The Best…..

Two goals from Conor Casey against Honduras vindicated his selection by Coach Bob Bradley on Saturday night. However, it was Landon Donovan who made the difference for the USA.

The pass to Casey that led to the second goal was an absolute delight while anyone who looks to poor goalkeeping by Valladares on the third goal is missing the point. Donovan hit the free kick to the opposite and better guarded side and it simply flew around the wall (not over it) and blew past the keeper.

Slovenia turned Group 3 on its ear with a 2-0 away win against group leaders Slovakia. The visitors entered the game five points behind in second spot and likely more concerned about the Czech Republic who were a further two points behind.

Despite beating Poland 2-0 the Czechs’ chances of finishing second are now close to nil given that Slovenia is set to ply the punching bag that is San Marino.

Slovenia has a chance to run up their goal difference in their final game which means that Slovakia needs to beat Poland away from home on Wednesday or they will be heading to the play offs instead of celebrating a first appearance at major finals.
 
Theofanis Gekas cannot get a regular starting position at Bayer Leverkusen but he managed to score four times for Greece in a 5-2 win over Latvia. The win means that Greece can still gain an automatic spot at the finals. They need to beat Luxembourg and look to Israel to topple top of the group Switzerland. After beating Luxembourg Switzerland cannot finish lower than second and a draw versus Israel will seal top position for the Swiss.

Last second heroics from Argentina and Uruguay against Peru and Ecuador set up a tremendous match between the two on Wednesday in Montevideo. The simple take on the game is whoever wins in Montevideo takes the fourth automatic qualifying spot in South America.The loser would then lose out on the play-off spot should Ecuador win against Chile in Santiago.

A draw in Montevideo makes it a bit more complicated should Ecuador win. Anything less for the Ecuadorians and Argentina and Uruguay will not be budged from 4th and 5th spots although the order hangs in the balance.  

Diego Maradona’s selections for Argentina have polarized fans and media alike. Incessant calls for Gonzalo Higuain to be called up had been ignored by the coach and were only amplified after the inclusion, after an absence of ten years, of striker Martin Palermo in the squad that faced Paraguay a month ago.

However, Maradona relented and when the Argentine squad to face Peru and Uruguay was announced last Monday both forwards were included. How ironic is it that both players scored to rescue Argentina’s bid for an automatic qualifying spot in South Africa?

Honorable mentions......

There were two cracking long range goals from Valter Birsa of Slovenia against Slovakia and from Glen Whelan for the Republic of Ireland against Italy.

Best forgotten…..

Slovakia’s collapse at home against Slovenia will also impact Wednesday’s match away to Poland. Defenders Radoslav Zábavník, Ďurica and Martin Škrtel, plus midfielder Miroslav Stoch, will all miss the match due to suspension.

Games and futures are often decided on the slimmest of margins. If Carlos Pavon slots home the penalty kick at 3-2 down to tie the game then the USA comes home to a very tricky last game against Costa Rica and Honduras controlling their own fate. Now Honduras needs the USA to do them a favour and make sure that Costa Rica does not return home with three points.

Stat facts…..

The quarter final between Hungary and Italy at the FIFA under-20 World Cup saw only 18 players on the field at the final whistle(ten for Hungary, eight for Italy), both coaches sent to the stands and forty four fouls called by referee Oscar Ruiz of Colombia. Hungary won the match 3-2 after extra time and will now play Ghana in the semi-finals.

A 4-1 win over El Salvador guaranteed Mexico a place at South Africa World Cup 2010. It will be their will 14th appearance at the finals, while the USA will be their sixth consecutive appearance.

Some will be surprised that Denmark will be making only their fourth appearance at the World Cup finals. It took the Danes until 1986 to make it for the first time while the other two came in 1998 and 2002. However, each time Denmark has made it to the knock out stage.

Benin’s goal in the 92nd minute that beat already qualified Ghana in Africa Group D was the first conceded by Ghana in five games.  

Miroslav Klose’s winner for Germany against Russia in Moscow was his 50th international goal. He opened his international account over eight years ago when he scored a late winner against Albania.

What was said….

This has my nomination for the most ridiculous headline and contrived story that I have seen for some time.

Paddy Agnew considers the dilemma faced by Marcello Lippi as he approaches the 2010 World Cup Finals – one eye forward and one looking back.

“There are 46 games in the season and we’ve played just eight of them so far. There are still 30 left, so we are not worried.” Tranmere defender Shaleum Logan might want to check his arithmetic.

Here is Brian Glanville’s latest column for World Soccer.

Simon Kuper on why Diego Maradona was picked to coach Argentina.

Coming up this week…..

It comes down the final group qualifying games in Europe, South America, and CONCACAF.

There will be the final stages of the FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Egypt.

Real Salt Lake is at home against New York Red Bulls in a match vital to Real’s play-off hopes.