2018 World Cup Qualification

Mr.Nice Guy

I forgot that Fernando Santos had never lost a competitive game as Portugal manager prior to this one. That record is in huge trouble now but they have plenty of options on the bench: Joao Mario, Quaresma, Andre Silva. Interesting to see who comes on.

Update: Andre Silva and Joao Mario on for Eder and William Carvalho. Attacking substitutions from Santos. I'm a fan of Andre Silva so I hope he does well.

Mr.Nice Guy

Nani's header from a Quaresma cross hits the post. He should have scored as it was a free header. Quaresma has been great since he came on.

Mars Bar

France having one of those evenings where nothing in and around the box is working for them.

Mr.Nice Guy

Granit Xhaka has been sent off after a second yellow. It won't matter as there's only seconds left.

pajor

Ends 1-1 in Sweden. Dutch had a couple of good chances in the last 5 mins and a disallowed goal.

Got a bad feeling about qualification for the Dutch in this campaign.

GLaDOS

Bulgaria v Luxembourg looks like it was a cracker!

jacool

Mr.Nice Guy wrote: »

Nani's header from a Quaresma cross hits the post. He should have scored as it was a free header. Quaresma has been great since he came on.

Agreed - desperate header from about 5 yards out.

Dunno where the ref was going with 3 minutes added on. 6 subs and 2 head injuries. Then there's a minute in added time wasted for another head injury and he blows it up fairly lively.
I used to think Greece were the worst Euro winners - this performance by Portugal was one-dimensional and inept.

Mr.Nice Guy

Mars Bar wrote: »

France having one of those evenings where nothing in and around the box is working for them.

Belarus seem to be on the rise. I saw they went to Norway last week and won 1-0, and of course they beat us on home soil in the friendly before the Euros. Don't see them being in the race to qualify but they look capable of taking points off the bigger teams.

Switzerland vs Portugal meanwhile has ended 2-0 to the Swiss and means the unbeaten record in competitive matches for Fernando Santos is over. Portugal dominated the second half but you couldn't say the Swiss were hanging on for dear life or anything. If Nani had taken his chance it might have been an interesting finale. The Swiss were clinical in the chances that came their way and that was the difference. I would still fancy Portugal to win the group as they will be a different animal once Ronaldo and Sanches come back.

citytillidie

UEFA Results
Belarus 0 V 0 France
Bulgaria 4 V 3 Luxembourg
Sweden 1 V 1 Netherlands
Andorra 0 V 1 Latvia
Faroe Islands 0 V 0 Hungary
Switzerland 2 V 0 Portugal
San Marino 0 V 1 Azerbaijan
Czech Republic 0 V 0 Northern Ireland
Norway 0 V 3 Germany
Georgia 1 V 2 Austria
Serbia 2 V 2 Ireland
Wales 4 V 0 Moldova
Denmark 1 V 0 Armenia
Kazakhstan 2 V 2 Poland
Romania 1 V 1 Montenegro
Lithuania 2 V 2 Slovenia
Slovakia 0 V 1 England
Malta 1 V 5 Scotland
Albania 2 V 1 Macedonia
Israel 1 V 3 Italy
Spain 8 V 0 Liechtenstein
Bosina 5 V 0 Estonia
Cyprus 0 V 3 Belgium
Gibraltar 1 V 4 Greece
Croatia 1 V 1 Turkey
Ukraine 1 V 1 Iceland
Finland 1 V 1 Kosovo

AFC
Match Day 2
Qatar 0 V 1 Uzbekistan
Syria 0 V 0 South Korea
China 0 V 0 Iran
Iraq 1 V 2 Saudi Arabia
Thailand 0 V 2 Japan
United Arab Emirates 0 V 1 Australia

Group A Pl W D L F A GD Pts
Uzbekistan 2 2 0 0 2 0 2 6
Iran 2 1 1 0 2 0 2 4
South Korea 2 1 1 0 3 2 1 4
China 2 0 1 1 2 3 -1 1
Syria 2 0 1 1 0 1 -1 1
Qatar 2 0 0 2 0 3 -3 0


Group B PL W D L F A GD Pts
Australia 2 2 0 0 3 0 3 6
Saudi Arabia 2 2 0 0 3 1 2 6
Japan 2 1 0 1 3 2 1 3
United Arab Emirates 2 1 0 1 2 2 0 3
Thailand 2 0 0 2 0 3 -3 0
Iraq 2 0 0 2 1 4 -3 0

citytillidie

Match Day 6 Results CONCACAF
Group A
Mexico 0 V 0 Honduras
Canada 3 V 1 El Salvador

Group B
Costa Rica 3 V 1 Panama
Jamaica 0 V 2 Haiti

Group C
USA 4 V 0 Trinidad and Tobago
Guatemala 9 V 3 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Onto the next round one group
Mexico
Honduras
Costa Rica
Panama
USA
Trinidad and Tobago

CONMBOL
Chile 0 V 0 Bolivia
Brazil 2 V 1 Colombia
Venezuela 2 V 2 Argentina
Peru 2 V 1 Ecuador
Uruguay 4 V 0 Paraguay

Team Played Win Draw Lost GF GA GD PTS
Uruguay 8 5 1 2 16 5 11 16
Brazil 8 4 3 1 16 9 7 15
Argentina 8 4 3 1 9 6 3 15
Colombia 8 4 1 3 12 10 2 13
Ecuador 8 4 1 3 13 12 1 13
Paraguay 8 3 3 2 9 11 -2 12
Chile 8 3 2 3 13 12 1 11
Bolivia 8 2 1 5 9 13 -4 7
Peru 8 2 1 5 8 15 -7 7
Venezuela 8 0 2 6 9 21 -12 2

dastardly00

How many teams can qualify from CONMBOL?

ArmaniJeanss

dastardly00 wrote: »

How many teams can qualify from CONMBOL?

4 and a half places, though the playoff spot is against Oceania so should be a gimme.

citytillidie

AFC
Match Day 3
October 6th
Uzbekistan V Iran
China V Syria
South Korea V Qatar
Saudi Arabia V Australia
United Arab Emirates V Thailand
Japan V Iraq

Match Day 4
October 11th
Qatar V Syria
Uzbekistan V China
Iran V South Korea
Iraq V Thailand
Saudi Arabia V United Arab Emirates
Australia V Japan

CAF
Match Day 1
October 7th - 9th
Tunisia V Guinea
DR Congo V Libya
Algeria V Cameroon
Zambia V Nigeria
Ivory Coast V Mali
Gabon V Morocco
Senegal V Cape Verde
Burkina Faso V South Africa
Ghana V Uganda
Congo V Egypt

CONMEBOL
Match Day 9
October 6th
Paraguay V Colombia
Brazil V Bolivia
Ecuador V Chile
Peru V Argentina
Uruguay V Venezuela

Match Day 10
October 11th
Colombia V Uruguay
Chile V Peru
Argentina V Paraguay
Venezuela V Brazil
Bolivia V Ecuador

UEFA
Match Day 2
October 6th - 8th
France V Bulgaria
Luxembourg V Sweden
Netherlands V Belarus
Hungary V Switzerland
Latvia V Faroe Islands
Portugal V Andorra
Azerbaijan V Norway
Germany V Czech Republic
Northern Ireland V San Marino
Austria V Wales
Moldova V Serbia
Ireland V Georgia
Armenia V Romania
Montenegro V Kazakhstan
Poland V Denmark
England V Malta
Scotland V Lithuania
Slovenia V Slovakia
Italy V Spain
Liechtenstein V Albania
Macedonia V Israel
Belgium V Bosnia
Estonia V Gibraltar
Greece V Cyprus
Iceland V Finland
Kosovo V Croatia
Turkey V Ukraine

Match Day 3
October 9th - 11th
Belarus V Luxembourg
Netherlands V France
Sweden V Bulgaria
Andorra V Switzerland
Faroe Islands V Portugal
Latvia V Hungary
Czech Republic V Azerbaijan
Germany V Northern Ireland
Norway V San Marino
Wales V Georgia
Moldova V Ireland
Serbia V Austria
Kazakhstan V Romania
Denmark V Montenegro
Poland V Armenia
Lithuania V Malta
Slovakia V Scotland
Slovenia V England
Israel V Liechtenstein
Albania V Spain
Macedonia V Italy
Bosina V Cyprus
Estonia V Greece
Gibraltar V Belgium
Finland V Croatia
Iceland V Turkey
Ukraine V Kosovo

Mr.Nice Guy

Just had a look at the groups in the Asia zone; if Uzbekistan beat Iran then they would be looking very good to qualify for a first ever World Cup. I would imagine Iran would be favourites for that one though. A win for the Aussies over Saudi Arabia leaves them looking healthy as well.

citytillidie

China beat by Syria today

citytillidie

ArmaniJeanss wrote: »

4 and a half places, though the playoff spot is against Oceania so should be a gimme.

I dunno the last time Oceania played South America in the play offs the Oceania team won.

But that was the last time Australia played in Oceania and they beat Uruguay on Pens for the 2006 World Cup

ERG89

0-0 at half time between Italy & Spain. Italy have been absolutely awful. Why Ventura thought Montolivo, De Rossi & Parolo was a good idea is beyond me. 3 static cones would have passed the ball better.

Mr.Nice Guy

Big mistake from Buffon in their 1-1 draw with Spain.

https://twitter.com/juvegalaxy/status/784121622659760128

Cake Man

Mr.Nice Guy wrote: »

Just had a look at the groups in the Asia zone; if Uzbekistan beat Iran then they would be looking very good to qualify for a first ever World Cup. I would imagine Iran would be favourites for that one though. A win for the Aussies over Saudi Arabia leaves them looking healthy as well.

Still a bit of a way to go there though, you'd have to fancy South Korea and Iran to hold the top two (and automatic qualification). Very handy group for SK. China are a joke, for all the money they're pumping into football, they're as good as gone.

Speaking of money, the good old Qatari's are continuing to show how much of an embarrassment they're going to be in a few years time at their WC. Bottom of their group, lost 3/3. If they're losing against teams at their own level, what hope do they have against the likes of Spain, Germany, Brazil etc? They'll be humiliated.

ArmaniJeanss

Cake Man wrote: »

Speaking of money, the good old Qatari's are continuing to show how much of an embarrassment they're going to be in a few years time at their WC. Bottom of their group, lost 3/3. If they're losing against teams at their own level, what hope do they have against the likes of Spain, Germany, Brazil etc? They'll be humiliated.

As hosts they'll be seeded, as will Brazil, Argentina and the Top 4/5 Europeans so Qatar won't meet them.
A plausible group is therefore African team, unseeded European team and Concacaf team (or unseeded South American) - so something soft like Qatar, Algeria, Austria, Costa Rica (or Ecuador) is a reasonable chance.
I'd suspect they wouldn't qualify even from such a group but I wouldn't see humiliation (results in this campaign like a 3-2 defeat in Seoul would suggest they aren't complete mugs) - probably get a set of results akin to South Africas in 2010.

Lovely Bloke

...or do a "South Korea".

Mr.Nice Guy

Three qualifying matches on TV tonight with kick-off at 7.45:

Belgium vs Bosnia, Sky Sports Mix & Sky Sports 5

Portugal vs Andorra, Sky Sports 3

France vs Bulgaria, Sky Sports 4

Some team news:

Belgium: Courtois; Meunier, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, J. Lukaku; Witsel, Fellaini, Mertens, Carrasco; Hazard, Lukaku.

Bosnia: Begovic, Zukanovic, Spahic, Kolasinac, Bicakcic, Pjanic, Medunjanin, Lulic, Jajalo, Dzeko, Ibisevic

Portugal: Patricio, Cancelo, Pepe, Fonte, Guerreiro, Moutinho, Gomes, A.Silva, Quaresma, B.Silva, Ronaldo

France: Lloris, Sagna, Varane, Koscielny, Kurzawa, Pogba, Matuidi, Sissoko, Griezmann, Payet, Gameiro

Belgium vs Bosnia looks like the most competitive game on tonight. Bosnia will probably be Roberto Martinez's toughest challenge in the group.

France's team is stacked with talent but I hoped Deschamps would offer a start to Fekir or Sidibe.

Portugal game is only worth a watch to see how many goals they win by. I expect Ronaldo fancies boosting his goalscoring record tonight. Nice to see Andre Silva get a start and Quaresma as well. I expect Andorra to be well beaten.

citytillidie

Cake Man wrote: »

Still a bit of a way to go there though, you'd have to fancy South Korea and Iran to hold the top two (and automatic qualification). Very handy group for SK. China are a joke, for all the money they're pumping into football, they're as good as gone.

Speaking of money, the good old Qatari's are continuing to show how much of an embarrassment they're going to be in a few years time at their WC. Bottom of their group, lost 3/3. If they're losing against teams at their own level, what hope do they have against the likes of Spain, Germany, Brazil etc? They'll be humiliated.

Them and China came from the same 2nd round group and both lost all 3 games so far in this group

Mr.Nice Guy

3 minutes gone and Ronaldo has 2 goals!

This could be the quickest hat-trick ever if he gets another soon.

Mr.Nice Guy

France 1-0 down at home to Bulgaria.

Update: 1-1. Gameiro equalises with a nice header.

And now 2-1. Payet's cross goes straight into the net.

pajor

1-0 for the Dutch (against Belarus) after 15 mins. They've been firmly in control.

ERG89

Belgium 2-0 up; a laughably bad own goal & Hazard with the 2nd. Nice pass by Maertens but poor defending.

pajor

Niiice.. 2-0 now for the Dutch. Second goal for Promes. A good start for a team that really have to win.

Mr.Nice Guy

Griezmann makes it 3-1. France have been dominant since conceding.

pajor

Now 3-1 for the Dutch after 55 mins. The "White Russians" have had a bit more spark since half time, but doesn't look like it will be enough.

Edit: Now 4-1

Mr.Nice Guy

Griezmann crosses for his partner Gameiro who makes it 4-1.

Lovely Bloke

3-0 to Belgium, good start for Martinez

Lovely Bloke

Lukaku misses an absolute sitter.

No idea how.

ERG89

Lukaku managed to put one over from 5 yards there. Heskey like.
Bosnia look bad. Pjanic and Dzeko have done nothing.

Mr.Nice Guy

Ronaldo has gotten his hat-trick apparently.

Update: He has a fourth now.

djemba djemba

Faroe Islands beating Latvia 2-0 in Latvia. Hungry and Switzerland has also turned into a good game

djemba djemba

Late goal for Switzerland. Big deflection.

pajor

Ends 4-1 in Rotterdam. Great result. Definitely a change in pace of recent times.

eagle eye

I'd love to see Quincy Promes in the Premier league.

Mr.Nice Guy

All over in Paris and it ends France 4-1 Bulgaria.

Very impressive display from France.

brevity

https://twitter.com/FBAwayDays/status/784776568627486720

Oh dear...

Jayop

Sturridge is the greediest player I've ever seen. He could be be brilliant if he didn't think only of himself.

niallo27

Jayop wrote: »

Sturridge is the greediest player I've ever seen. He could be be brilliant if he didn't think only of himself.

All top strikers are though. That's why they score so many goals

Jayop

niallo27 wrote: »

All top strikers are though. That's why they score so many goals

Nah mate, a top striker is greedy but none to the level of this guy. He could have 5 men around the underground him and a simple pass to a team mate for a tap in and he'll try to shoot himself. It's mental to watch.

Agent Coulson

This is what I am getting from the ITV commentary team.

Glen if you were the England manager..Well Clive keep saying Glen & England manager in the same sentence please.. Of course Glen we will brain wash the FA into giving you the job again.

blueser

Jesus, that was grim. And I would class myself as a fan of England.

Mr.Nice Guy

Some featured games on Sky Sports tonight (others on the red button):

Germany vs Czech Rep., Sky Sports Mix

Scotland vs Lithaunia, Sky Sports 2

Northern Ireland vs San Marino, Sky Sports 5


Kick-off at 7.45. Teams:

Germany: Neuer; Kimmich, Hummels, Boateng, Hector; Khedira, Kroos; Müller, Özil, Draxler; Götze.

Czech Rep: Vaclik; Kaderabek, Sivok, Novak; Pavelka, Horava; Petrzela, Dockal, Krejci; Vydra

Scotland: Marshall; Paterson, Hanley, R. Martin, Robertson; D. Fletcher, Bannan, Burke, Richie, Snodgrass; C. Martin.

N. Ireland: McGovern, McLaughlin, McAuley, J Evans, Ferguson, Dallas, Davis, Norwood, McGinn, Ward, Magennis.

Mr.Nice Guy

0-0 at half-time between Scotland and Lithuania. I chose a poor game to watch. Scotland haven't been good enough and if they fail to pick up 3 points here their qualifying hopes will take a big knock.

NI and Germany leading 1-0 on the other channels.

Rikand

Scotland creating a lot of chances against Lithuania but scored none.

Lithuania not at much but denied a stonewall (imo) penalty. Ref in perfect position to see it too.

jester77

Germany 2 up, another classic Kroos finish, his technique is something else