June 3, 2005
World Cup Qualifiers Dominate
the Weekend
With most domestic leagues around the world finally
finished up, FIFA has decided to squeeze in another
round of vital World Cup qualifiers before most of the
world’s footballers go off on their summer holidays.
There are few marquee match-ups in Europe, with perhaps
the ancient rivalry between Greece and Turkey and the
quality pairing of the Netherlands and Romania being
the most notable. The Republic of Ireland and surprising
Israel will meet in Dublin to see who takes control
of the quagmire known as Group Four, the group that
also features a far below par France and the underrated
Swiss.
In South America, Argentina can become the first nation
outside of hosts Germany to book their place in the
tournament with a win over Ecuador and a lack of a result
in the Uruguay vs. Venezuela match. Argentina, the shortest
average nation in FIFA’s top ten, will almost
certainly be favorites once the tournament rolls around,
roughly a year from now.
There was an early jump on the weekend’s matches
with some getting underway Friday. Among the most notable
was in Asia, where Iran have all but booked their passage
to Germany, having pulled far ahead in their group with
a 1-0 win over North Korea. Mathematically they still
have a little further to go, but not much. And in Africa,
the Ivory Coast edged closer to their first ever World
Cup after 0-0 draw against Libya—leaving them
five points clear at the top of Group 3.
In North America, the United States will be looking
for all three points at home to Costa Rica. The U.S.
looked good in the friendly against England last weekend
but were unable to overcome a first-half two-goal deficit.
Costa Rica have had a start/stop campaign in the final
round so far as they look to be dueling the rest of
the way with Guatemala for the third automatic qualifying
spot. Guatemala will be home to Mexico, a huge match
somewhat undercut by the lack of either sides’
star players; Carlos Ruiz, on a tear currently in MLS,
is suspended for Guatemala while Cuauhtemoc Blanco will
not suit up for Mexico, citing tiredness after helping
Club America to the Clausura title.
After all this, there is still another grueling round
to go in midweek, but then these tired footballers,
except MLS players and those of the nations unfortunate
enough to be involved in the Confederations Cup, will
finally get their much-deserved summer holidays.
Edward Knowles, International Editor, 90:00™
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