All the major European leagues finally got going last weekend but World Cup qualifying this weekend and in midweek takes centre stage. The European qualifying competition is the last of the federations to get going but to honest there is little for a neutral fan to get excited about this this weekend.
The most interesting games are in CONMEBOL and CONCACAF.
Argentina vs. Paraguay
Paraguay currently leads South American qualifying with a third of the fixtures complete. They have 13 points, two more than second place Argentina. Paraguay’s one loss to date came away to Bolivia 4-2 in the last round of matches.
On the other hand Argentina racked up full points in their first three games before stumbling in the last three. Over that period Argentina have lost 2-1 to Colombia, drawn 1-1 against Ecuador and finished scoreless away to Brazil. In 2006 WCQ Paraguay drew this game 0-0 and beat Argentina 1-0 in the return.
A lot has been made of Argentina’s second straight Olympic gold including a number of articles on how it sets Argentina up for the 2010 World Cup. The fact is that there is no modern day correlation between Olympic and World Cup success – two very different beasts. You have to go back to the first two World Cups (19030 and 1934) to find Uruguay and then Italy hold both titles at the same time.
Chile vs. Brazil
If there is any remotely close to a pick-me-up for Brazil it is a match against Chile. In the countries last five meetings Brazil have won four and drawn one while scoring 19 goals and conceding a single. You have to go back to August 2000 to find the last time Chile beat Brazil – 3-0 that day. However, the countries meet this time with 4th placed Chile a point and a place above Brazil.
Despite two losses in their opening six games (away to Argentina 2-0, and a surprising 3-0 loss in Santiago to Paraguay) there is a feeling that Coach Marcelo Bielsa may have a squad that can push for a top four spot.
On the other side Brazil Coach Carlos Dunga is in a hole and he has not stopped digging. An emphatic loss to Argentina at the Olympics and only two wins in six WCQ matches and there is a strange 2002 WCQ déjà-vu feeling about this campaign.
Colombia vs. Uruguay
If you are looking for goals this game may be the one to watch out for. In the last five games between these two there have been 21 goals. Uruguay are unbeaten in the last four (3 wins and a draw) since losing 5-0 to Colombia in WCQ in June 2004.
So far in CONMEBOL qualifying Uruguay are top scorers with 15 goals in six games, although Colombia boasts the best defensive stats with only 2 goals against. This game is a six-pointer with Colombia currently sitting third with 10 points and Uruguay fourth with 8 points.
Cuba vs. USA
The long-standing political stand-off between these two countries will bring a bit more media attention to this game. The USA’s last trip to Havana came over 60 years ago when they lost 5-2. The US started off WCQ with a great result (winning 1-0 away to Guatemala) and by next week at this time they could have a iron grip on Group 1. They follow this game with a home match against Trinidad and Tobago on September 10. Cuba lost their opener to ####mp;T 3-1 and are badly in need of three points.
Canada vs. Honduras
After a disappointing result in their opener against Jamaica (1-1 home draw) Canada faces Honduras. With Mexico the hot favourite to progress from group 2 there is probably a mini group of Honduras, Canada and Jamaica being played out with any points taken from Mexico a bonus.
Another draw would not bring an end to Canada’s hopes for a trip to South Africa in two year’s time but it would certainly place them firmly behind the eight ball. In order to move on Canada would have to get points off of Mexico and in all likelihood have to win on the road in Honduras and Jamaica.
Canada has a decent record against Honduras in international play 6 wins, 2 draws and 2 losses in last 10 meetings. In WCQ since 1981 Canada has won 3, drawn 3 and lost only 1. Interestingly enough the three draws have all come from very late Honduras equalizers and two have been from the penalty spot.
After this weekend’s play Canada have a trip to Mexico to look forward to next Wednesday while Honduras will play their first home game with Jamaica providing the opposition.
Because of Hurricane Gustav this weekend’s match between Jamaica and Mexico has been moved to Mexico City. This means that Mexico will play their first three games at home while Jamaica will be in the opposite position.
Mike Collett’s view of the World Cup Final had me questioning whether I watched the same game as him. “They served notice of their intent in the first minute when Thierry Henry was clattered to the ground by Italian skipper Fabio Cannavaro. He needed an ice-pack and smelling salts before he could continue.” – that is some interpretation of what was clearly an accidental collision.
I am the soccer analyst for the Fox Soccer Report and appear twice a week - every Monday and Friday at 10:00 EST. I have also been a regular contributor to the Fox Soccer Channel website since the summer of 2004. Over the last twenty years I have contributed to various radio and television programs throughout North America as well writing about the game for newspapers, magazines and websites.
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