Jordan 0 - Uruguay 0

Photo by Daniel Caselli

The final qualifier for the 2014 FIFA World Cup took place before a very confident, joyous, and relaxed crowd in Montevideo.  Such a crowd atmosphere is not typical for the second leg of an intercontinental playoff series, but hosts Uruguay were ahead 5-0 on aggregate against visiting Jordan.  Fans of La Celeste were expecting tonight to be nothing more than a glorious victory lap for their side.  As expected, the match got off to an extremely slow start with the outcome of the series all but decided before kickoff.  At the end of the half, Uruguay really should have grabbed the lead on a corner kick play.  Edinson Cavani headed from fifteen yards out toward goal.  Diego Lugano (pictured, blue #2) flicked on to the goal line, from where his fellow centerback Diego Godin somehow managed to head the ball off the crossbar rather than into the Jordanian goal.  The half ended as it began, 0-0.

A fast exchange required a kick save from Jordan goalkeeper Mohamad Shatnawi (pictured, black).  On the hour mark, Uruguay really should have nudged ahead, but Lugano missed a free header from six yards out on a corner kick.  Jordan actually had a chance to get ahead, but Lugano blocked a shot from the penalty spot by Ahmad Ibrahim.  Cavani had a chance with his last kick of the ball before being substituted off, but Shatnawi made a safe grab.  Uruguay really only looked threatening on corner kicks on this rather relaxed night.  Jordan hang on for a credible 0-0 draw on the road against a South American power.  Jordan are nevertheless the final team to be eliminated from the 2014 FIFA World Cup, falling by a 5-0 aggregate scoreline.  For the second straight tournament, Uruguay are the last of the thirty-two teams to qualify for the FIFA World Cup finals.

Match Reports:
http://prosoccertalk.nbcsports.com/2013/11/20/uruguay-vs-jordan-2014-fifa-world-cup-playoff-qualified/
http://msn.foxsports.com/foxsoccer/worldcup/story/uruguay-0-0-jordan-world-cup-qualifier-second-leg-match-report-goalless-draw-centenario-112013
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/newsid=2227242/index.html?intcmp=newsreader_news_box_1
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/worldcup2014/article-2510938/Uruguay-0-Jordan-0-agg-5-0--Luis-Suarez-books-World-Cup-ticket-South-Americans-progress.html

Highlights:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZayay7ROBw

Uruguay 5 - Jordan 0

Photo by Jack Guez

Uruguay made the long trek across the globe to get to Amman in time to face their hosts Jordan in the first leg of their intercontinental playoff series.  The match started off slowly as the two sides were feeling each other out having never faced each other previously.  At the quarter hour mark, Oday Al-Saify created a chance when his cross floated right at the near post, forcing a diving save across his momentum by Uruguay goalkeeper Martin Silva.  It would be Uruguay who would score first, however.  A Cristian Stuani cross to Edinson Cavani at the back post led to a header that was saved by Jordan goalkeeper Mohamed Al-Shatnawi.  No Jordan defenders crashed on the follow up rebound, so Maxi Pereira was free to clean up the rebound and score the opener.  Egidio Arevalo Rios was the player of the half for the visitors as he cut out so many Jordan attacks from his position in the midfield.  Nicolas Lodeiro played a through ball to Stuani that just defied a sliding block attempt fromr Al-Saify.  Once the ball got through, Stuani popped it into the next to double the lead.  Uruguay would be pleased to be ahead 2-0 at the halftime whistle.

For the first half of the second period, Jordan were the completely dominant team.  A cross in from Adnan Adous beat the two defenders around Ahmad Hayel, but Hayel somehow pushed wide with the goal at his mercy.  After the Hayel miss, Jordan just could not seem to complete the final probing passes necessary to break down the Uruguayan defense.  One can only imagine how things would have turned out differently for Jordan had they made it 2-1.  Cavani ran all the way to the endline and dragged Al-Shatnawi out of position.  Cavani then cut a pass back upfield, and Lodeiro chipped into the vacant net for 3-0.  Substitute Alvaro Pereira hit a long, floating ball over the Jordanian defense, which had overplayed to its right flank in response to his run.  Cristian Rodriguez was open on the other side, and had time to trap with his chest before blasting a ball into the bottom corner for Uruguay's fourth goal.  A Thaer Bawab ball into Hayel was cut out at the last moment by a Diego Lugano slide, preserving the shutout with five minutes to go.  In the penultimate minute of regulation, a late chance for Diego Forlan was parried out for a corner kick by Al-Shatnawi.  In stoppage time, a high-boot challenge from Adous led to a free kick chance from nineteen yards away.  Cavani hit an amazing curling free kick that went from outside the far post back on frame into the upper ninety.  Uruguay record a massive 5-0 victory and will come home next week to face Jordan in what will amount to a party to celebrate their qualification for Brasil 2014.

Goals
Uruguay
Maxi Pereira 22
Cristian Stuani 42
Nicolas Lodeiro 69
Cristian Rodriguez 78
Edinson Cavani 90+2

Match Reports:
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/newsid=2223500/index.html?intcmp=newsreader_news_caption
http://www.thenational.ae/sport/jordans-world-cup-dream-in-tatters-after-uruguay-thrashing
http://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/nov/13/uruguay-jordan-world-cup-playoff

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eW2LmhI7ln4

Preview: Intercontinental Playoffs

The intercontinental playoffs are a rare treat in the world of international football.  These two series are the only four matches in a four-year period that feature competitive matches between teams from different confederations that do not take place in a neutral host country.  The FIFA Confederations Cup, the FIFA World Cup, and even the Olympics all take place at neutral sites.  Qualifying matches for continental finals and for the FIFA World Cup take place before partisan crowds, but they feature matches among teams from the same confederation.  Only the intercontinental playoffs provide fans the chance to show partisan support for their home teams as they take on unfamiliar foes from other regions of the world.

Due to the long distances between Amman and Montevideo, and Mexico City and Wellington, these series take place over an eight-day period rather than the more typical five-day period offered by the international matchday windows.  This is to compensate for long travel times and to allow for better acclimatization as the teams explore different parts of the Earth.

Mexico are the negative surprise package of the bunch.  Few would have predicted that the team seeded first in North America at the start of the tournament would finish as low as fourth position.  Even more surprising was the fact the Mexico were a mere three minutes from being eliminated in fifth position before the United States of America turned around their final qualifier against Panama in the final moments to deny Panama a berth in these intercontinental playoffs.  Mexico have just switched to their fourth different coach since September.  In fact, no foreign-based players have been called up by the new coach due to the lack of good performances in qualifying produced by the European-based stars of El Tri.  Even the formerly mystical home field advantage of the Estadio Azteca has been shredded by a run of only one victory from five home qualifiers in 2013.  However, the all-local side did defeat Finland in a recent friendly.  They also are somewhat familiar with New Zealand, having played and won two friendlies against the Kiwis in the past four years.  The big question for Mexico is whether their inexperienced midfield can hold up over the two legs of this tie.  Only one midfielder on the roster has even ten caps.

New Zealand are the obvious participant in this round as few expected any other Oceania side to truly push New Zealand for superiority in qualifying.  Now, after eight months without playing a competitive match since finishing the Oceania campaign in March, the Kiwis finally get to face the pressure of a match that counts.  In 2009, New Zealand were able to hold Bahrain away before securing a classic 1-0 victory at home in the Westpac Stadium.  Unfortunately, New Zealand are missing stalwart captain and fullback Winston Reid due to injury, so they will have to make up for his absence.  With only six matches played this year, are the players familiar enough with each other to overcome Mexico?  New Zealand did defeat Saudi Arabia away two months ago.  With a roster full of A-League players along with England-based Tommy Smith and Chris Wood, the Kiwis will be looking to stay solid defensively on the road in the first leg.

Jordan are the positive surprise package of the bunch.  Few would have predicted that the team seeded thirteenth in Asia at the start of the tournament would finish in fifth position.  It was even a bit of a surprise to some that Jordan made it into the final ten given that they were in an AFC Third Round group with China and Iraq with only two tickets available to the final round.  Jordan have navigated through eighteen fixtures so far, including a pair of home-and-away aggregate-goals series such as the one they now face against Uruguay.  Jordan have won penalty shootouts in each of the past two FIFA World Cups, defeating Kyrgyzstan in 2007 and Uzbekistan in 2013 to qualify for these intercontinental playoffs.  No expectations will be weighing upon the Jordanians as they take on 2011 Copa America champions Uruguay.  Nearly the entire roster plays its club football in either Jordan or Kuwait.  Jordan have been impressive in two recent friendlies in the Middle East, defeating both the 2012 and 2013 African Cup of Nations champions by a score of 1-0.  Zambia and Nigeria may not quite match up to the standards of Uruguay, but Jordan are in good form at the moment.  They are unbeaten in their past ten matches, and have a record of ten wins and three draws at home in 2013.

Uruguay are the perennial qualifying underachievers of South America, but at least they are consistent in their bid to finish fifth place every cycle.  Two of Colombia, Paraguay, Ecuador, and Chile manage to finish ahead of Uruguay alongside Argentina and Brasil, yet Uruguay always manage to stay ahead of the other two in order to claim fifth position.  This time around with Brazil not taking part in qualifying, Uruguay managed only to surpass Paraguay, but that was enough.  La Celeste have a ridiculously long history with the intercontinental playoffs.  In 2001, Uruguay defeated Australia.  In 2005, Australia beat Uruguay in a penalty shootout.  In 2009, Uruguay defeated Costa Rica despite not winning their home leg at the Estadio Centenario.  Jordan appear to be the weakest of the four opponents Uruguay will have faced, but nothing should be taken for granted.  La Celeste's run to the semifinals of this year's FIFA Confederations Cup has really reinvigorated the national team.  Still, for a team that since June has defeated France, Venezuela, Nigeria, Japan, Peru, Colombia, and Argentina, underestimation of their opponents Jordan is the likeliest source of trouble.  Starting goalkeeper Fernando Muslera is out for this series.

Going by the ELO ratings, #24 Mexico are favorites to knock off #56 New Zealand for spot number thirty-one at Brasil 2014 while #7 Uruguay are huge favorites to knock off #59 Jordan and claim spot number thirty-two at Brasil 2014.  I expect those rankings to hold true.

Mexico will win their first leg at home by multiple goals.  Even if New Zealand manage to win at home, they will not win on aggregate.  Uruguay are simply too strong right now and will win both legs in order to claim not only the final berth at Brasil 2014 but also a place among the eight seeded teams.

Match Previews:
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/newsid=2222779/index.html?intcmp=newsreader_news_box_1
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/newsid=2222441/index.html

Match Schedule: November 2013

November 2013 marks the end of the long journey that is FIFA World Cup qualifying for Brasil 2014.  The cycle began in Trinidad and Tobago back on 15 June 2011 and will end on 20 November 2013 in Uruguay.  This month, the remaining twenty-two teams across all six confederations will be whittled down to the final eleven qualifiers with the other eleven sides suffering elimination at the final hurdle.  Four qualifications and four eliminations will come out of the playoffs in Europe.  Five qualifications and five eliminations will come out of the second legs of the final round in Africa.  The final two qualifications and two eliminations will take place on the final day of qualifying in the two intercontinental playoff series.  The seventeen matches this month will see the field of thirty-two nations finally reveal itself in its entirety ahead of the final draw in December.

All times are given in Central Time (GMT-6).

13 November 2013
Uruguay at Jordan 9:00 Amman
New Zealand at Mexico 14:30 Mexico City

15 November 2013
Croatia at Iceland 13:00 Reykjavik
France at Ukraine 13:45 Kiev
Romania at Greece 13:45 Piraeus
Sweden at Portugal 13:45 Lisbon

16 November 2013
Ethiopia at Nigeria 9:00 Calabar
Cote d'Ivoire at Senegal 12:00 Casablanca, Morocco

17 November 2013
Tunisia at Cameroon 8:30 Yaoundé

19 November 2013
Ghana at Egypt 10:00 Cairo
Burkina Faso at Algeria 12:15 Blida
Greece at Romania 13:00 Bucharest
Ukraine at France 13:00 Saint-Denis
Iceland at Croatia 13:15 Zagreb
Portugal at Sweden 13:45 Solna

20 November 2013
Mexico at New Zealand 00:00 Wellington
Jordan at Uruguay 17:00 Montevideo

Jordan 1 - Uzbekistan 1; Jordan advance on PKs

Tashkent was the site of the second leg between hosts Uzbekistan and visiting Jordan.  The series was tied 1-1 heading into tonight's game.  Jordan conceded a close free kick five minutes into the affair.  Server Djeparov's dipping shot brought out a nice save from Jordan goalkeeper Amer Sabbah, but Uzbek centerback Anzur Ismailov was there to push home the rebound and put the home side ahead 1-0 on the night.  With the first half nearing its close, Jordan had an equalizer appear out of thin air.  Jordan midfielder Saeed Murjan settled a clearance from Uzbekistan and then half-volleyed off the bounce from twenty-nine yards away.  The score at recess was 1-1, and the series was knotted at 2-2.

The second half featured a more cautious approach to the game, with both teams fearing a conceded goal that would see them eliminated from the competition.  Uzbekistan were nowhere nearly as good as they were in the first leg, while Jordan look decidedly more apt tonight than they did four days ago.  The second half ended with the score tied 1-1.  Extra time would be needed to decide this match as the teams were tied 2-2 on aggregate and 1-1 on away goals.  Away goals apply to extra time in FIFA World Cup qualifiers, so Uzbekistan still had to be wary of conceding one goal and thusly needing two to avoid elimination.

The floodlights in the stadium shut off ten minutes into the first period of extra time with Uzbekistan in possession.  The unexpected cessation in play sapped the energy and flow from the match, and it was little surprise that no attacking initiative was presented in the second period of extra time.  Both teams were too fearful of conceding to go for the victory.  The final whistle blew for a second time with the teams still even on the scoreboard and in the series.

Penalties would be needed to decide which side would go to the intercontinental playoffs against the fifth-place team in South America.  Jordan had a chance to win in the fifth frame, but Ahmad Hayel could not put the match away, missing well wide of target.  However, Jordan won the shootout in the tenth frame when Ismailov could not score for Uzbekistan as he shot was pushed straight and softly into Sabbah.  Jordan take the shootout 9-8 and will host the first leg of the intercontinental playoffs in November.  Uzbekistan see their hopes of making it to Brasil 2014 extinguished in excruciating fashion.

Goals
Uzbekistan
Anzur Ismailov 5

Jordan
Saeed Murjan 42

Penalty Kick Shootout:
Jordan (kicked first)
Anas Bani Yaseen - goal
Odai Al-Saify - goal
Abdallah Deeb - goal
Saeed Murjan - goal
Ahmad Hayel - miss
Adnan Adous - goal
Mohammad Mustafa - goal
Amer Deeb - goal
Oday Zahran - goal
Mohammad Al-Dmeiri - goal

Uzbekistan (kicked second)
Odil Ahmedov - miss
Server Djeparov - goal
Timur Kapadze - goal
Islom Tukhtakhodjaev - goal
Igor Sergeev - goal
Akmal Shorakhmedov - goal
Vitaliy Denisov - goal
Ivan Nagaev - goal
Sanzhar Tursunov - goal
Anzur Ismailov - saved

Match Reports:
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/football/jordan-stun-uzbekistan-in-penalty-shootout-to-reach-world-cup-intercontinental-play-off/story-fni2wcjl-1226716556598

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41UAsq-K1ug

Penalty Shootout:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ePIR6mfxQc

Uzbekistan 1 - Jordan 1

Amman was the site of Jordan's home leg in their two-legged series against Uzbekistan with a berth in the intercontinental playoffs at stake.  Uzbekistan were the team with all the initiative in the opening period, but Jasur Khasanov could never get the final pass correct.  Jordan took advantage against the run of play.  Musab Al Laham (pictured, white) touched a short pass to Hassan Mahmoud, who then touched another short pass to Ahmad Ibrahim.  Ibrahim's run drew all three remaining defenders, who chose not to follow the run of Al Laham, who was able to beat the goalkeeper to the near post.  Later in the half, Khasanov finally got a ball right, as he laid a pass off to Server Djeparov.  The side-foot shot was not kept out by Jordan goalkeeper Amer Sabbah, who would be disappointed by his effort.  The half ended all-square at one goal apiece.

The second half was much more subdued, though Jordan started pushing hard for the victory in the final five minutes.  A sliding block in the final minute by Anzur Ismailov on Oday Al-Saifi prevented a Jordanian winner.  Uzbekistan left back Vitaliy Denisov was surely the player of the match.  The match ends 1-1, with Uzbekistan holding a slight advantage in the two-legged series through an away goal.  The series concludes on Tuesday in Uzbekistan.

Goals
Jordan
Musab Al Laham 30

Uzbekistan
Server Djeparov 35

Match Reports:
http://www.goal.com/en/match/111964/jordan-vs-uzbekistan/report

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQWgA0iCOpg

Match Schedule: September 2013

September 2013 marks the beginning of the home stretch for qualifying for Brasil 2014.  Asia will feature one elimination with the playoff between Uzbekistan and Jordan taking place.  Africa will feature nine eliminations and seven teams advancing into round three.  South America could very well see Argentina qualify and both Paraguay and Bolivia given the boot.  Europe is sure to see at least nine eliminations of its own with a group leader or two clinching an early berth.  Even North America could witness some clarity with Jamaica teetering on the verge of elimination and the United States of America close to booking flights to Brasil next summer.

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

6 September 2013
Faroe Islands at Kazakhstan 10:00 Astana
Luxembourg at Russia 10:30 Kazan
Uzbekistan at Jordan 11:00 Amman
Armenia at Czech Republic 11:00 Prague
Zambia at Ghana 11:00 Kumasi
Cyprus at Norway 12:00 Oslo
Andorra at Turkey 13:00 Kayseri
San Marino at Ukraine 13:00 Lviv
Hungary at Romania 13:00 Bucharest
Wales at Macedonia 13:00 Skopje
Denmark at Malta 13:00 Ta' Qali
Lithuania at Latvia 13:10 Riga
France at Georgia 13:15 Tbilisi
Slovakia at Bosnia and Herzegovina 13:15 Zenica
Spain at Finland 13:30 Helsinki
Netherlands at Estonia 13:30 Tallinn
Albania at Slovenia 13:30 Ljubljana
Iceland at Switzerland 13:30 Bern
Croatia at Serbia 13:45 Belgrade
Montenegro at Poland 13:45 Warsaw
Greece at Liechtenstein 13:45 Vaduz
Bulgaria at Italy 13:45 Palermo
Austria at Germany 13:45 Munich
Portugal at Northern Ireland 13:45 Belfast
Sweden at Ireland 13:45 Dublin
Moldova at England 14:00 London
Belgium at Scotland 14:00 Glasgow
Ecuador at Colombia 15:30 Barranquilla
Bolivia at Paraguay 17:30 Asuncion
Venezuela at Chile 19:30 Santiago
Honduras at Mexico 20:30 Mexico City
United States of America at Costa Rica 21:00 San Jose
Jamaica at Panama 21:00 Panama City
Uruguay at Peru 21:30 Lima

7 September 2013
Botswana at South Africa 8:30 Durban
Ethiopia at Central African Republic 8:30 Brazzaville, Congo
Liberia at Angola 10:00 Lubango
Malawi at Nigeria 10:00 Calabar
Congo at Niger 10:30 Niamey
Gabon at Burkina Faso 10:30 Ouagadougou
Equatorial Guinea at Sierra Leone 11:30 Freetown
Tanzania at Gambia 11:30 Bakau
Morocco at Cote d'Ivoire 12:00 Abidjan
Azerbaijan at Israel 12:45 Ramat Gan
Cape Verde at Tunisia 13:45 Rades
Uganda at Senegal 14:00 Marrakesh, Morocco

8 September 2013
Mozambique at Zimbabwe 8:00 Harare
Namibia at Kenya 8:00 Nairobi
Libya at Cameroon 9:30 Yaounde
Rwanda at Benin 10:00 Porto-Novo
Democratic Republic of Congo at Togo 10:30 Lome
Lesotho at Sudan 12:00 Omdurman

10 September 2013
Jordan at Uzbekistan 9:00 Tashkent
Guinea at Egypt 9:00 El-Gouna
Israel at Russia 10:00 Saint Petersburg
Liechtenstein at Lithuania 10:30 Marijampole
Sweden at Kazakhstan 11:00 Astana
Denmark at Armenia 11:00 Yerevan
Finland at Georgia 12:00 Tbilisi
Switzerland at Norway 12:00 Oslo
Turkey at Romania 13:00 Bucharest
Bulgaria at Malta 13:00 Ta' Qali
Bosnia and Herzegovina at Slovakia 13:15 Zilina
Northern Ireland at Luxembourg 13:15 Luxembourg
Slovenia at Cyprus 13:30 Nicosia
Scotland at Macedonia 13:30 Skopje
Estonia at Hungary 13:30 Budapest
Netherlands at Andorra 13:30 Andorra la Vella
England at Ukraine 13:45 Kyiv
Latvia at Greece 13:45 Piraeus
Ireland at Austria 13:45 Vienna
Czech Republic at Italy 13:45 Turin
Poland at San Marino 13:45 Serravalle
Germany at Faroe Islands 13:45 Torshavn
Serbia at Wales 13:45 Cardiff
France at Belarus 14:00 Gomel
Albania at Iceland 14:00 Reykjavik
Mali at Algeria 14:30 Blida
Ecuador at Bolivia 15:00 La Paz
Colombia at Uruguay 17:00 Montevideo
Peru at Venezuela 18:55 Puerto La Cruz
Costa Rica at Jamaica 19:00 Kingston
Mexico at United States of America 19:06 Columbus
Panama at Honduras 20:00 Tegucigalpa
Argentina at Paraguay 20:40 Asuncion

AFC Playoff Schedule

Uzbekistan and Jordan qualified for the AFC Playoff by virtue of finishing in third place in their AFC Fourth Round groups.  The AFC Playoff is played as a two-legged home-and-away series with the winner determined by aggregate score over the two matches.  The draw for which group's third-place team would host the first or second leg was held in Zurich on 19 March 2013.  Group Two was given the first leg at home and Group One was awarded the second leg at home.  The winner of the AFC Playoff advances to face the fifth-place South American team in the Intercontinental Playoffs.

6 September 2013
Uzbekistan at Jordan

10 September 2013
Jordan at Uzbekistan

Jordan 1 - Oman 0; Australia 1 - Iraq 0

1974, 2006, 2010.  Australia were looking for qualification number four at home in rainy Sydney against an already-eliminated Iraq side.  Australia got off a good shot two minutes in after a one-two-one-two by Robbie Kruse and Tim Cahill up front, but Iraq goalkeeper Noor Sabri made a nice reaction save to deny Cahill.  In an unlikely scenario, Australia's two centerbacks nearly combined for a goal, but Sasa Ognenovski could not keep his header on frame from Lucas Neill's cross.  Australia were trying to win the match through an aerial battle, but the first half ended in a 0-0 stalemate.

Iraq's Saif Salman hit a strange knuckler in the second minute after the restart, but Socceroo goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer was able to get down and hold onto the shot.  The crowd grew impatient and antsy as the goal just would not come for Australia.  Substitutions of the attacking duo of Cahill and Kruse looked like desperation but in fact were strokes of genius.  A Marc Bresciano cross with seven minutes left was headed back across Sabri's goal by Joshua Kennedy, and Australia were finally in the lead.  Australia win 1-0 and take the final direct berth from Group Two into Brasil 2014, becoming the second team to qualify after Japan.

Amman was the site of the crucial qualifier between Jordan and visiting Oman.  A win or draw for Oman would send them into the AFC Playoff, whereas Jordan could use only a win to make the AFC Playoff.  Oman were the better side following the opening kickoff, and they nearly scored as Qasim Said found himself launching his foot forward to tip-in at the far post, but his touch could not provide the finish.  Oman would still be pleased with the 0-0 halftime score as they were halfway to the result they needed to advance to the next round.

Saeed Al Murjan drove the ball up the pitch for Jordan against eight Omani defenders.  Al Murjan pushed out wide to Khalil Bani Ateyah, who sent a ball into the box.  Ahmad Ibrahim peeled off from his run and was open in space for a diving header that sent Jordan into a 1-0 lead.  Oman had more than a half hour to respond and avoid elimination, but Jordan made sure that no equalizer was anywhere to be found.  Jordan win 1-0 and advance to a two-legged playoff with Uzbekistan.  Oman are eliminated from the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Japan 17 pts IN
Australia 13 pts IN
Jordan 10 pts
Oman OUT
Iraq OUT

Goals
Australia
Joshua Kennedy 83

Jordan
Ahmad Ibrahim 57

Match Reports:
http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2013/6/18/4441102/australia-vs-iraq-final-score-1-0-result-2013/in/4205171
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-06-18/socceroos-v-iraq-world-cup-qualifier-live-blog/4763134
http://www.foxsports.com.au/football/socceroos/jordan-secure-third-place-in-australias-group-and-play-off-place-after-1-0-win-over-oman/story-e6frf4l3-1226666015243

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5Tm0zphMo8 (Australia v. Iraq)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NdVM1P6_-VU (Jordan v. Oman)

Iran 1 - South Korea 0; Uzbekistan 5 - Qatar 1

Seoul was the site for the match between visiting Iran and South Korea.  At least one team would be qualified to Brasil 2014 after the conclusion of play.  Son Heung-Min hit a bouncer into the turf, but the shot did not stay down and went over Iran's goal.  South Korea broke for goal off a defended corner, but Lee Myung-Joo's sprint was slowed by great recovery defense from Khosro Heydari.  In spite of near total dominance, South Korea could not score and the first half ended without a goal.

A whiff by Kim Young-Gwon in defense with no help behind him allowed Reza Ghoochannejhad to latch onto ball and go one-on-one with the goalkeeper to score the opener for Iran.  Kim Young-Gwon fell to the floor in shame, but truthfully his mistake hurt Uzbekistan a lot more than it hurt South Korea.  Kim Young-Gwon almost made up for his error with a strike off a short free kick that had rebounded to him, but Iran goalkeeper Rahman Ahmadi made a superhuman move to deny the goal.  Ahmadi doubled his save by regrouping in time to deny Jang Hyun-Soo as well, keeping Iran in qualifying position.  Lee Keun-Ho saw his late header attempt go just wide of goal, leaving the Taegeuk Warriors behind in the match as time expired.  Iran win 1-0 and qualify for Brasil 2014.

The match in Tashkent between hosts Uzbekistan and Qatar kicked off only two minutes after the festivities in Seoul.  Qatar started a very much second-choice side, which perhaps gave the offensive-minded Uzbekistan lineup an opening to score many, many goals in anticipation of overcoming a massive goal-differential disparity against either South Korea or Iran, depending on the other match's result.  Uzbekistan were only assured of qualification with a six-goal victory, though a Korean victory would make a one-goal Uzbek victory enough.  Server Djeparov had the first clear chance for Uzbekistan with a snapped left-footed shot, but Qatar goalkeeper Ahmed Abonora was able to tip to safety.  Alexander Geynrikh was very dangerous for Uzbekistan, and he nearly scored when a ball nearly found him sliding three yards out.  Somehow, in spite of the dominance of the White Wolves, Qatar were first to score on a counterattack.  A beautiful through ball from Khalfan Ibrahim was tucked into the far corner by Abdulgadir Bakur with Qatar having a numerical advantage on the break.  Ibrahim Abdulmajed of Qatar nearly turned an own goal off a corner, but the crossbar saved him.  Timur Kapadze's cross was volleyed on the fly by Geynrikh, but again the crossbar played favorites and picked Qatar.  The half ended 1-0 to Qatar.

Bakhodir Nasimov was substituted in for Uzbekistan on the hour mark, and he immediately scored after receiving a pass across the box on a three-on-two break.  Uzbekistan were finally level at 1-1.  With less than twenty minutes to go, it became clear that South Korea were not going to win their match, so Uzbekistan went all out to try and win by six goals.  They came close.  Oleg Zoteev slalomed through Qatar right back Hamid Khaleefa twice before finishing at the near post to give the White Wolves a 2-1 lead.  Two minutes later, it was 3-1.  Abonora tried to punch away a header only to kill the ball's momentum for a tap-in goal to Nasimov.  With three minutes left in regulation time, Odil Ahmedov volleyed a high deflection once it fell back down toward Earth into the Qatar goal.  4-1 became 5-1 in stoppage time.  Abonora did all he could to prevent an own goal, but the rebound fell perfectly for a tap-in to Uzbekistan.  Uzbekistan win 5-1, but the margin of victory was not enough to qualify them for Brasil 2014.  South Korea instead are on their way to Brasil 2014, with Uzbekistan into the AFC Playoff.

Iran 16 pts IN
South Korea 14 pts +6 IN
Uzbekistan 14 pts +5
Qatar OUT
Lebanon OUT

Goals
Iran
Reza Ghoochannejhad 60
 
Uzbekistan
Bakhodir Nasimov 61, 74
Oleg Zoteev 72
Odil Ahmedov 87
Ulugbek Bakaev 90+1

Qatar
Abdulgadir Bakur 37

Match Reports:
http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2013/6/18/4441440/south-korea-vs-iran-final-score-0-1-iran-qualify-for-2014-world-cup
http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/world/news-display/fifa-world-cup-qualifying--south-korea-0-iran-1/69178
http://bostonherald.com/sports/revolution_soccer/soccer/2013/06/uzbekistan_downs_qatar_5_1_in_wcup_qualifier
http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2013/6/18/4441276/uzbekistan-vs-qatar-final-score-result-2013

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDG5___LMwQ (Iran v. South Korea)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VI7NfWoLlxE (Uzbekistan v. Qatar)

South Korea 1 - Uzbekistan 0; Iran 4 - Lebanon 0

Seoul was the site for the top-of-the-group clash between visiting Uzbekistan and South Korea.  Uzbekistan would qualify for Brasil 2014 with a win, and South Korea would get in with a win coupled with a Lebanon victory later in the day.  South Korea were the better side early on, though a long-distance warning shot from Anzur Ismailov forced South Korea goalkeeper Jung Sung-Ryong into a diving save.  A long diagonal ball from South Korea right back Kim Chang-soo was won on a header by Kim Shin-Wook, and Son Heung-Min was able to first time a ball into the path of Lee Keun-Ho, though Lee Keun-Ho could not hit the target with the goal at his mercy.  South Korea found themselves with an undeserved corner after a Korean handball was not called inside the Uzbek box.  On the resulting corner, the ball was punched aside by Uzbekistan goalkeeper Ignatiy Nesterov, but the resulting cross back into the box was well struck by Kim Young-Gwon.  Uzbekistan defender Akmal Shorakmedov, who had been having a very solid game, looped in a powerful header into his own goal, and South Korea would take a 1-0 lead into the half.

From the opening whistle, the second half was completely owned by the visiting White Wolves. Server Djeparov was his usual creative self, and partner-in-crime Odil Ahmedov was dribbling around defenders into space consistently.  Uzbekistan were also employing a much higher line, but their twenty minutes of domination did not lead to an equalizer.  The rest of the half was played slightly more in the Korean, end but save for one turn-around shot from Alexander Geynrikh that was blocked by South Korea's defense, there was not much in the second period.  South Korea win 1-0 and await the second result to see if they have made it to Brasil 2014.

Iran relished the opportunity to play a home match in Tehran against already-eliminated Lebanon.  Abbas Hassan in goal for Lebanon made a save with his trailing leg, one of many Iranian chances to go beggin in the first half hour of the match.  A visibly tired Lebanese side had nine players absent from this match, and eventually the lack of options wore them down.  Mohammad Khalatbari received a pass at the top of the box, ran to his right to evade two defenders, and then swung across his body to put Iran up 1-0.  In stoppage time, a short corner played to Khosro Heydari found a cluster of four Iranian players, and it would be Javad Nekounam whose header would make the halftime score 2-0 in favor of Iran.

Lebanon defender Hassan Daser was literally brought to his knees in the first minute of the second half by the moves of Reza Ghoochannejhad, leaving Ghoochannejhad with just the goalkeeper to beat, which he did for 3-0.  Nekounam finished the scoring with a curling shot from just above the half circle that left the goalkeeper rooted to his spot in disgust.  Iran win 4-0.  The victory pushes Iran into second place with one match remaining, and it condemns Qatar to the status of "eliminated."

The final matchday in Group One pits South Korea against Iran with one ticket to Brasil 2014 at stake and possibly two.  However, a home victory by Uzbekistan against Qatar would send Uzbekistan through if South Korea win their match.  Uzbekistan will need to go for a multiple-goals victory against Qatar in case South Korea fail to win because Uzbekistan would then be caught in a goal-differential battle, as they would be even with another side on 14 points.

South Korea 14 pts +7
Iran 13 pts +5
Uzbekistan 11 pts +1
Qatar OUT
Lebanon OUT

Goals
South Korea
Akmal Shorakmedov 42 OG

Iran
Mohammad Khalatbari 39
Javad Nekounam 45+1, 86
Reza Ghoochannejhad 46

Match Reports:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/soccer/news/20130611/south-korea-world-cup-qualifying.ap/
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/Sports/Football/2013/Jun-12/220111-lebanon-wc-campaign-ends-with-4-0-iran-drubbing.ashx#axzz2dQmLlwRG
http://www.tehrantimes.com/sports/108457-iran-closes-in-on-world-cup-dream-with-4-0-win-over-Lebanon


Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYKu49x3i50 (South Korea v. Uzbekistan)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5AQw1QlaxI (Iran v. Lebanon)

Australia 4 - Jordan 0; Japan 1 - Iraq 0

Melbourne was the arena for the clash between visiting Jordan and locals Australia.  Australia were dominant in possession early.  Just before the quarter hour, Australia tested the goalkeeper.  Robbie Kruse laid a ball off into the path on an onrushing Brett Holman.  Jordan goalkeeper Amer Sabbah (pictured, black) made the initial save, but the rebound fell to Marc Bresciano.  Bresciano smashed his laser just outside the post.  One minute later, however, Australia got it right.  Off an advantage call, Kruse made it to the end line and raced into the box up the end line.  He made a simple pass to the six-yard box from where Bresciano made no mistake.  Australia were up 1-0.  The Socceroos were destroying the left flank of Jordan's defense, and another Kruse pass nearly made it 2-0, but Cahill could not contort his body quickly enough to get the redirection on frame.  Jordan starting gaining traction over the final twenty minutes of the first half, which Australia won 1-0.

Jordan showed some fight in the opening fifteen minutes of the second half, but eventually Australia re-established supremacy.  On the hour mark, Kruse made a wonderful cross to Cahill for a powerfully headed finish and a two-goal margin.  Kruse with a sweet turn in the box as he nutmegged Mohamad Ali before slotted home for goal number three.  Archie Thompson was saved one-on-one by Sabbah.  A third header in the box on the same corner kick play lead to a historic fourth goal.  Australia captain Lucas Neill (pictured, yellow #2) finally scored his first international goal in more than ninety appearance as he put the Socceroos four goals to the good.  Australia win 4-0 and move within one victory of Brasil 2014.

Already-qualified Japan were able to rest some key players (Maya Yoshida, Atsuto Uchida, Keisuke Honda) in preparation for the upcoming 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup as they traveled to Doha, Qatar to face Iraq in a match that was pivotal in the race for second-place.  A loss for Iraq would see nominal hosts eliminated from the 2014 FIFA World Cup.  In spite of the absences, Japan were the stronger side in this match.  One neat one-two-one exchange nearly provided an opener for the Samurai Blue, but Hiroshi Kiyotake's shot was deflected, giving Iraq goalkeeper Noor Sabri time to crawl to the side and stop the shot.  The first half ended scoreless.

Iraq looked more likely to score in the second period.  However, Alaa Abdul Zahra was booted from the match for his second yellow card in minute 84 after he bicycle kicked Mashiko Inoha in the face going for a glorious finish.  Iraq were down a man for the final push as they looked to remain alive in the competition.  Even down a man, Iraq had to push for the win.  Japan took advantage with a minute to go on a three-versus-two fast break.  Shinji Okazaki fed Yasuhito Endo, whose pass back to Okazaki forced Okazaki to slide, but Okazaki made contact and the ball rolled into the net as Sabri had already committed to Endo's run.  Japan win 1-0 and Iraq are eliminated from the 2014 FIFA World Cup.  This result also guarantees Australia, at worst, a spot in the fifth-place playoff in Asia.

Japan 17 pts IN
Australia 10 pts +4
Oman 9 pts -2
Jordan 7 pts -10
Iraq OUT

Goals
Australia
Mark Bresciano 15
Tim Cahill 61
Robbie Kruse 76
Lucas Neill 84

Japan
Shinji Okazaki 89

Match Reports:
http://www.goal.com/en-au/match/78094/australia-vs-jordan/report?
http://www.foxsports.com.au/football/socceroos/a-dominant-4-0-victory-helps-socceroos-down-jordan-and-move-one-step-closer-to-2014-brazil-world-cup/story-e6frf4l3-1226662099400#.UiAzs5Kkpw8
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/soccer-japan-sign-off-win-end-iraqs-world-165205995.html
http://us.soccerway.com/news/2013/June/11/fifa-world-cup-qualifying-iraq-0-japan-1/n232164/

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3AgqWtRSvM4 (Australia v. Jordan)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFhziIP-kZg (Japan v. Iraq)

Lebanon 1 - South Korea 1; Iran 1 - Qatar 0

Doha was the site for the fourth tilt between Iran and hosts Qatar in the 2014 FIFA World Cup.  The previous three matches had all resulted in draws.  Qatar nearly had a crucial lead at home through a Hasan Al Haydos shot, but the shot rocked the crossbar and flew back into the field of play.  A very close-range free kick from the left edge of the penalty area nearly gave Iran a shock lead, but Masoud Shojaei's effort was tipped over the crossbar to safety by Qatar goalkeeper Qasem Burhan.  Burhan again showed why he is considered by this blog as a top-five goalkeeper worldwide with a top-notch save from the resulting corner kick.  Reza Ghoochannejhad had a free header at the far post, but as the cross was coming in Burhan dashed from his near post and leapt at Ghoochannejhad.  Burhan's momentum carried him beyond the shot, but his stabbed his left arm behind him to prevent the goal.  The first half somehow managed to end in a 0-0 deadlock.

In the second period, Iran were the much better side.  Shojaei thought he found himself open one-on-one with Burhan, but Qatari centerback Mosaab El Hassan came from behind to kick the ball away to oblivion.  A run by Team Melli substitute Mohammad Kholatbari was cut out by Qatari centerback Ibrahim Majid, but the ball deflected of Kholatbari and into the path of an onrushing Ghoochannejhad, who calmly finished under a diving Burhan to give Iran the lead.  Qatar made a late push, but it was mostly unorganized effort that made little inroads toward an equalizer.  Qatar had shouts for a penalty kick when Shojaei got a foot caught between the legs of Belal Mohamed, but the appeals were waved away.  Iran win 1-0.  The result guarantees that Uzbekistan will finish in third place at worst and that Qatar will finish in third place at best.

With the Iran victory in the earlier match, Lebanon knew they would have to defeat South Korea at home Beirut for the second time during the 2014 FIFA World Cup just to stave off elimination.  Korean attacker Lee Dong-Gook skied an early shot attempt, and then he failed to find the net again soon thereafter.  This time, Lebanon goalkeeper Abbas Hassan made a save on a low shot into his body after Lee Dong-Gook had collected from an aerial through ball.  Lebanon should have had the lead soon thereafter, but Mohamad Haidar let South Korea off the hook, missing an unmarked header from three yards.  Haidar was soon to be avenged, however.  A quickly taken short corner was gathered by Haidar, who then feinted his way around one marker before his drop pass was slotted home by Hassan Mattouk (pictured, red) for the opener.  Lebanon would take that 1-0 lead into the break with an eye on repeating their home victory against South Korea in round three.

South Korea were unbelievably dominant and unbelievably unlucky in the second half.  Abbas made a sliding block save after Lee Dong-Gook's through ball put Lee Chung-Yong in on goal.  Later, a free kick from Kim Chi-Woo (pictured, white #19) gave Kim Shin-Wook an unmarked header that was somehow missed.  Abbas saved a point-blank header from Lee Dong-Gook.  A Kim Kee-hee header off a corner kick lead to a one-time effort off the bounce from Lee Chung-Yong, but again Abbas stuck the ball in his gloves.  With twenty minutes to go, Son Heung-Min headed into the post off a free kick.  Clearly, a voodoo curse had been placed on the Lebanese goal.  Ten minutes from time, a header off a free kick was saved, leading to the rebound being knocked onto the post by Lee Dong-Gook, and a shot by Kim Shin-wook off the second rebound was blocked and rolled out to safety.  Seven minutes from time, a horribly missed shot bounced right into the path of Son, who swung and missed with the goal at his mercy.  After numerous instances of supposed cramping and substitutions made to waste time, Lebanon were out of substitutes and down to ten men.  Finally, South Korea made their superiority pay deep into stoppage time.  A free kick from inside the half circle was hit by Kim Chi-woo, whose left leg must surely have been tired from all the set pieces it struck in this match.  The ball deflected off Walid Ismail's head and into the Lebanese goal for the equalizer.  Ismail was then sent off a minute later for his second yellow card.  The match ends 1-1, eliminating Lebanon from the 2014 FIFA World Cup and moving South Korea to the top of the table.  South Korea are guaranteed to finish no worse than third place in the group.

South Korea 11 pts +6
Uzbekistan 11 pts +2
Iran 10 pts +1
Qatar 7 pts -4
Lebanon OUT

Goals
Iran
Reza Ghoochannejhad 66

Lebanon
Hassan Mattouk 12

South Korea
Kim Chi-Woo 90+7

Match Reports:
http://www.sfgate.com/sports/article/Iran-downs-Qatar-1-0-in-WCup-qualifying-4576170.php#photo-4735242
http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/fullstory/2013/06/05/65/4500000000AEN20130605000500315F.HTML
http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/fullstory/2013/06/05/13/4500000000AEN20130605000151315F.HTML

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RarRQ9hQKJY (Iran v. Qatar)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKH9yTydKJI (Lebanon v. South Korea)

Australia 1 - Japan 1; Oman 1 - Iraq 0

With a home draw against Australia in Saitama, the Samurai Blue would become the first team to join the host nation at Brasil 2014.  The first half featured good defense and lots of shots, leaving one to wonder to where the midfield had disappeared.  It was as if the game were constantly being played in the final third on either end.  Japan missed an early chance when a Maya Yoshida was unable to score on a free header from a corner kick.  A nice interplay between Keisuke Honda, Shinji Okazaki, and Shinji Kagawa (pictured, right) picked apart the Socceroos on one occasion, but goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer preserved his clean sheet with the palm of his outstretched hand to deny Kagawa.  Australia defender Sasa Ognenovski provided a crucial block on another good scoring occasion for Japan.  Australia nearly scored themselves, but Robbie Kruse (pictured, yellow) was denied by a classy save by goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima.  The scintillating first half ended with a 0-0 scoreline.

Japan enjoyed the most dominant stretch either team had during the match in the opening twenty minutes of the second period.  Australia were simply left absorbing pressure as Japan took the first five shots of the second half.  In fact, on chip by Shinji Kagawa from a tight angle landed on the point of the crossbar on its way out of bounds.  Eventually, Australia reawakened.  Luke Wilshire laid a ball back across the box after a right up the right side, and Tim Cahill set up for the one-time finish, but Yoshida made a sliding block to save Japan.  Schwarzer again was called into action when a fast run up the left side by fullback Yuto Nagatomo forced Schwarzer into a diving stop.  With under ten minutes to go in the match, Australia found the opener.  A Tommy Oar attempted cross took a strange flight path that caused the ball to float into the side netting from a very tight angle, stunning the crowd and reviving Australia's hopes of direct qualification.  Australia nearly made it through, but a lack of focus from Matt McKay led to his being called for a handball in the box.  Honda stepped up and drove the ball straight and down the middle on the penalty kick to drive Japan straight to Brasil 2014.  With the 1-1 draw, Japan are the first team to qualify for the final stage of the tournament.

Iraq paid a visit to Muscat hoping for a win that would see them leapfrog from fifth into second place, but hosts Oman were keen on pulling the same feat, albeit out of fourth position.  Muscat was so steamy and toasty today that water breaks were provided, a practice used in every match at the 2012 OFC Nations Cup but rarely used elsewhere.  The first thirty minutes looked as though the teams were playing in oppressive conditions as no attacks were mounted.  Oman shook off the doldrums first and were rewarded with a goal in first-half stoppage time.  A Saad al Mukhaini corner was close enough to tempt Iraq goalkeeper Noor Sabri off his line.  Ismail Al Ajmi leapt to head the ball over Sabri and into the vacated net, where Humam Tariq's last-ditch clearance effort off the line failed.  Oman led 1-0 at intermission.

Abdul Al Mukhaini nearly provided a second goal to Oman with his speedy run out of his own half circle led to a three-on-two break for the Omanis, and his through ball to Al Ajmi was spot on, but Sabri was able to save the shot on this occasion.  Oman continued to be the more attacking side for the duration of the match, as Iraq provided little to thwart their efforts as Oman turned in a strong defensive performance led by Raed Saleh.  Oman win 1-0 and move into sole possession of second place in Group Two.

Japan 14 pts IN
Oman 9 pts -2
Australia 7 pts 0
Jordan 7 pts -6
Iraq 5 pts -2

Goals
Australia
Tommy Oar 82

Japan
Keisuke Honda 90+1 PK

Oman
Ismail Al Ajmi 45+3

Match Reports
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/japan-1-1-australia-honda-174100206--sow.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2013/jun/04/japan-australia-world-cup-qualifer-for-2014
http://www.euronews.com/sport/1979982-oman-beat-iraq-1-0-to-boost-brazil-dreams/
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/top-stories/Oman-down-Iraq-1-0-in-FIFA-World-Cup-qualifier/articleshow/20430532.cms

Highlights
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zpAbUxdQxI (Australia v. Japan)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o7PoviiJca8 (Oman v. Iraq)

Match Schedule: June 2013

June 2013 will mark the arrival of the first teams to the land of the qualified.  Brasil will be joined by at least four more teams as the AFC Fourth Round comes to a close with three matchdays this month.  Four Asian teams will be given their marching orders, and two more will be sent into the Asian playoff round.  CONMEBOL plays two matchdays this month, and given the proper results, Argentina could find themselves qualified by the end of Matchday Fourteen.  Bolivia would see themselves excused from the tournament finals with two losses this month. UEFA only plays twenty qualifiers this month, but that could be sufficient to see Malta and Macedonia sent out of the tournament.  CAF plays two matchdays this month, and while no African team will be able to qualify for Brasil 2014, I am estimating that twenty-four teams in Africa will be eliminated from the 2014 FIFA World Cup.  North America will not experience any such finality this month, but CONCACAF will play three matchdays and pass the halfway mark of its Fourth Round this month.

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

4 June 2013
Australia at Japan 5:34 Saitama
Iraq at Oman 8:00 Muscat
Iran at Qatar 11:15 Doha
South Korea at Lebanon 12:30 Beirut
Mexico at Jamaica 20:30 Kingston

5 June 2013
Namibia at Malawi 7:30 Blantyre
Nigeria at Kenya 8:00 Nairobi

7 June 2013
Democratic Republic of Congo at Libya 9:00 Tripoli
Luxembourg at Azerbaijan 11:00 Baku
Malta at Armenia 11:00 Yerevan
Belarus at Finland 11:00 Helsinki
Bosnia and Herzegovina at Latvia 11:30 Riga
Ghana at Sudan 12:00 Khartoum
Greece at Lithuania 12:45 Vilnius
Slovakia at Liechtenstein 13:00 Vaduz
Poland at Moldova 13:15 Chisinau
Scotland at Croatia 13:15 Zagreb
Ukraine at Montenegro 13:30 Podgorica
Norway at Albania 13:30 Tirana
Italy at Czech Republic 13:45 Prague
Sweden at Austria 13:45 Vienna
Serbia at Belgium 13:45 Brussels
Faroe Islands at Ireland 13:45 Dublin
Slovenia at Iceland 14:00 Reykjavik
Russia at Portugal 14:45 Lisbon
Venezuela at Bolivia 15:00 La Paz
Colombia at Argentina 17:05 Buenos Aires
Chile at Paraguay 19:10 Asuncion
United States of America at Jamaica 20:30 Kingston
Honduras at Costa Rica 21:00 San Jose
Mexico at Panama 21:00 Panama City
Ecuador at Peru 21:10 Lima

8 June 2013
Liberia at Uganda 8:00 Kampala
Lesotho at Zambia 8:00 Ndola
Ethiopia at Botswana 8:00 Lobatse
South Africa at Central African Republic 9:00 Yaounde, Cameroon
Congo at Gabon 9:30 Franceville
Senegal at Angola 10:00 Luanda
Cyprus at Switzerland 10:30 Geneva
Tunisia at Sierra Leone 11:30 Freetown
Cote d'Ivoire at Gambia 11:30 Bakau
Equatorial Guinea at Cape Verde 12:30 Praia
Tanzania at Morocco 15:00 Marrakech

9 June 2013
Egypt at Zimbabwe 8:00 Harare
Burkina Faso at Niger 10:00 Niamey
Algeria at Benin 10:00 Porto-Novo
Cameroon at Togo 10:30 Lome
Mozambique at Guinea 12:00 Conakry
Rwanda at Mali 13:00 Bamako

11 June 2013
Jordan at Australia 4:30 Melbourne
Uzbekistan at South Korea 6:00 Seoul
Japan at Iraq 9:30 Doha, Qatar
Lebanon at Iran 10:30 Tehran
Finland at Belarus 12:00 Gomel
Faroe Islands at Sweden 12:15 Solna
Armenia at Denmark 13:15 Copenhagen
Peru at Colombia 15:30 Barranquilla
Argentina at Ecuador 16:00 Quito
Uruguay at Venezuela 19:00 Puerto Ordaz
Costa Rica at Mexico 19:00 Mexico City
Bolivia at Chile 19:30 Santiago
Jamaica at Honduras 20:00 Tegucigalpa
Panama at United States of America 21:08 Seattle

12 June 2013
Kenya at Malawi 7:30 Blantyre
Nigeria at Namibia 14:00 Windhoek

14 June 2013
Togo at Libya 9:00 Tripoli

15 June 2013
Angola at Uganda 8:00 Kampala
Sudan at Zambia 8:00 Ndola
Central African Republic at Botswana 8:00 Lobatse
Burkina Faso at Congo 9:30 Pointe-Noire
Niger at Gabon 10:00 Libreville
Sierra Leone at Cape Verde 12:30 Praia
Gambia at Morocco 15:00 Marrakech

16 June 2013
Cote d'Ivoire at Tanzania 7:00 Dar Es Salaam
South Africa at Ethiopia 8:00 Addis Ababa
Egypt at Mozambique 8:00 Maputo
Ghana at Lesotho 8:00 Maseru
Algeria at Rwanda 8:30 Kigali
Cameroon at Democratic Republic of Congo 9:30 Kinshasa
Tunisia at Equatorial Guinea 11:00 Malabo
Senegal at Liberia 11:00 Monrovia
Zimbabwe at Guinea 12:00 Conakry
Benin at Mali 13:00 Bamako

18 June 2013
Iraq at Australia 4:30 Sydney
Iran at South Korea 7:00 Seoul
Qatar at Uzbekistan 7:00 Tashkent
Oman at Jordan 11:00 Amman
Honduras at United States of America 20:06 Sandy
Panama at Costa Rica 21:00 San Jose

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)

Match Schedule: March 2013

The OFC Third Round comes to its conclusion this month with either New Zealand or New Caledonia claiming a spot in the intercontinental playoffs.  In Asia, Japan are looking to become the first team to qualify for Brasil 2014 with a victory against Jordan.  Matchdays Two and Three take place in the CONCACAF Fourth Round, while in CONMEBOL Matchdays Eleven and Twelve take the tournament to two-thirds completion.  The CAF Second Round makes it to its halfway point with Matchday Three.  UEFA continues its journey toward Brasil with a double date of matches that will take most European teams past the midway point of their qualification cycles.

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

22 March 2013
New Caledonia at New Zealand 1:35 Dunedin
Portugal at Israel 7:45 Ramat Gan
Malta at Bulgaria 11:00 Sofia
Serbia at Croatia 12:00 Zagreb
Iceland at Slovenia 12:00 Ljubljana
Turkey at Andorra 12:15 Andorra la Vella
Germany at Kazakhstan 13:00 Astana
Albania at Norway 13:00 Oslo
Latvia at Liechtenstein 13:30 Vaduz
Lithuania at Slovakia 14:10 Zilina
Azerbaijan at Luxembourg 14:15 Luxembourg
Montenegro at Moldova 14:30 Chisinau
Romania at Hungary 14:30 Budapest
Denmark at Czech Republic 14:30 Olomouc
Faroe Islands at Austria 14:30 Vienna
Estonia at Netherlands 14:30 Amsterdam
Ukraine at Poland 14:45 Warsaw
Belgium at Macedonia 14:45 Skopje
Greece at Bosnia and Herzegovina 14:45 Zenica
Ireland at Sweden 14:45 Solna
Finland at Spain 14:45 Gijon
Russia at Northern Ireland 14:45 Belfast
England at San Marino 15:00 Serravalle
Georgia at France 15:00 Saint-Denis
Wales at Scotland 15:00 Glasgow
Bolivia at Colombia 15:00 Barranquilla
Mexico at Honduras 16:00 San Pedro Sula
Paraguay at Uruguay 17:00 Montevideo
Venezuela at Argentina 19:00 Buenos Aires
Chile at Peru 19:15 Lima
Panama at Jamaica 20:30 Kingston
Costa Rica at United States of America 21:11 Commerce City
Solomon Islands at Tahiti 1:00 (23 March) Pirae

23 March 2013
Togo at Cameroon 9:30 Yaounde
Gabon at Congo 9:30 Pointe-Noire
Malawi at Namibia 10:00 Windhoek
Kenya at Nigeria 10:00 Calabar
Gambia at Cote d'Ivoire 12:00 Abidjan
Angola at Senegal 12:00 Conakry, Guinea
Niger at Burkina Faso 13:00 Ouagadougou
Sierra Leone at Tunisia 13:00 Rades
Central African Republic at South Africa 13:15 Cape Town
Switzerland at Cyprus 13:30 Nicosia

24 March 2013
Morocco at Tanzania 7:00 Dar Es Salaam
Botswana at Ethiopia 8:00 Addis Ababa
Guinea at Mozambique 8:00 Maputo
Zambia at Lesotho 8:00 Maseru
Mali at Rwanda 8:30 Kigali
Libya at Democratic Republic of Congo 9:30 Kinshasa
Cape Verde at Equatorial Guinea 11:00 Malabo
Sudan at Ghana 11:00 Kumasi
Uganda at Liberia 11:00 Paynesville

26 March 2013
New Zealand at Solomon Islands 23:00 (25 March) Honiara
Tahiti at New Caledonia 2:00 Noumea
Oman at Australia 3:30 Sydney
Qatar at South Korea 6:00 Seoul
Lebanon at Uzbekistan 8:00 Tashkent
Japan at Jordan 9:00 Amman
Czech Republic at Armenia 11:00 Yerevan
Portugal at Azerbaijan 12:00 Baku
Andorra at Estonia 12:00 Tallinn
Zimbabwe at Egypt 12:00 Alexandria
Hungary at Turkey 13:30 Istanbul
Moldova at Ukraine 14:00 Odessa
Bulgaria at Denmark 14:15 Copenhagen
Scotland at Serbia 14:30 Novi Sad
Romania at Netherlands 14:30 Amsterdam
Benin at Algeria 14:30 Blida
San Marino at Poland 14:45 Warsaw
Kazakhstan at Germany 14:45 Nuremberg
Macedonia at Belgium 14:45 Brussels
Italy at Malta 14:45 Ta'Qali
Croatia at Wales 14:45 Swansea
Israel at Northern Ireland 14:45 Belfast
Austria at Ireland 14:45 Dublin
England at Montenegro 15:00 Podgorica
Spain at France 15:00 Saint-Denis
Argentina at Bolivia 15:00 La Paz
Paraguay at Ecuador 16:00 Quito
Colombia at Venezuela 18:30 Puerto Ordaz
Uruguay at Chile 19:30 Santiago
Jamaica at Costa Rica 21:00 San Jose
Honduras at Panama 21:00 Panama City
United States of America at Mexico 21:30 Mexico City

Uzbekistan 1 - Iran 0; Qatar 1 - Lebanon 0

Doha was the site for Qatar's home match against Lebanon.  Qatar had defeated Lebanon 1-0 in the two teams' opening AFC Fourth Round fixture.  This match was a tale of two halves.  The first half saw the rise of Lebanon.  Abbas Ahmad Batwi fired a shot from the half circle that was plucked out of the air on the dive by Qatar goalkeeper Qasem Burhan, who had yet another vintage performance on this night.  Ahmad Zreik nearly sent a goal in from thirty yards, but once again Burhan was alert and rose to catch the ball.  The half ended 0-0.

The second half saw the fall of Lebanon.  Sebastian Soria made a solo run from the halfway line unmarked to a spot thirty-two yards from goal, from where he decided it wise to unleash an outside-of-the-boot swerve.  His shot left Lebanon goalkeeper Abbas Hassan rooted on his spot as the ball sailed into the back of the net.  Hassan made a crucial save mere moments later on a driven shot from Lawrence Quaye, but his offense could mount no charge on an equalizer.  Qatar win 1-0 to jump into a tie for second-place.

Tehran was the site of the rematch between visiting Uzbekistan and Iran.  The visiting White Wolves felt hard-done by the officiating in their home match against Team Melli on Matchday One, so they wanted to even the score on the road tonight.  Team Melli were without their usual support as the rain-drenched Azadi Stadium was filled to less than half-capacity.  Team Melli scored the opener through Mohammed Nori, but his goal was ruled back for offsides as his teammate Mohammed Khalatbari was blocking the goalkeeper's vision while in an offside position.  A fight nearly broke out when a felled Uzbek player had a ball back-heeled into his head by an Iranian player as he lay on the pitch.  Server Djeparov has his usual dangerous self for the White Wolves, and his free kicks caused havoc all night.  Iran were lackluster for the most part, and the first half ended in a tepid 0-0.

With twenty minutes to go, Djeparov stood over another free kick forty yards from goal.  The ball kept floating on a low line before dipping to hip level inside the six-yard box.  Ulugbek Bakaev ran onto the ball after getting goalside on his defender, giving himself an easy volley from three yards to give the White Wolves a lead.  Sanjar Tursonov nearly made it two to the good, but his effort inside the six-yard box was deflected off frame.  Iran scored another offside goal in stoppage time, leaving them to ponder what could have been.  Uzbekistan win 1-0 to move alone at the top of Group One.

Uzbekistan 8 pts +1
South Korea 7 pts +5
Iran 7 pts 0
Qatar 7 pts -2
Lebanon 4 pts -4

Goals
Qatar
Sebastian Soria 75

Uzbekistan
Ulugbek Bakaev 71

Match Reports:
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/news/newsid=1900130/index.html
http://boxscorenews.com/uzbekistan-stuns-iran-as-bakaev-nets-winner-in-afc-world-cup-qualifying-p50861-68.htm

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8nkLQ0PvDqg&feature=relmfu (Qatar v. Lebanon)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IznDusB2QUI&feature=relmfu (Uzbekistan v. Iran)

Full Match Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibv0OSdYhjA (Uzbekistan v. Iran)