cup race goes to wire
October 12, 2009
Tunisia scored early and Nigeria late Sunday to ensure a thrilling 2010 World Cup Group B qualifying race in Africa will go down to the wire next month.
France-based striker Issam Jomaa struck in the first minute as Tunisia won 1-0 against Kenya in Rades while Victor Nsofor from Spanish club Malaga netted three minutes into stoppage time as Nigeria pipped Mozambique 1-0 in Abuja.
These results left the Carthage Eagles of Tunisia two points above the Super Eagles of Nigeria with the leaders after the November 14 final fixtures qualifying for the world tournament in South Africa.
Tunisia visit Mozambique and Nigeria travel to Kenya and while the two hosts have been out of the World Cup reckoning for some time, they are fighting to finish third and claim a place at the 2010 African Nations Cup in Angola.
All seemed lost for three-time World Cup qualifiers Nigeria as a dour tussle with well-organised and slick Mozambique drifted into additional time at a far-from-full 60,000-seat National Stadium.
But the Mambas (Snakes) resistance finally cracked after 93 minutes when a parry by goalkeeper Joao Kapango was crossed into the goalmouth and unmarked 22-year-old Nsofor nodded in.
Had Nigeria drawn they would have failed to reach a second consecutive World Cup after a shock second-place finish behind Angola in the 2006 qualifying tournament for Germany.
Both teams were foiled by the woodwork in a cagey encounter Nigeria dominated territorially only to be let down by a blunt strike force and spectacular Kapango saves.
Tunisia, who came from behind twice to force a draw in Nigeria last month, made the perfect start with unmarked Jomaa heading past goalkeeper Willis Ochieng just 60 seconds into the first half.
But the North African team seeking a record-equalling fourth consecutive World Cup appearance by an African team, could not build on the early advantage and must win in Maputo to be certain of qualifying.
Algeria came from behind to defeat Rwanda 3-1 in Blida and regain a three-point advantage over African champions Egypt, who will host a top-of-the-table Group C clash next month.
Mafisango Mutesa stunned the Desert Foxes with an early goal, Abdelkader Ghezzal levelled soon after, Nadir Belhadj put Algeria ahead in first-half stoppage time and Karim Ziani converted a late penalty.
Ghana, who last month became the first African country to qualify for the 2010 finals after hosts South Africa, surrendered the last 100 percent record in the final round when falling 1-0 against Benin in Cotonou.
The Benin ‘Squirrels’ were impressively led by striker Razack Omotoyossi and dominated without reward until France-based striker Mohamed Aoudou scored two minutes into stoppage time.
There was also a late winner in the other Group D fixture with 2008 African Footballer of the Year Frederic Kanoute scoring one minute from full-time to earn dominant Mali a 1-0 victory over Sudan in Bamako.
The leading scorer in the qualifying competitions, Qatar-based Moumouni Dagano, raised his tally to 11 with the first goal as Burkina Faso ended a two-match Group E losing streak courtesy of a 2-1 win over Guinea in Accra.
JOHANNESBURG (AFP)
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Clichy brushes move talk aside
October 12, 2009
Gael Clichy is keen to remain focused on matters at Arsenal in the wake of fresh speculation regarding his future.
The French full-back is reported to be a potential target for Primera Liga giants Real Madrid, who are keen to bolster their defensive options.
It is suggested that Santiago Bernabeu officials have already made contact with Clichy’s representatives about a possible switch to Spain next summer.
The 24-year-old only penned a four-year contract with Arsenal in 2008 and remains a regular part of Arsene Wenger’s plans.
However, Real could be willing to test the Gunners’ resolve with an approach at the end of the current campaign.
Clichy has been quick to distance himself from such speculation, claiming he is only concerned with Arsenal for now, but he has stopped short of completely ruling out a move away from Emirates Stadium in the future.
“At the moment I am focused on Arsenal and France,” he said in the News of the World.
“This season could be very important to me and I desire to be focused in my work. The summer of 2010 is still very far away.”
Abhimanyu Rajput
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Van Gaal confident despite deficit
October 12, 2009
Bayern Munich coach Louis van Gaal is convinced his team can claw back the eight-point deficit to Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen and Hamburg.
The Bavarians lie eighth in the standings after managing only three wins in their opening eight games.
But Van Gaal is not planning to give up on the title race just yet.
“Eight points is a lot, that I know,” the Dutchman told German television channel DSF.
“(But) the awards will be distributed in April or May, not October.”
Van Gaal has just passed the 100-day mark at the Bayern helm and reckons if he is given time he will make his mark.
“A coach takes time and trust,” he said. “If I get time, I have the great opportunity to develop something. I proved this at other clubs.
“I think the public and the media must maintain confidence in Louis van Gaal.”
Abhimanyu Rajput
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Abidal eyes Austria boost
October 12, 2009
Eric Abidal has called on France to beat Austria on Wednesday to set their stall out ahead of a World Cup qualifying play-off.
Saturday’s 5-0 win over the Faroe Islands secured second place and a play-off place for Les Bleus in Group Seven behind Serbia, who beat Romania 5-0 to seal their ticket to South Africa.
Wednesday’s match represents a far stiffer test than the one presented by perennial qualifying minnows the Faroes, but Abidal feels his side can take confidence from their goalscoring exploits.
The Barcelona full-back told fff.fr: “Certainly, when you have matches where you have a lot of chances and can score some goals, that is good for the team and the attackers. It gives them confidence.
“We worked on things in training and it paid off, and we hope it will pay off again on Wednesday. The public were behind us, which helped us feel motivated.”
Despite having second spot already in the bag, Abidal is determined to clinch all three points to keep morale high going into the play-off.
“The match against Austria, we have to win it,” he said.
“The ultimate objective is to qualify but this match will serve as a reference point for our level of quality. Austria are stronger than the Faroes and it will be a useful test for us for the future.
“The objective is to get to the World Cup.”
Abhimanyu Rajput
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Buffon needs knee operation
October 12, 2009
Gianluigi Buffon has admitted he will soon need to go under the knife in order to cure a knee complaint.
The Juventus goalkeeper has been nursing the injury for some time, but has put off an operation in order to help out both his club and country.
However, after figuring for Italy in their 2-2 with Republic of Ireland on Saturday, the 31-year-old revealed that he cannot carry on much longer.
Buffon has been back to his brilliant best this season, after a number of niggling knocks have hampered his performances of late.
He hopes he will be fit enough to carry on until mid-December, until after Juve take on Serie A champions Inter Milan, but accepts that may not be the case.
“My knee is wrecked,” he said.
“I need an operation. I’ll carry on as long as I can though.”
Abhimanyu Rajput
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Kalou claims new Blues deal
October 12, 2009
Chelsea striker Salomon Kalou claims he has signed a new four-year contract with the club.
The 23-year-old former Feyenoord man’s deal had been due to expire at the end of the current season.
But with Chelsea banned from signing any new players until January 2011, the club have moved swiftly to tie down his services.
Kalou, who provides cover for first-choice pairing Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka, is reportedly committed to Stamford Bridge until 2014.
The 23-year-old was believed to be attracting interest from Roma and Arsenal, however, he now looks unlikely to depart after penning a new £60,000-a-week deal.
“Signing this deal with Chelsea has freed my mind to concentrate on football,” Kalou told the People.
Abhimanyu Rajput
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