It was like a long gap, and there was no league matches
in the week between September 2nd and 13th. But we had internationals for qualifying into
the finals of the World Cup in 2014. During these twelve days, most of the
football loving nations were struggling hard to book their place in Brazil.
Some of them succeeded and few were reached closer but many of them still far
yet in reachable position.
A world cup fixture can accommodate only 32 teams and
almost all countries around the world will try to get into the magic thirty
two. FIFA, the international governing body of the game football (soccer)
restricted entry of countries on the basis of region they represent. According
to FIFA, Europe (UEFA), the smallest land mass, is still the home land of football
and will have maximum number of (13) berths. South America (CONMEBOL) will have
4 direct berths and another one in playoff against Asia. The CONCACAF, the
region includes Central America and North America will have three direct berths
and one playoff against Oceania football. The biggest region, Asia (AFC) has 4
berths direct and one playoff against South America and Africa will have direct
five berths.
It will take little more time to get the final picture
but the matches during this international break provide some clarity about who
will reach in the 32. European powerhouses Italy and Germany along with
Netherlands, Belgium and Switzerland qualified for the finals. England, France,
Russia, Ukraine, Greece, Bosnia, Croatia, Portugal and Sweden are struggling to
find their space in the 32 and present Champion has two matches in hand and
staying in the first place in their group which shares with France. By the
middle of next month, the picture of Europe will be clear.
Brazil, as the host nation is already qualified and the picture
of remaining 4 +1 berths are clearing up. Argentina found their feet in the finals
with 8 wins, 5 draws, one defeat and 29 points from 14 matches. Behind
Argentina, Colombia, Chile and Ecuador are lined up and Uruguay is struggling
for the fifth place through play off. CONCACAF, the region which includes North
and Central America has identified their first three berths in USA, Costa Rica
and Honduras. Mexico, the Olympic champions are in the fifth position and have
equal points with fourth placed Panama. They will fight for the playoff place
and will meet on 11th October at Azteca stadium in Mexico. If they
won’t win the match, it will be the biggest disappointment of the 2014 World
Cup because Mexico represented almost all World Cups so far.
Africa had their group stage and the second round
produced 10 group winners. Now the group winners will be placed in two groups
and will have five playoff games in October and November. As per the draw on 16th
September, Ivory Coast will face Senegal, Tunisia is paired with Cameroon, Egypt
will meet Ghana, Algeria faces Burkina Faso and Ethiopia has found their
opponent in Nigeria.
After viewing all these results and draws, the biggest
possible disappointment will be the absence of Mexico. Most interesting result
so far is the qualification of Belgium. They played 8 matches and won 7, one draw
and no loss. They defeated Croatia, Serbia, Scotland, Macedonia and Wales in
the group stage. Belgium had a golden generation in 1980s and performed very
well in 1986 world cup and gave a strong fight to the champion Argentina in the
Semi finals. In 1990s they managed to reach in the group stage but in 2006 and
2010 they failed to qualify for the finals. Now, they are coming up with a new
generation young players.
I am counting Belgium for next world cup, not for this
one. This time, they will definitely give a fight for all their opponents and
will gain experience. The new generation will be matured for 2018 World Cup in
Russia. Their current squad is playing for the best teams in Europe at present.
They have best two goal keepers in Simon Mignolet and Thibaut Courtois, in
defence they have Vincent Kompany, Thomas Vermalen, Jan Vertonghen, Toby
Alderweireld, in mid-field they plays some of the best talents such as Eden
Hazard, Marouane Fellaini, Mousa Dembele, Kevin de Bruyne, and in the attack
they holds Christine Bentike, Kevin Mirallas and Romelu Lakuku. They have
talent, depth and needs experience.
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