2005-10-03 - 2006 World Cup Qualifying - Europe
The October 8 matches in Europe could be make or break for many countries.
In group 1
the Netherlands visit the Czech Republic knowing that a draw or better
will secure their finals place. They know that even a loss should still
allow them to qualify with a home win against Macedonia the following
Wednesday. The Czechs need a win to make sure that they finish in
second place in the group and guarantee at least a playoff place,
althought a draw is likely to be good enough. In the other match,
Romania visit Finland knowing a win could still see them finish in
second place. Even if Romania win, they'll still need the Czechs to
lose both their remaining matches.
In group 2
Greece visit Denmark in what is sure to be a crunch encounter. Neither
team can afford to draw or lose the match although a lot will still
depend on Turkey's final game on October 12th away to Albania. If
Turkey win that encounter there's nothing that Denmark can do attain a
playoff place.
In group 3
Portugal will qualify for the finals on Saturday with a home win
against Liechtenstein, leaving Russia, Slovakia and Estonia to fight it
out for the playoff place. Estonia surely only have a mathematical
chance with Russia likely to get maximum points from their home tie
with Luxembourg that would set the target too high for Estonia who
travel to Slovakia. In all probability the match between Slovakia and
Russia on October 12 is likely to decide who gets the playoff place.
In group 4
France, who've had a pretty poor campaign up until now, know that a win
away to Switzerland will guarantee them a finals place. A win for
Switzerland would throw the group wide open with the possibility of
three teams finishing the group on 19 points. Ireland visit Cyprus in
what will be a tough game with a couple of their most influential
players suspended. Israel will likely set the target for a playoff
place at 18 points as they meet the Faroe Islands at home in their
final match in the group.
In group 5
Italy can secure their place in the finals if they win or draw at home
to Slovenia with Norway expected to win their home game against
Moldova, Slovenia know that a loss to Italy will end their hopes for a
playoff place. Scotland can keep their slim hopes for a playoff place
alive with a home win against Belarus.
In group 6
England know they need to beat Austria at home to set up a showdown
with Poland on October 12 for the automatic qualification place.
In group 7
Spain travel to Belgium knowing that they need to keep winning to put
the pressure on Serbia and Montenegro. Belgium themselves still have a
chance to qualify from this group if they win against Spain and beat
Lithuania away on October 12. A win for Serbia and Montenegro will put
them in a very strong position to qualify automatically from this
group. Lithuania still have a mathematical chance to take the playoff
place but that would seem very unlikely.
In group 8
the situation is very clear. Sweden travel to Croatia in a match that
is likely to be the group decider. A win for Sweden would mean they
take the automatic spot, but a draw or a win for Croatia would mean the
group won't be decided until the final matches on October 12.
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2005-10-07 - New European Play-Off draw procedure |
| Posted by svsvsv |
Published on fifa.com :
"Zurich, 6 October, 2005 - The draw for the three European 2006 FIFA World Cup™ play-off matches will be conducted at FIFA headquarters at 12.00 noon CET on Friday, 14 October 2005.
Draw for 2nd Stage Play-offs - 14 October 2005 in Zurich
In the European zone, the eight group winners and the two best runners-up qualify automatically for the finals in Germany. The regulations for the FIFA World Cup™ stipulate a number of criteria to determine the two best runners-up (see FIFAworldcup.com: http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/06/en/050915/1/4npf.html ). The three remaining European places are decided in play-off matches between the other six runners-up on a home-and-away basis.
The draw for the play-offs featuring these six teams will be conducted as follows:
The six teams will be divided into two pots in accordance with the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking for September 2005 (the three highest placed will be in pot 1 and the other three in teams in pot 2).
One team will be drawn from each pot. A second draw will be conducted to determine which team will play the first leg at home.
The play-offs will be played on Saturday, 12 November 2005 and Wednesday, 16 November 2005."
I guess it's aiming to protect England, Spain and France without being too obvious ... isn't it ? |
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2005-10-07 - Re: New European Play-Off draw procedure |
| Posted by rdasilva |
| I just read your comment after writing a new article on my blog about it. Yes, it is indeed quite obvious that the organisers are afraid that some big nations will miss out, but surely the World Cup is about getting the best teams. If they can't qualify from an easy group, and can't qualify from a playoff, surely they're not good enough to be at the World Cup??? |
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