Lebanon 3 - United Arab Emirates 1; South Korea 1 - Kuwait 1

Group B kicked off play with a shocker in Beirut. The United Arab Emirates faced off against Lebanon, a team UAE had beaten 6-2 in a July friendly. UAE, heavy favorites to defeat the home side Lebanon, got off to a great first twenty-five minutes. A goal came at the quarter hour mark, but then UAE began to pay a heavy price for its poor conditioning, which their coach blamed on the players becoming lazy during Ramadan. Lebanon were able to equalize with a penalty goal with eight minutes left in the period, making the halftime score 1-1.

From then on, the superior will and desire of Lebanon came through with an unexpected win. A counterattack led to the winning goal seven minutes into the half, and an insurance tally was notched seven minutes from time. Lebanon made it two home wins in two home games in qualifying thus far with a 3-1 result over UAE, which led UAE to fire its coach a mere ninety minutes after the match concluded.

South Korea paid a visit to Kuwait in Kuwait City. South Korea have much reason to thank goalkeeper Jung Sung-Ryong for preventing a poor result. Kuwait fired the first shot of the match, but Jung parried it away to safety. Then, only eight minutes into the match, hat-trick hero from the first matchday Park Chu-Young scored his fourth goal of qualifying. From then on, the match heavily tilted in Kuwait's favor. To make matters worse for South Korea, star right back (and son of legend Cha Bum-Kun) Cha Du-Ri of Glasgow Celtic was lost to injury. Two more Kuwait chances went begging, and the half closed 1-0 in favor of the visitors.

Kuwait would make their superiority pay off in the second half with a goal eight minutes in, mirroring the start South Korea had to the first half. Kuwait would press and press, but no second goal came, and the Taegeuk Warriors escaped with a 1-1 draw that was a bit generous given the dominant play of the Kuwaitis.

South Korea 4 pts +6

Kuwait 4 pts +1

Lebanon 3 pts -4

United Arab Emirates 0 pts -3

Goals:

Lebanon

Mohamed Ghadar 37 PK

Akram Moghrabi 52

Roda Antar 83

United Arab Emirates

Mahmoud Al Hammadi 15

South Korea

Park Chu Young 8

Kuwait

Hussain Ali 53

Match Reports:

http://www.oberjuerge.com/http:/www.oberjuerge.com/lebanon-3-uae-1/

http://www.thenational.ae/sport/football/unfit-uae-shocked-in-beirut

http://www.goal.com/en/match/64317/kuwait-vs-south-korea/report

Highlights:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b50ddjHLCPY (Lebanon v. UAE)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2iF0YnMWLGU (Kuwait v. South Korea)

Qatar 1 - Iran 1; Bahrain 2 - Indonesia 0

Bahrain went to Jakarta in the first match of Group E today to face Indonesia. Bahrain had earned a creditable draw at home to Qatar in spite of various suspensions of Shia Muslim players in the national side. Indonesia, the fourth most populous country in the world, packed 85,000 into its national stadium. However, Indonesia still have much to learn against their much less populous but highly-skilled Asian foes. Bahrain took a 1-0 lead in first half stoppage time with a strike from teenage midfielder Sayed Dhiya Saeed.

In the second half, Bahrain were able to extend the lead to 2-0 with twenty minutes remaining. Fireworks were set off in the stands by the unhappy spectators, causing a delay of a quarter hour, but the match eventually restarted. Bahrain held on for a 2-0 win to regain footing in the group table. Indonesia are considering using an under-23 side for the rest of FIFA World Cup qualifying. Here's to hoping that this does not occur but such a move would deny many players who earned the right to wear their national team colors a chance to prove that they do belong among the Asian power.

Qatar hosted Iran in the marquee matchup of the day in Group E. The match was a slow-starter, but the fans in Doha had plenty of tantalizing free kicks to witness in the first half, none of which led to any goals. Iran's captain Javad Nekounam had to be substituted due to an injury, but Iran did not seem any worse off without his presence. Iran took control of the match from then on, but they would have to wait until after the half to gain an advantage on the scoreboard.

One minute after returning, Iran blasted home the opener. Qatar, to their credit, pressed for the equalizer, which they found ten minutes after the opener. Iran continued to look the better side, however, but were unable to capitalize on two very good chances, and Qatar escaped their own building with a 1-1 draw to remain close to the top of a very tight group.

Iran 4 pts +3

Bahrain 4 pts +2

Qatar 2 pts 0

Indonesia 0 pts -5

Goals:

Bahrain

Sayed Dhiya Saeed 45+1

Ismaeel Abdullatif 71

Iran

Hadi Aghili 46

Qatar

Mohamed El Sayed 55

Match Reports:

http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/football/pssi-ponders-putting-u-23-squad-in-for-rest-of-qualifiers/464002

http://english.cntv.cn/program/sportsscene/20110907/111038.shtml

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/soccer/wires/09/06/2080.ap.soc.qatar.iran.1st.ld.writethru.0509/index.html

Highlights:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ruFZswmRM0 (Bahrain v. Indonesia)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=84IQ_szlhHs (Qatar v. Iran)

Jordan 2 - China 1; Iraq 2 - Singapore 0

Singapore headed home to play Iraq in Singapore. However, it was Iraq who were more keen to right their wrong of losing their group opener. Iraq pounded through Singapore's defense and applied physical challenges throughout the match, but nothing came of their determination in the first period, which ended scoreless.

In the second period, Iraq took a well-deserved lead within five minutes of the restart. Singapore, in the search for an equalizer, felt they had a legitimate appeal for a penalty, but were turned down as they had been four days prior in China. Iraq continued to apply offensive pressure and fouling tactics, leading to three separate dust-ups with Singapore, including one in stoppage time just five minutes after star striker Younis Mahmoud had clinched the match with a chip goal. Iraq wins 2-0 to put Singapore's back firmly against the proverbial wall.

Jordan looked to grab the group lead with a positive result at home to China in Amman. However, it was China that began the match on the right foot. China earned 70% of the possession in the first half, but were fruitless in front of the net, allowing Jordan to escape to the break scoreless.

Jordan kindly repaid the kindness of their visitors by scoring twice within the first ten minutes of the restart. China did not fold, and responded with a goal kicked through a defensive wall just two minutes after Jordan had found their second. With more than a half hour remaining, Jordan were not in any mood to declare the match won. However, a fine final third of the match allowed Jordan to win the match 2-1 and take control of a hotly contested Group A.

Jordan 6 pts +3

China 3 pts 0

Iraq 3 pts 0

Singapore 0 pts -3

Goals:

Iraq

Alaa Abdul Zahra 49

Younis Mahmoud 86

Jordan

Baha Suleiman 49

Amer Deeb 54

China

Hao Junmin 56

Match Reports:

http://www.asiaone.com/News/Latest+News/Sports/Story/A1Story20110906-298073.html

http://www.espnstar.com/football/world-cup/news/detail/item668724/Singapore-downcast-after-Iraq-defeat/

http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/news/newsid=1505968/index.html

http://sports.yahoo.com/soccer/news?slug=ap-jordan-china

Highlights:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9kdWuFQCPqg (Iraq v. Singapore)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxL1CBo6XSs (Jordan v. China)

Japan 1 - Uzbekistan 1; North Korea 1 - Tajikistan 0

North Korea played its first home qualifier of the tournament in Pyongyang today against Tajikistan. In spite of playing in front of a their traditionally very subdued audience, North Korea took control of the match early. A goal came in the first quarter hour, and the stout North Korea defense never looked like giving in. The first half ended 1-0.

North Korea again exhibited resolute defending in the second half and avoided a second-half stoppage-time goal like the one that cost them a draw in Japan four days ago. North Korea wins 1-0.

Uzbekistan hosted Japan in Tashkent in the day's most anticipated qualifier. For such an important match, both teams were remarkably well behaved, and the referee never once had to produce a card. Uzbekistan had the better of the visitors early. Timur Kapadze hit the post in the seventh minute, but only one minute later captain Server Djeparov scored and did his trademark front-flip celebration. More pressure was applied to Eiji Kawashima's goal, including a sparkling run down the left sideline by Odil Ahmedov (pictured, white) that left multiple defenders in his wake on route to a missed shot, but Uzbekistan were not able to find the net again and the first half closed 1-0.

The second half was markedly different. Japan took the game to Uzbekistan and pressed for the equalizer. Tadanari Lee, scorer of the AFC Asian Cup final matchwinner, rattled a post for Japan, but the game was eventually equalized by Shinji Okazaki. Japan held on for the 1-1 draw to share the spoils and the Group C lead.

Japan 4 pts +1

Uzbekistan 4 pts +1

North Korea 3 pts 0

Tajikistan 0 pts -2

Goals:

North Korea

Pak Nam Chol (midfielder) 14

Uzbekistan

Server Djeparov 8

Japan

Shinji Okazaki 65

Match Reports:

http://news.tj/en/news/tajikistan-loses-game-against-north-korea-world-cup-qualifier

http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/news/newsid=1506150/index.html

Highlights:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rCZ2OI3QnP0 (North Korea v. Tajikistan)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=px5JJcZSdyM (Uzbekistan v. Japan)

Full Match Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFnakv6nFaw (Uzbekistan v. Japan)

Belize 3 - Grenada 0; Guatemala 4 - St. Vincent and the Grenadines 0

Belize pulled off the upset of the day when they visited the Spice Boyz of Grenada. Grenada were widely known as the weakest of the top seeds in round two of CONCACAF qualifying, but they were expected to fall at this hurdle due to defeats inflicted by Guatemala, not by upstart Belize. However, Belize were boosted by the news that they would be allowed to play games at home in this round of the competition, so they wanted to come home on a high note. Deon McCaulay scored his fourth goal of the tournament barely more than ten minutes in to put Belize up 1-0. A second goal followed with ten minutes left in the half, and the stunned crowd at St. George's were left shocked by the 2-0 halftime score.

As it to prove that the lead was no fluke, Honduras-based Elroy Smith knotched Belize's third with little more than ten minutes to play, announcing to Guatemala that the group's toughest challenge would be their neighbors to the east. Belize won 3-0.

Guatemala were probably suprised by the result of the first match, but they had business to attend to in the final qualifier of the day. The crowd in Guatemala City would not be let down by their Chapines against St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Star midfielder and Chicago Fire player Marco Pappa scored after a quarter hour, and another goal came a quarter hour later off an egregious dropped cross by St. Vincent's goalie to spring the Chapines to a 2-0 lead at the half.

After the restart, it took Guatemala six minutes to seal the victory at 3-0, the second consecutive Guatemala goal scored off a rebound. An insurance goal was scored twenty minutes later for a 4-0 lead. Halftime substitute Mario Rodriguez proved a force by scoring the third goal and assisting on the fourth. A frustrated Devon Browne was sent off for St. Vincent for a straight red card, leaving his underdog side down a man against group favorites Guatemala for the final two minutes. No other goals were scored, however, so Guatemala left with a 4-0 victory and a mouth-watering matchup at Belize next Tuesday for group supremacy. Grenada travel to St. Vincent on 18 September 2011.

Goals:

Belize

Deon McCaulay 11

Harrison Roches 35

Elroy Smith 79

Guatemala

Marco Pappa 14

Yony Flores 30

Mario Rodriguez 52

Freddy Garcia 71

Match Reports:

http://www.ctv3belizenews.com/featured-news/731-belizes-national-football-team-travels-to-grenada-.html

http://www.belizefootball.bz/index.php/news/146-belize-2014-fifa-world-cup-brazil

http://fedefutguate.org/index.php?news=1308

Highlights:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ba1Rj74pPp0 (Guatemala v. St. Vincent)

El Salvador 3 - Dominican Republic 2; Suriname 1 - Cayman Islands 0

Suriname began its qualifying campaign at home to Cayman Islands. The fans in Paramaribo were surely delighted when the home side drew a penalty in the tenth minute and converted for a 1-0 lead. That was the score heading into the half as well.

Suriname surely spent the second half nervously clinging to its one-goal lead as the second goal never came. However, the home side won this matchup of Caribbean Football Union members by a final score of 1-0.

El Salvador and its rowdy fans in San Salvador were eagerly welcoming the start of 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying. However, the team that finished in fifth place in CONCACAF qualifying for the 2010 edition of the tournament looked less than stellar against the lowest seed in Group A. No goals were scored in the first half, and it looked as though the Dominican Republic were in good position for a surprise draw or victory.

Salvadoran start player Rodolfo Zelaya, a striker in the second tier of Russian football, provided a goal not yet ten minutes after the restart for the long-awaited opening goal. Francisco Ubiera was sent off in the 57th minute for a second yellow card, leaving the Dominican Republic down a man for the final third of the match. With the numerical advantage, El Salvador were clearly favored, but they merely played the rest of the match to a 2-2 draw. El Salvador scored for 2-0 seven minutes after the expulsion, but the shorthanded Dominicans answered two minutes later for 2-1. Zelaya converted from the spot with a dozen minutes left for 3-2 after Osael Romero had been chopped down in the box, but the Dominican Republic put in a second goal in the final minute of regulation. El Salvador held on for a disappointing 3-2 victory, but a victory nonetheless. El Salvador will look to be stronger at Cayman Islands on Tuesday, whereas the Dominican Republic will look to defeat Suriname on home soil.

Goals:

Suriname

Friso Mando 11 PK

El Salvador

Rodolfo Zelaya 54, 78 PK

Cristian Bautista 64

Dominican Republic

Jhoan Cruz 66

Domingo Peralta 90

Match Reports:

http://www.cayman27.com.ky/2011/09/02/national-team-world-cup-journey-starts

Highlights:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=neSoUCQ_MY4 (El Salvador v. Dominican Republic)

Full Match Video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AILvJu2Q6T0 (first half Suriname v. Cayman Islands)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2nw9GDsTxg (second half Suriname v. Cayman Islands)

Canada 4 - St. Lucia 1; Puerto Rico 0 - St. Kitts and Nevis 0

If ever there were a team favored to win its group, it would be Canada. They played host to St. Lucia in their opening match of Group D play in Toronto. However, the Canucks were not on top of their game. Turkey-based Josh Simpson found a way to sloppily finish a goal six minutes into the match, but St. Lucia punished lax defending to equalize with a low strike from distance one measly minute later. The 1-1 halftime result was surely a shock to the fans in attendance.

In the second half, Canada drew a penalty on a hand ball in the box five minutes after the restart. Star midfielder Dwayne De Rosario calmly slotted home for 2-1. Simpson scored on a through ball after the hour mark. Pernal Williams was sent off for a second yellow card, leaving St. Lucia with ten men for the final three minutes plus stoppage time. Will Johnson scored his first international goal in stoppage time, giving Canada a 4-1 win to top the group.

St. Kitts and Nevis hosted Puerto Rico before its crowd in Basseterre. The first half featured lots of open play, but too many turnovers lead to few shots on goal and a scoreless first forty-five minutes.

The second half of play opened up nicely for the hosts, but they were never able to convert their superiority into a goal, so the game ended as it had begun, 0-0. St. Kitts and Nevis travel to play at St. Lucia on Tuesday. Puerto Rico go home to host Canada, also on Tuesday.

Goals:

Canada

Josh Simpson 6, 61

Dwayne De Rosario 51 PK

Will Johnson 90+1

St. Lucia

Tremain Paul 7

Match Reports:

http://www.tsn.ca/blogs/luke_wileman/?id=375070

http://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/2011/09/03/dobson_awkward_affair/

http://www.sknvibes.com/news/newsdetails.cfm/40401

http://www.fedefutbolpr.com/noticias/sep11.htm

Highlights:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=daL2oINNjm0 (Canada v. St. Lucia)

Haiti 6 - U.S. Virgin Islands 0; Antigua and Barbuda 5 - Curacao 2

Haiti was playing its first home international since the earthquake that devastated the country in January 2010. 15,000 spectators came to support Haiti in Port-au-Prince, the hard-struck capital of the country. Haiti scored not once, not twice, but thrice in each half.

After securing a 3-0 lead at the break, Haiti added another triple set of goals, including two from Real Salt Lake player Jean Alexandre. The 6-0 victory should send a message to Antigua and Barbuda that Haiti are serious contenders to run away with the group. To add injury to insult, the U.S. Virgin Islands lost Jaymi Brown and Reid Klopp to injuries.

Antigua and Barbuda seemed to take note of Haiti's message earlier in the day as they hosted Curacao in North Sound. This was Curacao's first international match under their new moniker, having replaced the Netherlands Antilles tag after a change of status within the government of the Netherlands. Antigua trotted out England-based defender Marc Joseph and midfielder Justin Cochrane for this matchup, but Curacao grabbed a lead after just ten minutes of play. However, it was Joseph who opened the scoring for the home side, equalizing with ten minutes to go in the half. Antigua struck again five minutes later to go into halftime up 2-1.

The second half continued to favor the home side. After ten minutes, Antigua went up 3-1. An answer by Curacao with under twenty minutes to play was immediately countered by an Antigua goal, leaving the scoreline at 4-2. Peter Byers completed a brace for Antigua five minutes from time, and Antigua and Barbuda won 5-2. Next up for Antigua is a visit to the U.S. Virgin Islands, whereas Curacao play at home to Haiti in four days' time.

Goals:

Haiti

James Marcelin 19

Jean-Eudes Maurice 34

Kennel Pierre-Louis 45

Jean Monuma 62

Jean Alexandre 65, 77

Antigua and Barbuda

Marc Joseph 35

Quinton Griffith 40

Tamarley Thomas 55

Peter Byers 72, 85

Curacao

Rihairo Meulens 10

Richmar Siberie 71

Match Reports:

http://virginislandsdailynews.com/sports/haiti-shuts-out-the-usvi-6-0-in-cup-prelim-1.1197577#axzz1Wx9QZRs1

http://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-3725-haiti-football-a-crushing-victory.html

http://edition.cnn.com/2011/SPORT/football/09/06/football.haiti.world.cup/index.html?hpt=ila_r1

http://www.antiguaobserver.com/?p=63893

Highlights:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GsgLRw4iK70&feature=related (Haiti v. U.S. Virgin Islands)

Trinidad and Tobago 1 - Bermuda 0; Guyana 2- Barbados 0

Trinidad and Tobago were looking to make amends for their shocking home loss to Bermuda in the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. The Soca Warriors failed to take the majority of their chances, however, and the Bermuda defense held tough. Kenwyne Jones (pictured, red) rose up for a decisive headed goal to bring the first half to its close at 1-0.

In the second half, the teams played with equal possession but without creating many opportunities. Trinidad and Tobago held to its 1-0 lead for the win and the full three points at home in Port of Spain.

Guyana are the only team in CONCACAF to play their first two matches at home during to swapping home legs with Bermuda, so they were looking to take advantage of the full six points available to them this week to put pressure on group favorites Trinidad and Tobago. Barbados visited Georgetown riding high after a 4-0 friendly win over St. Lucia in late August. However, the higher-ranked home side snatched the lead midway through the first period, an advantage that held into the half.

The Jaguars of Guyana continued to apply pressure to the visitors in the second half, and the second goal was found with fifteen minutes left to play. Guyana won the match 2-0 and now lead the group on goal differential. Guyana next host Bermuda on Tuesday, and Barbados host Trinidad and Tobago that same afternoon.

Goals:

Trinidad and Tobago

Kenwyne Jones 45

Guyana

Shawn Beveney 25

Charles Pollard 75

Match Reports:

http://www.bermudafa.com/home/558876.html

http://www.barbadosadvocate.com/newsitem.asp?more=sports&NewsID=19643

Highlights:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8KYh7Pqqd4 (Trinidad v. Bermuda)

Nicaragua 2 - Dominica 0

With the withdrawal of Bahamas, Group C action consists of only one match per matchday. The first match of the group featured third seed Nicaragua visiting second seed Dominica. Nicaragua wasted little time establishing that they would be the biggest threats to Panama while playing before the Dominica fans in Roseau. Twenty seconds after the opening whistle, the home side was down 1-0. Raul Leguias scored the fastest goal so far in the 2014 World Cup.

Nicaragua added a second with ten minutes to play in the first half. The visitors saw out the game for the 2-0 victory and the early lead in Group C. Nicaragua next play at home versus Panama on 6 September 2011. Dominica next play at Nicaragua on 7 October 2011.

Goals:

Nicaragua

Raul Leguias 1

Felix Dorian Rodriguez (pictured) 36

Match Reports:

http://www.fenifut.org.ni/noticias/triiunfo-historico-contra-dominica-.aspx

Highlights:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3t6rsdTaEU

Bahrain 0 - Qatar 0; Iran 3 - Indonesia 0

Iran opened up Group E of the AFC Third Round at home in Tehran against Indonesia. However, just as against Maldives in the previous round, Iran were made to work. Indonesia had a harmonized back line which stifled Iran's attack for the first forty-five minutes.

After the scoreless first half, the pressure was on the host side. However, two set pieces led to the demise of Indonesia. Javad Nekounam expertly headed away two goals off set piece deliveries, including a back-to-the-goal flicked off shot for his second tally. Iran added a third three minutes from time to take away a deserved victory by a score of 3-0.

Qatar visited Manama to face hosts and Gulf neighbors Bahrain in what is considered by many as the fight for second-place in the group behind powerhouse Iran. Authorities were hoping "fight" did not apply to fan behavior after a Qatari television network aired a less-than-flattering documentary on the political unrest in Bahrain just two weeks before the match, a documentary so divisive that the workers of the that channels have been denied entry into Bahrain. Bahrain was also missing many Shia Muslim national team players.

Amidst this external drama, an incredibly forgettable football match was held. Nothing seemed to happen in this match, and surely the fans were relieved to hear the final whistle mercifully end the scoreless snoozefest. The 0-0 result does nothing to separate the two teams in their race for the fourth round of qualifying.

After Qatar's draw at Bahrain finished the day's slate of Asian qualifiers, not a single number one or two seed in any group suffered a defeat. Next up in Group E are two matches on Tuesday: Iran at Qatar and Bahrain at Indonesia. Iran's captain Nekounam claims that all Asian teams are afraid of Iran and that Iran should take the victory on the road, so Qatar will not lack for motivation come game time.

Goals:

Iran

Javad Nekounam 53, 74

Andranik Teymourian 87

Match Reports:

http://www.irna.ir/ENNewsShow.aspx?NID=30545656&SRCH=1

http://www.taiwannews.com.tw/etn/news_content.php?id=1696682

Highlights:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7mTkjXIFsa4 (Iran v. Indonesia)

Full Match Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2nNt2kuiaA (Iran v. Indonesia)

Kuwait 3 - United Arab Emirates 2; South Korea 6 - Lebanon 0

South Korea opened its 2014 FIFA World Cup tournament at home to Lebanon. New Arsenal (England) signing and newly minted captain of the Taegeuk Warriors Park Chu Young made quite a statement to celebrate his two new achievements. The captain rocked Lebanon's goal with a hat trick, with the first two providing for the only goals of the first half.

South Korea continued to steamroll an overmatched Lebanon side that had lost its previous qualifier at Bangladesh in July. Four more goals rained in, including the Park Chu Young's third, as the South Koreans took care of business in convincing fashion 6-0.

Kuwait had eliminated emerging force Philippines in the second round, but now faced fellow Arab foes United Arab Emirates as visitors to open their Group C account. The foreign scenery did not face the Kuwaitis in the slightest, and they grabbed their opening goal before the ten-minute mark. The 1-0 lead was safe through the completion of the first period.

Kuwait's second goal came six minutes after the restart off a monstrous thirty-yard redirect off a free kick that was struck marvelously into the upper ninety by Bader Al Mutwa to further silence the crowd at Al Ain. The shot was perhaps the goal of the day in the FIFA World Cup. Yousef Al Suleiman completed his brace fifteen minutes later, and the socreboard read 3-0. UAE stormed back in the final ten minutes to make things interesting, but neither goal was fully enjoyed by either the players or the crowd because the dismal reality of a home loss remained after both strikes. Time ran out on the Emiratis, and Kuwait won 3-2.

UAE's coach Srecko Katanec was blamed for poor tactics. Kuwait torched the left side of the Emirati defense on all three goals, a weakness that should have been known to Katanec after UAE hemorrhaged two late goals to India to end up with a 2-2 tie in UAE's previous qualifier. In addition, Katanec trotted out a one-striker line up at home, an unexpected defensive posture from a team with aspirations of advancing to the AFC Fourth Round. This loss was UAE's first to Kuwait in their last nine encounters.

Kuwait next host group leaders South Korea on Tuesday, the same day that UAE travel to cellar-dwellers Lebanon.

Goals:

South Korea

Park Chu Young 7, 45+1, 67

Ji Dong-Won 66, 85

Kim Jung Woo 82

Kuwait

Yousef Al Sulaiman 7, 65

Bader Al Mutwa 51

United Arab Emirates

Ismail Al Hammadi 84

Ahmad Khalil 89

Match Reports:

http://www.dailystar.com.lb/Sports/Football/2011/Sep-03/147746-lebanon-thumped-6-0-by-south-korea-in-asian-qualifying-match.ashx#axzz1WxaweNPR

http://gulfnews.com/sport/football/fa-chairman-defends-uae-coach-blaming-players-for-kuwait-defeat-1.860937

Highlights:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qifCmZ0LFa0 (South Korea v. Lebanon)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSVvs9S0dXc (Kuwait v. UAE)

Full Match Video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mik1WJxKOII (first half South Korea v. Lebanon)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uomjohcPMDM (second half)

Australia 2 - Thailand 1; Oman 0 - Saudi Arabia 0

Thailand visited Brisbane with huge incentives to perform well against Australia. A draw would bring bonuses of one million baht and a win would lead to a bonus of two million baht. The motivated Thais secured a lead through a goal at the quarter hour mark tapped in off a beautiful cross by Jakkraphan Kewprom that evaded the head of Australian captain Lucas Neill. Thailand took their 1-0 lead into the locker room.

When Australia emerged from the break, they had recaptured their mojo. A stinging shot from Matt McKay lead to a rebound quickly tapped in by Josh Kennedy (pictured, yellow). The Socceroos appeared to have taken the lead off a Tim Cahill header four minutes later, but the goal was ruled back for a foul on the goalkeeper. Australia scored the winner after their first goalscorer Josh Kennedy committed an apparent unintentional handball off a cross that led to the ball bouncing perfectly for Alex Brosque to score his first international goal and give Australia the 2-1 victory.

Oman took the game to their favored opponents at home in Muscat. Oman had at least four clear chances to score in the first half of play but failed to put Saudi Arabia behind on the scoreboard. Saudi Arabia knocked one ball of the post before the half concluded.

The second half continued to be a display of defensive integrity from both sides, with neither team breaking the deadlock. The scoreless draw means the two teams are joint second in the group with five matches to go. Oman head to Thailand in four days and Saudi Arabia host Australia in what may be the match of the day.

Goals:

Australia

Joshua Kennedy 58

Alex Brosque 86

Thailand

Teerasil Dangda 14

Match Reports:

http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/news/newsid=1503529/index.html

http://www.foxsports.com.au/football/socceroos/socceroos-v-thailand-australias-opening-2014-fifa-world-cup-qualifier-at-suncorp-stadium/story-e6frf4l3-1226128374453

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/top-stories/Saudi-Arabia-and-Oman-play-out-scoreless-draw/articleshow/9844182.cms

http://www.omantribune.com/index.php?page=editorial_details&id=2067&heading=EDITORIAL

Highlights:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFmLQQyh7vg (Australia v. Thailand)

Full Match Video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2IV5UR1Gxgc (Australia v. Thailand)

Jordan 2 - Iraq 0; China 2 - Singapore 1

China opened up Group A play the same way it opened up its second round series against Laos: down a goal at home at halftime. Though the Chinese dominated the scoring chances in Kunming, visiting Singapore's ageless wonder Aleksandar Duric popped up on a two-man counterattack to overcome the Chinese defense and grab a one-goal lead.

China saved its graces after being granted a couple of highly questionable decisions by the referee. Qu Bo had a penalty saved by Singapore's goalkeeper Lionel Lewis in the 59th minute as Singapore preserved their 1-0 lead. However, ten minutes later China were awarded a penalty that never was. The shot was slotted home this time, equalizing the score at one goal apiece. China then took its first lead four minutes later on a rebound tap-in. However, Duric appeared to be taken down in the Chinese box late in the half but appeals for a Singapore penalty kick were waved away. Singapore's coach Radojko Abramovic was so incensed that he was sent off the pitch. China won 2-1 and take the full compliment of three points.

Jordan, underdogs in their road encounter with Iraq in spite of their higher seeding, were looking to spring the upset in this matchup of Arab teams. Jordan continued their excellent form from their series against Nepal with a goal just before the half, leading to a bench-to-touchline celebration for the Jordanians.

Barely two minutes out from the break, Jordan struck again, further silencing the crowd at Arbil and placing Jordan in an excellent position to see out the match and claim top spot in the group. They were able to do just that, sending the Iraqi fans home disappointed by their team's 2-0 defeat. Jordan look to take command of the group at home to China on Tuesday while an incensed Singapore side look to vent their frustrations at home to Iraq that same day.

Goals:

China

Zheng Zhi 69 PK

Yu Hai 73

Singapore

Aleksandar Duric 33

Jordan

Hasan Mahmoud 43

Abd Allah Deeb 47

Match Reports:

http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/news/newsid=1503623/index.html

http://www.espnstar.com/football/world-cup/news/detail/item667240/Singapore-enraged-by-China-defeat/

http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-09-03/top-stories/30110089_1_world-cup-qualifier-kurdish-controlled-territory-zico

Highlights:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RO1-O4jSo-Y (China v. Singapore)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OGjFezfs2k8 (Jordan v. Iraq)

Full Match Video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qfYmVph2SF8 (first half of China v. Singapore)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UF86GMofaZI (second half)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_wneSi5uzM *(Jordan v. Iraq)

Japan 1 - North Korea 0; Uzbekistan 1 - Tajikistan 0

The Blue Samurai debut in the 2014 FIFA World Cup was at home against fellow 2010 FIFA World Cup finalists North Korea in Saitama. Japan were the aggressors throughout the match and merited all three points despite the absences of Keisuke Honda, Yuto Nagatomo and Kengo Nakamura. Japan dominated the game, garnering more than three-fifths of the possession and outshooting their opponents 20-5. However, the game went to the half scoreless.

In the second half, Japan continued to be more dangerous than their passive opponents. Japan hit two crossbars late in the second half, including one hit by subsitute Mike Havenaar in his national team debut. The rain and the defensive stance adopted by notorious scoreless draw connoisseurs North Korea almost earned the road side a draw, but Maya Yoshida buried a header deep in stoppage time to seal a well-deserved 1-0 win.

Later in the day, Uzbekistan visited neighboring Tajikistan, though we assume they did not get their by walking across their mine-infested border. Tajikistan, a last minute replacement for the disqualified Syria, did not televise their home match because an important political summit in the country preempted any coverage of the match. The first half went by scoreless.

The second half threatened to be devoid of scoring as well until Alexander Geynrikh was brought down in the box, leading to an Uzbekistan penalty kick. Maksim Shatskikh had his effort blocked, but pounced on the rebound to slot home the winner with under twenty minutes to play. Tajikistan nearly equalized two mintues from time but had their shot cleared off the line by Uzbekistan's goalie Ignatiy Nesterov. The 1-0 result held for the visitors, who moved to the joint top of the group before hosting Japan on Tuesday. Tajikistan will travel to North Korea on Tuesday.

Goals:

Japan

Maya Yoshida 90+4

Uzbekistan

Maksim Shatskikh 72

Match Reports:

http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/news/newsid=1504209/index.html

http://www.taiwannews.com.tw/etn/news_content.php?id=1697265

http://www.chron.com/sports/article/Uzbeks-win-1-0-at-Tajikistan-in-WCup-qualifier-2152546.php

Highlights:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_QO4g-g8YPA (Japan v. North Korea)

Match Schedule: September 2011

Here is the complete 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying schedule for September 2011. This month will feature two matchdays in Asian qualifying and two matchdays in CONCACAF qualifying. CONCACAF matchdays are notorious for being spread over multiple calendar dates, so we will see closer to the first week of September whether any matches are played out of their originally slotted calendar dates. The AFC, on the other hand, is notorious for following the specified FIFA matchdays to the letter.

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

2 September 2011 (AFC Third Round Matchday 1)

Thailand at Australia 5:00 Brisbane

North Korea at Japan 5:20 Saitama
Lebanon at South Korea 6:00 Goyang

Uzbekistan at Tajikistan 6:30 Tursunzoda

Singapore at China 7:00 Kunming

Jordan at Iraq 7:00 Arbil

Saudi Arabia at Oman 10:00 Muscat

Kuwait at United Arab Emirates 10:30 Al Ain City

Indonesia at Iran 10:30 Tehran

Qatar at Bahrain 12:00 Manama

2 September 2011 (CONCACAF Second Round Matchday 1)

Belize at Grenada 14:30 St. George's

U.S. Virgin Islands at Haiti 15:00 Port-au-Prince

Cayman Islands at Suriname 16:00 Paramaribo

Curacao at Antigua and Barbuda 16:30 North Sound

Nicaragua at Dominica 17:00 Roseau

Bermuda at Trinidad and Tobago 18:00 Port of Spain

Barbados at Guyana 18:30 Georgetown

Puerto Rico at St. Kitts and Nevis 19:00 Basseterre

St. Lucia at Canada 19:00 Toronto

Dominican Republic at El Salvador 20:30 San Salvador

St. Vincent and the Grenadines at Guatemala 21:00 Guatemala City

6 September 2011 (AFC Third Round Matchday 2)

Tajikistan at North Korea 2:30 Pyongyang

Oman at Thailand 6:00 Bangkok

Iraq at Singapore 6:30 Singapore

Bahrain at Indonesia 7:00 Jakarta

United Arab Emirates at Lebanon 9:00 Beirut
Japan at Uzbekistan 9:00 Tashkent

China at Jordan 11:00 Amman

Iran at Qatar 11:30 Doha

South Korea at Kuwait 12:00 Kuwait City

Australia at Saudi Arabia 12:30 Dammam

6 September 2011 (CONCACAF Second Round Matchday 2)

Suriname at Dominican Republic 14:00 San Cristobal

Trinidad and Tobago at Barbados 15:00 Bridgetown

Antigua and Barbuda at U.S. Virgin Islands 15:30 Fredericksted

Guatemala at Belize 16:00 Belmopan

St. Kitts and Nevis at St. Lucia 17:00 Gros Islet

El Salvador at Cayman Islands 18:30 George Town
Bermuda at Guyana 18:30 Providence

Canada at Puerto Rico 19:00 Bayamon

Haiti at Curacao 19:00 Willemstad

Panama at Nicaragua 20:00 Managua

18 September 2011 (CONCACAF Second Round Matchday 2)

Grenada at St. Vincent and the Grenadines 14:00 Kingstown

Will Bahrain have a full squad? The ongoing protests in Bahrain have led to many Shia Muslim national team players being imprisoned by the Sunni Muslim government:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/soccer/08/12/Bahrain.World.Cup.ap/index.html?sct=sc_t2_a7

Bahamas withdraw from 2014 FIFA World Cup

In a stunner, Bahamas have withdrawn from FIFA World Cup qualifying for Brasil 2014 despite having advanced to the CONCACAF Second Round after a 10-0 aggregate defeat of Turks and Caicos. They will not be replaced in their group, leaving CONCACAF Group C with just three teams: Panama, Dominica, and Nicaragua. Only the winner of the group advances to round three. Bahamas were the fourth seed in the group.

Bahamas withdrew due to the unavailability of their national team stadium for the next qualifying stage due to construction delays and the high costs of having to play six games away from home instead of just three.

Panama now have open dates on 2 September 2011 and 7 October 2011. Dominica have open dates on 6 September 2011 and 11 October 2011. Nicaragua now finish their slate of matches on matchday 4 and have open dates on the final 2 matchdays for the CONCACAF Second Round, 11 November 2011 and 15 November 2011.

News Report:

http://www.concacaf.com/page/WCQ/NewsDetail/0,,12813~2426184,00.html

Syria booted from 2014 FIFA World Cup

Syria have been ejected from the 2014 FIFA World Cup for having used an ineligible player during their AFC Second Round matchup against Tajikistan. George Mourad, who scored in the first match against Tajikistan, had previously played for Sweden's senior national team in 2005 and had not received FIFA approval for his switch to the Syrian senior national team.

Mourad made his fourth and fifth appearances for the Syrian national squad in the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers after having made just two appearances for Sweden in his lifetime. Mourad was born in Lebanon to Syrian parents. Mourad's only ties to Sweden were his having played in the Swedish professional league between 2004 and 2008.

If anything, Mourad's two appearances for Sweden should be wiped from the record books. How he was eligible for the Swedish national team is not obvious, but one would imagine that his citizenship was expedited due to his footballing prowess in the national league, the Allsvenskan.

Syria are petitioning their suspension in the Court of Arbitration for Sport. The first game of the next phase of qualifying had been scheduled to take place on 2 September 2011 between Syria and Uzbekistan on a neutral field as Syria have not been allowed to play at home by FIFA due to political unrest. Hopefully, the Court reinstates Syria because it would be a shame to have a strong team banished from the competition based on a technicality despite having thrashed Tajikistan 6-1 in their aggregate series.

Tajikistan have been inserted in Syria's position in Group C alongside Japan, Uzbekistan, and North Korea. This switch alleviates the pressure felt by the other three teams in what had been considered the Group of Death for the AFC Third Round.

Tajikistan's fixtures for the third round of Asian qualifying are given below.

2 September 2011

Uzbekistan at Tajikistan

6 September 2011

Tajikistan at North Korea

11 October 2011

Tajikistan at Japan

11 November 2011

Japan at Tajikistan

15 November 2011

Tajikistan at Uzbekistan

29 February 2012

North Korea at Tajikistan

News Reports:

http://espn.go.com/sports/soccer/news/_/id/6877303/syria-disqualified-2014-world-cup-fielding-ineligible-player

http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/news/newsid=1495459/index.html

http://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com/international-sport/162004-syria-disqualified-by-fifa-over-ineligible-player.html

OFC First Round Schedule

The OFC First Round will pit the teams seeded 8, 9, 10, and 11 in OFC qualifying for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in a single group with only the winner advancing to the OFC Second Round. Each team will play each other team once for a total of three matches per team. All six matches in this round will take place in Apia, Samoa, at the same complex that hosted the 2007 South Pacific Games.

8. Samoa

9. Tonga

10. Cook Islands

11. American Samoa

The teams will play a match every two days over a five day period in late November 2011.

The match times correspond to Central Standard Time (GMT-6).

22 November 2011

Tonga vs. American Samoa 18:00 Apia, Samoa

Cook Islands at Samoa 21:00 Apia

24 November 2011

Cook Islands vs. American Samoa 18:00 Apia, Samoa

Tonga at Samoa 21:00 Apia

26 November 2011

American Samoa at Samoa 18:00 Apia

Tonga vs. Cook Islands 21:00 Apia, Samoa

The big matchup for this round looks to be Tonga at Samoa on the second matchday. Samoa are the pick to advance to the second round of OFC qualifying.

CONCACAF Second Round Schedule

CONCACAF has announced that its second round of qualifying will take place over six matchdays. These matchdays have been split into three sets of doubleheaders to be played in 2011. The first doubleheader takes place on 2 September 2011 and 6 September 2011. The second doubleheader takes place on 7 October and 11 October 2011. The third doubleheader happens on 11 November 2011 and 15 November 2011 and features two matches between the top two seeds in each group.

This round of qualifying has a decidedly Caribbean feel, with eighteen of the twenty-four participating teams coming out of the Caribbean Football Union. Two groups are wholly made up of CFU members, guaranteeing that at least two CFU members will join Cuba and Jamaica in the third round.

2 September 2011

Dominican Republic at El Salvador

Cayman Islands at Suriname

Bermuda at Trinidad and Tobago

Barbados at Guyana

Bahamas at Panama

Nicaragua at Dominica

St. Lucia at Canada

Puerto Rico at St. Kitts and Nevis

Belize at Grenada

St. Vincent and the Grenadines at Guatemala

U.S. Virgin Islands at Haiti

Curacao at Antigua and Barbuda

6 September 2011

El Salvador at Cayman Islands

Suriname at Dominican Republic

Trinidad and Tobago at Barbados

Bermuda at Guyana

Panama at Nicaragua

Dominica at Bahamas

Canada at Puerto Rico

St. Kitts and Nevis at St. Lucia

Grenada at St. Vincent and the Grenadines

Guatemala at Belize

Haiti at Curacao

Antigua and Barbuda at U.S. Virgin Islands

7 October 2011

El Salvador at Dominican Republic

Suriname at Cayman Islands

Trinidad and Tobago at Bermuda

Guyana at Barbados

Panama at Bahamas

Dominica at Nicaragua

Canada at St. Lucia

St. Kitts and Nevis at Puerto Rico

Grenada at Belize

Guatemala at St. Vincent and the Grenadines

Haiti at U.S. Virgin Islands

Antigua and Barbuda at Curacao

11 October 2011

Cayman Islands at El Salvador

Dominican Republic at Suriname

Barbados at Trinidad and Tobago

Guyana at Bermuda

Nicaragua at Panama

Bahamas at Dominica

Puerto Rico at Canada

St. Lucia at St. Kitts and Nevis

St. Vincent and the Grenadines at Grenada

Belize at Guatemala

Curacao at Haiti

U.S. Virgin Islands at Antigua and Barbuda

11 November 2011

El Salvador at Suriname

Cayman Islands at Dominican Republic

Trinidad and Tobago at Guyana

Barbados at Bermuda

Panama at Dominica

Nicaragua at Bahamas

Canada at St. Kitts and Nevis

Puerto Rico at St. Lucia

Grenada at Guatemala

St. Vincent and the Grenadines at Belize

Haiti at Antigua and Barbuda

Curacao at U.S. Virgin Islands

15 November 2011

Suriname at El Salvador

Dominican Republic at Cayman Islands

Guyana at Trinidad and Tobago

Bermuda at Barbados

Dominica at Panama

Bahamas at Nicaragua

St. Kitts and Nevis at Canada

St. Lucia at Puerto Rico

Guatemala at Grenada

Belize at St. Vincent and the Grenadines

Antigua and Barbuda at Haiti

U.S. Virgin Islands at Curacao

AFC Third Round Schedule

The AFC has announced that its third round of qualifying will take place over six matchdays. These matchdays involved two doubleheaders and two single matchdays. The first two matchdays are in a doubleheader: 2 September 2011 and 6 September 2011. Matchday three is on 11 October 2011. The next two matches are in a doubleheader: 11 November 2011 and 15 November 2011. The sixth and final matchday is the most isolated, giving teams three months to prepare for their 29 February 2012 round three finale. Three of the five top seeds for this round come from the East Asian Football Federation (China, South Korea, Japan) along with a 2010 FIFA World Cup finalist (North Korea).

2 September 2011

Singapore at China

Jordan at Iraq

Lebanon at South Korea

Kuwait at United Arab Emirates

North Korea at Japan

Uzbekistan at Syria

Thailand at Australia

Saudi Arabia at Oman

Indonesia at Iran

Qatar at Bahrain

6 September 2011

China at Jordan

Iraq at Singapore

South Korea at Kuwait

United Arab Emirates at Lebanon

Japan at Uzbekistan

Syria at North Korea

Australia at Saudi Arabia

Oman at Thailand

Iran at Qatar

Bahrain at Indonesia

11 October 2011

Iraq at China

Jordan at Singapore

United Arab Emirates at South Korea

Kuwait at Lebanon

Syria at Japan

Uzbekistan at North Korea

Oman at Australia

Saudi Arabia at Thailand

Bahrain at Iran

Qatar at Indonesia

11 November 2011

Singapore at Jordan

China at Iraq

Lebanon at Kuwait

South Korea at United Arab Emirates

North Korea at Uzbekistan

Japan at Syria

Thailand at Saudi Arabia

Australia at Oman

Indonesia at Qatar

Iran at Bahrain

15 November 2011

Iraq at Jordan

China at Singapore

United Arab Emirates at Kuwait

South Korea at Lebanon

Syria at Uzbekistan

Japan at North Korea

Oman at Saudi Arabia

Australia at Thailand

Bahrain at Qatar

Iran at Indonesia

29 February 2012

Jordan at China

Singapore at Iraq

Kuwait at South Korea

Lebanon at United Arab Emirates

Uzbekistan at Japan

North Korea at Syria

Saudi Arabia at Australia

Thailand at Oman

Qatar at Iran

Indonesia at Bahrain