World Cup 2018 Qualifiers

[Cal?]

That's where the geographies come in. Europeans complain about hard surfaces while we have that in Paraguay, sweltering heat in Colombia, altitude in Bolivia and Ecuador... Even Peru occasionally moves a game away from Lima to Cusco.

No easy games. It IS more competitive.

The games are more competitive because there aren't any true minnows, I'm not arguing about that at all.

It should be for Brazil and Argentina, but historically one has always struggled. Most of their European equivalents go through a far more boring and inevitable procession to qualification.

That's true, one does often struggle and they seem to take turns doing it, it's quite interesting. The best European sides almost inevitably make it, but those outside the top 4-5 sometimes fail - England, France have all failed to qualify in recent memory.

But both Uruguay and Costa Rica are their respective confederations kings of the playoff spot. Uruguay had to play off with Jordan (easy, I know) but then knocked out both of your "harder qualifiers" representatives.

I'm not saying all European teams are better, far from that. Just saying that the Conmebol qualifying should be straight forward for the better sides because there are so many spots and so many games where a couple of shocks shouldn't matter.

As things stand, Portugal have won 7 out of 8 games and very possibly need to go through a much harder playoff than the Conmebol 5th placed side.

 

[Cal?]

It's not racial per se, it's how Conmebol evolved over 100 years while those were feeder colonies for European NTs. Nowadays they have nothing to offer to the qualifiers, Copa América or Copa Libertadores. Why involve them?

Interesting, I guess they'd rather not get smashed every time the play any of you either.

 

[Cal?]

Honduras was at the last WC, weren't they? I'm sure Jamaica and T&T have been there before.

What's important is there's enough room for these to have a hope in hell, that's what strengthens them.

USA has a play off now, Mexico last time. Goes to show the minors are putting up a fight. Little you can do about the region they play off with being shite at football.

I think everyone should playoff against Uefa. If they're good enough to beat 2nd tier European teams, they make it; it they're not, stop complaining about Uefa having so many places.

 

[Sarni]

Bottomline is though that it's only three teams fighting for 1+1 slot in most groups.

That's true. In a few groups it will be 2, in some it will be 4 but never more. On average 3.

 

[antohan]

I'm not saying all European teams are better, far from that. Just saying that the Conmebol qualifying should be straight forward for the better sides because there are so many spots and so many games where a couple of shocks shouldn't matter.

As things stand, Portugal have won 7 out of 8 games and very possibly need to go through a much harder playoff than the Conmebol 5th placed side.

Yeah, as said earlier, European qualifiers can be harsh for the odd team getting a bad draw (Portugal and Italy this time around). That said, they get seeded in the playoff so should really make it anyway.

Actually, that's the real reason the format got changed in South America, we had a similar setup with three groups with 4/3 teams.

Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay headed those, with Uruguay as the vulnerable top seed, but if either got Bolivian altitude and/or an in-form unique generation they ran the risk of missing out. We therefore moved to two groups, but then in 1994 Brazil (eventual champions) only qualified after the ref overlooked a blatant penalty on Fonseca whose shirt was torn apart by the defender with ten minutes to go of the last game - had Uruguay scored from it it was Brazil out and Uruguay in. Argentina went to play-offs courtesy of a great Colombian generation. For 1998 the new format was introduced to avoid any hiccups or need of blatant helping hands from referees.

 

[antohan]

I think everyone should playoff against Uefa. If they're good enough to beat 2nd tier European teams, they make it; it they're not, stop complaining about Uefa having so many places.

UEFA teams are boring though. Cagey, organised, unimaginative, feck that. I'd rather see Honduras or Syria having a go.

 

[Cal?]

Yeah, as said earlier, European qualifiers can be harsh for the odd team getting a bad draw (Portugal and Italy this time around). That said, they get seeded in the playoff so should really make it anyway.

Actually, that's the real reason the format got changed in South America, we had a similar setup with three groups with 4/3 teams.

Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay headed those, with Uruguay as the vulnerable top seed, but if either got Bolivian altitude and/or an in-form unique generation they ran the risk of missing out. We therefore moved to two groups, but then in 1994 Brazil (eventual champions) only qualified after the ref overlooked a blatant penalty on Fonseca whose shirt was torn apart by the defender with ten minutes to go of the last game - had Uruguay scored from it it was Brazil out and Uruguay in. Argentina went to play-offs courtesy of a great Colombian generation. For 1998 the new format was introduced to avoid any hiccups or need of blatant helping hands from referees.

I see, didn't realize it's been changed many times. I was going to suggest that a 2 group system will make the calendar much easier on everyone.

Anyway, it seems we're not disagreeing on much at all.

 

[WhoDaGOAT]

Honduras was at the last WC, weren't they? I'm sure Jamaica and T&T have been there before.

What's important is there's enough room for these to have a hope in hell, that's what strengthens them.

USA has a play off now, Mexico last time. Goes to show the minors are putting up a fight. Little you can do about the region they play off with being shite at football.

USA have been a part of every World Cup since 1990.

Mexico since 1986 bar one ban.

Costa Rica need a point to make it 4 out of 5 since 2002.

That indicates a predictable qualification group.

 

[Cal?]

UEFA teams are boring though. Cagey, organised, unimaginative, feck that. I'd rather see Honduras or Syria having a go.

All of that is true, but there still needs to be some balance between having more exotic teams and having better teams. Hence the suggestion of playoffs against 2nd tier European sides, kind of strikes a balance.

 

[Cal?]

USA have been a part of every World Cup since 1990.

Mexico since 1986 bar one ban.

Costa Rica need a point to make it 4 out of 5 since 2002.

That indicates a predictable qualification group.

Qualifying is in the end quite predictable everywhere.

USA, Mexico always make it from Concacaf
Japan, Korea always make it from AFC
Cote D'Ivoire, Ghana and Cameroon make it from CAF (not this time, Cameroon already out and Ghana looking unlikely)
Brazil, Germany, Argentina, Italy, etc all make it

 

[Sarni]

Qualifying is in the end quite predictable everywhere.

USA, Mexico always make it from Concacaf
Japan, Korea always make it from AFC
Cote D'Ivoire, Ghana and Cameroon make it from CAF (not this time, Cameroon already out and Ghana looking unlikely)
Brazil, Germany, Argentina, Italy, etc all make it

Ghana and Ivory Coast don't really make it that often I think. 2006 was the first one in a while that both of them made it.

 

[Gasolin]

Qualifying is in the end quite predictable everywhere.

USA, Mexico always make it from Concacaf
Japan, Korea always make it from AFC
Cote D'Ivoire, Ghana and Cameroon make it from CAF (not this time, Cameroon already out and Ghana looking unlikely)
Brazil, Germany, Argentina, Italy, etc all make it

Are you sure the USA and Argentina will make it? I mean they should but not necessarily with direct qualifications given the results yesterday.

 

[Cal?]

Ghana and Ivory Coast don't really make it that often I think. 2006 was the first one in a while that both of them made it.

Fair enough, maybe CAF is a little less predictable than the rest.

Are you sure the USA and Argentina will make it? I mean they should but not necessarily with direct qualifications given the results yesterday.

Yes, as much as I'd like to see Syria make it, USA will be overwhelming favorites even if they have to play off against Asia.

Argentina against New Zealand? Their U18 would probably win.

 

[MrMarcello]

It will end up USA third and Panama in the playoff spot. Can't imagine the US not picking up 4 or 6 points hosting Panama and traveling to Trinidad & Tobago to end the group stage (T&T already eliminated).

October 6 - round 9
My predicted results
Panama at USA - home win
T&T at Mexico - home win
Honduras at Costa Rica - home win
Table update:
21 - Mexico (clinch WC berth)
18 - Costa Rica (clinch WC berth)
12 - USA
10 - Panama
9 - Honduras
3 - T&T (eliminated)

October 10 - round 10
Sets up the last round with CR and Mexico in and T&T out.
Mexico at Honduras (draw with Mexico fielding fringe players)
USA at T&T (away win)
Costa Rica at Panama (draw, maybe home win if CR sends out fringe players)
GD / GS
+2 / 14 - USA
+1 / 8 - Panama
-8 / 9 - Honduras
USA would have the edge over Panama (GD, GS, head-to-head points (4)) and Honduras (GD, GS, head-to-head points (4)), while Panama would edge Honduras (GD, head-to-head points (4)). Honduras really needs to shock CR away to have a realistic shot, and/or hope Panama and/or US drop more points in the last two rounds.

 

[The Argentinean]

The Argentinean national team is being absolutely ripped apart here by the media and the people.
They got booed off the stadium like England in that 2010 world cup game.
They face an uphill battle to win back the people's love after this embarrassing qualifying campaign

 

[antohan]

Ghana and Ivory Coast don't really make it that often I think. 2006 was the first one in a while that both of them made it.

It is more erratic indeed. But then, there's more instability across the board which obviously impacts football.

 

[Snow]

UEFA teams are boring though. Cagey, organised, unimaginative, feck that. I'd rather see Honduras or Syria having a go.

Two of the most boring teams last WC were Honduras and Iran.

 

[SCP]

Two of the most boring teams last WC were Honduras and Iran.

Not to mention I don't see any team in Conmebol more creative than Spain, with so many tactical variations as Germany or with the individual quality of France.

If 1 believes the Conmebol teams are more creative and better, last South American team who won the WC was in 2002, last Under 20 WC won by France, Servia, England, and saying Uruguay or Argentina is more exciting than Spain, Germany even France when they are on their day is a overstatement, only Brazil can be part of the conversation.

 

[Hojoon]

The thing about South American football isn't necessarily quality but the entertainment factor. It's theater. The passionate (overstepped a lot of times) players, refs with personalities (different word could be used), the hand gestures, Martin Lieberman going batshit crazy, etc.

 

[Frank Grimes]

which one are you talking about?

When the Serbian defender pulled back Murphy by the shoulders when he had a clear chance to head in from 6 yards. It was a clear foul.

Well done to Serbia though, deservedly top the group as have been the most consistent team.

 

[K2K]

World cup qualifier between Senegal and South Africa to be replayed.

Because of this

http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/y...r-life-due-to-match-manipulation-2876513.html

 

[Santi_Mesut_Alexis_87]

Just seen Perù . They were bottom of the table one year ago, now they are fourth

 

[antohan]

Two of the most boring teams last WC were Honduras and Iran.

Possibly, yes, but it's far more interesting to at least have a peak at the state of their football than watching Greece.

Not to mention I don't see any team in Conmebol more creative than Spain, with so many tactical variations as Germany or with the individual quality of France.

I was obviously not referring to the top ones but the also rans. They are all largely identical.

If 1 believes the Conmebol teams are more creative and better, last South American team who won the WC was in 2002, last Under 20 WC won by France, Servia, England, and saying Uruguay or Argentina is more exciting than Spain, Germany even France when they are on their day is a overstatement, only Brazil can be part of the conversation.

Not denying any of that. I never said SAM>EUR, just more diverse and entertaining -and yes, better- once you get past the top guaranteed qualifiers. The discussion is largely about quotas and playoffs, ergo the marginal teams, not the top ones.

In fairness though, Uruguay U20 lost the final to France, was the only one to beat Serbia, and would have given England a game if we didn't lose the semi to Venezuela on penos. And England only won 1-0. You speak as if those three were out of sight in their quality when they actually took turns but maintained no consistency the way a rather average Conmebol country did.

 

[tentan]

Argentina and Chile will make it to the world cup. I expect Peru to drop out of the top five and either Argentina or Chile will easily beat NZ in the playoff.

 

[Acheron]

Argentina and Chile will make it to the world cup. I expect Peru to drop out of the top five and either Argentina or Chile will easily beat NZ in the playoff.

Chile has it very rough as I think they have to visit Brazil and get something done there.

 

[tekkers3]

Argentina and Chile will make it to the world cup. I expect Peru to drop out of the top five and either Argentina or Chile will easily beat NZ in the playoff.

You would definitely think both Chile and Argentina would beat NZ, but in their current form, anything is possible. As much as I want to see Messi in New Zealand, I would rather Peru qualify 5th.

 

[NYAS]

Chris Wood on his day is capable of knocking a CONMEBOL team out. New Zealand would be underdogs of course but don't underrate them too much.

 

[antohan]

Chris Wood on his day is capable of knocking a CONMEBOL team out. New Zealand would be underdogs of course but don't underrate them too much.

Agreed. I actually think while they could get a hiding they may be better off playing Argentina or Chile as fully focused underdogs than Peru and potentially being too open and naively playing into their hands.

 

[Sarni]

Agreed. I actually think while they could get a hiding they may be better off playing Argentina or Chile as fully focused underdogs than Peru and potentially being too open and naively playing into their hands.

They won't have a chance against Argentina but could upset Chile the way Chile have been playing lately (I know Argies have not really been better but with that quality of players there is always a benefit of doubt).

 

[Schneckerl]

Oh, I know. But it would be much more interesting and fair.

USA and Mexico have it quite easy.

Yeah I agree.

6 teams from CONCACAF, 8 from AFC and 9 from CAF in 2026.

Just let the likes of UAE, Uzbekistan, Uganda, Zambia, Trinidad & Tobago play Ecuador, Paraguay, Bosnia, Montenegro and Wales.

 

[Craig Ward]

After the last round of 2 games, what a big 2 results for Wales. 6 points, up to 2nd. Turned it around

 

[Fracture90]

When the Serbian defender pulled back Murphy by the shoulders when he had a clear chance to head in from 6 yards. It was a clear foul.

Well done to Serbia though, deservedly top the group as have been the most consistent team.

What are you on about?! Show me that moment?

 

[Frank Grimes]

What are you on about?! Show me that moment?

Couldn't find it anywhere mate. Trust me, was a clear penalty.

 

[Santi_Mesut_Alexis_87]

Argentina and Chile will make it to the world cup. I expect Peru to drop out of the top five and either Argentina or Chile will easily beat NZ in the playoff.

Both are under massive pressure. They could fecked it up.

 

[antohan]

They won't have a chance against Argentina but could upset Chile the way Chile have been playing lately (I know Argies have not really been better but with that quality of players there is always a benefit of doubt).

Thus "they could get a hiding". I think you are significantly underrating the impact of a two-leg knockout with a never-ending flight in between.

Back in 2006 we got Australia in Montevideo. Our FA started low-balling the charter company and next thing they knew the Aussies had hired them.

Result? They were on a plane two hours after the game while we ended up flying in the wee hours (no rest), commercial, via LAX, and arrived in Sydney an entire day after them. They played like zombies.

It is EXACTLY the sort of cock up the Argie FA is capable of and I can already see the tweets and angry mugs from the spoilt superstars with a ready excuse for failure.

 

[Fracture90]

Couldn't find it anywhere mate. Trust me, was a clear penalty.

I don't trust you at all because I've seen the entire game myself and if there was nothing of that sort you're mentioning.

Nothing even close to a penalty not called for Ireland, more so if there should have been a penalty it should have been against Ireland considering the pulling, tugging and tackling they did on Mitrović on more than one occasion.

Better team won, rightfully so, so don't try to invent stuff like some nonexistent penalty for Ireland.

 

[WhoDaGOAT]

I don't trust you at all because I've seen the entire game myself and if there was nothing of that sort you're mentioning.

Nothing even close to a penalty not called for Ireland, more so if there should have been a penalty it should have been against Ireland considering the pulling, tugging and tackling they did on Mitrović on more than one occasion.

Better team won, rightfully so, so don't try to invent stuff like some nonexistent penalty for Ireland.

Lmao. It was clear penalty for the pulling of Murphy at the near post, which allowed the defender to win the ball instead of him.

Mitrović was barging into defenders all night instead of playing the ball and provided one of the most blatant dives of the year to get Brady booked.

 

[Fracture90]

Lmao. It was clear penalty for the pulling of Murphy at the near post, which allowed the defender to win the ball instead of him.

Mitrović was barging into defenders all night instead of playing the ball and provided one of the most blatant dives of the year to get Brady booked.

You can laugh all you want but that still won't change the fact you're deluding yourself.

No penalty whatsoever, deal with it.

 

[WhoDaGOAT]

You can laugh all you want but that still won't change the fact you're deluding yourself.

No penalty whatsoever, deal with it.

Deal with your ignorance. Okay mate.

 

[antohan]

Argentinians now arguing whether they should switch stadiums and receive Peru at the more intimidating La Bombonera.

Problem is, last time they played Peru there they knocked them out of the 1970 WC.

They are beating themselves before even playing. Good sign for an in-form Peru.