Tuesday, March 26, 2013

United States of America 0 - Mexico 0

Struggling CONCACAF titans Mexico welcomed eternal rivals United States of America to their friendly abode in Mexico City.  The German experiment for the United States was put on hold for a match as all fourteen players who saw the field had at some point in their careers played in the domestic competition Major League Soccer.  The United States nearly scored first when a Geoff Cameron header from eight yards was nodded just wide of the far post at the quarter hour mark after a Herculez Gomez corner kick.  Mexico were completely and utterly in control from that point forward.  Javier Hernandez (pictured, black #14) missed a point-blank header on an all-out sprint after Jorge Torres Nilo had unleashed a great cross into the six-yard box.  The teams went into the locker room at 0-0.

In the second period, Mexico really took to utlizing Javier Aquino (pictured, black #11) up the right flank to attack American left back Damarcus Beasley (pictured, white #7).  Center back Matt Besler (pictured, white #14) made a saving block with his body on a Jesus Zavala attempt to keep the Americans level.  With under twenty minutes left, a heroic thirty-yard dash by Graham Zusi allowed him to head away a point-black chance for Angel Reyna and save the shutout for the United States.  With a quarter hour left to play, American midfielder Mauric Edu came in from behind Aquino and knocked him down at the penalty spot, but the referee somehow waved play on.  Hernandez continued his miserable night with three minutes to go as he failed to connect on a half-volley off a free ball inside the box.  Reserve United States goalkeeper Brad Guzan played like a man who wanted to win the job outright, and his diving save denied Reyna in the dying moments of stoppage time to give himself a second shutout in five days' time.  Mexico had fifteen corners in the match, but no goals as the teams draw 0-0.

Panama 5 pts +2
Costa Rica 4 pts +1
USA 4 pts 0
Honduras 4 pts -1
Mexico 3 pts 0
Jamaica 2 pts -2

Match Reports:
http://www.npr.org/2013/03/27/175430062/u-s-ties-mexico-0-0-in-world-cup-qualifier
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2013/mar/27/mexico-usa-live
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/27/sports/soccer/for-us-tie-in-mexico-feels-a-lot-like-victory.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/27/usa-soccer-mexico-tie-azteca_n_2960375.html
http://articles.latimes.com/2013/mar/26/sports/la-sp-usa-mexico-soccer-20130327
http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2013/03/27/mexico-0-usa-0-world-cup-qualifying-match-recap

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=VuyQ51MbQ1I

Panama 2 - Honduras 0

Panama, winners of four points from two matches against Honduras in the previous phase of qualifying, welcomed Honduras for a second time in the 2014 FIFA World Cup to Panama City.  Last time around, the teams played to a 0-0 draw, but that was guaranteed not to be the case after only sixty seconds.  After Blas Perez's initial shot was blocked, Marcos Sanchez gathered the rebound.  He put a through ball in for Leonel Parris, who immediately laced a ball across the six-yard box to Luis Tejada (pictured, red) for the finish and a quick-strike 1-0 lead for Panama.  Honduras had a solid chance to equalize on twenty minutes, but Carlo Costly sent his header into the crossbar.  Honduras put in plenty of teasing crosses into the opening forty-five minutes, but Costly's crossbar was their only true shot at goal.  The half ended with La Marea Roja on top 1-0.

Just after the restart, Costly again had a chance to equalize and a turnover from Panama, but Panama second-string goalkeeper Luis Mejia made the save diving toward his far post.  Panama in all honesty had the lesser of the chances, but they made their few opportunities count on the scoreboard.  Sanchez beat his defender to the endline and cut a pass back to Perez, but Perez blasted just wide of goal.  However, with a quarter hour left in the match, La Marea Roja had a second goal.  Nelson Barahona sent in a driven through ball from the midfield stripe that put Perez in behind the three-man Catracho defensive line.  Perez shot unimpeded from the top of the half circle, and his strike was true and in the net to give Panama a two-goal advantage.  Anibal Godoy nearly made it three, but his strike to the near post was knocked aside by flying Honduras goalkeeper Noel Valladares.  Panama win 2-0.

Goals
Panama
Luis Tejada 2
Blas Perez 75

Match Reports:
http://www.concacaf.com/page/WCQ/NewsDetail/0,,12813~3123067,00.html
http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2013/3/27/4151554/panama-vs-honduras-world-cup-qualifying-2014-fulltime-recap

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYtV9S0tvsw

Full Match Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=svKOQ9KAWIE

Costa Rica 2 - Jamaica 0

Costa Rica welcomed Jamaica to San Jose for their CONCACAF Fourth Round matchup on Tuesday night.  Midway through the first period, Ariel Rodriguez stood over a medium-distance free kick for Costa Rica.  The ball he put into the box was well-collected by Alvaro Saborio who in turn gave a soft pass to an oncoming Michael Umaña, who finished from short range to put Costa Rica ahead 1-0.  Luton Shelton had a nice solo run to put himself in with a chance at goal, but a defensive slide by Cristian Gamboa (pictured, red) forced Shelton to come to a standstill, and in the meantime Costa Rica goalkeeper Keylor Navas had closed the gap enough to make a simple save on the ensuing Shelton effort.  The half ended with the Ticos up one goal to nil.

With less than a quarter hour to play, Ticos playmaker Joel Campbell sucked the entire Jamaican defense out of position, but his excellent play and pass were ruined by a botched Saborio shot from close range.  With under ten minutes left to make a change in the scoreboard, Diego Calvo took it upon himself to make something happen.  He cut inside Jamaica defender Jermaine Taylor and then cut behind a second defender to release a shot to the far post side netting that was never in danger of being saved.  Costa Rica remained sound defensively for the final push, and they win 2-0.

Goals
Costa Rica
Michael Umaña 22
Diego Calvo 82

Match Reports:
http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2013/3/26/4151348/costa-rica-vs-jamaica-final-score-result-2013

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHo534dliSI

Chile 2 - Uruguay 0

Santiago was the site of the most important qualifier in South America today with Chile hosting Uruguay with fourth place on the line.  An embarrasing defense sequence felled Uruguay ten minutes into the affair.  Matias Aguirregaray muffed a clearance that was picked up on the run by Chilean forward Esteban Paredes, who pushed the ball wide to Jean Beausejour.  Alvaro Pereira made a second terrible defensive area, choosing to chest a ball down in his box, and Paredes pounced on the ball for an ugly goal that matched Uruguay's recent ugly decline in form.  Chile led 1-0 at the interval after a drab conclusion to the opening half.

Mauricio Isla was providing excellent service for his Chilean teammates throughout the second period, and eventually his teammates caught onto his thought process in the build up to the second goal.  With twelve minutes to go, an Isla ball went to Matias Fernandez, whose shot was blocked by Uruguay goalkeeper Fernando Muslera.  The rebound fell to Eduardo Vargas for an easy tap-in goal to put Chile up by two goals.  Chile win 2-0, and the loss really deals a crushing blow to Uruguay's qualification chances as they now face the toughest remaining schedule in CONMEBOL, beginning with a crucial road qualifier against Venezuela in June without the now-suspended Luis Suarez, who is out due to yellow card accumulation.

Argentina 24 pts +16
Ecuador 20 pts +6
Colombia 19 pts +12
Chile 15 pts -3
Venezuela 15 pts -3
Uruguay 13 pts -4
Peru 11 pts -4
Bolivia 9 pts -7
Paraguay 8 pts -13

Goals
Chile
Esteban Paredes 10
Eduardo Vargas 78

Match Reports:
http://www.santiagotimes.cl/sports/soccer/25926-chile-pulls-off-crucial-win-against-uruguay

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

Full Match Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WN0jDJK2a8Q

Venezuela 1 - Colombia 0

Puerto Ordaz was the scene as Venezuela looked to continue a run stretching over sixteen years and four FIFA World Cup tournaments of not losing at home to Colombia.  Venezuela seemed determined to continue that streak on this day.  Salomon Rondon was a strong presence at left forward for Venezuela, who rarely deploy a two-forward setup as they did today.  Rondon unleashed a shot from a sharp angle that force Colombia goalkeeper David Ospina into a leaping save at his near post.  Luis Amaranto Perea had all sorts of problems with Rondon, and Venezuela winger Juan Arango (pictured, maroon) recognized the mismatch and played a curling ball along the ground to put Perea and Rondon in a foot race.  Rondon won and then shot from a short angle into the roof of the net over Ospina's hands, giving Venezuela a 1-0 lead before a quarter hour had elapsed. 

Venezuela were left scratching their heads as to way they did not have a second goal after a nice build up from Cesar Gonzalez led to a shot from the half circle by Tomas Rincon.  Ospina parried the ball away, but an onside rebound went to Fernando Aristiguieta.  However, the resulting shot was saved off the line by a sliding Perea, and Colombia were still alive in the match.  A long-distance Arango free kick was met by the foot of Oswaldo Vizcarrondo, but Vizcarrondo plays center back for a reason and his poor placement meant Ospina was there for the save again.  Miku Fedor come onto the pitch for Venezuela, and his one-two-one-two with Rondon gave Fedor a shot that Ospina held onto with his fingertips while prone on the floor.  Radamel Falcao received the ball off a wide cross from Carlos Bacca and had the goal at his mercy on the half-volley from nine yards, but Falcao's shot rocked the crossbar and went straight up and down into the hands of the goalkeeper, allowing the crowd in Venezuela to breathe a collective sigh of relief.  Venezuela win the match 1-0 and look to be in good position to qualify given that they have the easiest remaining schedule in CONMEBOL.

Goals
Venezuela
Salomon Rondon 13

Match Reports:
http://www.zonalmarking.net/2013/03/27/venezuela-1-0-colombia-venezuela-keep-two-upfront-offer-a-consistent-threat-on-the-break/
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/soccer-venezuela-dream-1-0-victory-over-colombia-024711798--sow.html

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

Full Match Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYhGVar5UHQ

Ecuador 4 - Paraguay 1

Hapless Paraguay made the trek to the scary heights of Quito to face surging Ecuador.  Fidencio Oviedo (pictured, red #6) created an early opportunity for Paraguay out of nothing when he blocked a clearance attempt by Jefferson Montero (pictured, yellow) that took a crazy rebound and allowed Luis Caballero to smash a laser from sixteen yards into the Ecuadorian goal and give Paraguay a shock 1-0 road lead.  Gabriel Achilier nearly equalized for Ecuador, but his header connected with the crossbar and denied the crowd a reason to be joyful.  A Walter Ayovi free kick from a short angle with seven minutes left in the half was sent in three yards from goal.  Felipe Caicedo made like a tank and bullied both Cristian Riveros and Richard Ortiz to the ground as he knocked the ball home for the equalizer.  The first half score: Ecuador 1, Paraguay 1.

Five minutes into the second period was when Montero made the match his own.  A quick restart free kick that traversed the field from Christian Noboa put the speedy Montero in ahead of Ivan Piris, whom he dusted on route toward goal.  Montero finished off the inside of the far post to give Ecuador a 2-1 advantage.  An unfocused Paraguay allowed the same play to beat them five minutes later as Noboa again found Montero on a cross-the-field ball from a quick restart.  Montero dribbled around Piris twice before crossing a ball to Cristian Benitez, who headed away easily for the third goal for Ecuador.  Montero scored another goal twenty minutes later when his effort was turned into his own goal by Pablo Aguilar, though Montero received credit for the fourth Ecuador score.  Frickson Erazo took the opportunity late in the match to deliver a crushing blow physically to Paraguay as he shouldered Edgar Benitez in the face on the edge of the Ecuador penalty area.  Ecuador win 4-1.

Goals
Ecuador
Felipe Caicedo 38
Jefferson Montero 50, 75
Cristian Benitez 54

Paraguay
Luis Caballero 15

Match Reports:
http://www.conmebol.com/en/content/ecuador-punishes-paraguay-atahualpa-4-1
http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2013/3/26/4150680/ecuador-vs-paraguay-2013-final-score-result

Full Match Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UbJOKalxEwg (1st half)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tm5ZlpY4X_E (2nd half)

Bolivia 1 - Argentina 1

Bolivia hoped a match in their high-altitude palace in La Paz would be enough to garner another famous result against CONMEBOL leaders Argentina like the 6-1 victory they had over the Albiceleste in 2009.  Bolivia fullback Diego Bejarano made an early foray forward, but Argentina goalkeeper Sergio Romero made a close-range save to deny Bolivia the early goal.  Argentina nearly scored when Angel di Maria laid off on a two-on-one break for Rodrigo Palazio, but Bolivia goalkeeper Sergio Galarza come off his line quickly and stopped the shot.  Twenty-five minutes into the match, Bolivia looked on their way to another upset of Argentina at altitude.  Alejandro Chumacero swung in a cross from the right side that floated just over the head of Argentina defender Hugo Campagnaro and onto the skilled head of Marcelo Martins, who nodded the ball into the goal for a 1-0 lead to Bolivia.  Clemente Rodriguez sent in a cross to the Bolivian penalty spot in the penultimate minute of the half.  Ever Banega had to stop his momentum and back track in order to be in position for the header, which made the resulting power he put on his shot all the more remarkable as he scored the equalizer.  1-1 was the halftime score.

Banega almost put Argentina ahead, but Galarza made an acrobatic save to deny the goal.  With thirteen minutes left in the match, Lionel Messi (pictured, blue) struck a marvelous free kick to the far post that Galarza somehow reached with an outstretched hand on another all-out dive.  Messi had a solo opportunity against Galarza following his block of an outlet pass, but Messi could not shoot under an oncoming Galarza, who clearly earned man-of-the-match honors on this day.  The match ends in a 1-1 draw.

Goals
Bolivia
Marcelo Martins 25

Argentina
Ever Banega 44

Match Reports:
http://int.soccerway.com/news/2013/March/26/conmebol-world-cup-qualifying-bolivia-1-argentina-1/
http://www.goal.com/en-us/match/97310/bolivia-vs-argentina/report
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/soccer/news/20130326/argentina-bolivia-draw-world-cup-qualifiers/

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

Spain 1 - France 0

Saint-Denis was the site of the decisive clash in Group I, with defending champions Spain needing a win on the road against France in order to reclaim pole position in the group.  Spain really should have taken the lead four minutes in, but Xavi Hernandez missed a open net after a pass from left back Nacho Monreal.  Franck Ribery had France's best chance in the opening half as he headed down Mathieu Valbuena's lofted through ball, but his first touch gave Spain goalkeeper Victor Valdes time to slide tackle the ball to safety.  The first half ended with no goals having been scored.

Valdes came off his line bravely ten minutes into the half to snatch the ball ahead of two open French players at the back post.  Andres Iniesta had a nifty flicked shot attempt tipped just over the French crossbar by France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris (pictured, yellow).  The breakthrough came soon thereafter as a Monreal cross found Pedro Rodriguez (pictured, red), who somehow pushed the ball over the line despite the challenge from Patrice Evra (pictured, blue) and Lloris, who lay prone across his goal line and managed to paw the ball but not redirect it out of his net.  Blaise Matuidi shot a hard, low grounder under a Gerard Pique slide, but again Valdes made a quick save on the ground.  With a quarter hour remaining, a French corner fell to Raphael Varane in a dangerous setting, but before he could find the ball Monreal had cleared it out-of-bounds off Varane.  Soon thereafter, Paul Pogba picked up two yellows in two minutes, leaving France down a man from minute 78 on through the finish.  Three minutes from time, Valdes miraculously denied an Evra header from three yards in front of him.  Valdes was a superhero and the French could not best him on this day.  Spain win 1-0.

Spain 11 pts +6
France 10 pts +4
Georgia 4 pts -4
Belarus 3 pts -5
Finland 2 pts -1

Goals
Spain
Pedro Rodriguez 58

Match Reports:
http://www.zonalmarking.net/2013/03/28/france-0-1-spain-both-sides-use-one-wide-player-for-ball-retention-and-the-other-for-direct-attacks/
http://www.philstar.com/sports/2013/03/27/924647/spain-beats-france-1-0-world-cup-qualifying

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQ5G9SefdRw

England 1 - Montenegro 1; Ukraine 2 - Moldova 1 ; Poland 5 - San Marino 0

Moldova made the trip to Odessa to face Ukraine.  A snow storm had just hit, so the sidelines were covered with the snow that had been moved off the pitch prior to the opening whistle.  The home side started brightest, and Andriy Yarmolenko nearly scroed from just outside the box, but backtracking Moldova goalkeeper Stanislav Namasco made a leaning-back fingertip push over the crossbar.  Yarmolenko then forced another save from Namasco before Yarmolenko missed a third chance from close range wide.  An Oleg Gusev free kick was deflected on frame by the Moldovan wall, but again Namasco was up to make a push save over his own bar.  Ukraine were surely frustrated to be leaving the field tied 0-0.

Ukraine finally got the lead they deserved as the match passed the hour mark when a Roman Bezus cross was headed across the box by Roman Zozulya for the instep shot and goal by the unstoppable Yarmolenko.  Ten minutes later, an unmarked Yevhen Khacheridi headed in a corner kick from the near post to give Ukraine a 2-0 lead.  With ten minutes left to play, Moldova pulled one back through a nice curled ball from twenty yards out by Alexandr Suvorov, who took advantage of his plentiful time and space to make the score 2-1.  Gusev nearly made it 3-1 to the good for Ukraine late, but another diving Namasco fingertip push kept the match close.  Ukraine's Taras Stepanenko was thrown off the pitch in stoppage time for a red card for kicking Vitalie Bordian in the back of the neck.  Ukraine hold on and win 2-1.

Warsaw was the scene for Poland's home tilt against San Marino.  A handball in the box by Alex Della Valle gave Poland a penalty kick twenty minutes into the match, and they would convert it for a 1-0 lead.  A simple cross into the box should have been cut out by San Marino left back Mirko Palazzi, but instead he allowed Lukasz Piszczek to get inside position and allow a richochet off his leg to take the ball into the goal for 2-0.  Poland would take the 2-0 score into the half.

Deja vu struck four minutes after the break as Della Valle committed another handball in his own box, leading to a penalty kick goal for Poland.  Della Valle's poor day continued ten minutes later when another simple cross was not cut out by the San Marino defender, so Lukasz Teodorczyk had a simple finish from seven yards to make it 4-0.  Simone Bacchiochi made a late dash up through two Polish defenders, though in the end his shot was saved by an onrushing Poland goalkeeper Artur Boruc.  Jakub Kosecki finished the scoring in stoppage time when he snuck a ball in off the far post for his first ever goal for Poland.  Poland win 5-0.

Podgorica was the site of the showdown between second-place England and the group leaders, hosts Montenegro.  The poor condition of the pitch meant that an already crowded midfielder was nearly unplayable due to the difficulty of stringing passes.  England decided to go with the long ball and trust their speed, and the dividends were paid immediately.  Wayne Rooney spotted the Montenegrin goalkeeper off his line and decided to send a twenty-one yard chip goalward, but he was denied by the far post.  A corner kick six minutes in gave Rooney a chance to elevate from seven yards after his marker had fallen down, and Rooney made no mistake with the finish, giving England the early one-goal advantage.  England would take the 1-0 lead over a lackluster Montenegro into the break.

Montenegro were reborn with the second half whistle.  Over the course of the match, the home side had gone from one striker to two and now to three with the addition of substitute Dejan Damjanovic.  England could not cope as well with the new-look attack, and Montenegro pressed hard for the equalizer.  Rooney had one look from a curling free kick to the lower ninety, but Montenegro goalkeeper Mladen Bozovic kept the ball out.  Thereafter, Montenegro were relentless in attack.  Stevan Jovetic and Mirko Vucinic were lethal up front, and Jovetic had a volleyed shot save on the dive by England goalkeeper Joe Hart.  Soon thereafter, Jovetic hit the near post on a redirect, but he could not find the ball in time to get off a second attempt before Steven Gerrard could throw a block.  With less than a quarter hour to play, persistence paid off for the home team.  Hart made one save and Danny Wellbeck made two blocks in a melee setting, but Damjanovic scored on his third attempt in under six seconds to level the match at one goal apiece.  Montenegro seemed to have exhausted their attack in the push to equalize, so they had little left to offer after their goal.  Gerrard had a free kick saved by Bozovic in the final minute.  The two teams draw 1-1 and Group H is still in the balance.

Montenegro 14 pts +11
England 12 pts +18
Poland 8 pts +5
Ukraine 8 pts +2
Moldova 4 pts -7
San Marino 0 pts -29

Goals
Ukraine
Andriy Yarmolenko 61
Yevhen Khacheridi 71

Moldova
Alexandr Suvorov 80

Poland
Robert Lewandowski 21 PK, 50 PK
Lukasz Piszczek 28
Lukasz Teodorczyk 61
Jakub Kosecki 90+2

England
Wayne Rooney 6

Montenegro
Dejan Damjanovic 75

Match Reports:
http://www.uefa.com/worldcup/season=2014/matches/round=2000294/match=2008750/postmatch/report/index.html
http://www1.skysports.com/football/live/match/253600/report
http://www.thenews.pl/1/5/Artykul/131264,Poland-5-San-Marino-0
http://www.zonalmarking.net/2013/03/27/montenegro-1-1-england-montenegro-start-timidly-but-introduce-attackers-effectively/
http://goal.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/03/27/montenegros-rapid-ascent-stuns-england/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21947882
http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/387355/England-Montenegro-player-ratings

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OlSOiPgaRjs (Ukraine v. Moldova)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hl4wdSq3UVk (Poland v. San Marino)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HsL7gISsveo (England v. Montenegro)

Austria 2 - Ireland 2; Germany 4 - Kazakhstan 1

Germany welcomed Kazakhstan to Nuremburg as the two sides squared off for the second time in five days, with Germany having won the previous encounter 3-0.  Midway through the opening half, Germany were on their way.  Mesut Ozil laid the ball off for Marco Reus, who then ran unimpeded to the half circle, from where he finished with a rolling shot to make it 1-0 in favor of Germany.  Four minutes on, a cutting run by Philipp Lahm got the Germany fullback to the endline, and his pass back into play was knocked home by the lightning-quick reflex shot by Mario Goetze, putting the home side ahead by two goals now.  Five minutes after that, an Ozil short, dipping cross was pounded into the net by Ilkay Gundogan from six yards out to make it 3-0 Germany, which would double as the halftime score.

One minute after the restart, Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer tried to get cheeky and throw feints to shake off an encroaching Kazakh forward, but Neuer was dispossessed at his own half circle by Baurzhan Jolchiyev.  Genrikh Shmidtgal one-timed a shot at the empty net to close the gap to 3-1.  Germany did not suffer any further lapses in concentration.  In fact, in the final minute Gundogan hit a through ball to Reus that saw Reus finish with aplomb to end the scoring with a four goal to the home side.  Germany win 4-1 and look well on their way to Brasil 2014.

Ireland took to their home pitch in Dublin looking to vanquish Austria.  Ten minutes into the match, it were the Irish who were vanquished by high pressure from Austria.  Ciaran Clark (pictured, green) was under enormous pressure in defense, so much that he decided to skip two Austria midfielders who were covering him. However, Zlatko Junozovic (pictured, white #10) stripped him and the break was on.  Junozovic ran up the pitch before hit a square ball to an oncoming Martin Harnik (pictured, white #11) for the opening goal.  Emanuel Pogatetz overslid a tackle in the Austrian penalty area as Shane Long was cutting the ball back upfield.  Long was felled by the challenge, and Ireland had a chance to convert from the penalty spot, which they did.  Long found himself open with his back to goal with seven minutes left in the first half.  Long did the only reasonable thing to do in that situation, which was to backheel strongly toward the goal.  Unluckily for Long, the post was not kind and his shot bounced away.  In stoppage time, Jon Walters scored off a diving header from ten yards out on a corner kick to give Ireland a 2-1 lead at halftime.

James McLean nearly precipitated a third goal for Ireland midway through the second half as his inswinging cross was headed on goal from less than six yards out, but Austria goalkeeper Heinz Lindner rose quickly to punch the ball over his crossbar.  In stoppage time, Harnik found space to lay a ball off to David Alaba, who then hit a high dipping shot from the half circle that fell down just in time to cross under the Irish crossbar and break thousands of hearts in Dublin.  The match ends in a memorable 2-2 draw.

Germany 16 pts +15
Austria 8 pts +9
Sweden 8 pts +3
Ireland 8 pts -1
Kazakhstan 1 pts -13
Faroe Islands 0 pts -13

Goals
Germany
Marco Reus 23, 90
Mario Goetze 27
Ilkay Gundogan 32

Kazakhstan
Genrikh Shmidtgal 46

Austria
Martin Harnik 11
David Alaba 90+2

Ireland
Jon Walters 25 PK, 45+1

Match Reports:
http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2013/3/26/4149636/germany-vs-kazakhstan-2013-final-score-match-report-result
http://bostonherald.com/sports/revolution_soccer/soccer/2013/03/germany_beat_kazakhstan_4_1_in_wcup_qualifying
http://www.goal.com/en/match/92514/germany-vs-kazakhstan/report
http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/international/2013/0327/378616-ireland-2-2-austria-key-moments/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21881461
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2013/mar/26/republic-ireland-austria-world-cup-qualifier

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1YkALKBRMns (Germany v. Kazakhstan)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmTUCXZ0i5s (Austria v. Ireland)

Croatia 2 - Wales 1; Belgium 1 - Macedonia 0; Serbia 2 - Scotland 0

Novi Sad was the muddy scene for the match between visiting Scotland and Serbia.  The pitch barely passed inspection after the snow had been shoveled away prior to kickoff.  Serbia were clearly the better side, but Scotland center back Grant Hanley used a timely bump to disrupt a Filip Duricic shot to make his goalkeeper's save an easier one twenty minutes into the affair.  The half was a scoreless one.

Scotland put the ball in the net not too long after the resumption of the festivities, but the strike was correctly brought back for offside.  Having seen the game flash before their eyes, Serbia went back into the ascendancy.  Duricic scored a goal during a scramble in the Scottish penalty area after a Steven Whittaker block came his way on the rebound.  Five minutes later, Scotland defender Gary Caldwell made a lazy clearance that was picked off by Nenad Tomovic at the edge of the area.  Tomovic's shot was hit into the goalkeeper's onrushing body, but the rebound was pushed into the open net by Duricic.  Serbia win 2-0, extending Scotland's winless streak in competitive fixtures to seven, an all-time Scottish record.

Wales absolutely needed a victory at home in Swansea against Croatia if they were to have any real aspirations of reaching Brasil 2014.  Joe Ledley was cynically taken down in the box by Dejan Lovren (pictured, blue #6), so Wales had a penalty kick twenty minutes into the match.  Gareth Bale converted the kick and notched a well-deserved goal on his tally after commanding the lion's share of the scoring chances in the early going by himself.  Bale nearly made it two for himself in the first half, but Croatia goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa denied him well.  Wales led 1-0 after the first forty-five.

The match slowed down in the second half, and Wales looked primed to snatch the three points.  However, thirteen minutes from the end, Lovren struck a knuckler from twenty-eight yards that seemed remote-controlled on its way into the Welsh goal, evening the score.  The Welsh defense was too sluggish to close down Ivica Olic as he dribbling slowly up the left flank, so Olic punished them with an easy cross to the center of the box.  Eduardo collected the ball and nutmegged the goalkeeper with his shot to give Croatia their first lead with three minutes left in regulation.  Croatia win 2-1 to remain at the worst co-leaders in the group.

Brussels was the site of the tussle between visiting Macedonia and hosts Belgium, who kicked off simultaneously with the match in Swansea.  Belgium had won 2-0 in Macedonia four days prior to this tilt.  Eden Hazard proved to be the danger man early for Belgium, and it was his long distance shot that began the match in earnest, though it was easily held.  Belgium did manage to put a goal into the Macedonian net in the first period, but Thomas Vermaelen was offside after the flick-on header from a free kick.  The teams went into the dressing rooms tied at zero.

Nikolce Noveski blocked a Vincent Kompany side volley with his back and the high rebound was played by Hazard off the bounce, but Hazard's missile struck and probably dented the crossbar on its way out of bounds.  Daniel Georgievski will have nightmares about Hazard after what the Belgian did to him just beyond the hour mark.  Hazard collected Georgievski's header clearance with a high boot and then dribbled at Georgievski before turning him with a feint and beating him off the dribbled.  Of course Hazard finished the play to the far post and gave Belgium a 1-0 lead.  Belgium seemed to relent over the next ten minutes following their goal, and Macedonia had the better of play, but they could not make it pay off in terms of an equalizer.  Belgium withstood the short-lived spell of pressure and emerged unscathed.  With the 1-0 victory, Belgium not only remain tied with Croatia at the top of Group A, but they also jointly cause the first elimination in UEFA qualifying for Brasil 2014.  The dishonor of being the first European casualty goes to Scotland.

Belgium 16 pts +10
Croatia 16 pts +7
Serbia 7 pts +1
Wales 6 pts -8
Macedonia 4 pts -4
Scotland OUT

Goals
Serbia
Filip Duricic 60, 65

Croatia
Dejan Lovren 77
Eduardo 87

Wales
Gareth Bale 21 PK

Belgium
Eden Hazard 62

Match Reports:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21879298
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2013/mar/26/serbia-scotland-world-cup-qualifier
http://www.goal.com/en-gb/match/92494/wales-vs-croatia/report
http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/international/2013/0326/378531-wales-v-croatia/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21881457
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2013/mar/26/wales-croatia-world-cup-qualifier?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+theguardian%2Ffootball%2Frss+(Football)
http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/51339762/ns/sports-soccer/
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2013/soccer/wires/03/26/2080.ap.soc.belgium.macedonia.1st.ld.writethru.341/index.html

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ikiH5e7TDA0 (Serbia v. Scotland)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fw8VFSqidE (Croatia v. Wales)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SwSL6DjicHg (Belgium v. Macedonia)

Bulgaria 1 - Denmark 1; Czech Republic 3 - Armenia 0; Italy 2 - Malta 0

Czech Republic made the trek to Yerevan to face Armenia.  On a perfect counter attack, Armenia's Henrikh Mkhitaryan ran the ball from his own box to the middle of the Czech half of the field before he passed to his left to give Yura Movsisyan the shot, but Czech Republic goalkeeper Petr Cech made the kick save.  Armenia were the better team for the first half hour, but the Czechs began to kick into gear as the half wound down.  The half ended as it began: goalless.

Two minutes into the second period, the Czechs were on the board.  A Jaroslav Plasil cross was met by a leaping Matel Vydra, whose header goal was his first for his country.  With under ten minutes to go, Vydra doubled his personal haul after winning a jump ball and then dribbling into open space before firing around the goalkeeper and into the net.  The Czechs added a third in stoppage time as Armenia were caught too far forward.  Tomas Rosicky hit a half-field through ball to Daniel Kolar who did the rest.  Czech Republic leave with a a 3-0 win tonight to celebrate Cech's hundredth appearance for the national side.

Bulgaria came to Copenhagen to take on Denmark in the glamour match of the night in Group B.  Denmark were sure they had the lead when Nicolai Stokholm met a cross at the back post, but a miraculous save by Bulgaria goalkeeper Nikolay Mihaylov left the Danes in disbelief.  Georgi Milanov tried to gift Denmark a goal when he attempted a clearance from his butt after having slipped, but luckily for him the resulting Danish shot was sent wide of goal.  The first half ended at 0-0.

Ivelin Popov began a breakaway for Bulgaria and then relesed Aleksandar Tonev up the left flank.  Tonev sent in a teasing ball across the box, and Stanislav Manolev was the first person to get to it just ahead of his sliding marker, and Manolev's first-time finish put the visitors ahead 1-0.  Denmark drew a penalty kick when Andreas Cornelius (pictured, red) was felled in the box, and the penalty was converted to even the scoreline at one goal apiece.  The match ends in a 1-1 draw that suits Bulgaria much more than it does Denmark.

Ta'Qali was the site for the match between home side Malta and visiting footballing giants Italy.  Italy could calm their nerves early after Stephan El Shaarawy was clipped in the box and dramatically emphasized the extent of the contact from Luke Dimech.  The penalty kick was put away by Mario Balotelli, and Italy led 1-0.  Malta were right back in the match when a Roderick Briffa through ball put Andre Schembri ahead of the defense.  Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon tripped Schembri knee-to-knee, and Malta had themselves a penalty kick.  Captain Michael Mifsud stepped up to take the spot kick, but Buffon saved his shot low and to the right.  Minutes later, Mifsud cranked an effort on a solo run from twenty-seven yards that looped over Buffon and collided flush with the crossbar.  Balotelli scored in the final minute of the half when he provided a drop pass outlet for Mattia de Sciglio as de Sciglio was running out of real estate at the opposite goal line.  Balotelli one-timed the pass into the far side netting, giving Italy a 2-0 lead at the break.

The second half was much calmer with the stronger side having already done the brunt work in the first half and Malta having already thrown its best punches.  Italy win 2-0.

Italy 13 pts +8
Bulgaria 10 pts +7
Czech Rep 8 pts +2
Denmark 6 pts +1
Armenia 3 pts -5
Malta 0 pts -13

Goals
Czech Republic
Matel Vydra 47, 81
Daniel Kolar 90+4

Bulgaria
Stanislav Manolev 51

Denmark
Daniel Agger 63 PK

Italy
Mario Balotelli 8 PK, 45

Match Reports:
http://www.uefa.com/worldcup/season=2014/matches/round=2000294/match=2008545/postmatch/report/index.html
http://www.sportinglife.com/football/live/match/253490/bulgaria-v-denmark
http://www.uefa.com/worldcup/season=2014/matches/round=2000294/match=2008560/postmatch/report/index.html
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/malta-0-2-italy-balotelli-214900996--sow.html
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20130326/sport/malta-italy-line-ups.463076
http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/51339767/ns/sports-soccer/

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZFwjZEALNE (Czech Republic v. Armenia)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6CSntelzU8 (Bulgaria v. Denmark)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJz7uIVHQ0E (Italy v. Malta)

Israel 2 - Northern Ireland 0; Portugal 2 - Azerbaijan 0

Portugal made the trip north from Israel to Baku to continue their tour against the far east of UEFA with a road match against Azerbaijan.  Midway through the opening period, Portugal striker Helder Postiga had a sitting duck at the doorstep of an empty net, but a brave sliding block from Rashad Sadigov prevented the opener.  Bruno Alves sent a rocket dipping over a wall with six minutes to go, but the ball hit the near post.  In stoppage time, a Raul Meireles bouncing shot was headed on target from three yards by Postiga, but he nodded straight into the legs of the goalkeeper, who had had no time to react.  Azerbaijan were thankful to go into the locker room tied at zero.

Rauf Aliyev picked up a second yellow card in minute 55, leaving the hosts down a man and provided Portugal with the opening they needed.  Not long thereafter, Joao Moutinho hit a cross that was headed into the top corner by Alves, and Portugal finally had their breakthrough.  Hugo Almeida sealed the game with ten minutes left in the match with a simple headed finish after he was left unmarked off a chipped pass from Fabio Coentrao.  Joao Pereira missed the easiest chance he'll ever see in his life in stoppage time as he dragged wide from inside the six-yard box against a goalkeeper rooted to his line.  Portugal nevertheless win 2-0 to keep the pressure on Israel for second place.
 
Belfast was not too snowy for football as it had been on Friday, so Northern Ireland were able to play a home game this month.  Israel were not as kind to the home side as the weather, however, as they were keen on keeping pace with Portugal.  In just the fourth minute, Israel were knocking on the door.  An Eden Ben Basat cross along the goal line found Itay Shechter, whose shot rattled the near post and bounced out of play.  Martin Paterson began a sequence of promising attacks for Northern Ireland when he saved a ball on the end line and passed to Steven Davis, who fired straight into goalkeeper Dudu Aoueta.  The rebound was hit back on frame but cleared off the line by Yuval Shpungin.  Israel had two more blocked shots during the sequence, provided by Tal Ben Haim and Eytan Tibi.  The teams went into recess tied at zero.

On a slowly built counterattack, Israel pounced on a bit of fortune.  Shechter stuck his foot out to corral a pass, but instead of trapping the ball, it rolled over his foot into the path of an open an onrushing Lior Refaelov, who connected cleanly for a finish to the far side netting.  Israel were not content with just the one goal.  On a ball to the right side, Shechter beat Jonny Evans up and around the sideline and goal line before laying the ball to the top of the box for a Ben Basat power shot and finish.  Israel win 2-0.

Russia 12 pts +8
Israel 11 pts +7
Portugal 11 pts +5
N. Ireland 3 pts -4
Azerbaijan 3 pts -6
Luxembourg 2 pts -10

Goals
Portugal
Bruno Alves 63
Hugo Almeida 79

Israel
Lior Refaelov 78
Eden Ben Basat 84

Match Reports:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/soccer/news/20130326/portugal-azerbaijan-world-cup-qualifiers.ap/
http://www.goal.com/en-us/match/92483/azerbaijan-vs-portugal/report
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21881249
http://www.euronews.com/sport/1869666-israel-battle-to-2-0-win-in-northern-ireland/

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOyH1KWv_3Q (Portugal v. Azerbaijan)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4Nk1gevDQQ (Israel v. Northern Ireland)

Algeria 3 - Benin 1

Algeria hosted Benin in Blida in the final match of the CAF Second Round Matchday Three.  Ten minutes in, Algeria had a dream start.  An Algeria foray up the left flank led to a rolled cross across the box, and the Fennec Foxes had their first goal via a simply instep putaway by Sofiane Feghouli.  Algeria had all the possession and chances in the first half of the period, but against the run of play Benin drew a free kick opportunity.  Rudy Gestede, in his first appearance for the Squirrels, took advantage of a poor wall to hit a waist-high drive that ate up the goalkeeper on its way in for the equalizer.  The first half ended at one-all.

Right on the hour mark, the Fennec Foxes had a breakaway chance started by Saphir Taider.  The ball was impeded well by a saving sliding tackle in the Benin defense, but the ball popped out to an onrushing Taider who finished and gave Algeria a 2-0 lead.  Benin goalkeeper Fabien Farnulle was sent off for a record card in minute 85 when he was deemed to have come out of his penalty area to make a sliding save with his hands that prevented a goalbound shot by El Arabi Soudani (pictured, white) from scoring.  Farnulle in reality only used his groin to block the ball, but the call was made against him nevertheless.  Backup goalkeeper Guillaume Bemenou was punished for his poor positioning in stoppage time when Islam Slimani expertly stuck out a boot to flick a high chip over Bemenou, who had needlessly evacuated his goal line.  Algeria take the win 3-1 and now site even with Mali atop the group.

Algeria 6 pts +5
Mali 6 pts +1
Benin 4 pts -1
Rwanda 1 pts -5

Goals
Algeria
Sofiane Feghouli 10
Saphir Taider 60
Islam Slimani 90+2

Benin
Rudy Gestede 26

Match Reports:
http://www.goal.com/en-za/news/4622/africa/2013/03/26/3856520/africa-world-cup-2014-qualifying-result-algeria-rout-benin

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

Full Match Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2hf1merrc0 (1st half)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GAgYuCzI0U4 (2nd half)

Netherlands 4 - Romania 0; Hungary 1 - Turkey 1; Estonia 2 - Andorra 0

Tallinn was the site for the bottom-of-the-table clash between visiting Andorra and Estonia.  the first half had a couple chances zoom just wide of frame, but mere seconds into stoppage time a goal appeared.  Konstantin Vassiljev made a brilliant pass off a half-volley with the outside of his foot to set up Henri Anier from fifteen yards for a cracking strike that gave Estonia a 1-0 lead at halftime.

At the hour mark, Estonia were able to get a second header inside the box in succession with Tarmo Kink found Joel Lindpere, and as the truism states, two headers in the box equates to a goal.  Lindpere would score to double the home side's lead.  Three minutes later, it took a charge off his line for Andorra goalkeeper Josep Gomes to slide tackle away from an open Vassiljev.  With under ten minutes to go, a Lindpere cross from the end line gave Andres Oper a header chance which Oper turned onto the crossbar.  A late Andorra chance went begging, so Estonia win 2-0.

Istanbul was the site of the day's crucial encounter in Group D with Hungary coming into to town to face Turkey.  Midway through the period, some heroics were needed from Turkey goalkeeper Onur Kivrak to twice deny Vilmos Vanczak, whose initial open header from a free kick was parried to the side from where his second attempt struck Kivrak and climbed onto the crossbar and back into play.  Turkey really should have gone ahead with five minutes left in the half when Nuri Sahin chested a ball down in the box for Burak Yilmaz to take a shot, but Yilmaz aimed his effort wide right.  Yilmaz was a man possessed for the remainder of the half, but Turkey had to settle for a 0-0 score at the break.

As the game entered its final half hour, Turkey entered the lead.  A stinging cross by Arda Turan found Yilmaz from five yards out, and Yilmaz made no mistake as his header nutmegged the goalkeeper and thrust his side into the lead.  Nine minutes on, Hungary had a long throw-in.  Tamas Kadar unleashed a deep throw, and the bounce prevented a clearance by Turkey center back Semih Kaya, so Daniel Bode cranked the loose ball off the bottom of the crossbar and in to equalize for Hungary.  The Magyars nearly had a second in quick succession off a corner kick, but the header from Richard Guzmics was sent wide left of goal.  The game ends in a 1-1 draw.

Romania were looking to take second-place all for themselves, but a tough trip to Amsterdam to face Netherlands loomed as a difficult proposition.  Netherlands signaled their intentions early when Jeremain Lens sent in a perfect cross that Robin van Persie skied over the bar on the slide ten minutes into the match.  van Persie received a slotted pass two minutes later that he laid off for Rafael van der Vaart.  From the half circle, van der Vaart rolled the ball with perfect placement for the opening goal.  Netherlands took the 1-0 with them into their locker room.

In perhaps the best goal we have seen the entire month in the 2014 FIFA World Cup, van Persie headed from the most obtuse of angles, hitting the far netting off the far post with a header from the opposite corner of the six-yard box following a chip from Arjen Robben.  Florin Gardos put the Oranje on the penalty spot after his tackle from behind swept the legs from under Lens, and the conversion gave the Netherlands a 3-0 lead.  In the penultimate minute, Lens followed a hard shot from Adam Maher and tapped in the rebound to finish the scoring with a fourth goal.  Netherlands win 4-0 and a nearly into the field at Brasil 2014.

Netherlands 18 pts +18
Hungary 11 pts +5
Romania 10 pts 0
Turkey 7 pts 0
Estonia 6 pts -6
Andorra 0 pts -17

Goals
Estonia
Henri Anier 45+1
Joel Lindpere 61

Turkey
Burak Yilmaz 62

Hungary
Daniel Bode 71

Netherlands
Rafael van der Vaart 11
Robin van Persie 55, 64 PK
Jeremain Lens 89

Match Reports:
http://news.postimees.ee/1182864/estonia-andorra-2-0-tactics-and-talent-seal-the-deal
http://news.err.ee/sports/5a126c71-9db4-4ded-be87-67b43d34f882
http://www.timesunion.com/sports/article/Turkey-draws-1-1-with-Hungary-in-WCup-qualifying-4386205.php
http://www.uefa.com/worldcup/season=2014/matches/round=2000294/match=2008631/postmatch/report/index.html
http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2013/3/26/4149630/netherlands-vs-romania-2013-final-score-match-report-result
http://www.supersport.com/football/world-cup-2014/news/130326/Netherlands_brush_aside_Romania

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AyfHUkLzOG8 (Estonia v. Andorra)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5jMED2ITEgk (Hungary v. Turkey)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3wEN53eOqk (Netherlands v. Romania)

Egypt 2 - Zimbabwe 1

Alexandria marked venue for the return of home fans to cheer on Egypt for the first time since the Port Said tragedy in February 2012.  Zimbabwe were the opponents, and first-place Egypt were looking for full points against last-place Zimbabwe.  The first half was nervy, but the Pharoahs did carve out a good chance at the tail end of the first period.  Mohamed El Neny hit a swerving shot from twenty-four yards that was knocked aside by Zimbabwe goalkeeper Washington Arubi.  The half ended as it began, with a 0-0 scoreline.

Twenty minutes into the period, the Pharoahs had themselves a free kick from the half circle  Hosny Abd Rabo curled the ball high over the wall, and Arubi could only push the ball up into the roof of the net as Egypt took a 1-0 lead.  The lead lived only ten minutes, however, as what can only be described as a fluke ball fell to Knowledge Musona, who on a dead sprint toward goal struck a wonderful half volley over the Egypt goalkeeper for the equalizer.  With only a couple minutes left, an attack up the middle right led to Ahmed Gaafar being tackled from behind in the box by Augustine Mbara, giving Egypt a very late penalty kick.  The kick was made, and Egypt win 2-1.

Egypt 9 pts +4
Guinea 4 pts 0
Mozambique 2 pts -2
Zimbabwe 1 pts -2

Goals
Egypt
Hosny Abd Rabo 65
Mohamed Aboutrika 88

Zimbabwe
Knowledge Musona 75

Match Reports:
http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/6/52/67776/Sports/National-Teams/LIVE-Egypt-v-Zimbabwe-World-Cup-qualifiers.aspx
http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/dcunited/egypt-beats-zimbabwe-2-1-to-keep-perfect-record-in-world-cup-qualifying-as-fans-return/2013/03/26/8a6434b4-9667-11e2-8764-d42c128a01ef_story.html

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HzCKP62p-W4

Jordan 2 - Japan 1; Oman 2 - Australia 2

Sydney hosted a matchup of English Premier League goalkeepers, with visiting Oman boasted Ali Al-Habsi and Australia boasting Mark Schwarzer.  Neither man would have a night he would want to remember on this day.  A no-look flick on through ball went off the body of Australia defender Michael Thwaite.  Abdul Aziz Mubarak stayed with the ball and then shot between the legs of Schwarzer for the early goal for the visitors.  Oman would have the same 1-0 lead at the conclusion of the half.

Things got worse for Australia before they got better, with Mile Jedinak sticking his leg out at the wrong time on an otherwise harmless corner and conceding a terrible own goal.  However, the Socceroos are nothing if not scrappy, and who better to exemplify that than Tim Cahill?  Cahill won a header from seven yards out on a corner kick and calmly finished into the side netting to draw his team within one goal of a tie.  A wicked deflection from a Luke Wilshire shot saw a ball bounce off the Omani crossbar and fall to Cahill, whose attempt at a spectacular side volley flew off frame.  Al-Habsi had a wonderful time denying Cahill's further efforts, and Australia looked doomed to defeat.  However, Al-Habsi had a horror mistake when a simple dipping ball from distance from Brett Holman bounced at his feet and found its way to goal with five minutes left to play.  Al-Habsi made a spectacular save on a Cahill header deep in stoppage time, but one wonders if he will rue the Holman goal for days to come.  Australia escape with a 2-2 draw at home.

Jordan invited Japan into their home in Amman for what was guaranteed to be a historic occasion.  Either Japan would become the first team to qualify for Brasil 2014, or Jordan would collect a scalp bigger than their home win against Australia early in the cycle.  A draw would be enough for Japan to qualify directly to the 2014 FIFA World Cup finals.  An unmarked cross by Makoto Hasebe found an open Ryoichi Maeda from five yards out, but Maeda's header hit the crossbar and Jordan could breathe a sigh of relief.  In stoppage time, Jordan had the opener when a well-struck Amer Deeb corner was met with fury by the head of Khalil Bani Attiah, whose ball flew too fast for the Japanese netminder to keep out.  Jordan led 1-0 after the first period.

On the hour mark, a long ball down the right flank allowed Ahmad Hayel to run onto the ball and around the slower Japan center back Maya Yoshida, who had been dragged to the flank way out of his normal central defensive role by the ball.  Hayel ran all the way to the center of the box before slotting the ball away for a 2-0 Jordan lead on the group leaders.  Nine minutes later, an unbelievable backheel flick-on ball from Hiroshi Kiyotake put Shinji Kagawa (pictured, blue) in on goal, and Kagawa finished from six yards out on a dead sprint to pull Japan within one goal at 2-1.  One minute later, a tackle from behind by Abdallah Deeb on Atsuto Uchida brought Uchida down in the box and gave Japan a penalty kick chance.  Yasuhito Endo's kick was saved by Jordan goalkeeper Amer Sabbah mere centimeters from the post.  Japan will have to wait and seek qualification in June 2013 with the rest of Asia after Jordan win 2-1.

Japan 13 pts +10
Jordan 7 pts -6
Australia 6 pts 0
Oman 6 pts -3
Iraq 5 pts -1

Goals
Oman
Abdul Aziz Mubarak 6
Mile Jedinak 49 OG

Australia
Tim Cahill 52
Brett Holman 85

Jordan
Khalil Bani Attiah 45+1
Ahmad Hayel 60

Japan
Shinji Kagawa 69

Match Reports:
http://www.3news.co.nz/Oman-hold-Australia-to-2-2-draw-in-WCup-qualifier/tabid/415/articleID/291995/Default.aspx
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/socceroos-coach-holger-osciek-lauds-squad-depth-ahead-of-clash-with-oman/story-e6frg6n6-1226605766478
http://www.sportlive.co.za/soccer/international/2013/03/26/australia-forced-to-fight-back-for-2-2-draw-with-oman
http://www.skynews.com.au/sport/article.aspx?id=858080
http://jordantimes.com/nashama-beat-japan-2-1-to-revive-world-cup-hopes

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-diqV_4_hU (Oman v. Australia)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxcMjURppRk (Jordan v. Japan)

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

South Korea welcomed Qatar to Seoul looking to distance themselves not only from Qatar but also from idle Iran.  The first half provided few memories to all those in attendance, and the match gave way to halftime having seen no goals.  South Korea had all the chances in the opening frame, but Qatar goalkeeper Qasem Burhan (pictured, gray) and company were steady in defense.

On the hour mark, the Taegeuk Warriors finally made their superiority translate onto the scoreboard.  A Park Won-Jae free kick was curled into the box, from where the head of Lee Keun-Ho rolled it over the top of Burhan's outstretched hand and into the Qatari goal to give South Korea the opener.  South Korea appeared to dip in concentration after the goal, and six minutes later their visitors were on level terms.  Ibrahim Abdulmajed drove through the defense and passed off for Khalfan Ibrahim, who was not closed down at all from twenty yards out.  He scored and the matched was poised on the edge for a dramatic conclusion.  With five minutes to go, the tension became too much as the match was delayed by a shoving match between the teams after South Korea's Son Heung-Min kicked at Hamid Ismail after suffering a heavy challenge.  In the sixth minute of stoppage time, a Koo Ja-Cheol effort hit the underside of the crossbar and fell right on the line for Son to tap home for the winning goal.  South Korea win 2-1.

Tashkent and a hopeful audience were hoping for Uzbekistan to reassert their position atop the Group One table against visiting Lebanon.  Hassan Chaito nearly blasted an early shot from outside the penalty area into the net, but his effort flew just wide of goal for Lebanon.  Uzbekistan nearly responded with a goal straight off a corner by Server Djeparove, but Walid Ismail was at the far post to steer the ball clear of danger.  The visiting Cedars got the message, and they began playing much more conversatively from thereon out.  The first half ended with no goals having been scored.

The White Wolves introduced striker Farhod Tadjiyev before the second half, and his presence altered the complexion of the match.  He first hit the bar before firing over the goal on another great opportunity.  The pressure could only be contained for so long by Lebanon, and the dam eventually broke when a weak Djeparov effort took a deflection off a Lebanese defender and into the goal for a 1-0 lead to the hosts.  Lebanon could surmount no answer, and Uzbekistan win 1-0.

Uzbekistan 11 pts +2
South Korea 10 pts +6
Iran 7 pts 0
Qatar 7 pts -3
Lebanon 4 pts -5

Goals
South Korea
Lee Keun-Ho 60
Son Heung-Min 90+6

Qatar
Khalfan Ibrahim 66

Uzbekistan
Server Djeparov 63

Match Reports:
http://in.reuters.com/article/2013/03/26/soccer-world-asia-southkorea-idINDEE92P0BP20130326
http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/afp/130326/football-late-drama-south-korea-beat-qatar-0
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/Sports/Football/2013/Mar-27/211561-uzbekistan-end-lebanons-world-cup-hopes.ashx#axzz2PHU9KHED

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RsP5CGCAe2s (South Korea v. Qatar)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3NrniIgU1n4 (Uzbekistan v. Lebanon)

New Zealand 2 - Solomon Islands 0; New Caledonia 1 - Tahiti 0

Honiara was the site of the Solomon Islands final match of the 2014 FIFA World Cup as they welcomed a nearly unrecognizable New Zealand to town.  New Zealand were playing with a young squad and only three men available on the bench, all the better to ensure their first-team starters did not pick up yellow-card suspensions ahead of their intercontinental playoff against a team from CONCACAF in November.  Teenager Tim Payne (pictured) struck a rocket from twenty-five yards that put the All Whites up 1-0 on the road in the third minute.  Just before the half, Kosta Barbarouses grazed the crossbar with a shot, but the scoreboard was unmoved.  New Zealand led 1-0 at intermission.

Midway through the period, Payne nearly doubled his tally, but Solomon Islands goalkeeper Samson Koti made a nice save to deny him.  Koti denied Barbarouses with two minutes left in the match, but Payne was there to clean up the mess and score his second of the afternoon.  New Zealand win 2-0 and await an opponent in seven months' time.

New Caledonia welcomed Tahiti to Noumea in both teams' final qualifier of the cycle.  Les Cagous looked the stronger side all half long, but the home side were unable to turn the constant pressure into a goal.  The first half ended scoreless.

The second half was less exciting, but New Caledonia can be proud to say they surrendered nary an opportunity to a Tahiti side headed to the FIFA Confederations Cup in June.  With five minutes left, Cesar Loholea struck a fine volley to score the winner for New Caledonia.  New Caledonia win 1-0 to sweep the two games in the OFC Third Round against Tahiti after having lost both encounters at the 2012 OFC Nations Cup.

Goals
New Zealand
Tim Payne 3, 88

New Caledonia
Cesar Loholea 86

Match Reports:
http://www.oceaniafootball.com/ofc/News/ViewArticle/tabid/125/Article/366f3561-8b60-46ae-bf68-2bd6f9c129f4/language/en-US/Default.aspx
http://www.oceaniafootball.com/ofc/News/ViewArticle/tabid/125/Article/c2100113-c4bd-467a-990d-aed75b9cde52/language/en-US/Default.aspx
http://www.oceaniafootball.com/ofc/News/ViewArticle/tabid/125/Article/103337d0-73d3-4267-ac0c-51c4117448cd/language/en-US/Default.aspx
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10873836

Sunday, March 24, 2013

Liberia 2 - Uganda 0

Liberia came home to Paynesville to take on Uganda with both teams looking for a maiden victory in the 2014 FIFA World Cup.  Uganda were strong early, with Emmanuel Okwi drawing a dangerous free kick five minutes in when he was brought down just outside the penalty area by Liberia goalkeeper Nathaniel Sherman, who remained in the match after seeing a yellow card.  An Anthony Laffor chip two minutes later would have put Liberia on top but for a clearance off the line by Denis Iguma (pictured, yellow #6).  A half hour later, Liberia were on the board through a strike from Patrick Wleh.  Liberia led 1-0 at the break.

Five minutes into the second period, Laffor hit a shot goalbound, and this time the Cranes did not have Iguma on the line to save them.  Boban Zirintusa came on for the Cranes as a substitute and hit the frame of the goal with a solid effort, but no goal came of the situation.  Liberia rode the 2-0 lead to the finish line and claim their first win in the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Senegal 5 pts +2
Liberia 4 pts 0
Angola 3 pts 0
Uganda 2 pts -2

Goals
Liberia
Patrick Wleh 36
Anthony Laffor 50

Match Reports:
http://www.kawowo.com/index.php/football/item/15000-liberia-takes-on-uganda-in-crunch-2014-wc-qualifier.html
http://www.dailytimes.com.ng/article/2014-fifa-world-cup-qualifiers-uganda-cranes-fall-liberia
http://allafrica.com/stories/201303271381.html?viewall=1
http://www.radiobuddu.com/index.php/news-2/147-liberia-2-0-uganda

Equatorial Guinea 4 - Cape Verde 3


2013 African Cup of Nations quarterfinalists Cape Verde made the trip to Malabo looking to score their first points of the 2014 FIFA World Cup.  Hosts Equatorial Guinea were not too keen to such an idea, however.  An early free kick from Dio (pictured, red #12) was sent curling over the wall and onto the head of Emilio Nsue (pictured, red with ball), who connected with a strong header to put the hosts ahead 1-0.  The Blue Sharks needed only two minutes to respond with a long through ball putting Djaniny in with only the goalkeeper to beat.  Djaniny waited for the keeper to dive and then deftly chipped him softly for a 1-1 scoreline.  A dozen minutes passed before Equatorial Guinea had found a penalty chance.  Nsue converted the opportunity after the handball to make the score 2-1.  Again, the Blue Sharks spent little time being down on themselves.  Cape Verde caught Equatorial Guinea playing way too high of a line, so they made one quick lateral pass to Platini, who then dribbled a good twenty yards before shooting toward the far post.  The goalkeeper got a glove to the attempt, but it nevertheless continued on its goalward path, evening the match at two goals apiece.  2-2 would be the score at halftime.

Some fancy dribbling by Cesar Rivas left his marker in his wake and the Cape Verde defenders ball watching, so Rivas pulled the ball back and hit an uncontested pass to the middle of the penalty area for his captain Nsue to push home to complete his hat trick and give Equatorial Guinea a 3-2 lead.  Cape Verde were able to equalize a third time, capitalizing on the misfortune of Equatorial Guinea center back Rui, whose attempted header clearance fell perfectly for Djaniny to volley home at the far post for the 3-3 scoreline.  Rui immediately atoned, winning a header in the opposite box that would be kicked in by Claudiney Ramos to the far post, sending the crowd into ecstasy yet again.  Fernando Varela was sent off in minute 88 for Cape Verde after protesting the fourth goal conceded on account of conflicting signals between the referee and his assistant, giving the Blue Sharks but two minutes to make something happen with a man down.  The assistant had marked an offside violation, but the referee correctly waved him off.  Cape Verde were unable to equalize for a fourth time.  Equatorial Guinea win 4-3.

Tunisia 9 pts +4
S. Leone 4 pts 0
E. Guinea 4 pts -1
Cape Verde 0 pts -3

Goals
Equatorial Guinea
Emilio Nsue 3, 17 PK, 76
Claudiney Ramos 88

Cape Verde
Djaniny 5, 85
Platini 19

Match Reports:
http://www.asemana.publ.cv/spip.php/IMG/IMG/spip.php?article86318&ak=1

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YY73QfkVq7Q

Lesotho 1 - Zambia ; Ghana 4 - Sudan 0

Zambia came strolling into town to take on Lesotho in Maseru.  Lesotho seemed to be more up for the occasion, and they had various chances to put their homefield advantage to use, but to no avail.  The first half ended scoreless.

After some lax defending by Stopphila Sunzu, Lesotho's Litsepe Marabe was behind the Zambian defense.  All-world goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene was sent off in minute 52 after having no choice but to bring down Marabe, leaving the Chipolopolo to cope with ten men on the road.  Collins Mbesuma (pictured, orange #9) put the short-handed Chipolopolo on his back and nearly willed them to victory on his own.  In addition to providing Zambia with the opening goal with under twenty minutes left to play, he also saw a header of his crash agonizingly off a post.  Eventually, Lesotho made the extra man count, however, with an equalizer in the penultimate minute from Marabe proving a body blow to Zambia.  The match ends in a 1-1 draw.

Ghana looked to pounce upon Zambia's slip-up with a win at home in Kumasi against Sudan.  A free kick opportunity led to the first goal after some questionable defending by Sudan in their own penalty area.  The free kick swung wide and was headed across the box.  A Ghanaian header was whiffed, but the attempt threw off the timing of the Sudan goalkeeper, whose swing-and-a-miss allowed Asamoah Gyan to tap in the first goal of the day.  Gyan stole a ball twenty minutes later and gave it up to Harrison Afful on the right flank.  Afful played a deep cross back to the half circle from where Wakaso Mubarak blasted a half-volley away for another goal for the Black Stars.  Ghana led 2-0 at intermission.

Sudan's poor marking continued, with the worst offense coming with only ten minutes to go in the match.  A Solomon Asante cross was struck well toward Abdul Majeed Waris, but two Sudan defenders sandwiched him in the box.  Neither defender jumped, so Waris rose up and connected with a strong header from the penalty spot to make it 3-0.  A long through ball caught up the Sudanese five minutes later, and Waris unselfishly passed across the box on a two-on-one breakaway for the easy tap-in goal by Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu.  Ghana win 4-0.

Zambia 7 pts +4
Ghana 6 pts +10
Lesotho 2 pts -7
Sudan 1 pts -7

Goals
Zambia
Collins Mbesuma 73

Lesotho
Litsepe Marabe 89

Ghana
Asamoah Gyan 19
Wakaso Mubarak 38
Abdul Majeed Waris 79
Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu 84

Match Reports:
http://allafrica.com/stories/201303251492.html
http://bolazambia.com/en/?p=881
http://graphic.com.gh/Sports-News/ghana-whitewash-the-sudan.html
http://edition.radioxyzonline.com/pages/sports/03242013-1756/10889.stm

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EgCMYyxagAY (Ghana v. Sudan)

Full Match Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3tuZHdj9Fk (Ghana v. Sudan)

Libya 0 - Democratic Republic of the Congo 0

Kinshasa was the site of a match between visiting Libya and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.  Both teams knew that a win would be enough to send them to the top of Group I.  No one was able to cause the scoreboard operator to do any work in a scoreless first forty-five minutes.

In the second period, DR Congo had earned a golden opportunity to win three points as they had a penalty kick chance with twenty minutes left in the match.  However, Libya goalkeeper Mohamed Nashnush was up to the task, and his save meant that the fans in the stands went home unhappy.  The final score is Libya 0, DR Congo 0.

Cameroon 6 pts +1
Libya 5 pts +1
DR Congo 4 pts +1
Togo 1 pts -3

Match Reports:
http://www.mtnfootball.com/international/fifa-world-cup-2014/matches/reports/2013/mar/24-drc-v-libya.html
http://libya.tv/en/dr-congo-vs-libya-goalless-draw-in-kinshasa/

Mali 2 - Rwanda 1

2013 African Cup of Nations semifinalists Mali made the trip southeast to Kigali to face off against Rwanda.  Surprisingly, the Amavubi were stronger than Mali out of the gate, and their persistent pressure paid off handsomely with eight minutes to go in the first half.  An excellent lofted chip pass over the top of the Malian defense by Edwin Ouon was gathered by Meddy Kagere (pictured, yellow) on a jumping trap.  Kagere composed himself and then slotted home to give Rwanda a 1-0 lead.  That would be the score at the close of the half.

Mali made Rwanda pay for not taking more of their chances in the first half.  Five minutes after the restart, a Seydou Keita inswinging free kick spelled disaster for the Amavubi as Mahamadou Samassa rose above the crowd in the penalty area to flick a header into the side netting to equalize.  Mali needed only another five minutes to find the go-ahead goal.  Rwanda were unable to clear their lines, so Mali had an extra opportunity in attack.  Abdou Traore made the most of it, playing a stellar one-two-one with Mohamed Sissoko and then volleying the lofted return pass into the goal as it was descending at the near post.  Les Aigles had their first lead at 2-1.  Mali concentrated on defense from thereon out, and they locked down their first road win of the 2014 FIFA World Cup.  Mali win 2-1.

Mali 6 pts +1
Benin 4 pts +1
Algeria 3 pts +3
Rwanda 1 pts -5

Goals
Mali
Mahamadou Samassa 50
Abdou Traore 55

Rwanda
Meddy Kagere 37

Match Reports:
http://mussarashid.blogspot.com/2013/03/fifa-world-cup-qualify-mali-beat-rwanda.html?zx=c62421bb1d23727e
http://www.newtimes.co.rw/news/index.php?i=15307&a=65249

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7AAQR8vdnH0