Oman 0 - Australia 0; Japan 6 - Jordan 0

The Samurai Blue of Japan played their second match of the AFC Fourth Round at home to Jordan in Saitama.  It was Keisuke Honda's world, and everyone else on the pitch was just living in it.  Japan found their opening goal off a Ryoichi Maeda header off a Honda corner.  Honda then scored the next two himself, put Japan up 3-0 after thirty minutes.  Not helping matters for Jordan was the sending off of Abdallah Deeb in minute 27 for his second yellow card.  With ten minutes to go in the half, new Manchester United signee Shinji Kagawa (pictured, blue) gave the Samurai Blue their fourth goal for a 4-0 halftime lead.

The second half was a mere formality, but Japan continued to add goals.  Honda sealed his hat trick on a penalty kick after Maeda was chopped down in the box.  With less than two minutes to play, Yuzo Kurihara scored his first international goal off Yuto Nagatomo's second assist of the day.  Japan win 6-0 and look to be in impeccable form going into their upcoming showdown in four days away to group favorites Australia.

For the second time in the 2014 FIFA World Cup, Australia paid a visit to Oman in Muscat.  The previous encarnation of this fixture resulted in a 1-0 Oman victory, but this time around the Socceroos started strong out of the gates.  Oman goalkeeper Ali Al-Habsi made three crucial saves in the first period, this first on a long distance shot by David Carney, and the next two from the boot of Carl Valeri. The first half ended scorless.

In the second period, it was the time to shine for Mark Schwarzer, goalkeeper of Australia.  Amad Al Hosni will not be sending Schwarzer any gifts any time soon after Schwarzer robbed him of two goals.  Al Hosni's second attempt came off a diving header on target that was stopped by a diving save.  Surprisingly, Australia were the fresher team as the match drew to its close, with the heat having sapped the reserves of the hosts.  Oman had all their players in their own half during second half stoppage time, and the 0-0 tie was preserved, giving both teams their first points of the AFC Fourth Round.

Japan 6 pts +9
Iraq 1 pts 0
Australia 1 pts 0
Oman 1 pts -3
Jordan 1 pts -6

Goals
Japan
Ryoichi Maeda 19
Keisuke Honda 25, 30, 53 PK
Shinji Kagawa 35
Yuzo Kurihara 89

Match Reports:
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/photogallery/gallery=1645859.html#1645831
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/soccer/wires/06/08/2080.ap.soc.japan.jordan.1st.ld.writethru.330/index.html
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/news/newsid=1646023/index.html
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/soccer/wires/06/08/2080.ap.soc.oman.australia.1st.ld.writethru.396/index.html

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FgvIBT0Qgzs&feature=g-all-u (Japan v. Jordan)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Njhc74HB9g&feature=g-all-u (Oman v. Australia)

Solomon Islands 1 - New Zealand 1; Papua New Guinea 1 - Fiji 1

The opening match of the final matchday of OFC Group B took place between Papua New Guinea and Fiji in Honiara.  Fiji needed a win in order to avoid elimination from Brasil 2014.  Nearing the quarter hour mark, Fiji jumped on a poor punch by the opposing goalkeeper Leslie Kalai and scored after having a two-header combination in the box.  Alvin Singh headed to a crouching Maciu Dunadamu, who scored Fiji's first goal of the 2014 FIFA World Cup to give his side a 1-0 lead.  Three minutes later, the luckless Osea Vakatalesau chipped over the onrushing Kalai, but the ball drifted wide.  Roy Krishna sent a left-foot bomb just over the crossbar seven minutes later.  The half ended without any further goals, so it was 1-0 Fiji.  Fijian centerback Samuela Vula was his usual self in the first period, replete with crunching tackles and solid clearances.

Just seven minutes after the restart, the Kapuls' Raymond Gunemba botched an open header at the far post which would have tied the match.  Twenty minutes into the half, Eric Komeng got hold of a rebound, but he too shot wide of the Fijian goal.  One minute later, Fiji substitute Apisai Smith toe-poked a rebound to Dunadamu, who shot high of goal.  Smith continued to wreak havoc with the Kapuls' backline, and he force a great save from Kalai.  Six minutes from time, a Papua New Guinea free kick hit an open Kema Jack, who headed the ball home into the corner with some side spin, and the game was equalized.  The crowd in Honiara went crazy because the draw would qualify their Solomon Islands side to the OFC Third Round and eliminate Fiji.  Dunadamu had one final chance to win for Fiji, but his toe-poke was smothered by Kalai as Kalai came sliding forward.  The final score was 1-1.  With the draw, Fiji are eliminated from the 2014 FIFA World Cup with two points earned from three matches as they were chasing a Solomon Islands team that had already amassed four points through two games.

Solomon Islands had advanced to the OFC Third Round thanks to Fiji's result but still had a chance to win Group B later in the day against New Zealand.  The host Bonitos got to play before a capacity crowd in Honiara that was ready for further celebration after already having seen the Bonitos qualify after the earlier 1-1 draw.  After eight minutes, Rory Fallon struck a header at the Bonitos' goal, but Jeffery Bule was there to head it off the line.  The rain began shortly thereafter, but quickly went away.  Leo Bertos sent a nice chipped ball to Chris Wood that beat the offside trap just as the rain stopped falling.  Wood let the ball hit his chest before spinning left and then firing off the volley past goalkeeper Felix Ray to give New Zealand a 1-0 lead.  Benjamin Totori (pictured, yellow) of the Solomon Islands had been rested for the previous game against Fiji with the intent of unleashing him against the Kiwis.  Henry Fa'arodo ran a ball down at the end line and slotted a pass to Totori who blasted into the side netting, giving many in the crowd the illusion of an equalizer.  New Zealand took a 1-0 lead into the half despite resting numerous players for the semifinal stage of the 2012 OFC Nations Cup, including Shane Smeltz, Tony Lochhead, and Ivan Vicelich. 

The second half was the Totori showcase.  Five minutes in, he slalomed around three defenders before threading a ball that crept along the face of goal with no teammates around for the tap in.  Two minutes later, centerback Michael Boxall was forced to intervene to clear the Kiwi lines.  Five minutes after that, Totori slalomed over thirty yards to make his way into the box, at which point he unleashed a shot into the far post upper ninety for the equalizer that sent the crowd into quite a frenzy.  Five minutes after that, Fallon headed to the far post for New Zealand but Ray was there to punch away.  Three minutes on, Kiwi goalkeeper Jake Gleeson (pictured, blue) had to use his knee to block a shot from the onrushing Joses Nawo.  The game slowed considerably for twenty minutes or so, but Adam McGeorge did coax another great save out of Ray.  Deep into stoppage time, the Bonitos looked to be on the verge of a shock victory.  First, Fa'arodo went straight for goal from a short angled free kick from the left, but he blasted too high.  Immediately after regaining possession, Totori again slalmoed  down the left flank before ripping a last gasp shot just wide of the post.  New Zealand escape with a 1-1 draw and top Group B ahead of second-place Solomon Islands.

New Zealand 7 pts IN
Solomon Islands 5 pts IN
Fiji OUT
Papua New Guinea OUT

Goals
Fiji
Maciu Dunadamu 14

Papua New Guinea
Kema Jack 85

New Zealand
Chris Wood 14

Solomon Islands
Benjamin Totori 57

Match Reports:
http://www.oceaniafootball.com/ofc/News/ViewArticle/tabid/125/Article/223b4d94-2d17-4bf6-89f0-abd33931a9b8/language/en-US/Default.aspx
http://www.oceaniafootball.com/ofc/News/ViewArticle/tabid/125/Article/04d7aad7-ea32-4d54-90be-0effb2738cfa/language/en-US/Default.aspx

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uNcH8tW-3oM&feature=g-all-u (Papua New Guinea v. Fiji)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDIiMvLdZg4&feature=g-all-u (Solomon Islands v. New Zealand)

Tahiti 4 - Vanuatu 1; New Caledonia 9 - Samoa 0

New Caledonia came onto the field at Honiara knowing that a five-goal win over Samoa would be enough to see them through to the OFC Third Round as one of the top two teams in Group A regardless of the later result between Tahiti and Vanuatu.  Les Cagous of New Caledonia were so sure that they would obtain the big result, they rested Bertrand Kai, Oliver Dokunengo, Dominique Wacalie and Rocky Nyikeine for the semifinal round of the 2012 OFC Nations Cup that begins in three days' time.  Perhaps the knowledge that Jacques Haeko was going to be playing gave Les Cagous the comfort they needed.  Ten minutes in, the first goal was found.  Haeko made it 2-0 a minute later.  Two more goals were find around the midway point of the first half, the second on a penalty kick, giving New Caledonia a 4-0 lead.  New Caledonia scored in the final minute of the half, and then Haeko scored his second in stoppage time for a 6-0 halftime lead.

Haeko waited nearly a half hour to finish his hat trick, but he then proceeded to score in both the final minute of regulation and in second-half stoppage time, bringing his personal account on the day to five goals, including the only three of the second half.  New Caledonia win 9-0, which was enough to see themselves through to the OFC Third Round without worrying about the later match.  Samoa are officially eliminated from Brasil 2014.

Vanuatu came out against Tahiti knowing that they would have to win by five goals or more to overtake Tahiti on goal differential and advance over Tahiti into the OFC Third Round.  In spite of this cushion, Tahiti did not come out and defend because they were looking to win Group A and avoid a likely matchup with New Zealand in the semifinals of the OFC Nations Cup.

Tahiti's Angelo Tchen made a couple of saves with his body, including the second with his head, to prevent his goalkeeper from coming under far.  Teaonui Tehau was chopped down violently by Vanuatu's goalkeeper Enest Bong, who was lucky to escape with only a yellow card.  Tahiti converted on the penalty kick for a 1-0 lead.  Robert Tasso nearly equalized for Vanuatu, but his shot hit the outside of the right post.  Later, Tasso flashed a ball past the left post that was something between a direct strike and a through ball.  On a corner kick with eight minutes left in the first half, Tahiti overloaded the front post only to send the kick to the back post where Johnathan Tehau (pictured, white) leapt high to head home for a 2-0 lead.  The score remained stable through the half.

A dozen minutes after play had resumed, Tchen caught up to a ball on the right side of the endline, at which point he passed to Johnathan Tehau, who flicked a ball unsighted to an open Alvin Tehau to give Tahiti a 3-0 lead.  With a quarter hour left, Alphonse Bongnaim botched an open header at the far post off a Vanuatu corner kick, and with that the match seemed to be wrapped up for Tahiti.  Teanoui Tehau got his revenge on Bong with three minutes left when he calmly finished his solo break toward Vanuatu's goal.  Tasso latched onto a through ball in the final minute of stoppage time and finished by nutmegging the goalkeeper for Vanuatu's consolation goal.  This was the final goal of Group A play, and it finalized Tahiti's 4-1 win and progression as a first place team.  Vanuatu are eliminated from the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Tahiti 9 pts IN
New Caledonia 6 pts IN
Vanuatu OUT
Samoa OUT

Goals
New Caledonia
Roy Kayara 10
Jacques Haeko 11, 45+1, 72, 90, 90+1
Iamel Kabeu 22
Judikael Ixoe 25 PK
Kalas Gnipate 45

Tahiti
Nicolas Vallar 15 PK
Johnathan Tehau 38
Alvin Tehau 57
Teaonui Tehau 87

Vanuatu
Robert Tasso 90+5

Match Reports:
http://www.oceaniafootball.com/ofc/News/ViewArticle/tabid/125/Article/e0d0c3ad-80a0-479e-8a2c-618e7576da64/language/en-US/Default.aspx
http://www.oceaniafootball.com/ofc/News/ViewArticle/tabid/125/Article/f10f107e-88a6-45e5-8194-ff00e6f5916d/language/en-US/Default.aspx

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AlFDuS2juiM&feature=g-all-u (New Caledonia v. Samoa)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VbGzoz5Awsg&feature=g-all-u (Tahiti v. Vanuatu)

Fiji 0 - Solomon Islands 0; New Zealand 2 - Papua New Guinea 1

Photo by Photosport employee

The matches of the OFC Second Round rival those of CONMEBOL when it comes to drama this month in qualifying for Brasil 2014.  The All Whites of New Zealand made their second appearance in Honiara in three days, this time against Papua New Guinea.  After only one minute and change had elapsed, Kiwi Jeremy Brockie sent in a cross that was nodded home by Shane Smeltz (pictured, white), giving New Zealand an early 1-0 lead for the second time in as many matches.  However, after a quarter hour New Zealand no longer had control of the match.  Three minutes before time, the Kapuls nearly equalized, but Mike Foster's long shot was tipped over the bar by Jake Gleeson.  The Kiwis lead 1-0 at the break.

Raymond Gunemba missed an open header in the box two minutes after play restarted.  The Kapuls were caught with both fullbacks forward seven minutes later, and Smeltz played a great ball across the box to Chris Wood, who finished for a 2-0 lead.  Smeltz hit the crossbar four minutes after that.  From then on, the Kapuls looked dangerous.  Substitute Neil Hans slid to cross to shoot off a low cross, and the ball floated just over the crossbar, but Hans scored five minutes later from the penalty spot after Tony Lochhead had handled a Hans shot in the penalty area.  New Zealand held on for the 2-1 win.

Hosts Solomon Islands then took to the pitch against Fiji in an exciting rivalry match in Honiara.  This may have been the most up-and-down match of the entire 2014 FIFA World Cup so far.  Fijian striker Osea Vakatalesau missed on a solo breakaway five minutes into the match.   Eight minutes after that, Henry Fa'arodo appeared to have netted the opener for the host Bonitos, but he was ruled offside, which he realized after his celebration had begun.  Four minutes later, Fa'arodo's shot was parried aside by Fiji goalkeeper Simione Tamanisau.  Joe Luwi got onto the rebound but drove his shot right back to Tamanisau.  Ten minutes after that, Pita Bolaitoga reached up with the hand of god to score an illegal goal, for which he received a yellow card.  Vakatalesau came close twice in the next twelve minutes, the second time heading over the crossbar from around ten yards with Bonitos goalkeeper Felix Ray beaten.  Three minutes after that, Joe Luwi's cross found James Naka's head.  The header bounced off the ground and toward the underside of the crossbar, but Tamanisau tipped it over.  Despite twenty-shots (thirteen for Fiji), the first half ended scoreless.

In the second period, old soccer adages were disobeyed.  Thirteen minutes after the whistle to resume was blown, Fiji had two headers in the box off a corner.  Two headers always equals a goal, but Alvin Singh sent the second one off frame.  Three minutes later, Ray smothered Roy Krishna's one-on-one breakaway to keep the hosts level at zero goals apiece.  With three minutes left in the match, Bolaitoga knocked a header home, but he was deemed to be offside.  Two minutes later, Vakatalesau was stonewalled by Ray who then immediately rolled an outlet pass to the right side that led to Nicolas Muri getting into the box, but his shot was pushed away by Tamanisau.  Despite fifteen shots in the second half (eight for Fiji), the match ended at 0-0.

With the tie in the second match of the day, New Zealand secure their progression to the OFC Third Round with one match remaining.  Papua New Guinea are eliminated from the 2014 FIFA World Cup, but they do have a match left against Fiji on 6 June 2012.  Solomon Islands will host New Zealand in the last match in Group B.  The crazy scenario of the final matchday is as follows: if both New Zealand and Fiji win by exactly one goal and Fiji score exactly one more goal than the Solomon Islands do during Matchday Three, then qualification will be decided by a drawing of lots between the Solomon Islands and Fiji.

New Zealand 6 pts IN
Solomon Islands 4 pts +1 1 goal scored
Fiji 1 pts -1 0 goals scored
Papua New Guinea OUT

Goals
New Zealand
Shane Smeltz 2
Chris Wood 54

Papua New Guinea
Neil Hans 87 PK

Match Reports
http://www.oceaniafootball.com/ofc/News/ViewArticle/tabid/125/Article/eb30638e-c428-438c-b428-6b5ae7000f1a/language/en-US/Default.aspx
http://www.oceaniafootball.com/ofc/News/ViewArticle/tabid/125/Article/2f537946-88bb-4959-a419-b4340039046e/language/en-US/Default.aspx
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/news/newsid=1643812/index.html?intcmp=newsreader_news_box_3

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLM7JLIBxkU&feature=g-all-u (New Zealand v. Papua New Guinea)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aMA-4YBMRd0&feature=g-all-u (Fiji v. Solomon Islands)

Colombia 1 - Peru 0

Peru and Colombia completed CONMEBOL Matchday Five in Lima.  Colombia did a great job shutting down the Peruvian attack force which is always so potent at home.  Andre Carillo had latched onto a long through ball just past the midway point of the first half, but he could not decide whether to shoot or to dribble around Colombian goalkeeper David Ospina, so he dribbled right into Ospina's arms.  Three minutes later, Peru's Luis Ramirez stole the ball in the corner from Mario Yepes and found the ball back at his feet seconds later in the box, but his booming shot sailed just wide.  The first half closed scoreless.

In the second period, Colombia found the opening goal on pretty chipped pass from Darlon Pabon to James Rodriguez (pictured, yellow) who was charging in toward the goal.  The goal was Rodriguez's first for the Cafeteros. Colombia would have made it 2-0 later, but Falcao botched an open header five yards in front of goal.  Peru were unable to mount any serious offensive threats late, so Colombia win their second road match during the 2014 FIFA World Cup by a score of 2-0.  Colombia now remain firmly in the hunt for Brasil 2014 despite having no wins at home.

Goals

Colombia
James Rodriguez 52

Argentina 10 pts +7
Chile 9 pts -1
Uruguay 8 pts +6
Venezuela 8 pts 0
Colombia 7 pts +1
Ecuador 6 pts -1
Paraguay 4 pts -3
Peru 3 pts -3
Bolivia 1 pts -6

Match Reports:
http://colombiareports.com/colombia-news/sports/24385-colombia-beats-peru-1-0-in-world-cup-qualifying.html
http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/04062012/2/colombia-give-pekerman-winning-start-1-0-win-peru.html

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2UyfnBPbX8

Full Match Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tfS545Ae3-0

Iran 1 - Uzbekistan 0; Qatar 1 - Lebanon 0

Iran and Uzbekistan began their AFC Fourth Round schedules with a matchup in Tashkent.  Team Melli of Iran have had many heroes over the years, including all-time international goal scoring champion Ali Daei, but today the hero was goalkeeper Mehdi Rahmati.  He saved two big goalscoring opportunities in the first period, denying first Victor Karpenko and then Alexander Geynrikh.  Geynrikh netted a ball later in the half, but he was offside, so the match remained scoreless at the break.

In the second period, Uzbekistan continued to dominate possession, and in minute 74 they should have taken the lead.  Odil Ahmedov shot initially off the post from a Geynrikh cross, but Ahmedov pounded the rebound over the goalline and into the body of Iran's Seyed Hosseini, but after the ball bounced back and was cleared, no goal was given.  Uzbekistan pressed for the winner at home but were caught on the break in stoppage time and conceded after Mohammed Khalatbari finished on the 2-on-1 fast break.  Uzbekistan have reason to be angry about the non-goal call, but nevertheless they lose 1-0 at home and Iran will be thankful for their good fortune.

Lebanon's Cedars played their first ever match in the final round of FIFA World Cup qualifying before a raucous home crowd in Beirut with Qatar looking to play spoilers.  One early shot from Qatari striker Sebastian Soria was tipped over the bar, but Lebanon always looked the brighter side.  Nearing the half hour mark, Abbas Atwi struck the outside of the left post for Lebanon, whose rebound attempt was desperately cleared away by the right leg of Qatar centerback Kasola Mohammed.  The first half ended at 0-0.

Twenty minutes into the second half, Lebanese right back Ramez Dayoub made a horrific backpass which was intercepted by Soria.  Soria dribbled around the goalkeeper and slotted home for a gift 1-0 lead.  Lebanon's Youssef Mohamed steered the ball wide of goal with an open volley from the six-yard box in stoppage time, leaving Lebanon still in search of the equalizer that would never come.  Qatar win 1-0 to give both road teams victories in AFC Group One.

Goals
Iran
Mohammed Khalatbari 90+4

Qatar
Sebastian Soria 64

Match Reports:
http://www.the-afc.com/en/tournaments/men-a-youth/fifa-world-cup/39353-uzbekistan-vs-iran
http://www.the-afc.com/en/tournaments/men-a-youth/fifa-world-cup/39355-lebanon-vs-qatar

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gV3RRg6D6Kg&noredirect=1 (Iran v. Uzbekistan)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBTffyq-0II (Qatar v. Lebanon)

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

Jordan 1 - Iraq 1; Japan 3 - Oman 0

Japan began their final push to Brasil 2014 in Saitama against Oman.  Judging by the first of their eight matches, Japan's push very well should end up with the Samurai Blue featuring at Brasil 2014.  Fullback Yuto Nagotomo broke down the left side in the twelfth minute to float a perfect cross to Keisuke Honda for a finish and a 1-0 lead for the hosts.  Japan were unable to further translate their dominance on the field to goals in the first period, so the score at the break remained 1-0.

Six minutes after the restart, Shinji Kagawa made a cut inside to his right before rolling a pass into the slashing Ryoichi Maeda, who finished off the inside of the post and past a diving Ali Al Habsi (pictured, green) for 2-0.  A loose ball three minutes after that fell into the path of Shinji Okazaki (pictured, blue) who made a composed finish for 3-0.  Ali Al Habsi had a wonderful double save twenty minutes later on Honda and Hiroshi Kiyotake, but it did not change the course of the match.  Japan win 3-0.

Though Iraq were the road team on their visit to Amman to face Jordan, they certainly outplayed their hosts.  Nashat Akram was a pest all day, and he scored Iraq's opener one quarter hour into the match from just outside the box.  With the halftime whistle near, Jordan pounced on a dropped ball by Iraqi goalkeeper Mohammed Kassid, leading to an undeserved equalizer that made the halftime marker 1-1.

In the second period, Iraq continued to be dominant.  Jordanian goalkeeper Amer Sabbah earned himself high honors with two magnificent diving saves to his right, the second off a short stoppage-time free kick from Akram.  The scoreline did not budge in the second half, so the match ended in a 1-1 draw, leaving Iraq to ponder what could have been had it not been for Kassid's blunder.

Goals
Japan
Keisuke Honda 12
Ryoichi Maeda 51
Shinji Okazaki (pictured, blue) 54

Iraq
Nashat Akram 14

Jordan
Ahmad Ibrahim 43

Match Reports:
http://www.the-afc.com/en/tournaments/men-a-youth/fifa-world-cup/39352-japan-vs-oman
http://www.the-afc.com/en/tournaments/men-a-youth/fifa-world-cup/39354-jordan-vs-iraq

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjHmJSlF9ZQ&feature=relmfu (Japan v. Oman)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2bowSKDKDU&feature=relmfu (Iraq v. Jordan)

Full Match Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kt6XhJd4DfU (Japan v. Oman)

Libya 1 - Togo 1

Togo welcomed Libya to Lome to begin both teams' Group I campaigns.  Togo had made it through to the CAF Second Round after a tight 2-1 aggregate victory over Guinea-Bissau, but now the level of play was raised facing 2012 African Cup of Nations finalists Libya.  Togo forward Emmanuel Adebayor and goalkeeper Kossi Agassa quit the team due to disorganization, so the hosts would have to make do.  Togo scored an opener before the ten-minute mark (picture), but Libya quickly equalized by the quarter-hour mark.  Libya remain on the offensive through the half, which ended at one goal apiece.

Libya continued to dominate offensively until the final quarter hour of the match.  At this point, Togo's finishing let them down and let Libya off the hook as no further goals were scored.  The final score was 1-1.

Cameroon 3 pts +1
Libya 1 pts 0
Togo 1 pts 0
DR Congo 0 pts -1

Goals
Togo
Kalen Damessi 8

Libya
Ahmed Zouay 15

Match Reports:
http://www.goal.com/en/match/78001/togo-vs-libya/report

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWLyQClnmK0

Benin 1 - Mali 0

2012 African Cup of Nations semifinalists Mali were believed to be the big threat to knock off Algeria in Group H, but their opening fixture away to Benin in Cotonou was a tricky one for Mali's Les Aigles.  Zamalek (Egypt) striker Razak Omotoyossi (pictured, white) powered through three defenders on route to firing a wicked shot to give Benin a 1-0 lead that would hold through the first half.

In the second half, despite the presence of Barcelona (Spain) midfielder Seydou Keita, Mali could not get any comeback off the ground.  Benin win the match 1-0.

Algeria 3 pts +4
Benin 3 pts +1
Mali 0 pts -1
Rwanda 0 pts -4

Goals
Benin
Razak Omotoyossi 18

Match Reports:
http://www.fcbarcelona.com/football/first-team/detail/article/keita-recovers-mali-lose-to-benin

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXeMgz2yGCM

Niger 0 - Gabon 0

Niger welcome Gabon to Niamey with revenge on their minds.  The Mena had lost to Gabon at the 2012 African Cup of Nations by a score of 2-0.  The Mena looked focused and came out with multiple scoring chances, but their finishing was wasteful, leaving the match on edge at the half, 0-0.

In the second half, both offenses continued to do nothing, with Niger's defense in particular stifling every opportunity Gabon had.  With the match ending in a 0-0 draw, Group E failed to see a single goal scored on its first matchday.  Hopefully, the level of attacking picks up during next week's fixtures.

Gabon 1 pts 0

Congo 1 pts 0

Niger 1 pts 0

Burkina Faso 1 pts 0

Match Reports:

http://www.supersport.com/football/africa/news/120603/Niger_Gabon_settle_for_draw

Full Match Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZ3LkUepZ4c

Nigeria 1 - Namibia 0

Nigeria began their journey in the 2014 FIFA World Cup with a home match in Calabar against Namibia.  The match was played to honor Nigerian great Rashidi Yekini, who died in May.  The Nigerians looked as though they would score multiple goals in his honor, especially with the high level of play displayed by Ikechukwu Uche (pictured, green).  Uche's scissor kick attempt was saved off the line at the quarter hour mark.  In all Uche, had four clear chances at the opener in the first period, but the scoreboard remained 0-0.

After the resumption of play, Uche had another opportunity go begging, but with ten minutes left in the match came the breakthrough.  Uche finally got one to go into the net, giving the Super Eagles the lead they so desperately craved.  The 1-0 result would stand at the final whistle, and a relieved crowd went home with the knowledge that their Super Eagles now lead Group F by two points with five matchdays remaining.

Nigeria 3 pts +1

Malawi 1 pts 0

Kenya 1 pts 0

Namibia 0 pts -1

Goals

Nigeria
Ikechukwu Uche 80

Match Reports:
http://www.goal.com/en/match/77988/nigeria-vs-namibia/report

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XdpQPV3J7g

Uganda 1 - Angola 1

Angola hosted Uganda in Luanda in both teams' 2014 FIFA World Cup opener.  The two teams have become quite familiar with each other after having been placed in the same qualification group for the 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2012 African Cup of Nations.  Last September, Angola won 2-0 at home to Uganda, so the Palancas Negras hoped for a repeat of that result today.  Angola did get an excellent start with an early goal from Porto (Portugal) midfielder Djalma Campos after a pass from Matues Galiano froze Uganda's backline.  The half closed with the 1-0 scoreline favoring Angola.

By the second period, the Cranes of Uganda had become comfortable with their gameplan.  Part-time defender, part-time defensive midfielder Hassan Wasswa was thoroughly dominant in the match winning ball after ball and cutting out Angolan attack with well-timed tackles.  The Cranes could afford to go forward more often with the Wasswa security net in place, but striker Emmanuel Okwi (pictured, white) had had a couple chances go begging throughout the match.  Third time was the charm for Okwi, who scored the equalizer with less than five minutes left in the match, allowing the Cranes to escape Luanda with a 1-1 draw.

Senegal 3 pts +2
Uganda 1 pts 0
Angola 1 pts 0
Liberia 0 pts -2

Goals
Angola
Djalma Campos 8

Uganda
Emmanuel Okwi 87

Match Reports:
http://allafrica.com/stories/201206050140.html
http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/631629-uganda-cranes-holds-angola.html

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7WSSBveGhw8

Guinea 1 - Zimbabwe 0

Guinea paid a visit to Zimbabwe in Harare looking to keep pace with Egypt, who won the opening match in Group G two days prior.  Guinea had never once before obtained a victory in Zimbabwe, a statistic they were deadset on changing.  When Guinea scored just after the midway point of the first period to make it 1-0, the match stopped being about football for the fans in the stadium and more about complaints and violence.  The half ended at 1-0 Guinea.

In the second period, fans became violent and their national team fell apart mentally in response.  Chants rang out calling for a change of coaches.  None of this could have put the home side in a proper state of mind, and their football suffered as a result.  With the 1-0 loss, Zimbabwe not only suffered their only home less ever to Guinea, but they also became the only home team out of twenty to lose in the CAF Second Round Matchday One.  Guinea draw level with Egypt on three points.

Egypt 3 pts +2
Guinea 3 pts +1
Zimbabwe 0 pts -1
Mozambique 0 pts -2

Goals
Guinea
Ibrahima Traore 25

Match Reports:
http://allafrica.com/stories/201206050785.html
http://www.newzimbabwe.com/sports-8164-ZIFA+keeps+faith+with+Gumbo/sports.aspx

Ethiopia 1 - South Africa 1

The Bafana Bafana of South Africa played their first FIFA World Cup match today since hosting the 2010 finals.  Their opponents were visitors Ethiopia and the scene was Rustenburg.  Bafana Bafana had the upper hand, but Ethiopia remained level and were playing at a high level.  Said Saladin (pictured, red) single-handedly altered the match at the half hour mark with a steal upfield, after which he maneuvered into the South African box to unleash a shot that hit the roof of the net for a shock 1-0 lead.  That was the score at the break.

Bafana Bafana were surely under pressure from their expectant fan base, especially since the fan base had seen the day before that group co-favorites Botswana had suffered a shock loss to Central African Republic in Group A play.  With little more than a dozen minutes left in the match, Katlego Mphela scored from distance from the left part of the Ethiopian penalty area, but Bafana Bafana never found the winning goal.  Ethiopia escaped with a highly unexpected 1-1 draw.  South Africa have now failed to win any of their previous nine matches and have gotten coach Pitso Mosimane fired.

Central Af. Rep. 3 pts +2
Ethiopia 1 pts 0
South Africa 1 pts 0
Botswana 0 pts -2

Goals

Ethiopia

Said Saladin (pictured, red) 30

South Africa

Katlego Mphela 77

Match Reports:
http://www.goal.com/en/match/77961/south-africa-vs-ethiopia/report
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iuEotV2unfFSpCdMZJvD624aq4_w?docId=CNG.d2a0ed62f3b93911fc35b7090623a96e.411

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hyJjtD-1h-4

Tahiti 4 - New Caledonia 3; Vanuatu 5 - Samoa 0

Vanuatu and Samoa faced each other on Matchday Two of the OFC Second Round in Honiara.  Both teams needed to win today to regain traction in the race for a top-two finish in Group A with the loser likely to find themselves eliminated by the night's end.  Samoa had the first chance, but Suivai Ataga's breakaway chip attempt was tipped over the bar by Vanuatu goalkeeper Seiloni Iaruel.  Vanuatu asserted their dominance close to the half hour mark when they knocked home the opener.  Iaruel later took down Silao Malo in the box to concede a penalty, but Iaruel saved Andrew Stefano's penalty kick.  In stoppage time, Vanuatu's Brian Kaltak scored a nice volleyed goal off a corner kick to put his side up 2-0 going into the break.

During the first minute of the second period, Vanuatu scored yet again.  With fifteen minutes left in regular time, Vanuatu found their fourth.  Another Vanuatu goal was found in second-half stoppage time from a header off a short free kick, giving the side five goals from five different players and a 5-0 win, their first of the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Tahiti and New Caledonia played another edition of their grudge match. Tahiti showed that their big win against Samoa was no fluke.  Angelo Tchen struck a free kick from midfield on a rope, drawing a corner kick.  Alvin Tehau rose up high above his defenders on the resulting corner kick to head home from one meter to put Tahiti up 1-0.  On Tahiti's next corner kick ten minutes later, Georges Gope-Fenepej put his hands in their air and paid dearly for his insolence, drawing a penalty and a red card in minute 28 after he commited a handball on Tchen's shot in the box.  Captain Nicolas Vallar put away the resulting penalty kick for a 2-0 lead.  But three minutes later, Johnathan Tehau (pictured, white) led a 2-1 break for Tahiti and side-chipped the defender to lay the ball off for an open Lorenzo Tehau to slot home for an unexpected 3-0 lead at halftime.

In the second half, New Caledonia started to run out of players.  In minute 54, Jean Wakanumune was ejected with a straight red card for a rash tackle.  Teammate Marius Bako (pictured, red) picked up a yellow for dissent and then almost got himself thrown out on the very next play with a bad foul; however, Les Cagous remained only two players and three goals down in the Francophone derby.  Being two men down seemed to ignite a fire under Les Cagous, especially since Tahiti's level of play dropped significantly.  Bako picked up a loose ball after Tahitian goalkeeper Mikael Roche punched away, and Bako expertly lofted a chip over Roche and just under the crossbar for 3-1.  Ten minutes from time, Roche made a great initial save from Jacques Haeko's hid, but Haeko slid into the rebound off the post and was able to finish for 3-2, leading to an unexpectedly dramatic final ten minutes.  A silly free kick was given up by Tahiti, but Roche punched away, leading to a break for Tahiti.  Substitute Roihau Degage struck for a fourth goal for Tahiti, sealing the victory 4-2.  Or so it seemed.  A corner kick flew over the hands of Roche and landed at Dick Kauma's feet with an open net before him.  The scoreline quickly became 4-3 with four minutes left in the match.  Despite their rousing comeback with nine men, New Caledonia lose the match 4-3.

All four teams remain alive coming into the final matchday on Tuesday, though Samoa will need an absolute miracle to sneak through.  Expect New Caledonia to defeat Samoa by at least three goals, leaving Vanuatu in a position where they must defeat Tahiti by at least three goals themselves while scoring more goals than New Caledonia do.  Tahiti will advance so long as they do not suffer a massive loss to Vanuatu; even a three-goal loss would see Tahiti advance.  If New Caledonia win by five goals over Samoa, New Caledonia will be safe regardless of the later result.

Tahiti 6 pts +10 14 goals scored

New Caledonia 3 pts +2 8 goals scored

Vanuatu 3 pts +2 7 goals scored

Samoa 0 pts -14

Goals

Vanuatu

Jean Napropol 26

Brian Kaltak 45+1

Dereck Malas 46

Robert Tasso 74

Fredy Vava 90+3

Tahiti

Alvin Tehau 19

Nicolas Vallar 29 PK

Lorenzo Tehau 32

Roihau Degage 84

New Caledonia

Marius Boka 74

Jacques Haeko 80

Dick Kauam 86

Match Reports:

http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/news/newsid=1643315/index.html

http://www.oceaniafootball.com/ofc/News/ViewArticle/tabid/125/Article/d09c53d0-ea5a-4278-adbe-64ce3feb89c5/language/en-US/Default.aspx

http://www.oceaniafootball.com/ofc/News/ViewArticle/tabid/125/Article/59655c3f-250b-4dce-aa7e-a71cecdacee9/language/en-US/Default.aspx

http://www.oceaniafootball.com/ofc/News/ViewArticle/tabid/125/Article/8b5e3a13-f858-4d57-9f41-5e7ff783d2cc/language/en-US/Default.aspx

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmSEE7miXuo&feature=g-all-u (Vanuatu v. Samoa)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYT1VbLzIfY&feature=relmfu (Tahiti v. New Caledonia)

Argentina 4 - Ecuador 0

Argentina faced Ecuador at home in Buenos Aires with the knowledge that a win would send them into first place in CONMEBOL qualifying.  The answer for Argentina was four-fold: attackers Angel Di Maria, Gonzalo Higuain, Sergio Aguero, and Lionel Messi (pictured, blue).  Twenty minutes in, Argentina found themselves on the break.  Messi passed to Di Maria who passed to Aguero who passed a shot into the goal for a 1-0 lead.  Within ten minutes, Argentina once again found themselves on the break, with Messi running in from midfield then passing to Higuain, who passed another shot into the goal for a 2-0 lead for the Albiceleste.  A whole two minutes later, Argentina again ran the break.  This time, Messi dribbled from midfield, passed to Higuain, who passed to Messi, who then shot into the goal for 3-0.  The scoreline held through the half.

In the second period, Messi stole the ball deep in his attacking end and broke for a shot which was block into the path of substitute Jose Sosa.  Sosa slotted a ball back across the box, and Di Maria struck the net for a 4-0 lead for Argentina.  Argentina were completely dominant during the match and did their damage off a counterattack built to perfection.  With the victory, Argentina go top of the table with eleven matches left in their campaign.

Argentina 10 pts +7
Chile 9 pts -1
Uruguay 8 pts +6
Venezuela 8 pts 0
Ecuador 6 pts -1
Colombia 4 pts 0
Paraguay 4 pts -3
Peru 3 pts -2
Bolivia 1 pts -6

Goals

Argentina

Sergio Aguero 20

Gonzalo Higuain 29

Lionel Messi 31

Angel Di Maria 75

Match Reports:
http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/sport/archives/2012/06/04/2003534480
http://sports.ndtv.com/football/news/item/191189-argentinas-rush-overpowers-ecuador-4-0

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29gbmSyBI_s&feature=related

Chile 2 - Bolivia 0

Bolivia are a team that desperately need points at home to remain afloat in the chase 2014 FIFA World Cup.  Bolivia have two home matches in the space of eight days, so they needed to make their move off the bottom of the table.  However, Chile proved rude guests to the Estadio Hernando Siles in Buenos Aires.  The first half was quite even, but in stoppage time Chile were able to spring an attack.  The Bolivian defense was unable to poke the ball away from Humberto Suazo, who slotted a ball beyond his defender and between two others for Charles Aranguiz, who finished for a late goal that led to a 1-0 lead at the half.

Just as Bolivia were starting to mount a strong surge to begin the second half, their momentum was taken away as Luis Gutierrez was ejected from the game in minute 54 for an airborne tackle to stop a Chilean break.  Bolivia, even down a man, stayed on the offensive for a solid fifteen minutes immediately following the dismissal.  However, Chile played a controlled counterattack seven minutes from time.  A run down the right side of the pitch led to a shot which struck the far post.  Arturo Vidal (pictured, red) gathered the rebound a smacked a shot into the roof of the net to seal the match with an exclamation point.  Chile held on for the clean sheet and a 2-0 win to move to second place in the South American table.

Goals
Chile
Charles Aranguiz 45+3
Arturo Vidal 83

Match Reports:
http://www.nola.com/newsflash/index.ssf/story/chile-defeats-bolivia-2-0-in-world-cup/ae22b48bc37c4d6ca98537f324a778a1
http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/sns-rt-uk-soccer-world-boliviabre8510h8-20120602,0,3193969.story

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6gA5je2tuyA&feature=relmfu

Algeria 4 - Rwanda 0

Rwanda came into Blida to take on Algeria with thoughts of recently deceased captain Patrick Mafisango on their minds.  However, the Amavubi were unable to put together much of a match in his honor as Algeria ran ragged over them.  As the first half hour of play drew near its close, bad luck struck Rwanda.  A clearance by their goalkeeper as he rushed out of the box struck an open Algerian and bounded into the back of the Amavubi net to give the hosts a 1-0 lead.  A soft floating cross to the back post five minutes later connected with a fierce header for a goal by El Arabi Soudani.  Algeria took the 2-0 lead into the break.

With eleven minutes left to play in the match, another floating cross from the right side found the head of an Algerian attacker. This time, it was Islam Slimani who nodded home for his first career goal for the Fennec Foxes.  3-0 became 4-0 three minutes later when Soudani scored for the second time in the match, this time off a header from a left-side corner kick. Algeria win the match 4-0 to start off Group H play on a high note.

Goals

Algeria
Sofiane Feghouli 27
El Arabi Soudani 32, 82
Islam Slimani 79

Match Reports:
http://www.goal.com/en/match/77996/algeria-vs-rwanda/report

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUbirw4NS5I&feature=related

Full Match Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qiDjmHwz584

Venezuela 1 - Uruguay 1

Venezuela went to Uruguay to commence Matchday Five of CONMEBOL qualifying.  Venezuela had not lost a FIFA World Cup qualifier to Uruguay since 2000, a string of five matches, and that streak would be stretched to six after today's match in Montevideo.  Both teams started out strong in defense, and in fact the visitors from Venezuela actually had the most of the ball.  However, with less than ten minutes to play before the break, Maxi Pereira broke out down the right side of the pitch and played an excellent throughball to Diego Forlan, who was able to finish past Venezuelan goalkeeper Renny Vega.  Uruguay led 1-0 at the half.

At the start of the second period, Uruguay nearly made it 2-0, but Vega made a double save, first on a Diego Lugano header and then on rebounded shot from Edinson Cavani (pictured, blue).  Venezuela had many chances to equalize, but none were taken until a cross from team captain Juan Arango found the head of Salomon Rondon.  Rondon had earlier miss a snap header from an Arango cross by centimeters, but this time Rondon's shot took a slight deflection off Uruguay's Diego Godin, and the match was levelled at one goal a piece.  The match would end that way, so the 1-1 draw means that Uruguay remain the only undefeated team in South American qualifying for Brasil 2014.  Venezuela will be without the key to La Vinotinto's midfield, holding midfielder Tomas Rincon (pictured, #8), for their next match at home to Chile due to accumulation of yellow cards after Rincon picked up his second of the tournament today.  Lugano misses Uruguay's next match at home to Peru due to yellow card suspension.

Goals
Uruguay
Diego Forlan 38

Venezuela
Salomon Rondon 84

Match Reports:
http://msn.foxsports.com/foxsoccer/latinamerica/story/uruguay-1-1-venezuela-conmebol-world-cup-qualifier-match-report-jose-rondon-060212
http://sports.yahoo.com/soccer/news?slug=ap-uruguay-venezuela
http://www.meridiano.com.ve/futbol_internacional/noticia.asp?registro=248980
http://espndeportes.espn.go.com/news/story?id=1537272&s=mundial&type=column

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RB7m3PNZtlQ

Senegal 3 - Liberia 1

Liberia paid a visit to group favorites Senegal in Dakar.  They were unfazed by the atmosphere and created an early goal with two minutes of the opening whistle.  Newcastle United's (England) all-world striker Papiss Cisse (pictured, white #15) stepped up to the penalty spot but failed to convert for Senegal as Liberia's Nathaniel Sherman saved the shot.  Luckily for Cisse, redemption was found quickly.  His floated cross was volleyed home expertly by Ibrahima Balde, so the score at the break was 1-1.

Solomon Grimes was ejected for a red card in minute 62, leaving Liberia a man down for the remainder of the match.  Ten minutes on, Senegal capitalized on their numerical superiority when Dame N'Doye chested a ball down on the left flank, cut inside, and smoked a ball into the goal at the near post for 2-1.  Senegal capitalized a second time another ten minutes on.  The 3-1 score proved to be the final scoreline, and Senegal take the early lead in Group J.

Goals
Senegal
Ibrahima Balde 32
Dame N'Doye 72
Sadio Mane 83

Liberia
Francis Doe 2

Match Reports:
http://www.frontpageafricaonline.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3292:-senegal-survive-early-scare-to-stumble-liberia-3-1-in-2014-world-cup-qualifier-in-dakar&catid=49:football&Itemid=123
http://theliberiantimes.com/?p=9242

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qH5u53-4k90

Congo 0 - Burkina Faso 0

Burkina Faso hosted Congo in their Group E opener in Ouagadougou.  The football from the host Burkinabe was uninspiring.  The game was temporarily paused in minute 14 due to a massive dust cloud, but it resumed shortly thereafter.  Burkina Faso at one point collected three consecutive corner kicks, but Congo goalkeeper Abedlaye Soulama was on his game.  The score was 0-0 after the first forty-five.

The second forty-five saw some blown chances by the Burkinabe.  Usually deadly striker Moumouni Dagano (pictured, white) blew a chance on an open net three minutes from time, costing his side two points in the race to Brasil 2014.  The score ended with a 0-0 draw that will suit Congo much more than it does Burkina Faso.

Match Reports:
http://www.lefaso.net/spip.php?article48343

Sierra Leone 2 - Cape Verde 1; Tunisia 3 - Equatorial Guinea 1

Sierra Leone opened up Group B play today at home to Cape Verde in Freetown.  Sierra Leone have been a team on the rise in thepast four years, and they look ready to make a push to qualify for a major tournament.  Mo Kamara waited ten minutes for a chance to take a corner kick, and what a kick it is!  He scored an Olympic goal straight off the corner kick to spot his side a 1-0 lead over the Blue Sharks.  One quarter hour later, and it was 2-0 Sierra Leone.

In the second period of play, the Blue Sharks came to play.  They attacked desperately, and they appeared to have their first goal four minutes from time, but Ze Luis's effort was ruled back for a foul.  Luis eventually scored deep into stoppage time for what amounted to a consolation goal.  Sierra Leone win 2-1.

Equatorial Guinea paid a visit to group favorites Tunisia.  Tunisia's Carthage Eagles were dominant throughout the first period, but Equatorial Guinea did apply pressure often in the hopes of drawing a mistake, which they did with just over ten minutes left in the half.  Randy scored on a deflected shot to give the visitors a 1-0 lead at the half.

In the second half, the Carthage Eagles continued in the ascendancy.  Hamdi Harbaoui (pictured, white) was substituted onto the pitch before the first whistle blew, and he changed the complexion of the match.  It took Harbaoui six minutes to record an assist and eight to record a goal, pushing Tunisia into a 2-1 lead.  A third Tunisian goal came with two minutes of the final whistle, and the hosts win the affair 3-1 over Equatorial Guinea to take the lead in Group B after one matchday.

Goals
Sierra Leone
Mo Kamara 10
Sheriff Suma 26

Cape Verde
Ze Luis 90+4

Tunisia
Issam Jomaa 51
Hamdi Harbaoui 56
Chedi Hammami 88

Equatorial Guinea
Randy 34

Match Reports:
http://www.awoko.org/2012/06/04/leone-stars-defeats-blue-shark-of-cape-verde/
http://www.asemana.publ.cv/spip.php?article76935

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlkHhJhuzWI (Tunisia v. Equatorial Guinea)

Sudan 2 - Zambia 0

The 2012 African Cup of Nations winners Zambia got off to a rotten start for their Group D account.  The Chipolopolo made their first competitive appearance as African champions in Khartoum against Sudan, whom they defeated 3-0 in the quarterfinals of the Cup of Nations.  The fog was dense, and it was made even heavier by the use of the floodlights for the night match.  The first half failed to see the goal clearly, either, and it ended scoreless.

Zambia seemed to be utterly confused coming out of the locker room because their level of play dropped while Sudan's rose.  Four minutes into the second half, a left footed strike from Mohamed Tahir ripped the back of the net to give Sudan a 1-0 lead and Tahir a reason to do flips by the corner flag.  A corner kick midway through the half lead to a power header by Saif Masawi, and the resulting goal proved to be the final one in a 2-0 Sudan win.

Zambia's coach Herve Renard puts part of the blame on the Zambian football federation authorities for making poor travel arrangements so that the Chipolopo only had one day to train on the pitch for the match, but certainly worse mismanagement has occurred during the history of FIFA World Cup qualifying.
Ghana 3 pts +7
Sudan 3 pts +2
Zambia 0 pts -2
Lesotho 0 pts -7

Goals
Sudan
Mohamed Tahir 49
Saif Masawi 72

Match Reports:
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/xinhua/2012-06-04/content_6089404.html
http://news.sudanvisiondaily.com/details.html?rsnpid=210892
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18317949

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

Gambia 1 - Morocco 1; Cote d'Ivoire 2 - Tanzania 0

Morocco opened up the difficult Group C on the road to Gambia.  Bakau was the venue, and the host Scorpions were keen to please the many fans in attendance.  Morocco had a legitimate shout for a penalty waved away early in the match.  After a quarter hour had passed, Gambian midfielder Demba Savage put in a nice cross to defender Abdou Jammeh, who coolly volleyed the ball into the net to give the upstart Scorpions an unexpected 1-0 on Morocco.

Morocco were gaining traction in the game during the second period, but their equalizer came out of an innocuous situation.  A hopeful driven cross was flicked on by a Gambian defender, and after one Gambia and one Morocco player both whiffed at the ball, it landed at the far post for Houssine Kharja to tap home.  Kharja was probably as surprised as everyone else that the ball got through to him, but the score was 1-1.  One minute later, Morocco goalkeeper Nadir Lamyaghri made one of the most ridiculous double saves ever. The initial save off a header from a good Savage cross fell to Pa Modou Jagne, whose volley from three yards Lamyaghri saved with an impressive reflex save.

African favorites and 2012 Nations Cup runners-up Cote d'Ivoire began their search for a third consecutive FIFA World Cup qualification today at home to Tanzania in Abidjan.  High pressure on the Tanzania backline led to a turnover in the penalty area, and Salomon Kalou finished to give Les Elephants a 1-0 lead at home.  Cote d'Ivoire took that 1-0 lead into the second period.

The match was not the most exciting, but a second yellow card was shown to Tanzania's Aggrey Morris in minute 70.  With the man advantage, second-half substitute Kader Keita injected some life into the affair.  His cross with a quarter hour to go was headed home by Didier Drogba (pictured, orange), giving Les Elephants a 2-0 lead.  That would be the final score as well, putting Cote d'Ivoire on top of Group C after Matchday One.

Goals

Gambia

Abdou Jammeh 16

Morocco

Houssine Kharja 76

Cote d'Ivoire

Salomon Kalou 18

Didier Drogba 76

Match Reports:

http://allafrica.com/stories/201206040491.html

http://www.goal.com/en-india/match/77969/ivory-coast-vs-tanzania/report

Highlights:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDHokNRuvv0&feature=related (Gambia v. Morocco)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xUZuzr56YNE (Cote d'Ivoire v. Tanzania)

Full Match Video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=raakE9Ok_jg&feature=related (1st half - Gambia v. Morocco)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rInU_v_kQW4&feature=related (2nd half - Gambia v. Morocco)

Cameroon 1 - DR Congo 0

Cameroon started their 2014 FIFA World Cup without Samuel Eto'o, who is serving an eight-month suspension from the Indomitable Lions.  The Democratic Republic of the Congo paid a visit to Cameroon in Yaounde.  Goalkeeper Carlos Kameni (pictured, purple) made a couple saves in the opening half to keep it level at zero.

In the second period, Eric Choupo Moting (picture, 13) was chopped down in the DR Congo penalty area.  He dusted himself off and scored the winning goal.  Despite a lackluster home performance, Cameroon win 1-0 to take an early lead in Group I.

Goals
Cameroon
Eric Choupo Moting 58 PK

Match Reports:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18311005

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

Central African Republic 2 - Botswana 0

Central African Republic had not played a FIFA World Cup match since the 2000 tournament, but today they welcomed 2012 African Cup of Nations finalists Botswana to Bangui.  The highly fancied Zebras may even have been considered favorites in the group ahead of South Africa, but the hosts did not seem to care.  Hungary-based forward Foxi Kethevoama (pictured) scored the host's first goal before the Zebras could even gather themselves for twenty full minutes.  The half ended at 1-0.

If the Zebras had fancied a comeback, Kethevoama made it much more difficult by adding his team's second goal a dozen minutes into the second period.  The game remained scoreless the rest of the way.  Central African Republic recorded their first ever FIFA World Cup victory by a score of 2-0.

Goals
Central African Republic
Foxi Kethevoama 18, 57

Match Reports:
http://allafrica.com/stories/201206041471.html
http://www.sowetanlive.co.za/sport/2012/06/04/car-add-to-botswana-s-misery

Kenya 0 - Malawi 0

Play in Group F kicked off today in Nairobi as Kenya welcomed Malawi into the dojo. The first half saw multiple attacks by Kenya up the right side of the pitch, but cross after cross was cut out by Malawi's defense until Kevin Kimani had an open header which he sent just wide of the right post. The half ended uneventfully at 0-0.

In the second half, Malawi forced Kenyan goalkeeper Boniface Oluoch into a couple of diving saves to keep out well-hit headers.  The host Harambee Stars got nothing going at all in the second half, a drastic contrast from their dominance in the first forty-five.  Neither team was able to pip a goal, so the match ended up as a 0-0 draw.

Match Reports:

http://allafrica.com/stories/201206040297.html

http://allafrica.com/stories/201206040299.html

http://www.savvykenya.com/2012/06/kenya-v-malawi-a-most-boring-0-0-draw/

Highlights:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hDe8LVpKECI

New Zealand 1 - Fiji 0; Solomon Islands 1 - Papua New Guinea 0

On another stifling day in Honiara, OFC favorites New Zealand began their 2014 FIFA World Cup campaign against Fiji, the only team to defeat the All Whites in the 2010 FIFA World Cup.  Leo Bertos whipped in a free kick early in that match which should have been easily handled by Fijian goalkeeper Simione Tamanisau, but a rebound squirted loose and captain Tommy Smith put New Zealand up 1-0 off the rebound.  The rest of the match was dominated by Fiji.  Avinesh Surawy blasted a free kick through the Kiwi wall and toward the back of the net twenty minutes after the opener, but goalkeeper Mark Paston saved his team's fortunes with a diving save.  New Zealand went into the break up 1-0.

Four minutes after the restart, Roy Krishna backheeled a ball into the path of the onrushing Osea Vakatalesau, but Paston again tipped the shot on the dive.  But a minute later, Paston gave up a rebound but fell on the ball only to suffer an injury on the ensuing foul. Replacement Jake Gleeson performed admirably the rest of the way to preserve the hard-fought if not well-deserved 1-0 win for New Zealand.  The result was harsh for Fiji, who will now need a positive result in their next game against the hosts Solomon Islands.

Papua New Guinea paid their first visit since 1994 to the Solomon Islands to take on the hosts Bonitos in front of a packed Tawson Lama Stadium crowd in Honiara.  The Bonitos pipped a dream start when Benjamin Totori latched onto a loose ball to slot home at the near post for a 1-0 lead that sent the stadium into a frenzy.  IPapuan defenders Kelly Jampu and Daniel Joe may well be having nightmares about Jack Wetney after Wetney absolutely dominated the left side of the pitch for the Bonitos, but the further attacks by the Bonitos were unable to stretch the lead, which remained 1-0 at the break.

Off a corner early in the second half, centerback Tome Faisi nearly fired the Bonitos into a two-goal lead, but the crossbar denied him.  This seemed to ignite Papua New Guinea, and forwards Kema Jack and Raymond Gunemba.  Hardies Aengari came back on a dead sprint to block an open Jack shot and preserve the shutout, but Papua New Guinea maintained their edge for the remainder of the match.  However, much to the relief of the stressed-out crowd, the Bonitos held out for a 1-0 win to go joint-top with the vaunted Kiwis.

Group B resumes on 4 June 2012.

Goals
New Zealand
Tommy Smith 9

Solomon Islands
Benjamin Totori 5

Match Reports:
http://www.oceaniafootball.com/ofc/News/ViewArticle/tabid/125/Article/0c95e2d6-8b44-485f-8133-5d0a5e5b2204/language/en-US/Default.aspx
http://www.oceaniafootball.com/ofc/News/ViewArticle/tabid/125/Article/899d4ca8-67d2-48ac-adba-f827cf42d505/language/en-US/Default.aspx
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/news/newsid=1642834/index.html

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-P_dotDHMng&list=PL9222DBA7DAA9CCCB&index=3&feature=plpp_video (New Zealand v. Fiji)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rCIon5tGWXQ&feature=relmfu (Solomon Islands v. Papua New Guinea)