Match Schedule: October 2012

The month of October 12 will see five teams in CONCACAF eliminated from Brasil 2014.  The AFC Fourth Round will make it to its halfway point, as will the CONMEBOL single group phase, and the OFC Third Round.  In OFC, Tahiti will be looking to avoid an early elimination this month.  UEFA Match Days Three and Four will start to clear up the picture in Europe.

All match times are given in Central Time (GMT-5).

12 October 2012
New Caledonia at Solomon Islands 23:00 (11 October) Honiara
Portugal at Russia 10:00 Moscow
Georgia at Finland 10:30 Helsinki
Austria at Kazakhstan 11:00 Astana
Italy at Armenia 11:00 Yerevan
Sweden at Faroe Islands 11:00 Torshavn
Iceland at Albania 12:00 Tirana
Romania at Turkey 12:30 Istanbul
Lithuania at Liechtenstein 12:30 Vaduz
Spain at Belarus 13:00 Minsk
Ukraine at Moldova 13:00 Chisinau
Denmark at Bulgaria 13:00 Sofia
Malta at Czech Republic 13:00 Plzen
Latvia at Slovakia 13:15 Bratislava
Germany at Ireland 13:15 Dublin
Hungary at Estonia 13:30 Tallinn
Croatia at Macedonia 13:30 Skopje
Belgium at Serbia 13:30 Belgrade
Norway at Switzerland 13:30 Bern
Andorra at Netherlands 13:30 Rotterdam
Bosnia and Herzegovina at Greece 13:45 Piraeus
Cyprus at Slovenia 13:45 Maribor
Scotland at Wales 13:45 Cardiff
Israel at Luxembourg 14:00 Luxembourg
San Marino at England 14:00 London
Peru at Bolivia 14:00 La Paz
Paraguay at Colombia 15:30 Barranquilla
Chile at Ecuador 16:00 Quito
United States of America at Antigua and Barbuda 18:00 North Sound
Cuba at Canada 18:45 Toronto
Uruguay at Argentina 19:00 Mendoza
Mexico at Guyana 20:00 Houston, United States of America
Costa Rica at El Salvador 20:30 San Salvador
Jamaica at Guatemala 21:00 Guatemala City
Honduras at Panama 21:05 Panama City
New Zealand at Tahiti 1:00 (13 October) Pirae

16 October 2012
Tahiti at New Zealand 1:35 Christchurch
Solomon Islands at New Caledonia 3:30 Noumea
Uzbekistan at Qatar 7:25 Doha
Jordan at Oman 8:00 Muscat
Australia at Iraq 9:15 Doha, Qatar
Azerbaijan at Russia 10:00 Moscow
Luxembourg at Israel 11:00 Tel Aviv
Georgia at Belarus 11:00 Minsk
South Korea at Iran 11:30 Tehran
Liechtenstein at Latvia 12:00 Riga
Estonia at Andorra 12:00 Andorra La Vella
Montenegro at Ukraine 13:00 Kyiv
Norway at Cyprus 13:00 Larnaca
Netherlands at Romania 13:00 Bucharest
Lithuania at Bosnia and Herzegovina 13:00 Zenica
Wales at Croatia 13:00 Osijek
Bulgaria at Czech Republic 13:00 Prague
Ireland at Faroe Islands 13:00 Torshavn
Serbia at Macedonia 13:30 Skopje
Turkey at Hungary 13:30 Budapest
Greece at Slovakia 13:30 Bratislava
Kazakhstan at Austria 13:30 Vienna
Moldova at San Marino 13:30 Serravalle
Switzerland at Iceland 13:30 Reykjavik
Slovenia at Albania  13:45 Tirana
Scotland at Belgium 13:45 Brussels

Sweden at Germany 13:45 Berlin

Denmark at Italy 13:45 Milan
England at Poland 14:00 Warsaw
France at Spain 14:00 Madrid
Uruguay at Bolivia 14:00 La Paz
Northern Ireland at Portugal 14:45 Porto
Panama at Cuba 15:00 Havana
Canada at Honduras 15:00 San Pedro Sula
Peru at Paraguay 17:00 Asuncion
Ecuador at Venezuela 17:00 Puerto La Cruz
Antigua and Barbuda at Jamaica 18:15 Kingston
Guatemala at United States of America 18:15 Kansas City
Argentina at Chile 19:05 Santiago
El Salvador at Mexico 20:00 Torreon
Guyana at Costa Rica 20:00 San Jose

New Caledonia 4 - Tahiti 0

Photo by La Depeche employee

In the final September 2012 match of the 2014 FIFA World Cup, Tahiti played host to New Caledonia in the Francophone derby in Pirae.  Interestingly, Tahiti are on the other side of the International Date Line from their three group counterparts, so their home matches are played nearly twenty-four hours after the other match in their group on their three OFC Third Round home matchdays.  Tahiti captain Nicolas Vallar was suspended for this matchup, and the 2012 OFC Nations Cup champions appeared to be all out of sorts during the rematch of the final without his presence.  New Caledonia had the better of the few chances in a scoreless first forty-five minutes.

The second period would see Les Cagous take it to the Oceania champions.  A deflected ball was heading for a Tahiti own goal  until Cesar Loholea (pictured, red with ball) slid along the line to claim the opener as his own.  Three minutes on, Loholea slotted across the box for a tap-in by Bertrand Kai, giving the visitors an unexpected 2-0 lead on the road.  Just two minutes after that, Loholea continued his man-of-the-match performance with an absolutely ridiculous bicycle-kick cross that found the head of Georges Gope-Fenepej for Les Cagous' third goal in six minutes.  A stoppage-time strike was added by Gope-Fenepej.  New Caledonia win 4-0, leaving Tahiti in an unexpected last-place position with four matchdays left to play.

New Zealand 6 pts +7
New Caledonia 3 pts +2
Solomon Islands 3 pts -3
Tahiti 0 pts -6

Goals
New Caledonia
Cesar Loholea 57
Bertrand Kai 60
Georges Gope-Fenepej 62, 90

Match Reports:
http://www.oceaniafootball.com/ofc/News/ViewArticle/tabid/125/Article/050ca6eb-d8c7-4716-8332-fbe55cd580ac/language/en-US/Default.aspx
http://www.oceaniafootball.com/ofc/News/ViewArticle/tabid/125/Article/719019ef-db05-46ec-987e-f28d620fc468/language/en-US/Default.aspx
http://www.ladepeche.pf/article/football/terrible-desillusion-pour-tahiti

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xtNv0MKYREk&feature=g-all-u

Panama 2 - Canada 0; Honduras 1 - Cuba 0

Panama City was the site for the rematch between visiting Canada, 1-0 winners at home, and hosts Panama.  The horns were blaring from the start as La Marea Roja were looking to avenge a loss in Canada four days ago.  Six minutes into the match, the lights went out.  Dwayne De Rosario, Canada's star midfielder, went out with a knee knock during the quarter-hour stoppage of play as the down time stopped the flow of adrenaline and forced him to be substituted.  The first warning that Canada were in for trouble came off the boot of Alberto Quintero, who forced a good saved out of the Canuck goalkeeper.  With seven minutes left in the half, an Armando Cooper corner kick was met violently by the head of his Panama teammate Roland Blackburn.  The ball caromed off the inside of the far post and whipped the crowd into a frenzy. Panama led 1-0 at intermission.

Canada came out strongly to start the half, earning a variety of corner kicks that did not lead to goals.  Quintero then stemmed the tide of momentum as he made a swell run up the left side of the pitch.  Quintero made it to the end line, from where he pulled back, faked a pass to Blas Perez to draw out the goalkeeper, and then did slot a pass to Perez, who smashed the ball home with authority to send la Marea Roja on their way to victory with a second goal.  Panama win 2-0 and assert control of Group Three with two matchdays left.

San Pedro Sula was the site as the hosts Honduras were looking to eliminate Cuba from Brasil 2014.  Toothless Cuba had yet to score a goal in their opening three qualifiers.  That poor run of form continued today, but Honduras were made to work to find their own offense.  Roger Espinoza beat his man around the end line and floated a cross to the far post to Jerry Bengston (pictured, white), who had slipped his mark to find acres of space.  Bengston rose for the header and nodded home for a goal created by two Major League Soccer players.  Honduras led 1-0 at halftime.

Honduras were unable to extend their advantage in the second period, but Cuba once again provided no offense.  Honduras end up winning 1-0.  Cuba are now reduced to playing the spoiler role for the rest of their qualifying campaign, for with the 1-0 defeat Cuba are the first and only team to be eliminated from the 2014 FIFA World Cup during the month of September 2012.  At least Cuba can consider the 1-0 reverse an improvement over their 3-0 loss to Honduras in Havana.

Panama 9 pts +2
Honduras 7 pts +2
Canada 7 pts 0
Cuba OUT

Goals
Panama
Roland Blackburn 38
Blas Perez 57

Honduras
Jerry Bengston 32

Match Reports:
http://www.thespec.com/sports/article/797786--canada-falls-to-panama-2-0-in-key-world-cup-qualifying-game
http://www.thestar.com/sports/soccer/article/1255406--panama-defeats-canada-2-0-in-world-cup-qualifier
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/panama-2-0-canada-reds-032000121--sow.html
http://www.concacaf.com/page/WCQ/NewsDetail/0,,12813~2916572,00.html

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jq0Ma7b0rMQ (Panama v. Canada)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozGVpbaFg5U (Honduras v. Cuba)

Peru 1 - Argentina 1

Lima was the site of Peru's second home qualifier in five days.  This time the poor visiting souls were Argentina.  Peru out-muscled Argentina all night, and  they kept someone in the breathing space of star Lionel Messi (pictured, blue #10) so that he never found a rhythm.  Peru drew a penalty when Angel Di Maria took down Jefferson Farfan in the box.  Argentina goalkeeper Sergio Romero saved the twelfth minute penalty kick from Claudio Pizarro.  Peruvian Rinaldo Cruzado smacked a long through ball from midfield into the path of Luis Advincula, who composed himself at the end line before slotted across the box to Carlos Zambrano, who finished after beating two Albiceleste players to the ball.  Peru finally had their 1-0 lead, but it would last only a quarter hour.  The goal was very similar, with Federico Fernandez smacking a long ball to Ezequiel Lavezzil, who slotted across the box to Gonzalo Higuain, who then beat one defender to the ball before equalizing.  The half ended 1-1 with Peru feeling as though they deserved better.

Peru remained the superior side in the second half, and Argentina were merely fighting to hold onto a point.  Pizarro headed just wide of goal on one occasion.  Peru came closest to the winner in stoppage time, but Romero was there to turn away a Zambrano chance and deny the home side the win they deserved.  The match ends in a 1-1 draw, so Argentina go top of the table.

Argentina 14 pts +9
Colombia 13 pts +6
Ecuador 13 pts +1
Uruguay 12 pts +4
Chile 12 pts -1
Venezuela 11 pts -1
Peru 7 pts -4
Bolivia 4 pts -5
Paraguay 4 pts -9

Goals
Peru
Carlos Zambrano 22

Argentina
Gonzalo Higuain 38

Match Reports:
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1331458-argentina-vs-peru-1-1-draw-reveals-key-to-harnessing-argentinians-speed
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/news/newsid=1700262/index.html
http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/48997440/ns/sports-soccer/
http://www.goal.com/en-us/match/82139/peru-vs-argentina/report

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Id1woDidJCE

Full Match Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VbpDxAI5XSg

El Salvador 3 - Guyana 2; Mexico 1 - Costa Rica 0

Providence was the scene for the return match between hosts Guyana and El Salvador.  Both teams needed to win to push for the second spot in Group Two, and both teams went out with an attacking mindset, leading to an open football match.  The Golden Jaguars got the crowd going in the first minute when Gregory Richardson scored after an unforced turnover by El Salvador.  La Selecta answered ten minutes later when a Jaime Alas cross led to an Osael Romero header nutmegged the goalkeeper for 1-1.  Poor finishing more than anything else prevented the scoreline from changing before halftime.

La Selecta took ten minutes, but they nosed ahead when Alas gathered an overhit corner kick before unleashing his team's second goal to the near post before the goalkeeper could march across his goal line to cover.  Guyana leveled the match again when a Carl Cort header was trapped by Chris Nurse before Nurse finished into the Salvadoran net.  El Salvador took a 3-2 lead with one quarter hour to go through after a weak headed clearance attempt fell to an onrushing Rafael Burgos, who provided a classy finish, but the height of the drama came just before the final whistle.  Guyana were awarded a penalty kick when Richardson was brought down, but Cort's effort was saved by Salvadoran goalkeeper Dagoberto Portillo to preserve the 3-2 victory.  El Salvador win 3-2 and now must only beat Costa Rica at home next month in order to advance to the CONCACAF Fourth Round.  Guyana must win their final two matches to have any hope of survival.

The famed Estadio Azteca hosted the return of Mexico to home soil to take on Costa Rica.  Hector Moreno's powerful header off a Mexico corner was headed toward a destination in the Tico net, but goalkeeper Keylor Navas flew to the upper reaches of his goal to tap the ball onto the crossbar.  The otherwise slow first half ended 0-0.

Early in the second period, Navas continued his hero turn with a diving one-handed stab at a solid header from Jesus Zavala.  Mexico broke through on the hour mark when a Jose Torres Nilo cross had the absolute perfect pace, height, and curl to float one centimeter over Navas's hand and onto Javier Hernandez's (pictured, green) grateful head at an abandoned back post, giving the hosts a 1-0 lead.  The rest of the match stayed true to its slow, relaxed pace with no real action to be found.  With the uneventful 1-0 victory, Mexico are the first of six teams to advance to the CONCACAF Fourth Round.

Mexico 12 pts IN
El Salvador 5 pts 0
Costa Rica 4 pts +1
Guyana 1 pts -7

Goals
El Salvador
Osael Romero 12
Jaime Alas 56
Rafael Burgos 76

Guyana
Gregory Richardson 1
Chris Nurse 62

Mexico
Javier Hernandez 60

Match Reports:
http://www.demerarawaves.com/index.php/201209124577/Latest/el-salvador-ends-3-game-world-cup-qualifying-winless-streak-against-guyana.html
http://www.kaieteurnewsonline.com/2012/09/12/guyana-lose-3-2-to-el-salvador/
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/mexico-1-0-costa-rica-030200414--sow.html

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVhviBVfNuI (El Salvador v. Guyana)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7XQJHr75yM (Mexico v. Costa Rica)

United States of America 1 - Jamaica 0; Guatemala 1 - Antigua and Barbuda 0

Antigua and Barbuda hosted the return match against Guatemala in North Sound.  Regular Antigua goalkeeper Molvin James was out for a red-card suspension.  Twenty minutes in, the crowd at North Sound witnessed the goal of the day in the 2014 FIFA World Cup.  Sadly for them, it was Carlos Ruiz of the Chapines who authored the strike.  A half-volley from twenty-five yards was struck purely by Ruiz and became the upper-niniest of upper-ninety goals.  Guatemala nearly made it two, but their effort was smacked off the near post straight back toward its origin.

Guatemala dealt well with the pressure of a tight match in the second forty-five.  Though their offense could not muster much against a resolute Antigua defense, the Chapines refused to bend on their own defenseive end.  Guatemala see the 1-0 win out and move into a tie for first place in Group One.

United States of America returned to their fortress in Columbus to take on group leaders Jamaica.  Jamaica goalkeeper Dwayne Miller was unbeatable in the first half.  Not even a deflection after having committed to a dive the opposite way could best him as he somehow stopped momentum and dove backwards to tip the ball off the post.  First-time United States starting midfielder Graham Zusi was the best field player in the first half, and he nearly scored on two occasions, once denied Miller.  Danny Williams hit a wicked bullet from over forty yards that beat Miller, but the intersection of the posts took the brunt of the blow and not the back of the net.  Jamaica were relieved to enter the locker room tied 0-0.

Ten minutes into the second period, the United States drew a free kick.  Herculez Gomez struck a decent ball over the wall, but Miller got both hands to it.  Still, the ball somehow got through Miller anyway, and the United States had a deserved 1-0 lead.  At this point, the level of energy dropped from the home side, giving Jamaica hope to snatch a draw.  A Luton Shelton shot in the final ten minutes was the first real Reggae Boyz attack, and it would be the last.  United States win 1-0 to move into a three-way tie for first place with two matchdays left to play.

USA 7 pts +2
Guatemala 7 pts +2
Jamaica 7 pts +1
Antigua 1 pts -5

Goals
Guatemala
Carlos Ruiz 20

United States
Herculez Gomez 55

Match Reports:
http://www.tropigol.com/2012/09/11/ruiz-gives-guatemala-1-0-victory-at-antigua/
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/soccer/09/11/usa-jamaica.ap/index.html#?sct=sc_t2_a3
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/writers/avi_creditor/09/12/usa-jamaica-steve-cherundolo/index.html?sct=sc_t12_a0

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mA_E5d4FBKc (Guatemala v. Antigua)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5CBZjcGpis (USA v. Jamaica)

Venezuela 2 - Paraguay 0

Venezuela visited Asuncion to take on hosts Paraguay never having so much as even scored a goal on Paraguayan soil in their history.  The visitors came out with a much more positive attacking lineup than they had four days earlier in Peru, with three attacking midfielders instead of just two in their 4-4-2 formation.  The Brasil 2014 debut of striker Josef Martinez proved vital for Venezuela as the diminutive man was a great foil to star striker Salomon Rondon (pictured, white).  While Rondon controlled the center of the box, Martinez was wreaking havoc along the sidelines.  With solid defense behind them, led by central defender Franklin Lucena, Venezuela absolutely dominated the first half.  Nevertheless, Paraguay had the best chances early as Venezuela goalkeeper Dani Hernandez was forced to come up with two ridiculous saves.  On one occasion, Hernandez stuck out his long arm while seated on his bottom to deny a redirect.  Venezuela's reward for their dominance came in the final minute when a stellar cross from Cesar Gonzalez allowed Rondon to beat the offside trap and strike the ball into the turf to bounce it over Paraguay goalkeeper Justo Villar.  Venezuela led 1-0 at the break.

Early in the second period, Venezuela were on the offensive looking for goal number two.  Still, Hernandez had to make yet another incredible save in the second half, cementing his status as the most valuable player on the pitch on this night.  A certain goal from Jonathan Fabbro was going to equalize the match before Hernandez dove like a humpback whale and pawed the ball off frame at full stretch and on the dive.  Just as their offensive had died down after the half's midway point, a Venezuela free kick from Juan Arango was punch away by Villar off the back of his own player and into the path of Rondon, who slotted the ball into the open net for a 2-0 La Vinotinto advantage.   Venezuela win 2-0.  The only downsides for La Vinotinto are the yellow card suspensions of Gonzalez and Oswaldo Vizcarrondo for their next match at home to Ecuador.

Goals
Venezuela
Salomon Rondon 45, 68

Match Reports:
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/soccer-venezuela-win-2-0-push-paraguay-nearer-020105789--sow.html

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQokTBEtZgU&feature=g-all-u

Ecuador 1 - Uruguay 1

Montevideo welcomed Copa America 2011 champions Uruguay home to take on Ecuador.  The hosts, after a horror performance in Colombia last Friday, continued to be second best on this night.  Ecuador jumped on La Celeste early.  Uruguay centerback and captain Diego Lugano took down Felipe Caicedo in the box.  Caicedo dusted himself off and converted from the penalty spot himself to give the visitors a 1-0 lead inside of ten minutes played.  The visitors remained in the ascendancy for the majority of the half.  Uruguay started to pull themselves together just after the half hour mark.  Luis Suarez nearly equalized with an off-balance chip shot with three minutes remaining, but the ball only fell in time to hit the top of the crossbar.

At the hour mark, Ecuador had shouts for a penalty when Cristian Benitez was clipped in the Uruguayan penalty area, but the referee instead booked Benitez for simulation.  Uruguay were saved when a block clearance fell to Edinson Cavani in the penalty area, from where he hit a shot goalward too quickly for the goalkeeper to even react.  In stoppage time, a second yellow card to Ecuador's Antonio Valencia saw him leave the pitch for the final few seconds.  The match ends as a 1-1 draw.

Goals
Ecuador
Felipe Caicedo 8 PK

Uruguay
Edinson Cavani 67

Match Reports:
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/cavani-strike-saves-uruguay-second-defeat-row-010658037--sow.html

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDwk50tz0M0

Full Match Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g94DKKmEqJQ (1st half)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?annotation_id=annotation_632524&feature=iv&src_vid=g94DKKmEqJQ&v=hdjRXxVRMc4 (2nd half)

Colombia 3 - Chile 1

Santiago was the site as the rested Chile team coming off an open date was hosting surging Colombia.  The match was back and forth in the early going with Chile looking the more dangerous side, but in minute 34 the whole outlook of the afternoon changed when Gary Medel was sent off for the hosts for a straight red card after slapping an opponent in the face.  His utter stupidity seemed not to matter immediately after his moment of madness, for seven minutes later Chile found their opener.  Matias Fernandez gathered a loose ball twenty-three yards from goal and then fired through a mess of yellow jerseys to put his shot on frame and past the goalkeeper.  Chile would head into the break up a goal but down a man.

Colombia frustratingly could not break through the acrobatics of Chile goalkeeper Claudio Bravo.  It took a left-footed James Rodriguez free kick off the inside of the near post to knot the score at one apiece.  South America is the current cradle of left-footed free-kick geniuses, with goals scored this past week by Argentina's Lionel Messi and Venezuela's Juan Arango with lefty strikes as well.  Colombia, against a tiring Chile, finally made the extra man pay off.  Aldo Ramirez was substituted onto the pitch and paid immediate dividends when he slotted a through ball between the centerbacks onto which Radamel Falcao latched to create a one-on-one with Bravo.  Falcao won the battle, and Colombia had a 2-1 lead to go with their man advantage.  Four minutes later, Colombia had a three-on-three situation, and Falcao picked out Teofilo Gutierrez to this left, leading to a finish around Bravo for Los Cafeteros' third goal.  Colombia lost their extra man when Abel Aguilar gathered his second yellow card in minute 83. Colombia coasted to the finish line and win 3-1 on the road.

Goals
Colombia
James Rodriguez 58
Radamel Falcao 73
Teofilo Gutierrez 76

Chile
Matias Fernandez 41

Match Reports:
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/soccer-colombia-continue-recovery-3-1-win-chile-223301073--sow.html
http://www.sfgate.com/sports/article/Colombia-beats-10-man-Chile-3-1-in-qualifying-3857478.php
http://deportesus.terra.com/sports/soccer/cup/2014/qualifiers/noticias/0,,OI6146877-EI18601,00-Colombia+routs+Chile+gets+into+qualification+zone.html

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7sByqLVGhc

Full Match Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGcR-LBbWBM

Luxembourg 1 - Northern Ireland 1; Russia 4 - Israel 0; Portugal 3 - Azerbaijan 0

Ramat Gan welcomed visiting Russia as they came into town to take on Israel.  Alexander Kerzhakov drew an early free kick, and he himself stepped up to curl over a stationary wall from twenty-five yards to give Russia a 1-0 lead.  Eleven minutes after that, Vladimir Bystrov took out two Israel defenders and he crashed to the turf in pain, but the ball checked up inside the Israeli box for Alexander Kokorin to finish for 2-0.  Bystrov soon after was substituted out of the match.  Russia led 2-0 at the interval.

Russia continued to assert their dominance and send a message to Portugal that Group F will be a titanic battle between the two sides.  At the midway point of the half, Victor Fayzulin gathered a long pass beautifully at the top of the box.  Fayzulin took one step and sent a looping cross to the six-yard box, from where a sprinting Kerzhakov volleyed home for his second and Russia's third.  Alexander Samedov provided the service on the final Russian goal with Fayzulin hitting a simple side volley with his instep.  With the 4-0 victory, Russia prove themselves to be the danger team in the group.

The fans in Belfast hoped that Northern Ireland would be able to snap an eight-game winless streak dating back one year in time.  Jonny Evans played the two in a one-two-one with Dean Shiels, slotting a through ball between the Luxembourg center backs.  Shiels stutter-stepped to gather his timing before chipping the onrushing goalkeeper to send Belfast into a frenzy with just under a quarter hour gone.  Northern Ireland appeared to have a second, but the goal was disallowed for a foul committed by Kyle Lafferty.  The home side were up 1-0 after the first forty-five minutes.

Northern Ireland continued to try their hardest to put the game away to no avail.  Lafferty almost clinched it with fifteen to play, but Jonathan Joubert in the Luxembourg goal did well to get a touch.  Three minutes later, Joubert saved from Jamie Ward.  Five minutes after that, Steven Davis beat Joubert but not the near post, leaving the match still balanced at 1-1.  Luxembourg took advantage of their one chance as Daniel Da Mota (pictured, red) fired from twenty-three yards and saw a deflection carry his ball safely into the net.  Luxembourg snatch a draw 1-1 on the road.

Braga waited expectantly to see home side Portugal rout Azerbaijan.  Portugal were the better team in the first period, which could not have been said of them four nights ago in Luxembourg.  However, Portugal had the misfortune of striking three posts in the first period and scoring no goals.  Azerbaijan drew the first frame 0-0.

Portugal began the second period with yet another post, leaving the team and their fans exasperated.  Silvestre Varela was brought onto the pitch, and one minute later he had changed the tone.  Helder Postiga backheeled a deflected shot into the path of Varela, who pushed home to give Portugal the 1-0 lead.  Postiga half-volleyed home off a Cristiano Ronaldo header for a second goal for the Portuguese with under six minutes left in the match to finally make the advantage a comfortable 2-0.  Bruno Alves added a third three minutes later off a header from a corner kick to make the scoreline more accurately reflect the match.  Portugal win 3-0.

Russia 6 pts +6
Portugal 6 pts +4
Luxembourg 1 pts -1
N. Ireland 1 pts -2
Azerbaijan 1 pts -3
Israel 1 pts -4

Goals
Russia
Alexander Kerzhakov 7, 64
Alexander Kokorin 18
Victor Fayzulin 77

Northern Ireland
Dean Shiels 14

Luxembourg
Daniel Da Mota 86

Portugal
Silvestre Varela 64
Helder Postiga 85
Bruno Alves 88

Match Reports:
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/news/newsid=1699399/index.html
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/columnists/steven-beacom/steven-beacom-the-night-northern-ireland-hit-rock-botton-16210034.html
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/news/newsid=1699875/index.html
http://news.sudanvisiondaily.com/details.html?rsnpid=214120
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/news/newsid=1699952/index.html

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLt6ZbiYkXU (Russia v. Israel)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QI8icTxsz8Q (Luxembourg v. N. Ireland)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzG8mg7bEqs (Portugal v. Azerbaijan)

Ukraine 1 - England 1; Poland 2 - Moldova 0; Montenegro 6 - San Marino 0

Serravalle was the fortress of San Marino under siege from Montenegro.  With nearly twenty-five minutes gone, Montenegro had their first when a wicked deflection looped over the goalkeeper, off the post, and into the path of Luka Djodjevic for an easy finish.  The second Montenegrin goal came in the next minute when a beautiful backheel led to a sprint to the end line, from where a cross was rolled along the ground for a tap-in second.  The half ended 2-0 for the visitors.

Another through ball broke the Sammarinese defense for the third Montenegrin goal.  A shot from distance by Elsad Zverotic barely lifted one yard off the ground, but it did the job.  A fifth goal came after a rebound was blocked into the path of a Montenegrin attacker.  The sixth goal was unstoppable, as a side-footed volley by Andrija Delibasic made its way into the side net.  Montenegro win 6-0.

Wroclaw was the site as hosts Poland face Moldova.  Moldova, fresh off a 5-0 loss to England, were actually on the front foot in the first period.  They made Poland goalkeeper Przemyslaw Tyton earn his keep in the first period.  Tyton had to tip over a free kick from Alexandr Suvorov in the game's opening chance.  Nevertheless, just beyond the half hour mark it were the Poles who ascending into the lead after drawing and converting a penalty kick.  That would provide the only score in a 1-0 first half, with Igor Picusciac missing just wide for an equalizer late in the half.

Tyton had to make another save in the second half before Poland truly gathered their wits.  Moldova goalkeeper Stanislav Namasco had a nice half, reacting quickly to stop Adrian Mierzejewski and then Robert Lewandowski later in the period.  A downward header goal by Jakub Wawrzyniak clinched the win for Poland with ten minutes left to play.  Moldova must have felt hard done by the final score since they had so many chances.  Poland win 2-0 to keep pace at the top of Group H.

London's famed Wembley Stadium hosted its first match of the 2014 FIFA World Cup as home side England took on Ukraine.  Jermaine Defoe appeared to have given the Three Lions a lead, but his goal was taken away for his hand to the neck of his defender.  In fact, Defoe was shown a yellow.  Steven Gerrard went to ground to block a goalbound shot to save England from going down 1-0.  Tom Cleverley could have given the home side a first-half hat trick, but instead he came out with a clunker of finishing touch and botched his finished terribly.  Ukraine's Yevhen Konoplyanka made the play of the day of the FIFA World Cup, freezing Gerrard from twenty-two yards before cutting inside and unleashing an unstoppable effort into the side netting.  Cleverly hit the post before the half expired with the Three Lions down 1-0.

Fullback Glen Johnson came forward to shot right at the bottom corner, but Ukraine goalkeeper Andriy Pyatov tipped it just off frame along the ground.  Danny Welbeck hit another post for England, who really were feeling the pressure as they still trailed coming into the last five minutes.  Luckily for England, Welbeck flicked a ball into the arm of a Ukraine defender for a late penalty kick.  England converted the penalty kick for one-all.  Gerrard was sent home for a second yellow in minute 88, leaving the hosts to cope down a man for the endgame.  England and Ukraine tie 1-1.

Montenegro 4 pts +6
England 4 pts +5
Poland 4 pts +2
Ukraine 1 pts 0
San Marino 0 pts -6
Moldova 0 pts -7

Goals
Montenegro
Luka Djordjevic 24
Fatos Beciraj 25, 52
Elsad Zverotic 69
Andrija Delibasic 78, 82

Poland
Jakub Blaszczykowski 33 PK
Jakub Wawrzyniak 81

Ukraine
Yevhn Konoplyanka 38

England
Frank Lampard 87 PK

Match Reports:
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/news/newsid=1699767/index.html
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/news/newsid=1699920/index.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2012/sep/11/england-ukraine-world-cup-qualifier-report
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/news/newsid=1699809/index.html

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5inJkF51RU (Montenegro v. San Marino)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0xIQBFqEWM (Poland v. Moldova)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zq7m6CelQus&noredirect=1 (Ukraine v. England)

Croatia 1 - Belgium 1; Scotland 1 - Macedonia 1; Serbia 6 - Wales 1

Novi Sad was the site of an absolute beating as Serbia, coming off a frustrating draw, welcomed hapless Wales.  An Aleksandar Kolarov free kick was curled neatly over the wall for 1-0.  Awful Welsh defending allowed a clumsy Kolarov to run through three people to end up next to the goalkeeper before the rebound was coughed up for a tap-in.  At the half hour mark, a superb lefty free kick was drilled by Gareth Bale to close the score to 2-1.  Serbia took advantage of more awful Welsh defending as the kicked a long ball from their own half over everyone's head and then hit a through ball to give themselves a two-on-none break at the goal. They converted and took the 3-1 lead with them off the pitch.

Branislav Ivanovic continued Welsh misery in the subsequent period.  He stripped Bale of the ball and run unimpeded into the box before coolly delivering a perfect ball for an easy conversion by a teammate for 4-1.  Keeping with the theme of the day, awful Welsh defending prevented a corner kick from being cleared on three occasions, allowing for a crack to be taken at goal and converted for 5-1.  Yet, it was still not over for Wales.  A deflected shot from outside the box became a perfect chip over the Wales goalkeeper to make it even more painful, so much so that Serbia did not even celebrate.  Serbia win 6-1.  Wales are the prohibitive favorites to finish a distant last in Group A.

Brussels was the site of the crucial encounter between home Belgium and visiting Croatia.  A fluke goal occurred when two Belgian defenders wiped out along with the one Croat in the Belgian penalty area, allowing a free ball to be collected and finished under no pressure by Ivan Perisic for an early 1-0 lead to Croatia.  After a nervy ten minutes to start, Belgium dominated the half.  In stoppage time, a Belgium corner was partially cleared, but Guillaume Gillet laced a volley from the half circle into the net for an equalizer .  If this were a competition for best goal, Belgium would be ahead, but this is football, so the game was tied 1-1 at the half.

Luckily for Croatia, the frenzied crowd was given fifteen minutes to calm down after the Gillet golazo.  Belgium went closest to breaking the stalemate in the second period, but it was not to be.  Josip Simunic made a clearance off his line six minutes in, and from that point on Croatia were able to defend well enough to hold on for a precious road point against fellow group favorites.  The match ends in a 1-1 draw.

Glasgow was the scene as hosts Scotland were paid a visit by Macedonia.  Off a short corner, Macedonia worked the ball expertly around, giving Daniel Georgievski to cross a ball across the six-yard box with the Scotland defenders still shifting momentum, allowing a sliding finish by Nikolce Noveski.  Of course, it did not help the Scottish cause that Noveskia was very far offside.  Two minutes before half, Scotland made a great play, passing through two colliding Macedonia defenders to spring Jamie Mackie on a two-on-none break.  Mackie selflessly passed off to Kenny Miller for the simple finish and the 1-1 halftime score.

Macedonia were the more dangerous team upon the restart, coming very close when Ferhan Hasani rattled the post during the run of play.  A frustrated Scotland crowd let their displeasure with the situation be heard, but Macedonia continued on the offensive in spite of the introduction of substitute forwards for Scotland.  Mirko Ivanoski found himself alone with only the keeper to beat, but Allan McGregor made a kick save while sliding forward to cut off the angle, keeping Scotland level.  It was a strange match; Macedonia deserved to score a goal and get at least a draw, but they did not deserve the one goal they got.  Regardless, the result of the match is a 1-1 draw.

Serbia 4 pts +5
Belgium 4 pts +2
Croatia 4 pts +1
Scotland 2 pts 0
Macedonia 1 pts -1
Wales 0 pts -7

Goals
Serbia
Aleksandar Kolarov 16
Zoran Tosic 24
Filip Duricic 39
Dusan Tadic 55
Branislav Ivanovic 79
Miralem Sulejmani 90

Wales
Gareth Bale 30

Croatia
Ivan Perisic 6

Belgium
Guillaume Gillet 45+2

Macedonia
Nikolce Noveski 11

Scotland
Kenny Miller 43

Match Reports:
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/news/newsid=1699829/index.html
http://www.football.co.uk/croatia/belgium_battle_back_to_draw_with_croatia_rss3541706.shtml
http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/soccer/general/view/20220912croatia_holds_belgium_to_1-1_in_qualis/
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/news/newsid=1699888/index.html
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/news/newsid=1699918/index.html

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDNFYmoU7a4 (Serbia v. Wales)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UMz1WiuK4Kc (Croatia v. Belgium)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iXZgrMNi6K8 (Macedonia v. Scotland)

France 3 - Belarus 1; Spain 1 - Georgia 0

Tbilisi was were Spain began their journey to defend the FIFA World Cup began as they visited Georgia in their opener.  Spain were the last of the thirty-two finalists from South Africa 2010 to begin their journey to Brasil 2014.  Spain were the only team that caused any danger offensively in the match, but Georgia proved a tough nut to crack.  Two minutes before the half hour hit, David Silva fired a shot off the far post.  The minute before the half ended saw a Xavi Hernandez shot tipped over by Georgia goalkeeper Giorgi Loria.  One minute later in stoppage time, Loria saved a one-on-one against Roberto Soldado.  Somehow, the half ended with no goals having been scored.

Georgia nearly stole a lead when defender Aleksandr Amisulashvili curled a shot with the inside of his foot onto Spain's far post.  Loria took a heavy blow to his head midway through the period and had to be substituted off the field after several minutes of suffering.  Spain finally capitalized on one of their many chances with only four minutes remaining in regulation when a Cesc Fabregas pass was one-timed into the net by Soldado. Georgia refused to roll over and forced a last-gasp block from Sergio Ramos (pictured, red #15) to preserve Spanish victory.  Spain win 1-0.

Saint-Denis was the site of France's home opener with Belarus looking to crash the party.  The opening half demanded that Belarus play on their back foot the entire time, but luckily their goalkeeper Sergei Veremko was up to the task.  France defender Mamadou Sakho will not be inviting Veremko to any parties after he was denied on two occasions from scoring for France.  The half ended scoreless.

Belarus finally found an offense at the resumption of play, but France goalkeeper Hugo Llloris was up to the challenge.  Etienne Capoue scored his first international goal for France two minutes after his goalkeeper had been called into action.  Franck Ribery had picked up a weak poke from a seated Belarusian defender and then slotted into space for an onrushing Capoue who did the rest to make it 1-0.  Christophe Jallet scored his first goal for Les Bleus on a misfired cross twenty minutes after their opener.  Right back Jallet was looking to find the head of his teammate, but his cross was hit seven yards too far to the right and ricocheted off the underside of the crossbar for a lucky 2-0 lead.  Four minutes after Jallet's good fortune, Belarus had revived hope when Mapou Yanga tripped up his man in the box.  Sergei Kornilenko stepped up to take the penalty.  Lloris saved his effort low and to the right, but the rebound was knocked home through the legs of Lloris, pulling Belarus to within one goal at 2-1.  With ten minutes remaining, Karim Benzema set up Ribery for a chipped goal over an oncoming Veremko for a stylish third goal.  France win 3-1.

France 6 pts +3
Spain 3 pts +1
Georgia 3 pts 0
Finland 0 pts -1
Belarus 0 pts -3

Goals
Spain
Roberto Soldado 86

France
Etienne Capoue 49
Christophe Jallet 68
Franck Ribery 80

Belarus
Anton Putilo 72

Match Reports:
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/news/newsid=1699502/index.html
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/news/newsid=1699972/index.html
http://www.goal.com/en-gb/match/80705/georgia-vs-spain/report
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/news/newsid=1699923/index.html
http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/soccer/general/view/20220912france_beats_belarus_3-1_in_world_cup_qualifier/

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1mVyYbft3O0 (Spain v. Georgia)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjYjwmohv4I (France v. Belarus)

Greece 2 - Lithuania 0; Bosnia and Herzegovina 4 - Latvia 1; Slovakia 2 - Liechtenstein 0

Zenica welcomed home Group G contenders Bosnia and Heregovina to take on Latvia.  Latvia spoiled the party with an excellent corner kick set piece five minutes into the match. Oskars Klava found the head of Deniss Ivanovs, who nodded to the back post where a sliding captain Kaspars Gorkss finished against a stunned Bosnia defense.  Six minutes later, Bosnia drew an unbelievably soft penalty that they would convert for 1-1. Just before half, an Edin Dzeko run up the left side of the pitch led to a cross to Miralem Pjanic, who gathered, turned off his defender, and blasted home for a 2-1 lead after forty-five minutes.

Pjanic won a 50-50 ball just outside Latvia's penalty box with ten minutes off the clock, and he then picked out Zvjezdan Misimovic for Bosnia's third goal.  In stoppage time, Dzeko pulled a double juke, causing two defenders to fall with the same move before beating the goalkeeper for Bosnia's fourth and final goal. Bosnia win 4-1, marking the second straight match that Latvia led 1-0 before ultimately losing.

Bratislava welcomed their heroes Slovakia to take on visiting Liechtenstein.  Liechtenstein goalkeeper Peter Jehle made a fine save from close range after a half-dozen minutes to prevent Slovakia from taking the lead.  Vladimir Weiss put a low cross into the box, and on his second attempt to make contact, Marek Sapara scored the opener for his side.  In the final ten minutes, Slovakia kept pushing, and a Marek Hamsik header crashed the underside of the crossbar without going in, leading the provider of the service Sapara with his hands on his head in disbelief.  Slovakia took the 1-0 advantage into the dressing room.

Jehle saved from Hamsik in the first danger play of the half.  With twelve minutes to go when Miroslav Stoch had a one-on-one with Jehle and got the ball through his hands.  Stoch's goal was stolen by a teammate as it crossed the line, but no matter. Slovakia win 2-0.

Greece made their first appearance at home in the 2014 FIFA World Cup against Lithuania in Piraeus.  Greece had the better of play at the start, but they did not come close to a goal until a free kick by Sotiris Ninis (pictured, blue #18) curled over the wall and was tipped away by goalkeeper Zydrunas Karcemarskas.  Karcemarskas made two more saves to preserve the 0-0 after one half.

Karcemarskas knocked away a close-range Kostas Mitroglou  header in the first minute after the break, leaving Greece to wonder if they would ever score.  Mitroglou had another header chance, but this time he hit the post.  Greece gathered the rebound, and Ninis ended up with a nice turn-and-shoot to make it 1-0 to Greece.  Mitroglou, in his third chance after substituting onto the pitch, scored with under twenty minutes to play off a one-two-one play with Ninis.  Greece would set out the match, and they win 2-0.

Bosnia 6 pts +10
Greece 6 pts +3
Slovakia 4 pts +2
Lithuania 1 pts -2
Latvia 0 pts -4
Liechtenstein 0 pts -9

Goals
Bosnia
Zvjezdan Misimovic 12 PK, 54
Miralem Pjanic 44
Edin Dzeko 90+1

Latvia
Kaspars Gorkss 5

Slovakia
Marek Sapara 36
Martin Jakubko 78

Greece
Sotiris Ninis 55
Konstantinos Mitroglou 72

Match Reports:
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/news/newsid=1699691/index.html
http://www.euronews.com/sport/1654464-rampant-bosnia-continue-goal-spree-to-sink-latvia/
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/news/newsid=1699909/index.html
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/news/newsid=1699935/index.html

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3yEviK3s5zw (Bosnia v. Latvia)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3tFO_ZCWahA (Slovakia v. Liechtenstein)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1cFl9VhNTk (Greece v. Lithuania)

Full Match Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NXI53iqV4c (Bosnia v. Latvia - 1st half)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=guBfApaAr4I (Bosnia v. Latvia - 2nd half)

Bulgaria 1 - Armenia 0; Italy 2 - Malta 0

Sofia hosted Bulgaria for the second time in five days.  Bulgaria this time faced Armenia with three points on their minds.  Ivelin Popov created the first goal for Bulgaria with two minutes left before the half when he executed a stepover and then threaded a pass across the box with the outside of his foot to give Stanislav Manolev an easy and emphatic finish.  Bulgaria led 1-0 after the opening period.

The second period with forever be known for a mass fight in minute 73.  Bulgaria defender Veselin Minev was boxing out a ball as his keeper was sliding to get it.  Armenia attacker Henrikh Mhitaryan shoved Minev down over his goalkeeper, leading to a big row.  Armenia substitute Marcos Pinheiro was expelled with a red card, and Bulgaria lost Svetoslav Dyakov to a second yellow card.  Four minutes later, Armenia lost Gevorg Ghazaryan to his second yellow, so the end of the match was played with only nineteen players on the pitch: ten Bulgarians and nine Armenians.  With the numerical disadvantage, Armenia mustered no attack, so Bulgaria win comfortably 1-0.

Italy were looking to improve on an opening fixture draw as they welcomed Malta to Modena.  In the fifth minute, a long distance Claudio Marchisio pass from his own half of the field found a bounding Mattia Destro, who having gotten behind the Maltese backline was able to toe poke home for a 1-0 lead to the hosts.  Alessandro Diamanti had two of his efforts saved by Malta goalkeeper Andrew Hogg in the first half, including the first off a free kick.  Italy led at the break 1-0.

Roderick Briffa proved to be a thorn in the side of the Italian defense as the striker kept up a hearty search for the equalizer.  He hit a couple of rifled shots toward Italy's net, but none completed its journey netward, one because Antonio Nocerino provided a block.  In stoppage time, Italy doubled their lead when Andrea Pirlo's (pitured, blue #21) corner was nodded off the goalkeeper and the man stationed at the near post on its way in by Federico Peluso.  Italy win 2-0.

Italy 4 pts +2
Bulgaria 4 pts +1
Armenia 3 pts 0
Czech Rep 1 pts 0
Denmark 1 pts 0
Malta 0 pts -3

Goals
Bulgaria
Stanislav Manolev 43

Italy
Mattia Destro 5
Federico Peluso 90+2

Match Reports:
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/news/newsid=1699593/index.html
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/italy-2-0-malta-azzurri-204200567--sow.html
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/news/newsid=1699870/index.html

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aohuflftU_Q (Bulgaria v. Armenia)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6m4m5rDTR7U (Italy v. Malta)

Germany 2 - Austria 1; Sweden 2 - Kazakhstan 0

Sweden opened their 2014 FIFA World Cup campaign at home in Malmo against visiting Kazakhstan.  The visitors parked the bus from the start of the match, leading to a frustrating night for Sweden, who were never challenged defensively but really had trouble breaching the opponent's goal.  Indeed, it took a horribly missed shot to break the deadlock as the wild shank landed at the foot of Rasmus Elm, who finished an unmarked volley for a 1-0 lead with ten minutes remaining.  Sweden led 1-0 at the half.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic nearly gave Sweden a second, but his close-range header was tapped away.  A frustrated Sweden starting taking bad fouls, and Kazakhstan knew they only hap to pip one goal for a road point.  They threatened a couple times, but it was Sweden who iced the match in second-half stoppage time when Ibrahimovic cross from the wing along the end line to an onrushing Marcus Berg for the tap-in.  Sweden make a winning debut, 2-0.

Vienna was the site of home side Austria's 2014 FIFA World Cup debut.  Their opponents were Group C favorites Germany.  Austria were the better side, with striker Martin Harnik in particular quite dangerous.  Nevertheless, the first goal was to come against the run of play.  With two minutes left, Marco Reus took three touches, shaking two defenders and then finishing coolly in the bottom corner for a 1-0 Germany lead that would hold up through the half.

It did not take long for Germany to afford themselves another goal-scoring chance. Thomas Muller was fouled inside the box, and Mesut Ozil (pictured, white) finished from the penalty spot for a 2-0 lead.  Austria regained contact five minutes later when Marko Arnautovic shook two defenders to cross into the box where Zlatko Junuzovic beat three defenders and the goalkeeper to the ball for the tap-in.  This was a goal scored on sheer determination alone.  Arnautovic could have provided the equalizer to send his home crowd into a frenzy, but his somehow botched the finish, letting Germany off the hook with a 2-1 win.

Germany 6 pts  +4
Sweden 3 pts +2
Ireland 3 pts +1
Austria 0 pts -1
Kazakhstan 0 pts -3
Faroe Islands 0 pts -3

Goals
Sweden
Rasmus Elm 37
Marcus Berg 90+4

Germany
Marco Reus 44
Mesut Ozil 52 PK

Austria
Zlatko Junuzovic 57

Match Reports:
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/news/newsid=1699805/index.html
http://www.sfgate.com/sports/article/Elm-and-Berg-score-as-Sweden-beats-Kazakhstan-2-0-3857021.php
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/news/newsid=1699794/index.html

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HAErMTKGNDs (Sweden v. Kazakhstan)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Il6FcsUb0Hc (Germany v. Austria)

Netherlands 4 - Hungary 1; Turkey 3 - Estonia 0; Romania 4 - Andorra 0

Bucharest was the site for Romania's home match  against Andorra.  It took Romania almost a half hour to break the Andorran defense, but any time a team can string three passes in the box, the result is likely to be a goal, and Gabriel Torje took the the third pass and curled it around his defender for 1-0.  A perfect rolled shot from the half circle by Costin Lazar one minute before the half struck the inside of the post after nearly avoided the goalkeeper's hand, giving Romania a 2-0 halftime lead.

The second half seemed destined to finish goalless.  Romania had lost all their willingness to attack, and Andorra were rarely able to challenge. However, in stoppage time, Romania got greedy.  Two goals in stoppage time made it four to Romania, who win 4-0 to record their second straight win to open the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Turkey played before their home fans in Istanbul against Estonia looking to right the ship.  In minute 19, Estonia's Enar Jaager took down Burak Yilmaz when he was the final defender and was thus shown a straight red, leaving the visitors to fight on with ten men.  Yilmaz scored the opener for Turkey in minute 42, but the referees blew the call as the ball had completely crossed the goal line before the Estonia defender stabbed it away. Emre Belozoglu gave Turkey their first official goal one minute later, taking a through ball up the middle and then dribbling left to bury a shot from an improved shooting angle.  Turkey led 1-0 at halftime.

The complete and total Turkish dominance continued in the second half.  A Sercan Sarerer cross found Umut Bulut rising over his man for a powerful headed finish to give Turkey their second goal on the hour mark.  With fifteen minutes left to play, a Hasan Kaldirim overlapping run allowed him to receive a pass and then slot across the box to Selcuk Inan, who having faded back into space, found plenty of time to create a fine finish for the hosts' third goal.  Turkey win 3-0.

Budapest was the scene as Netherlands paid a visit to Hungary.  It took the Oranje only three minutes to score as a Luciano Narsingh cross floated onto the head of Jeremain Lens for a 1-0 lead.  However, but two minutes later, Jordy Clasie tripped the attacker in the box.  Hungary converted the penalty kick for a 1-1 score.  Within the quarter hour, Netherlands had restored their lead.  Awful Hungarian marking on a Wesley Sneijder free kick allowed Bruno Martens a chance at an unmarked header, from which he scored for the 2-1 lead.  The teams went into their locker rooms with that same score in place.

Netherlands took advantage of good fortune as a Hungarian headed clearance fell to Lens in a dangerous area, leading to a fine finish for 3-1.  Hungary found themselves with a one-on-one situation through Tamas Priskin, but he blew the opportunity.  Sneijder nearly made it four a few minutes later as his bending strike from distance crashed into the crossbar.  Netherlands caught Hungary napping on a quickly taken free kick, springing a two-on-none break from where Lens slotted across to Klaas Jan Huntelaar for the final goal of the match. Netherlands win 4-1.

Romania 6 pts +6
Netherlands 6 pts +5
Hungary 3 pts +2
Turkey 3 pts +1
Estonia 0 pts -5
Andorra 0 pts-9

Goals
Romania
Gabriel Torje 29
Costin Lazar 44
Valerica Gaman 90+1
Alexandru Maxim 90+3

Turkey
Emre Belozoglu 44
Umut Bulut 60
Selcuk Inan 75

Netherlands
Jeremain Lens 2, 52
Bruno Martens 18
Klaas Jan Huntelaar 73

Hungary
Balazs Dzsudzsak 6 PK

Match Reports:
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/news/newsid=1699555/index.html
http://in.reuters.com/article/2012/09/11/soccer-world-turkey-idINL5E8KBA1020120911
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/news/newsid=1699880/index.html
http://www.goal.com/en-gb/match/92461/hungary-vs-netherlands/report
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/news/newsid=1699654/index.html

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zUOOS6jQ_0E (Romania v. Andorra)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2sSIxiL76M8 (Turkey v. Estonia)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lr16w4Z3sYI (Netherlands v. Hungary)

Norway 2 - Slovenia 1; Cyprus 1 - Iceland 0; Switzerland 2 - Albania 0

Larnaca was prepared to welcome their heroes Cyprus as the had a winnable home game against Iceland.  Iceland looked likeliest to score in the opening frame with midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson running the midfielder and creating for his forwards.  The best chance of the half came off the boot of Cyprus' Anthos Solomou, but his shot was saved and the half ended scoreless.

Cyprus took the lead after a dozen minutes.  A ball was laid off from the right side of the box into the box for an onrushing Konstantinos Makridis (pictured, blue) to slot home to safety.  Iceland nearly equalized through Alfred Finnbogason (pictured, white) one minute later, but his effort found a post.  Iceland lost
Solvi Otteson to a red card in minute 86 due to his foul mouth. Cyprus win their first three points 1-0 over Iceland.

Oslo welcomed back the top seed in Group E Norway from their shock road loss to Iceland four days prior.  The visitors were Slovenia, and they proved unwilling to give the fans what they wanted to see.  Jasmin Kurtic sent a free kick spiraling toward the Norwegian goal which was misplayed by goalkeeper Rune Jarstein, allowing a rebound to fall for Slovenia center back  Marko Suler to push home for 1-0.  Tarik El Younoussi took a shot for Norway from the half circle which struck the crossbar and softly fell to the six-yard box, allowing Markus Henriksen to easily head home for the equalizer.  The first half ended 1-1.

Both teams came out nervously in the second half with few chances to be found.  Nobody came close to scoring until the fourth minute of stoppage time.  A Dejan Kelhar foul in the box gave Norway a penalty kick with time expiring.  John Arne Riise struck a low ball to the middle right that barely got by the goalkeeper, giving Norway the 2-1 victory.  Slovenia are surprisingly in last place in the group after falling to their two main rivals Switzerland and Norway in their opening two fixtures.

Lucerne saw Albania pay a visit to Switzerland in the final Group E fixture of the day.  Albania sent in a warning shot eighteen minutes in when a knuckling strike from Alban Meha forced a two-handed punch save by Swiss goalkeeper Diego Benaglio. Xherdan Shaqiri made good use of the reprieve given to his side by Benaglio by scoring Switzerland's opener four minutes later.  Shaqiri, whose family is of Albanian descent and who is allowed to switched to the Kosovo national team as soon as they are given FIFA membership due it to it being his country of birth, took the jeers of the many Albanian fans lining the stadium.  Switzerland is home to many who fled from the Albanian sections of Kosovo during the diaspora of 1998 and 1999.  The Swiss led 1-0 at the break.

Switzerland remained positive with their play in the second period, and a Shaqiri low skipping shot to the near post was tipped away on a dive, but Switzerland picked up the loose ball to work it around the box, eventually drawing a penalty kick off an Armend Dallku foul from behind.  Switzerland put away the spot kick for a 2-0 lead.  Benaglio made a great double save after popping up a rebound with ten minutes to go so high in the air that he was able to return to his feet to leap and catch his own rebound.

Switzerland 6 pts +4
Iceland 3 pts +1
Albania 3 pts 0
Cyprus 3 pts -1
Norway 3 pts -1
Slovenia 0 pts -3

Goals
Cyprus
Konstantinos Makridis 57

Norway
Markus Henriksen 26
John Arne Riise 90+4 PK

Slovenia
Marko Suler 16

Switzerland
Xherdan Shaqiri 23
Gokhan Inler 68 PK

Match Reports:
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/news/newsid=1699443/index.html
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/news/newsid=1699745/index.html
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/20/sports/soccer/kosovo-wants-a-national-soccer-team-and-to-call-its-players-home.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/soccer/wires/09/11/2080.ap.soc.switzerland.albania.1st.ld.writethru.236/index.html
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/news/newsid=1699797/index.html

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xt326oC92NM (Cyprus v. Iceland)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WqW6ZjOI25U (Norway v. Slovenia)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-XGApnQfao (Switzerland v. Albania)

Full Match Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ZapcoCSrGw (Norway v. Slovenia: 1st half)

Jordan 2 - Australia 1; Japan 1 - Iraq 0

Japan welcomed Iraq, the charges of their former coach Zico, to Saitama for Matchday Four of the AFC Fourth Round.  2011 AFC Asian Cup champion goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima won on his game in the first half, saving Ahmed Ibrahim's forceful header off a corner kick and then Ahmed Yaseen's middle-range effort on a semi-breakaway on a full stretch dive.  Sandwiched in between, Japan stole a goal when Shinji Okazaki flicked a volley off a high bounce to an unmarked Ryoichi Maeda from point-blank range.  Japan took the undeserved 1-0 lead into the break against the young Iraq team.

Keisuke Honda nearly had Japan's second goal, but his diving header off a floating cross was saved onto and off the post by Iraq goalkeeper Noor Sabri.  The rest of the half passed with little action.  Japan win 1-0.  Japan, with more than double the points of their nearest competitor, are clearly going to be booking a place at Brasil 2014.  They very well may pull it off by the end of Matchday Seven.

Australia made the short trip from their friendly in Lebanon to Amman to take on Jordan for the first time ever.  The home side were looking to jump off the bottom of the Group Two table with an upset of the Socceroos.  Jordan had shouts for a penalty when Tim Cahill handled a ball inside his penalty area when he was the outside man of a five-man wall, but Jordan were unluckily not given their reward.  Brett Holman nearly added to the injustice immediately thereafter, but his shot was blocked by Basem Othman.  The half ended with no scores.

In the second half, delayed justice was Jordan's.  Mile Jedinak come on to begin the second period for Australia, and his presence nearly paid immediate dividends, but he missed an unmarked header.  A shameful dive by Odai Alsaify (pictured, white) led to the penalty kick Jordan should have had in the first half, and the spot kick was pushed home for a 1-0 lead to Jordan.  Jedinak nearly equalized from almost thirty yards, but his effort struck the post and bounced all the way out of the penalty area untouched.  On a Jordan counterattack, Alsaify went up the left side of the box, broke down Lucas Neill, and drew out the goalkeeper before slotting to an onrushing Amer Deeb, who tapped home for a massive second goal.  A smooth backheel layoff by Alex Brosque allowed an onrushing Archie Thompson to surge into the Jordanian box and slot home to the far post to close the gap to 2-1.  Australia's last surge did not result in a second goal, however.  Jordan win 2-1 in the biggest victory in their country's history.

Japan 10 pts +10
Jordan 4 pts -5
Australia 2 pts -1
Iraq 2 pts -1
Oman 2 pts -3

Goals
Japan
Ryoichi Maeda 25

Jordan
Hasan Abdel-Fattah 50 PK
Amer Deeb 73

Australia

Archie Thompson 85

Match Reports:
http://in.reuters.com/article/2012/09/11/soccer-worldcup-japan-iraq-idINDEE88A09K20120911
http://msn.foxsports.com/foxsoccer/soccer/story/Jordan-beats-Australia-21-in-WCup-qualifier-48386960

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JufHVAygA5I (Japan v. Iraq)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4CAzTQadog (Jordan v. Australia)

Lebanon 1 - Iran 0; Uzbekistan 2 - South Korea 2

Uzbekistan welcomed Group One leaders South Korea to Tashkent in the third qualifier of round four for both sides.  Uzbekistan are off to a much slower start than anticipated, but South Korea entered with a 100 percent record with six points from two matches played.  Uzbekistan came out with a purpose early on, and their reward came before the quarter hour mark.  Sanjar Tursonov flicked on an underhit corner, which was then dealt with poorly by a South Korea defender as he headed into his own net.  The Taegeuk Warriors were not about to rush or alter their game plan in panic.  Perhaps they should have, for Tursonov found himself loose in the box after he shook his marker to the ground, but his rocket shot was palmed away by an alert goalkeeper, Jung Sung-Ryong.  Near the conclusion of play, a long South Korean free kick was misread by the Uzbekistan goalkeeper, and Kwak Tae-Hwi won the header to fire into a vacated net for the equalizer.  The halftime scoreboard read 1-1.

A dozen minutes in, South Korea again took advantage of a missed clearance, this team a defender the culprit when he leaped and missed the ball with his head.  The ball fell to a calm and collected Lee Dong-Gook, who pushed the ball under the goalkeeper for a 2-1 lead to the visitors.  Two minutes later, the score would change again.  On another purposely underhit corner, Tursonov again flicked on a header, except this time he needed no touch from a defender as the ball flew into the net for the goal of the contest.  The 2-2 score was a bit flattering to South Korea at this point, but they looked deserving off a third late in the match. It never came, so the match saw the teams share the spoils 2-2.

An unfancied Lebanon side welcomed Iran to Beirut.  Lebanon had been without captain Roda Antar (pictured, red) for their previous three qualifiers, but he was finally suited up again for this match.  His goalkeeper Abbas Hassan kept Lebanon in contention with a sharp save.  It was a Lebanon free kick swung to the back post by Mohammad Haidar that found Antar's head.  Antar, leaning away from goal, snapped his header just hard enough to elude any touch as it nestled itself in the net and in Lebanese history.  Lebanon took the 1-0 advantage in their locker room.

Upon returning, a revitalized Iran was in control of the second half.  Iran's Mohammad Noori had a header cleared off the line and then a volley parried away by Hassan.  Iran captain Javad Nekounam nearly equalized in stoppage time with his own goalkeeper coming into the attack, but the low driven shot was batted aside by Hassan.  Lebanon record the most important win in their history, 1-0 at home to Iran.

South Korea 7 pts +6
Iran 4 pts 0
Qatar 4 pts -2
Lebanon 4 pts -3
Uzbekistan 2 pts -1

Goals
Uzbekistan
Ki Sung-Yeung 13 OG
Sanjar Tursonov 59

South Korea
Kwak Tae-Hwi 43
Lee Dong-Gook 57

Lebanon
Roda Antar 27

Match Reports:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/soccer/wires/09/11/2080.ap.soc.uzbekistan.south.korea.1st.ld.writethru.362/index.html
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jo5w7fRZAxC94_nuBmobWk1hKaAA?docId=CNG.b0a4c50ba027557db7c59fa615ce7509.c31
http://www.sfgate.com/sports/article/Lebanon-upsets-Iran-1-0-in-WCup-qualifier-3856479.php
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/Sports/Football/2012/Sep-11/187519-lebanon-beat-iran-1-0-to-keep-world-cup-hopes-alive.ashx#axzz26Sjx59Va

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&NR=1&v=6B9T9l4QGv0 (Uzbekistan v. South Korea)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLMDRqo7sj4 (Lebanon v. Iran)

New Zealand 6 - Solomon Islands 1

Photo by Phil Walter

The two group leaders faced off today in rain-drenched Auckland.  Favorites New Zealand were facing Solomon Islands for the third time in four months, with the previous two meetings having been 1-1 and 4-3 to New Zealand.  A Leo Bertos cross twelve minutes in found Shane Smeltz's noggin and bounced into the net for a 1-0 lead to the Kiwis.  Kosta Barbarouses made it two midway through the period when he scored on an open net after a missed tackle by the Bonitos goalkeeper Samson Koti.  The half would end with New Zealand leading 2-0.

Smeltz nearly made it three to the good early in the second half, but his header snapped off the crossbar.  Solomon Islands revived their hopes soon thereafter when Henry Fa'arodo (pictured, yellow) one-timed a low driven cross from Leslie Nate into the Kiwi net.   New Zealand scored two minutes later after a soft headed goal was let in by Koti.  Koti also failed to tip away a cross that lead to New Zealand's fourth goal.  With ten minutes left, a fine Barbarouses cross was chested in by the tall Chris Wood for 5-1.  Koti was again beaten to a ball three minutes later, and his exposed net was soon thereafter breached after a simple slotted ball to the gaping goalmouth was pushed home.  It was a night to forget for Koti and the Bonitos.  New Zealand win 6-1 to take control of the group.

New Zealand 6 pts +7
Solomon Islands 3 pts -3
New Caledonia 0 pts -2
Tahiti 0 pts -2

Goals
New Zealand
Shane Smeltz 12
Kosta Barbarouses 25
Chris Killen 53
Tony Lochhead 69
Chris Wood 80
Marco Rojas 83

Solomon Islands
Henry Fa'arodo 51

Match Reports:
http://www.oceaniafootball.com/ofc/News/ViewArticle/tabid/125/Article/162ef333-3e19-48f5-b51f-7f2e9de69ea3/language/en-US/Default.aspx
http://www.oceaniafootball.com/ofc/News/ViewArticle/tabid/125/Article/a7b319bc-5923-488b-9b99-1bb718196286/language/en-US/Default.aspx

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=awwzl-7jai4&feature=g-all-u

Czech Republic 0 - Denmark 0

In the final match of UEFA Matchday One, Denmark played hosts to the Czech Republic in Copenhagen.  In the best chance of the half, Denmark's Daniel Wass hit a shot that was tailing away toward the inside of the far post until Petr Cech made a great save.  A frustrating, grinding half ended without any goals.  Both t

Early in the half, Czech Republic were on the attack, with Theodor Gebre Selassie coming up from right back to create a through ball across the face of goal, but no one was able to latch onto the ball.  Beginning at the hour mark, the impetus was completely with Denmark.  The ball rarely crossed midfield, and the Czechs were constantly on the defensive.  Cech continued to be up to the challenge, and saved a direct free kick from the right side of his box.  In stoppage time, substitute Andreas Cornelius flicked a header into the path of fellow substitute Leon Andreasen, but Cech made one final save to preserve his shutout and a 0-0 draw.  Both teams will likely point to not having their star attackers on the pitch as a reason for the lack of goals.  Tomas Rosicky missed out for the Czechs and Nicklas Bendtner missed out for Denmark through a one-game suspension.

Armenia 3 pts +1
Italy 1 pts 0
Czech Rep 1 pts 0
Bulgaria 1 pts 0
Denmark 1 pts 0
Malta 0 pts -1

Match Reports:
http://www.sfgate.com/sports/article/Denmark-Czech-Republic-draw-0-0-in-WCup-qualifier-3850058.php

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2XkzENjR0s