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| Photo by Dimitar Dilkoff |
Czech Republic were visiting Sofia to take on Bulgaria. Bulgaria needed a win and a miracle combination of results all across Europe in order to make it to the UEFA Playoffs. Libor Kozak was put through on goal from a booming ball out of the Czech half of the field. Kozak had no defender within twenty yards of him, but when it came time to shoot, he lifted his shot high over the crossbar. The Czechs shook off the miss quickly. A through ball from Borek Dockal put Petr Jiracek in with a chance, but he held the shot too long and Bulgaria goalkeeper Vladislav Stoyanov was able to block with his chest. In the final minute of the half, Kozak hit a header from a Jiracek cross that collided with the far post. Bulgaria managed to escape the field of play even at 0-0.
Dimitar Rangelov come on at the half for the hosts and almost made an immediate impact. He performed a through in and then immediately received the pass. He ran across the top of the box to hit a bending ball, but Czech Republic goalkeeper Petr Cech was able to dive and push the ball to safety. The visitors scored off a Dockal shot from outside the penalty area, but truthfully the ball never should have beaten Stoyanov. Bulgaria were the better team in the second half, but football can be cruel. Peter Zanev was sent off for Bulgaria in minute 75 for a second yellow card, all but ending a comeback bid. The end of the match was quiet, which suited the visitors well enough. Czech Republic win 1-0.
Denmark were at home in Copenhagen to take on Malta. Denmark needed a win and a miracle combination of results all across Europe in order to make it to the UEFA Playoffs. Denmark struck early and often in this match. A cross from the right by Emil Larsen was headed at the near post by Morten Rasmussen. Malta goalkeeper Justin Haber made the initial save, but Rasmussen cleaned up the rebound for 1-0. Three minutes later, it was 2-0. John Mintoff had conceded a penalty to Denmark for his nasty tackle on Michael Krohn-Dehli. The spot kick was converted. Later in the half, a deep cross evaded the hands of Haber and was headed in by Andreas Bjelland for 3-0. Larsen drew another penalty kick as he was felled during a goal-area scramble. Denmark again converted from the penalty spot. The hosts led 4-0 at halftime.
Fifteen minutes from time, Rasmussen tapped in a pass from Larsen while sitting three yards from goal. He was onside as a Maltese defender had rushed in the goal in an effort to aid Haber. The final goal came when Krohn-Dehli played a great through ball for Nicki Nielsen. Nielsen chipped into the net over an onrushing Haber. Denmark win 6-0, but it does them no good as their second-place finish is not enough to make the playoffs for they are the worst of the nine second-place teams in Europe. However, this result does spell the end of the line for Armenia's qualification hopes as they cannot finish in second place in the group.
Italy finished off their qualification schedule at home to Armenia in Naples. Five minutes in, Armenia forced a turnover from Alberto Aquilani and then proceeded to score a goal. Yura Movsisyan showed no nervousness at all as he fired a low shot into the far side netting to put Armenia ahead. Italy forced a turnover on the other end as Pablo Osvaldo tapped away from Artur Yedigaryan. Lorenzo Insigne held the ball up until he saw the run of Alessandro Florenzi. Insigne floated a cross the Insigne who headed back across the goalkeeper for 1-1. The teams left the field of play even at one goal apiece.
A Gevorg Ghazaryan corner kick caused all sorts of problems for Italy. No one, not even the goalkeeper, could rise high enough to prevent Henrikh Mkhitaryan from striking a powerful header that clipped the underside of the crossbar and bounced over the goal line. Armenia were hoping to pull off a shock road victory for the third time this year, and they led 2-1. Five minutes later, a brilliant first time chip pass from Andrea Pirlo put the ball tantalizingly close to Armenia's goal. Mario Balotelli fought off a couple defenders and was able to hit his shot into the goal to tie the match again. Armenia actually came closest to the winner in the final stages of the match, but no further goals were tallied. The match ends in a 2-2 draw, and Group B ends without a playoff participant.
Italy 22 pts IN
Denmark OUT
Czech Rep OUT
Bulgaria OUT
Armenia OUT
Malta OUT
Goals
Czech Republic
Borek Dockal 52
Denmark
Morten Rasmussen 8, 74
Daniel Agger 11 PK, 39 PK
Andreas Bjelland 28
Nicki Nielsen 84
Armenia
Yura Movsisyan 4
Henrikh Mkhitaryan 70
Italy
Alessandro Florenzi 24
Mario Balotelli 76
Match Reports:
http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2013/10/15/4840566/bulgaria-vs-czech-republic-uefa-world-cup-qualifying-final-score-result
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20131015/sport/denmark-beat-malta-6-0.490504#.UnwLlvmkqT4
http://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2013-10-15/football/malta-ends-commitments-with-humiliating-6-0-defeat-against-denmark-2898690048/#inscore_ifheight_xdc_2865
http://forzaitalianfootball.com/2013/10/italy-2-2-armenia-balotelli-saves-the-azzurri-from-shock-defeat/
http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2013/10/15/4841878/italy-vs-armenia-uefa-world-cup-qualifying-final-score-result
http://www.goal.com/en-us/match/92564/italy-vs-armenia/report?
Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5pjD2gC8CLc (Czech Republic v. Bulgaria)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wtfp-OV4IPw (Denmark v. Malta)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mRwGfe9lPho (Armenia v. Italy)
Full Match Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6Jjlu4rb2Y (Armenia v. Italy 1st half)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Ife9otGJFk (Armenia v. Italy 2nd half)
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