Cameroon 2 - Togo 1

Yaounde was the scene for Cameroon's home match against Togo.  The Indomitable Lions had a penalty awarded in their favor after Togo's Vincent Bossou ran through the back of Leonard Kweuke inside the Togolese penalty area.  Samuel Eto'o converted the penalty, and Cameroon were ahead by one.  Dakonam Djene (pictured, yellow with ball) wasted no time feeling sorry for himself, and his run down the left side of the pitch dragged two defenders and the goalkeeper away from Dove Wome (pictured, yellow #3).  Djene sent Wome the pass, and Wome sent Togo into the locker room tied with Cameroon at one goal apiece.

In the second period, Cameroon were under pressure from their crowd to perform, but they did pull through thanks to Eto'o yet again.  Eto'o hit a wonder strike from the top left corner of the penalty area that rocketed into the far side netting, giving Cameroon a lead again with only eight minutes left in the match. Cameroon hold on for the 2-1 win and temporarily take the lead in Group I pending tomorrow's match between DR Congo and Libya.

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

Goals
Cameroon
Samuel Eto'o 42 PK, 82

Togo
Dove Wome 45+2

Match Reports:
http://www.cameroononline.org/2013/03/25/the-indomitable-lions-could-do-better/

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U8ATnVtFJ8o

Tahiti 2 - Solomon Islands 0

Pirae was the site as already-eliminated Tahiti hosted already-eliminated Solomon Islands in Tahiti's final home match of Brasil 2014.  The home side were looking to earn their first points of the OFC Third Round, and a free kick goal from Heimano Bourebare provided them with the opener a couple minutes before the half-hour mark.  The difficult task for Solomon Islands was made all the more difficult by the fact that they traveled with only thirteen players to the match, only two of whom had been previously capped.  Steevy Chong Hue had two chances to extend the lead before the break, but he was unable to do so.  Tahiti led 1-0 at the break.

With twenty minutes to goal, Solomon goalkeeper Sammy Osso made a nice save to deny Yannick Vero, but a dozen minutes later Tahiti captain Nicolas Vallar scored from a long-range effort to finally put the game out of reach and give Tahiti reason to celebrate for the first time in round three of qualifying.  Tahiti win 2-0.

Goals:
Tahiti
Heimano Bourebare 28
Nicolas Vallar 82

Match Reports:
http://www.oceaniafootball.com/ofc/News/ViewArticle/tabid/125/Article/567173df-e53f-4fc9-89e0-9a97bf06fbdc/language/en-US/Default.aspx

United States of America 1 - Costa Rica 0

Commerce City was facing blizzard conditions as the hosts United States of America were facing Costa Rica.  Nevertheless, the match was able to take place thanks to constantly shoveling of the lines by the groundscrew.  A Jozy Altidore (picture, white #17) shot with no chance of beating the goalkeeper took a wicked deflection off a Costa Rica defender and fell right in the path of an unmarked Clinte Dempsey (pictured, white #8) for a tap in goal.  The United States led 1-0 after the fortuitous bounce.  Costa Rica surprisingly looked more dangerous after the goal, but the Americans led 1-0 at the break.

A Costa Rica defender make a nice sliding block to prevent a second goal.  American centerback Omar Gonzalez matched him minutes later with a sliding block of his own.  Ten minutes into the second half, referee Joel Aguilar stopped play in order to converse with the two sides and get their opinions of whether to continue.  Costa Rica, who had been in the ascendancy, seemed to push harder for play to continue through the driving snow, and Aguilar decided to continue with the affair.  The remainder of the match was incredibly sloppy due to the terrible conditions, and thankfully no player suffered an injury due to the snow.  Costa Rica lodged a protest after the match, but there is no foreseeable way it will do anything to chance the final result.  United States win 1-0 in the snow.

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

Goals
United States of America
Clint Dempsey 16

Match Reports:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/soccer/news/20130323/usa-costa-rica-snow-clint-dempsey/?sct=sc_t12_a5

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfdQf9kzH6I

Panama 1 - Jamaica 1

Jamaica invited Panama to the Office in Kingston for their first home match of the CONCACAF Fourth Round.  Midway through the first period, Jamaica earned their first corner.  Demar Phillips whipped in the corner and Marvin Elliot rose above his defender to head the ball away for Jamaica's opening goal.  At the tail end of the half, Blas Perez was sliding in for a redirect on a cross, but his effort bounced over the goalkeeper and wide of Jamaica's goal.  Jamaica kept their 1-0 lead through halftime.

After the resumption of play, it was clear that Jamaica were holding on for dear life.  Twenty minutes in, Panama found their breakthrough with Luis Henriquez hitting a twenty-two yards bouncer into the back of the net.  The dearth of goals in this match with such great attacking impetus shown by both sides was due to stellar defense from both teams.  Jamaica almost had a late winner, but Garath McCleary steered his shot from outside the box around the outside of the far post.  Panama and Jamaica split the points with a 1-1 draw.

Goals
Jamaica
Marvin Elliot 22

Panama
Luis Henriquez 65

Match Reports:
http://jamaica-gleaner.com/latest/article.php?id=43631

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ckicTg6O1E4

Peru 1 - Chile 0

Peru played host to Chile in their fortress in Lima.  Chile were the brighter side from the start, and they really should have been given a penalty when Peru goalkeeper Raul Fernandez came off his line and took out Mauricio Isla without even coming close to the ball.  Rather than being giving a red card and a penalty against, Peru received a goal kick.  Chile were undeterred by the set back, and Alexis Sanchez fired a shot that was deflected by Fernandez.  Carlos Lobaton cleared off the line, and Peru were living a charmed existence.  With ten minutes left in the half, a Mark Gonzalez header was shoulder off the line and off the crossbar by Lobaton.  The half ended without a goal.

In the second period, Peru were the dominant side.  Attacks from the home team were constant, and Chile were hanging onto the draw by a thread.  Claudio Pizarro and Cristopher Hurtado both shot wide on clear chances at goal, and late on a Jefferson Farfan through ball to Jose Reyna was slide tackled away by Chile goalkeeper Claudio Bravo.  With three minutes to go, Farfan was in off a through ball.  An oncoming Bravo blocked the initial shot, but Farfan collected the ball, and, after a full spin, he shot into the vacated net for the opening goal at the death of the match.  Peru hold on and win 1-0 to pull themselves within striking range of a qualification berth.

Argentina 23 pts +16
Colombia 19 pts +13
Ecuador 17 pts +3
Uruguay 13 pts -2
Venezuela 12 pts -4
Chile 12 pts -5
Peru 11 pts -4
Bolivia 8 pts -7
Paraguay 8 pts -10

Goals
Peru
Jefferson Farfan 87

Match Reports:
http://www.ilovechile.cl/2013/03/23/chile-fail-overcome-peru/83410
http://digitaljournal.com/article/346308

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wr_Ci0Mn4K8

Argentina 3 - Venezuela 0

Buenos Aires had a pro-Argentina crowd in store for visiting Venezuela.  Venezuela goalkeeper Daniel Hernandez was put to the test early and often.  He made a great double save on Lionel Messi (pictured, white) and Pablo Zabaleta as La Vinotinto held Argentina at bay for the first half hour.  Venezuela left back Gabriel Cichero made a last second tackle on Ezequiel Lavezzi to protect Hernandez's goal, and he was followed later by his center back Oswaldo Vizcarrondo, who saved an open net with a sliding block on Gonzalo Higuain.  However, one minute later Higuain was through on a nutmeg pass from Messi and the tap in gave Argentina a 1-0 lead.  A Marcos Rojo cross nearly was put on frame by a lengthy Messi volley.  Two minutes from the end of the half, Cichero committed a needless handball offense within his own penalty area, leading to a penalty which was converted for a 2-0 halftime lead to Argentina.

In the second period, Venezuela very much could feel hard done.  A Messi through ball to a clearly offside Higuain led to a third goal before the hour mark, and Argentina were coasting at 3-0.  Venezuela substitute Romulo Otero began to shake up the Argentine defense as they now faced three forwards.  Four minutes after the offside goal, Venezuela forward Salomon Rondon took two Argentina defenders wide left before laying off a through ball to Otero, which he just skied over the crossbar.  With less than ten minutes to go, another Rondon lay off to Otero nearly led to a goal, but Sergio Romero in goal for Argentina made a solid save.  Argentina win 3-0 and look likely to be the first South American side to qualify for Brasil 2014 after the host country.

Goals
Argentina
Gonzalo Higuain 29, 59
Lionel Messi 43 PK

Match Reports:
http://www.ufwc.co.uk/2013/03/argentina-3-0-venezuela/
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/argentina-3-0-venezuela-higuain-015500818--sow.html

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gzJJ45bHLO8

Full Match Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pdDB1W0zig

Paraguay 1 - Uruguay 1

Uruguay welcomed Paraguay to Montevideo.  I think everyone would agree that it would be best never to speak of the first half again.  It ended 0-0.

In the second period, the match finally sprung to life.  Seven minutes in, Uruguay really should have been granted a penalty when Edinson Cavani was held around his waist by Cristian Riveros and pulled to the ground on a corner kick play, but no foul was marked.  With only a dozen minutes left, Nicolas Lodeiro nearly put Uruguay in front, but a flying save by Paraguay goalkeeper Diego Barreto denied him.  He had no answer three minutes later, however, when Luis Suarez (pictured, blue) volleyed home to the far side netting after a perfect cross from Lodeiro.  However, but four minutes later, Paraguay had knotted the score.  A defensive header from Uruguay centerback Diego Lugano was flicked on backwards, allowing Edgar Benitez to pip a goal for Paraguay.  In stoppage time, Barreto made a kick save while Suarez was able to kick the ball, preserving the 1-1 draw for Paraguay that held true through the final whistle. 

Goals
Uruguay
Luis Suarez 81

Paraguay
Edgar Benitez 85

Match Reports:
http://www.zonalmarking.net/2013/03/25/uruguay-1-1-paraguay-tactics/

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=giBE2qQTZbo

Mexico 2 - Honduras 2

 Honduras and the heat of early afternoon San Pedro Sula welcomed Mexico into town.  Javier Aquino had the first shot of the match, but he pulled it just wide for Mexico after Giovanni Dos Santos had done amazing work to track the ball down.  Andres Guardado unleashed a cross that was nearly headed on frame by Javier Hernandez (pictured, green).  Honduras then had a couple chances in a row.  Francisco Rodriguez blocked the first one, but the second one had to be saved by Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa after a terrible clearance by Hector Moreno allowed Oscar Garcia to take a shot for Honduras.  After a calm period, Guardado drove up the left side of the pitch against the Honduran defense, and he let fly a perfect cross a few yards short of the near post after beating Arnold Peralta.  Hernandez beat his marker Victor Bernardez to the ball and headed the ball over the goalkeeper from the acute angle to give Mexico the opener before a half hour had elapsed.  Ochoa again made a saving play several minutes later when he came off his line to beat Honduras forward Jerry Bengston to a ball before clearing upfield.  Moreno had a saving slide tackle after a through ball from Garcia put Carlo Costly in on goal.  Bengston found himself open inside the six-yard box at the end of the half from a Mario Martinez cross, but he shot wide.  Mexico led 1-0 at halftime.

Noel Valladeres in goal for Honduras made a brilliant diving save off a diving header attempt to deny Mexico early in the second half.  One minute later, Bengston missed another header opportunity, this time off a Peralta cross.  Mexico found a second goal not quite ten minutes into the second half.  Carlos Salcido smoked a free kick low from the left side, and again it was Hernandez who beat everyone to the near post.  This time, Hernandez used a sliding kick to push the pass home for 2-0 and completely deflate Honduras.  Somehow, the home side dusted themselves off and found a way into the match.  A Martinez corner was curled onto the six-yard box, from where a heavy header from Carlo Costly made its way into the net and gave Honduras a lifeline.  Down just 2-1 now, it took Honduras just three minutes to find the equalizer.  A clumsy tackle from the side by Rodriguez on Costly gave Honduras a penalty kick opportunity.  Ochoa blocked the initial shot, but the rebound went straight to the kicker and the put back was simple enough for a 2-2 scoreline.  Mexico should have had a dangerous free kick at the end of the match when Bermudez took down Guardado by grabbing his face on a three-on-two breakaway, but no foul was given.  Time expired and the result is a 2-2 draw.

Goals
Mexico
Javier Hernandez 28, 54

Honduras
Carlo Costly 77
Jerry Bengston 80

Match Reports:
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/honduras-2-2-mexico-los-231500310--sow.html
http://espnfc.com/news/story/_/id/1384899/mexico-wastes-2-goal-lead-to-draw-in-honduras?cc=5901

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bCo1JAAHqlI

Colombia 5 - Bolivia 0

Barranquilla and red-hot Colombia welcomed Bolivia to town in what promised to be the most one-sided of the four matches on CONMEBOL Matchday Eleven.  Colombia's attack was hitting on all cylinders on this day, and their intricate passing movements led to the first goal.  Teofilo Gutierrez drove up the pitch before passing to Radamel Falcao, who sent it wide to Guillermo Cuadrado, who cut the ball back for a wide open Macnelly Torres, who finished easily for the opening strike.  Bolivia were nevertheless down only 1-0 at halftime.

It took two minutes for Colombia to double the lead after halftime.  A short free kick from the side of the box led to a goal after an initial block from Abel Aguilar's header was knocked home on the rebound by Carlos Valdes.  The third came just beyond the hour mark with a long through ball from Torres reaching Gutierrez, who finished under pressure from the onrushing goalkeeper.  A fourth was found less than five minutes from full time when a cross from the left side by Pablo Armero found two Colombians open inside the six-yard box.  Falcao got to the ball before Gutierrez, so the goal goes to Falcao.  In stoppage time, Armero provided the goal of the day with an corner-of-the-penalty-area chip over the goalkeeper who had come out to slide tackle him.  Colombia win 5-0.

Goals
Colombia
Macnelly Torres 20
Carlos Valdes 49
Teofilo Gutierrez 62
Radamel Falcao 86
Pablo Armero 90+3

Match Reports:
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/news/newsid=2042862/index.html
http://sports.terra.com/soccer/world-cup/qualifiers/colombia-pounds-bolivia-5-0-to-reach-2nd-place-in-qualifiers,85aa94fb6249d310VgnVCM3000009acceb0aRCRD.html

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MF-WicrtIdM

Full Match Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGrit2JKX_M

Finland 1 - Spain 1; France 3 - Georgia 1

Visiting Finland dealt the crowd gathered in Gijon the shock of the day as they took on defending champions Spain.  As was expected, the Spaniards dominated the possession battle, but a determined Finland refused to concede.  Finland constantly played with eleven men in their own half of the field, parking the bus at an expert level.  Santi Cazorla had a big hit midway through the period, but Finland goalkeeper Niki Maenpaa parried the low shot away.  Andres Iniesta had an even better long-range effort with six minutes left in the half that was also stopped by Maenpaa.  The half closed as it began: 0-0.

In the second period, Spain broke the deadlock.  A David Silva corner came onto the head of Sergio Ramos, who celebrated his 100th cap in style with the opening goal.  As a testament to Filand's good defense, their first free kick surrendered did not come until after the hour mark.  Thirty minutes after scoring, however, the Spaniards were caught on the break.  Their reward for solid defending was a shock equalizer on the break.  Two quick passes led to a ball being played into Teemu Pukki, whose first-time effort found the back of the net to break Spanish hearts.  In spite of massive pressure, Spain were unable to find a tiebreaking goal.  Spain manage only a 1-1 draw at home.  To make matters worse, David Silva will be suspended for Tuesday's decisive match in France after collecting too many yellow cards during the campaign. 

Georgia traveled to Saint-Denis to face France.  France did not make their dominance pay off until stoppage time.  A free kick from player of the match Mathieu Valbuena led to a header goal from Olivier Giroud.  With a 1-0 lead in their pockets, France returned to the locker room.

Two minutes in, Franck Ribery was able to pass a ball to Valbuena while neither French attacker was under pressure.  The result was a clinical finish by Valbuena and a 2-0 lead.  Not quite a quarter hour later, Ribery had a goal of his own after having received a ball from Valbuena.  He fought off the challenge of Georgia right back Zurab Khizanishvili in order to fire low to the near post for a 3-0 lead.  Ten minutes later, Georgia had pulled a goal back after a deflected cross fell to Alexander Kobakhidze.  His shot was deflected on the way in by a French defender, so the double deflection proved to be lucky for the visitors, but it was not enought to earn them any points on the night.  France win 3-1 and take the Group I lead into the decisive match against Spain on Tuesday.

France 10 pts +5
Spain 8 pts +5
Georgia 4 pts -4
Belarus 3 pts -5
Finland 2 pts -1

Goals
Spain
Sergio Ramos 49

Finland
Teemu Pukki 79

France
Olivier Giroud 45+1
Mathieu Valbuena 47
Franck Ribery 61

Georgia
Alexander Kobakhidze 71

Match Reports:
http://yle.fi/uutiset/finland_draws_with_world_football_champions_spain/6551712
http://www.france24.com/en/20130323-france-beat-georgia-go-top-group
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/soccer/news/20130322/france-georgia-uefa-world-cup-qualifying.ap/

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpw-EAgVi3g (Finland v. Spain)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F30ARCtnxYw (France v. Georgia)

Ukraine 3 - Poland 1; Montenegro 1 - Moldova 0; England 6 - San Marino 0

Rainy Chisinau was the locale as group leaders Montenegro came into town to take on Moldova.  The first half saw very little action except for a long distance near-miss by Moldova, and the teams went into the break scoreless.

Montenegro were looking for the home run with long balls to Stevan Jovetic, and they nearly had an opener through him, but Moldova goalkeeper Serghei Pascenco smartly came off his line to block the shot.  Milorad Pekovic picked up his second yellow card in minute 61, leaving Montenegro a man down for the final thirty minutes of the match.  This did not phase the Montenegrins as they continued to push for the opening goal.  They found it off a loose ball header in the Moldovan penalty area that was met first by Mirko Vucinic on the volley.  The score put Montenegro on track to win.  To add to the bad news of the day for the hosts, Alexandru Gatcan picked up two yellow cards in the final minute of regulation and in stoppage time to get himself sent off at the end of the defeat.  Montenegro win 1-0 to maintain their edge at the top of Group H with a date against second-place England set for Tuesday.

Warsaw was the site of the clash between the 2012 UEFA Euro co-hosts Poland and Ukraine.  The homefield advantage was Polish, but the footballing advantage was Ukrainian on this day.  Andriy Yarmolenko waited only ninety seconds to put Ukraine ahead with a majestic left-footed curler into the side netting from seventeen yards out.  But five minutes later, Ukraine had struck again.  Roman Zuzulia chested a ball down at the edge of the box and then tap into the path of an oncoming Oleg Gusev, who made it 2-0 with a strike from nineteen yards.  Poland thereafter had the better of play.  Sebastian Boenisch had a free volley on a well-run set piece, but he directed the ball straight at the goalkeeper.  Within a dozen minutes of having surrended the second goal, Poland found one of their own.  Lukasz Piszczek ran a one-two-one with Jakub Blaszczykowski that led to him toeing a ball on a curl away from the goalkeeper that made the score 2-1 to Ukraine.  Twenty minutes on, a Polish free kick from the corner of the box was swung over the wall by Maciej Rybus.  The wall was beaten but not goalkeeper Andriy Pyatov, who made the save with a diving punch away.  In the final minute of the half, a breakneck flick on header from Yarmolenko found Zuzulia for a side volley finish, giving Ukraine a 3-1 lead at the conclusion of the half.

Ludovic Obraniak was next to suffer the wrath of Pyatov when he was robbed from seven yards by the anticipation and agility of Pyatov.  Ukraine were content to defend and counter with the lead, and a powerful Ruslan Rotan effort would have made it four goals on the night but for a fine save by Poland goalkeeper Artur Boruc.  Ukraine win 3-1 on the road.

Serravalle and San Marino played an all-together too friendly host to England.  An early own goal set the tone as the home side were unable to stymie the attack of the Three Lions.  By the time the first half was over, England had a five-goal advantage.  Ashley Young's effort for the fourth goal was the highlight: an absolute rocket off the underside of the crossbar from twenty-five yards.  England led 5-0 after forty-five minutes and did not look like stopping.

Wayne Rooney struck a free up and over the wall from twenty-eight yards to make it 6-0.  Two more goals were eventually hemorrhaged by the home side.  England win 8-0 and go to Montenegro in four days to seek the group lead.

Montenegro 13 pts +11
England 11 pts +18
Ukraine 5 pts +1
Poland 5 pts 0
Moldova 4 pts -6
San Marino 0 pts -24

Goals
Montenegro
Mirko Vucinic 78

Ukraine
Andriy Yarmolenko 2
Oleg Gusev 7
Roman Zozulia 45

Poland
Lukasz Piszczek 18

England
Alessandro Della Valle 12 OG
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain 29
Jermain Defore 34, 77
Ashley Young 39
Frank Lampard 42
Wayne Rooney 54
Daniel Sturridge 70

Match Reports:
http://www.uefa.com/worldcup/season=2014/matches/round=2000294/match=2008730/postmatch/report/index.html
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2299095/Montenegro-scouting-report-What-did-England-learn-match-Moldova.html
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/soccer-ukraine-dominate-win-3-1-poland-220716209--sow.html
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/soccer/news/20130322/england-san-marino-world-cup-qualifying.ap/

Highlights:
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xyeva6_moldova-vs-montenegro-0-1-match-highlights_sport#.UVaBxhykrdg (Montenegro v. Moldova)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQs0qbt83JQ (Ukraine v. Poland)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8A8LOYCDeOk (England v. San Marino)

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

Zagreb was the site of the historic first match between eternal rivals and former enemies-at-war.  The home side Croatia welcomed Serbia into their abode knowing a win would all but eliminate their opponents and would allow them to maintain pressure on Belgium. This was the very stadium in which the Croatian War for Independence from Serbia had begun in 1990, and the terrible history between the two nations was palpable in the stands as the Croats made their displeasure with Serbia known.

Croatia's game plan was to attack through the middle of the pitch and only to look for width with Darijo Srna coming upfield from his right back position.  Debutant Mateo Kovacic ran the offense as the only one of Croatia's four midfielders playing in a defensive stance.  Srna's runs would attack Serbia's weakness, left back Aleksandar Kolarov, and indeed it was a mistake from Kolarov that led to the first goal.  His quick free kick was hit immediately to Mario Mandzukic, who then started a breakawy.  Ivica Olic eventually received teh ball and laid it off for Mandzukic, who gave Croatia a 1-0 lead.  A quarter hour later, Srna hit a free kick into the six-yard box that was somehow allowed to bounce by Serbia goalkeeper Zeljko Brkic.  Olic knocked home off the bounce for a 2-0 lead that would hold through the half.

Right after the half began, Kolarov tried to make up for his mistakes, but his low shot was saved by Croatia goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa.  Dusan Tadic came on for Serbia and nearly made a side of the boot assist to Filip Duricic, but Pletikosa again made the save, the first of a double save that had to be made after a short rebound was relinquished.  The final ten minutes were pretty uneventful, which was great news for Croatia.  They win 2-0 over their archrivals and go top of Group A.

Skopje was the site of Macedonia's home leg in the first of two matches against Belgium in five days' time.  In the first minute, Macedonia nearly had the lead. Goran Pandev drove up the left side of the pitch in order to cross to Adis Jahovic at the back post.  Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois made himself big and had the ball hit his body in order to prevent the opener.  Two minutes later, a Pandev free kick gave Ivan Trickovski a free header from just inside the penalty spot, but he nodded wide.  Belgium finally woke up, and it was Kevin de Bruyne who provided the opener.  He beat Aleksandar Lazevski to a lofted through ball and then, having muscled away his only marker, de Bruyne clinically finished at the near post with the goalkeeper poorly positioned.  Belgium led 1-0 at the break.

At the hour mark, Maroune Fellaini made a pass to the penalty spot to Eden Hazard, who was crushed by Lazevski, resulting in a penalty kick for Belgium.  The kick was converted, and Belgium were in total control at 2-0.  Belgium came closest to a third through a de Bruyne effort smacked wide, but the result was never in doubt.  Belgium win 2-0 to keep pace with Croatia.

Glasgow served as the snowy site for Scotland's home match against Wales.  Before the qualification cycle began, Wales were considered the underdogs, but they have proved more resilient than have Scotland.  Scotland were dealt a blow as Darren Fletcher had to be substituted within five minutes after picking up a lower leg injury.  Somehow, Scotland maintained enough composure to play on without their big-name star.  A Charlie Mulgrew inswinging corner kick in stoppage time found Grant Hanley, who cut inside of his defender to find an opening for a header, which he drilled.  Scotland led 1-0 at the break.

Scotland held firm in the second half until Robert Snodgrass commited a foul at the edge his own penalty area that resulted in a yellow card, his second of the match.  Snodgrass was dismissed in minute 71 for his rash challenge on Christopher Gunter, and Wales tied the score at 1-1 on the ensuing penalty kick.  One minute later, Andrew King sent in a cross that was met by the powerful leap of Hal Robson-Kanu for his first international goal.  The Welsh had their second goal and their first lead.  In the last action of the match, the Welsh playmaker Aaron Ramsey was given a straight red for stopping a goalscoring opportunity, meaning only twenty men were on the pitch for the final whistle.  Wales hold on to win 2-1 and send Scotland to the cellar of Group A.

Belgium 13 pts +9
Croatia 13 pts +6
Wales 6 pts -7
Serbia 4 pts -1
Macedonia 4 pts -3
Scotland 2 pts -4

Goals
Croatia
Mario Mandzukic 23
Ivica Olic 37

Belgium
Kevin De Bruyne 26
Eden Hazard 62 PK

Wales
Aaron Ramsey 72 PK
Hal Robson-Kanu 74

Scotland
Grant Hanley 45+2

Match Reports:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/23/sports/soccer/croatias-win-over-serbia-ends-with-coaches-embrace.html?pagewanted=all
http://www.dw.de/croatia-beats-serbia-2-0-in-no-ordinary-game/a-16694684
http://www.zonalmarking.net/2013/03/24/croatia-2-0-serbia-brave-decision-to-use-kovacic-in-midfield-helps-croatia-dominate-the-game/
http://www.macedonianfootball.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=5443:belgium-macedonia-10&catid=13:international&Itemid=64
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2013/mar/22/scotland-wales-world-cup-match-report

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rj7Ea2m30tw (Croatia v. Serbia)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NXLdXxqUECg (Belgium v. Macedonia)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_zVxllW6xE (Wales v. Scotland)

Ireland 0 - Sweden 0; Germany 3 - Kazakhstan 0; Austria 6 - Faroe Islands 0

Kazakhstan decided to start their match at home in Astana at midnight as they took on Germany for the first of two meetings over five-day span.  The odd start time did nothing to affect Germany as they had the upper hand from start to finish.  Twenty minutes in, a beautiful flick to himself by Bastian Schweinsteiger led to a hard shot on goal that was redirected by Thomas Muller's chest onits way into the goal.  Two minutes later, Germany were up 2-0.  Muller had been tackled off the ball by Kairat Nurdauletov, but miscommunication between Nurdauletov and his goalkeeper led to the ball being kicked out softly by Muller to a grateful Mario Gotze, who finished into the vacated net.  Germany took the 2-0 lead into the break.

Germany eventually made it a three goal lead on a play where Gotze had dispossesed two Kazakhs in their defensive third.  Gotze gave the ball to Mesut Ozil, who in turn created a passing lane through which he fed Muller for a slotted finish.  The goal sealed the victory, and the Germans coasted to the finish.  Germany win 3-0 and look to make it six points in five days against Kazakhstan on Tuesday.

Vienna was the site for Austria's home match against the Faroe Islands.  The Austrians will never take the Faroese lightly, having lost to them in 1992.  It took less than ten minutes for Austria to establish a lead.  A low Christian Fuchs cross was met first time by Philipp Hosiner, who scored his first international goal on the play.  Odmar Faero gifted the second goal to Hosiner after his backtracking header back to his goalie was woefully devoid of power, leading to an easy finish for Hosiner. Andreas Ivanschitz robbed Frodi Benjaminsen of the ball and then fired a long-distance shot that bounced into the goal for Austria's third within a half hour.  The halftime scoreboard read Austria 3, Faroe Islands 0.

Austria went fifty minutes between goals, but they suddenly burst out for three more in a six-minute span.  Zlatko Junuzovic and David Alaba both scored on well struck balls, and Faroese goalkeeper Gunnar Nielsen misread the sixth goal, getting eaten up by a weak curler.  Austria win 6-0 and can dream of a playoff spot given their strong goal differential.

Ireland made the trek to Solna to take on Sweden.  Ireland nearly had the opener, but Shane Long made a mess of his chance after latching onto a James McCarthy through ball.  Ireland would never again have a strong effort in attack in the match.  Ireland goalkeeper David Forde came to the rescue minutes later after a flicked-on header from Andreas Granqvist forced him into a diving tap-aside.   The game was scoreless at the half.

Ireland were on the defensive the entire second period, but their defense was strong and held firm time and again.  Sweden's best chance came during stoppage time when a ball was kicked backward softly into the path of Alexander Kacaniklic, who fired on a half-volley but was denied by the raised arms of Forde.  Ireland escape with a 0-0 draw on the road.

Germany 13 pts +12
Sweden 8 pts +3
Austria 7 pts +9
Ireland 7 pts -1
Kazakhstan 1 pts -13
Faroe 0 pts -13

Goals
Germany
Thomas Muller 20, 73
Mario Gotze 22

Austria
Philipp Hosiner 8, 20
Andreas Ivanschitz 28
Zlatko Junuzovic 77
David Alaba 78
Gyorgy Garics 82

Match Reports:
http://www.goal.com/en-india/match/92455/kazakhstan-vs-germany/report
http://www.uefa.com/worldcup/season=2014/matches/round=2000294/match=2008574/postmatch/report/index.html
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2297969/Ciaran-Clark-delighted-Swedens-Zlatan-Ibrahimovic-quiet-Ireland-secure-vital-point.html

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4do_QJyUJlo (Germany v. Kazakhstan)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FRTf44E3yj4 (Austria v. Faroe Islands)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dR4rRaQEEic (Ireland v. Sweden)

Israel 3 - Portugal 3; Luxembourg 0 - Azerbaijan 0

Ramat Gan and the surprising Israel hosted Portugal in a pivotal match to decide the runner-up in Group F.  In the opening minute, Portugal established their intentions.  Bruno Alves rose up at the six-yard line to head home a corner kick and put Portugal ahead 1-0.  Halfway through the period, Israel struck back.  Eden Ben Basat stepped over a weakly hit cross and in doing so faked out the Portuguese defense.  He nearly caught Tomer Hemed off guard, but Hemed was able to turn and chase down the ball before firing off a spin to the bottom left of the Portuguese goal for the equalizer.  Helder Postiga should have reclaimed the lead nine minutes later, but his chance at an unmark shot was lost when he slipped.  Postiga stood up only to fire off the near post under pressure. 
Seven minutes after that, Ben Basat pushed Israel ahead after latching onto an Eytan Tibi through ball and outrunning the entire Portuguese defense.  His blast made it 2-1.  Postiga was in on goal again at the end of stoppage time, but Tal Ben Haim tackled away at the last moment.  The score at the half was Israel 2, Portugal 1.

The danger man Postiga nearly had a goal again eleven minutes in, but Tibi made a saving tackle.  Carlos Martins came on for Portugal and nearly tied it up from twenty-five yards, but Israel goalkeeper Dudu Aoueta held the ball on the dive.  Two minutes after that, Israel had a third.  Null Gershon rose above Alves to head the corner home, an embarrassing situation for Portugal given that they had eight men defending only three Israeli attackers.  Two minutes later, Postiga finally got his reward.  A through ball from Vierinha gave Cristiano Ronaldo (pictured, red) his first real opportunity, and Ronaldo's cross to the back post was hit in by Postiga on the slide.  In the penultimate minute of regulation, Fabio Coentrao nearly equalized after heading a Vierinha cross off the ground and over Aoueta, but the ball landed on the crossbar.  In the final minute of stoppage time, a Hugo Almeida header beat Aoueta, bounced off the crossbar, and led to an attempted clearance by Yuval Shpungin.  Coentrao blocked the clearance into the net and the time ran out.  Portugal escape with a 3-3 draw on the road.

Luxembourg welcomed Azerbaijan to the city of Luxembourg with both teams looking to move ofut of the cellar.  Ruslan Abishov almost snatched a road goal, but Luxembourg goalkeeper Jonathan Joubert was up to the challenge, diving to his right to punch away desperately.  Luxembourg responded with a ball up the left side of the pitch.  Daniel Da Mota did extremely well to keep the ball inbounds, but his efforts when for not when Aurelien Joachim hit his shot straight into the goalkeeper from close range.  Paris Fardzhad-Azad had a chance to put Azerbaijan ahead, but his header off a long cross to the far post was nodded onto the far post with less than five minutes before the halftime whistle.  The whistle blew with the score knotted at zero goals apiece.

The second half was a mere shell of the exciting first half, with neither side able to produce much offense.  The match ends in a 0-0 draw that really does neither team any favors as they try to move up the group table.

The final scheduled match in Group F was to take place in Belfast between home side Northern Ireland and group leaders Russia, but the snowfall proved too much and the match was postponed.

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

Goals
Portugal
Bruno Alves 2
Helder Postiga 72
Fabio Coentrao 90+3

Israel
Tomer Hemed 24
Eden Ben Basat 40
Null Gershon 70

Match Reports:
http://www.todayonline.com/sports/football/portugal-snatch-late-3-3-draw-israel
http://www.goal.com/en-za/match/92449/israel-vs-portugal/report
http://www.uefa.com/worldcup/season=2014/matches/round=2000294/match=2008674/postmatch/report/index.html

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5rV3qPEnO4 (Israel v. Portugal)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0QFVBOtNnw (Luxembourg v. Azerbaijan)

Schedule:
23 March 2013
Northern Ireland at Russia 10:00 Belfast (Note: this match was snowed out again the next day and was postponed for a later matchday entirely).

News Reports:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2013/mar/22/weather-inspection-northern-ireland-world-cup

Bosnia and Herzegovina 3 - Greece 1; Liechtenstein 1 - Latvia 1; Lithuania 1 - Slovakia 1

Vaduz was an unlikely place for a result to be found as Liechtenstein welcomed Latvia to town.  In a real team effort, four Liechtenstein players touched the ball in the final third as the ball was incrementally swung from left to right.  The third man was David Hasler, who chested the ball and then provided a soft touch behind himself to the right.  Michele Polverino scored the opener for the home side as the fourth man to touch the ball, putting Latvia under immense pressure on the road.  Aleksandrs Cauna responded on the half-hour mark as his thirty-two yard free kick went in off the underside of the crossbar at the right upper ninety.  The score was 1-1 at the half.

A hand ball just beyond the hour mark provided Latvia with the opportunity to take the lead from the penalty spot.  Fortunately for Liechtenstein, their goalkeeper Peter Jehle tipped Cauna's effort around the posts to preserve the draw.  Liechtenstein actually had the better of the final half hour, but they were unable to snatch the victory.  The match ends in a 1-1 draw.

Zilina was the scene as a desperate Slovakia looked to use the homefield advantage against Lithuania to propel themselves make into the race for Brasil 2014.  In the second minute, Slovakia almost made it count.  A Marek Sapara free kick was curled to the left side, from where Jan Durica headed back to an open Juraj Kucka at the far post, who blew the open header from two yards over the crossbar.  An unlucky rebound off a clearance saw the ball land at the feet of Lithuanian Mindaugas Kalonas, who dribbled away from one defender.  The ball was stolen from him, but the thief was his own teammate Darydas Sernas, whose one-time finish gave the visitors the lead twenty minutes into the match.  A quarter hour on, a Robert Mak through ball had Marek Hamsik one-on-one with the goalkeeper, but his effort was meekly hit straight at the only obstacle in his way.  Three minutes later, Sapara sent a free kick flush off the crossbar, and the Lithuanians appeared to be living a charmed life.  In perhaps the least promising of their first half chances, Slovakia equalized with five minutes to play in the half.  A perpetually loose ball came to Martin Jakubko with his back turned to goal.  Jakubko rose up for the half bicycle kick and equalized for Slovakia.  The half ended at one-goal apiece.

A dozen minutes into the second period, a Kucka volley attempt off a clearance was hit squarely but collided with the far post rather than the side netting, leaving Slovakia wondering what voodoo was placed against them on this day.  With under five minutes to go, Lithuania substitute Arvydas Novikovas slalomed around Dusan Svento to lay off a great pass to Sernas, who smacked the opportunity wide right.  The match finishes as a 1-1 draw.

Zenica and the Bosnia home crowd welcomed Greece into town for what could be deemed the de facto deciding match of Group G.  Unmarked from seven yards off a corner kick, the first chance went to Bosnian Ognjen Vranjes, whose header was saved on the dive by Greece goalkeeper Orestis-Spyridon Karnezis.  Bosnia were undeterred by this missed chance, and they took the lead before the half hour mark.  A long free kick from Zvjezdan Misimovic was whipped into the box.  Edin Dzeko performed an amazing half-spin header from nine yards out to nod the ball home for the opener.  Six minutes later, Bosnia won a penalty when Georgios Tzavelas tripped and rolled over Mensur Mujdza.  Karnezis saved the initial spot kick, but the ball was eventually bungled over the line after it was knocked back toward goal by a Greek player despite the efforts of two onrushing Greek defenders.  The half ended with the home side ahead 2-0.

Eight minutes into the second half, Bosnia put the game away.  A Misimovic free kick was perfectly curled onto Dzeko's head, from where the ball was nodded away to the near post for a three-goal advantage.  In the penultimate minute of regulation.  Miroslav Stevanovic held off his defender for an open shot, but Karnezis saved.  In the final minute of stoppage time, Greece pulled a goal back when Georgios Samaras slotted a through ball to the far post for a tap in by Theofanis Gekas.  Bosnia win 3-1 and are well-positioned for their first ever berth at a FIFA World Cup finals.

Bosnia 13 pts +15
Greece 10 pts +2
Slovakia 8 pts +2
Lithuania 5 pts -3
Latvia 4 pts -3
Liechtenstein 1 pts -13

Goals
Liechtenstein
Michele Polverino 17

Latvia
Aleksandrs Cauna 30

Lithuania
Darvydas Sernas 19

Slovakia
Martin Jakubko 40

Bosnia and Herzegovina
Edin Dzeko 30, 54
Vedad Ibisevic 36

Greece
Theofanis Gekas 90+3

Match Reports:
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/news/newsid=2041491/index.html
http://www.uefa.com/worldcup/season=2014/matches/round=2000294/match=2008723/postmatch/report/index.html
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2013/soccer/wires/03/22/2080.ap.soc.bosnia.greece.1st.ld.writethru.242/index.html

Highlights:
http://www.wat.tv/video/lie-vs-lat-wawsport-5y5gb_4zqor_.html (Liechtenstein v. Latvia)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OyL7UlTu2qE (Lithuania v. Slovakia)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXrzKFJX8kw (Bosnia v. Greece)

Romania 2 - Hungary 2; Netherlands 3 - Estonia 0; Turkey 2 - Andorra

 Turkey went into Andorra la Vella to face Andorra and to revive their faltering campaign.  A great free kick on the half hour mark from Selcuk Inan bounced off the goalkeeper's hand on its path goalward, giving Turkey the opener.  In stoppage time, a half-field run from Turkey captain Arda Turan led to an open look for Burak Yilmaz, who made no mistake with the finish, putting Turkey ahead 2-0 at the break.

Turan nearly had Turkey's third, but his bounced volley was pushed aside by Andorra goalkeeper Josep Gomes.  Turkey had an open goal at its mercy, but Umut Bulut somehow botched a volleyed shot from six yards away.  After a poor giveaway, Andorra were through in on goal, but Sebastian Gomez saw his shot sail high with only the goalkeeper to beat.  In stoppage time, Turan fired off the top of the crossbar from distance.  Turkey win 2-0.

Hungary were looking to wrestle control of second place at home in Budapest against Romania.  The fans were absent from the venue due to their anti-Semitism displayed in a friendly against Israel.  At the quarter hour mark, Tamas Hajnal stood over a free kick for Hungary.  His delivery was headed home with power by Vilmos Vanczak, and the home side led 1-0, though Romania center back Dorin Voian really should have won the header.  As the standings suggested, the sides were evenly matched, and Romania had its fair share of chances, but no further goals were found in the first forty-five.

Hungary had the first warning shot of the second half, but Romania were the side to find the next goal.  A bouncing through ball had to be won by Gheorghe Grozav, who tapped the ball behind after beating two Hungarians to the spot.  Adrian Mutu collected and was clipped on the edge of the penalty area by Zsolt Korcsmar.  The penalty kick was converted by Mutu, who began Romania's joint all-time leading scorer with the goal.  Voian continued his awful game by conceding a penalty three minutes later after clipping Korcsmar in the other box.  Poor transistion defense cost Hungary the win in stoppage time as three Hungarian defenders converge and failed to clear or even contact a hopeful through ball to no one.  After all the misses, Romania substitute Alexandru Chipciu came up golden with the equalizer.  The 2-2 draw now gives Romania the inside track to finish group runners-up.

Amsterdam and the Netherlands national side welcomed Estonia.  Perhaps the Dutch were too welcoming in the first period, as the only chance of any note was a pair of strikes Konstantin Vassiljev within the span of four seconds as the initial rebound off the gloves of goalkeeper Kenneth Vermeer forced himself into a second save coming out of a prone position.  The lackluster first half was a scoreless one.

The deadlock was broken two minutes after the resumption of play by a Rafael van der Vaart shot that dribbled in from the penalty spot after being deflected on its way to goal.  Netherlands' attack awoke after the first goal, and the match tilted in their favor.  A Daryl Janmaat cross was met with an airborne volley redirect by Robin van Persie to put the Dutch ahead by two goals with less than twenty minutes to play.  Martin Vunk should have pulled one back as he found himself alone against a hesitant Vermeer, but he skied his shot despite the lack of defensive pressure.  A van Persie cross six minutes from time was somehow missed by Arjen Robben, but the rebound off the grass fell to Ruben Schaken, who finished far post through traffic to extend the lead.  The Netherlands win 3-0 to inch ever closer to Brasil 2014.

Netherlands 15 pts +14
Hungary 10 pts +5
Romania 10 pts +4
Turkey 6 pts 0
Estonia 3 pts -8
Andorra 0 pts -15

Goals
Turkey
Selcuk Inan 30
Burak Yilmaz 45+2

Hungary
Vilmos Vanczak 16
Balazs Dzsudzsak 71 PK

Romania
Adrian Mutu 68 PK
Alexandru Chipciu 90+2

Netherlands
Rafael van der Vaart 47
Robin van Persie 72
Ruben Schaken 84

Match Reports:
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkey-beats-minnow-andorra-2-0-in-world-cup-qualifier.aspx?pageID=238&nid=43499
http://sportinglife.aol.co.uk/football/match/report/8585486/hungary-v-romania
http://football.thestar.com.my/2013/03/23/netherlands-beat-estonia-30-to-maintain-perfect-start/
http://www.goal.com/en-gb/match/92466/netherlands-vs-estonia/report

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8sEn4hj8_Vk (Turkey v. Andorra)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oi8Ig12dtZ0 (Romania v. Hungary)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BlJavgg04Kk (Netherlands v. Estonia)

Denmark 3 - Czech Republic 0; Bulgaria 6 - Malta 0

Sofia was the snowy scene as Malta paid a visit to Bulgaria.  No fans were allowed to watch as punishment for their having been very racist in a previous Bulgaria home match.  Today's match was a comedy of errors for hapless Malta.  The first Bulgaria goal was a well-struck shot by Aleksandar Tonev, but his second squirmed through the hands of legs of Malta goalkeeper Andrew Hogg.  Bulgaria took the 2-0 lead into the second period.

 Just after the restart, a Georgi Milanov run up the left allowed Ivelin Popov to find space across the face of goal, from where he tapped in a Milanov through ball.  Luke Dimech had a brain cramp on the fourth goal, trying to dribble out of his own penalty area before being dispossesed in a play that led to Bulgaria's fourth goal.  Tonev completed his hat trick before the hour mark with a shot from outside the box.  Ivan Ivanov found the sixth as he snuck his boot waist-high between two defenders to tap the ball in from two yards away.  Bulgaria win easily 6-0 and further solidify their second-place position in Group B.

Czech Republic welcomed Denmark to Olomouc for their qualifier today.  The Czechs had the upper hand early, but Denmark goalkeeper Stephan Andersen (pictured, blue) made two identical diving stops to his right in the first half hour to deny the hosts a lead.  By the end of the half, Denmark had firmly established themselves in the match and had the momentum after the scoreless period ended.

Andreas Cornelius was peppering the Czech goal after the restart, and he was rewarded for his efforts when a rebound off a teammate fell to him inside the penalty area.  He took a touch and then rifled into the roof of the net from sixteen yards out, giving Denmark a 1-0 lead.  Cornelius drew a corner kick ten minutes later after his sparkling run drew three Danish defenders, forcing Czech goalkeeper Petr Cech to break up the shot that came after Cornelius's pass.  On the resulting corner kick, Simon Kjaer was first to the near post, and his header gave Denmark a 2-0 lead midway through the period.  Center back Kjaer created the third goal as his high pressure blocked a clearance ten yards from the Czech endline.  The rebound fell to Niki Zimling, who eventually unleashed a driven shot from just beyond the half circle that nearly ripped the net.  Denmark would coast home the rest of the match to claim a 3-0 win on the road.

Italy 10 pts +6
Bulgaria 9 pts +7
Denmark 5 pts +1
Czech Rep. 5 pts -1
Armenia 3 pts -2
Malta 0 pts -11

Goals
Bulgaria
Aleksandar Tonev 6, 38, 58
Ivelin Popov 47
Emil Gargorov 55
Ivan Ivanov 78

Denmark
Andreas Cornelius 57
Simon Kjaer 67
Niki Zimling 82

Match Report:
http://www.aljazeera.com/sport/football/2013/03/2013322183251455959.html
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/soccer/news/20130322/denmark-czech-republic-world-cup-qualifying-uefa.ap/

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v18fMrb-SJA (Bulgaria v. Malta)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0BewBcH1YZ4 (Denmark v. Czech Republic)

Albania 1 - Norway 0; Iceland 2 - Slovenia 1

Ljubljana was the site of the home match for struggling Slovenia as they looked to revive their flagging campaign against unfancied Iceland.  With less than a dozen minutes left in the half, Slovenia appeared to have revived their chances.  A weak headed clearance by an Iceland centerback bounced right to Milivoje Novakovic, who half-volleyed into the side netting after a quick reaction to give the home side a 1-0 lead.  Iceland from then on gained the upper hand, but the score remained 1-0 going into the break.

In the second period, Iceland did not let off the gas.  They were rewarded ten minutes in when Gylfi Sigurdsson curled a thirty-yard free kick into the right upper ninety from straight on, leaving the sparse crowd stunned.  Kolbeinn Sigthorsson found himself through on a long through ball, but after a nice first touch he shot weakly into the goalkeeper's legs, allowing Slovenia the let off.  With twenty minutes to go, a well-designed Slovenia free kick allowed Novakovic to shot low and to the side of the wall, but his shot to the bottom right was pushed to safety by a diving Hannes Halldorsson.  Dejan Lazarevic came off the bench for Slovenia and made an impact with two hard driven shots, the second of which required Halldorsson to one-hand punch away on a horizontal dive to maintain parity.  With a dozen minutes left, Iceland had found the lead.  A pass into Sigurdsson led to the Tottenham midfielder dancing Slovenia captain Bostjan Cesar off the ball before slotting away to the near post.  Iceland would hold on to win 2-1 and move into second place in Group E.

Oslo is in Norway but the stands were filled by Albania supporters as the two sides met with second-place on the line.  The first half did not provide many chances, but Norway came closest with about ten minutes left.  A three-versus-three break saw a nice back-to-the-goal pass by Norway's Markus Henriksen to Tarik El Younoussi, whose shot on goal was deflected inches wide of the post by Armend Dallku.  Dallku's block kept the score level on 0-0, which would be the score heading into the intermission.

An incredibly well-designed dead ball play from Albania provided the opener.  A ball on the outside right edge of the Norwegian penalty area was made for a curled in ball, so Albania instead slotted a pass across the top of the box from where an instep shot from Hamdi Salihi left the entire Norway team flat-footed as it sailed into the top corner.  Norway desperately tried to level the score to no avail.  Andi Lila picked up two yellow cards in the final six minutes, leaving Albania with ten men with stoppage time still to be played, but Norway were unable to capitalize.  Albania win 1-0 and go joint-second in the group.

Switzerland 10 pts +6
Iceland 9 pts +1
Albania 9 pts +1
Norway 7 pts 0
Cyprus 3 pts -4
Slovenia 3 pts -4

Goals
Iceland
Gylfi Sigurdsson 55, 78

Slovenia
Milivoje Novakovic 34

Albania
Hamdi Salihi 67

Match Reports:
http://www.itv.com/sport/football/article/2013-03-22/world-cup-qualifying-match-report-slovenia-1-2-iceland/
http://www.newsinenglish.no/2013/03/22/ice-cold-albanians-stun-drillos/

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gtsKRS4YOpM (Iceland v. Slovenia)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJIejpMkBW0 (Albania v. Norway)

New Zealand 2 - New Caledonia 1

Photo by Teaukura Moetaua

Dunedin was the site of the effective deciding match of the OFC Third Round. If New Zealand could defeat New Caledonia at home, then New Zealand would clinch the OFC berth in the intercontinental playoffs. However, if New Caledonia were to win, they would be level on points with New Zealand, but the Caledonians would have the edge on goal differential. A draw would leave New Zealand needing a point in the last round to clinch advancement.  New Zealand looked like winning after an early corner kick resulted in a header from six yards that was nodded home by Chris Killen.  New Zealand held that 1-0 lead and the Oceania intercontinental playoff berth going into the break.

Ten minutes after the restart, Les Cagous were on level terms.  A long, floated ball from Georges Gope-Fenepej was chested by Cesar Loholea in the Kiwi penalty area, and the ball dropped perfectly to Loholea for a volleyed finish.  With one minute remaining in regulation, a high boot from Joel Wakanumune cut open Shane Smeltz's head, leaving the All Whites striker on the ground bleeding.  The referee chose not to mark the foul (or produce a card), which would have resulted in a penalty.  New Zealand would have their revenge in stoppage time, however, as a looping header from Tommy Smith on a jump ball found its parabolic path over the goalkeeper and into the back of the net.  With the 2-1 victory, New Zealand win the OFC intercontinental playoff berth and New Caledonia are eliminated.

New Zealand 15 pts IN
New Caledonia OUT
Solomon Islands OUT
Tahiti OUT

Goals:
New Zealand
Chris Killen 10
Tommy Smith 90+4

New Caledonia
Cesar Loholea 56

Match Reports:
http://www.oceaniafootball.com/ofc/News/ViewArticle/tabid/125/Article/db55c249-3fca-40e6-ad51-a07a842615bb/language/en-US/Default.aspx
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/news/newsid=2040074/index.html?intcmp=newsreader_news_box_2
http://www.oceaniafootball.com/ofc/News/ViewArticle/tabid/125/Article/0f7326a9-7b9c-44c8-96fc-eecbb5e5dae1/language/en-US/Default.aspx

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Luz_aYWe-us

Match Schedule: March 2013

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jamaica 0 - Mexico 0

2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup champions Mexico, the prohibitive favorites to qualify in first place from the CONCACAF Fourth Round, welcomed Jamaica to Mexico City for each team's debut in the final round of qualifying for Brasil 2014.  Unfortunately for the home side, the stadium was not close to being filled to the brim, so the imposing environment usually expected at the Estadio Azteca never came to fruition.  Although the lion's share of shots came from Mexico, the best chance of the first period went to the Reggae Boyz.  Garath McCleary made a run down the right side of the pitch before unleashing a cross into the box.  Jobi McAnuff got enough of a touch to direct the ball over Mexico goalkeeper Jesus Corona, but the ball bounced off the crossbar.  It landed at McAnuff's feet, but his next shot was smothered by Corona.  Hector Herrera put in a well-hit shot at the Jamaica goal, but goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts was up to the task.  The half ended scoreless.

Early in the period, Mexico had a point blank shot from Javier Hernandez chested away from an oncoming Ricketts after Hernandez's original attempt at a back heel finish clipped his other boot.  Jamaica should have stolen the win after a poor Andres Guardado turnover under token pressure led to Ryan Johnson being one-on-one with Coronoa, but Johnson attempted finish was breathtaking in its ineptitude, letting Mexico off the hook.  A brutal head-to-head collision left Mexico striker Oribe Peralta on the field for a few minutes at the tail end of regular time after his challenge with Nyron Nosworthy.  Jamaica were unable to pull off the complete upset, but they do earn a most unexpected point with a valiant 0-0 draw.

In the most embarrassing display of any fan group not involving racism that we have seen during the 2014 FIFA World Cup, the Mexican "faithful" began cheering every touch the Reggae Boyz made for a period of two minutes with around ten minutes left in the match while booing every Mexican touch vehemently.  For a national program that has achieved so much recent success, winning the 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup, the 2011 FIFA U-17 World Cup, and the 2012 Olympic gold, one unexpectedly poor performance should not have unleashed such a hailstorm of hatred.  The Mexican Football Federation should punish the Mexico City fans for their insolence and instead play qualifiers in cities that would be appreciative of the rare opportunity to host El Tri's matches.  The current highly successful generation of players deserves to have a supportive fan base behind them.

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

Match Reports:
http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/sport/Disciplined-Boyz-hold-Mexico-0-0-at-half-time
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1517388-mexico-vs-costa-rica-world-cup-qualifier-live-score-highlights-recap

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Judooqrp4u0

Costa Rica 2 - Panama 2

The Canaleros of Panama played host to neighbors and 2013 Copa Centroamericana champions Costa Rica in Panama City.  Panama looked very much like they would make their home field advantage translate into three points with a very dominant opening thirty minutes.  Panama's opener was set up off a throw-in that took advantage of a Ticos backline that was too bunched together.  Armando Cooper put a pass across the box, and Luis Henriquez took one touch back toward Cooper, leaving his defenders wrong-footed as he slotted home for 1-0 to Panama.  The lead was doubled just over ten minutes later when Marcos Sanchez made a remarkable individual play with his fancy double spin move dribble to free himself for a cross that he unleashed into the grateful knee of his teammate Roman Torres, who knocked the ball into the net with said knee.  With five minutes left in the first period, a Ticos corner was played short to the left boot of Christopher Meneses, who then struck a beautiful cross that found the head of striker Alvaro Saborio, who finished into the side netting from thirteen yards.  Panama led by that 2-1 scoreline at the break.

Costa Rica looked the much better side in the second forty-five minutes.  It took a brave charging body save from Panama goalkeeper Jaime Penedo to prevent the equalizer early in the half.  Not to be outdone, Ticos goalkeeper Patrick Pemberton made an even braver charging body save on the other side of the pitch, getting the wind knocked out of him in the process.  With six minutes remaining in regulation, an attempted pass played behind Costa Rica forward Bryan Ruiz (pictured, white) allowed him to achieve a moment of brilliance.  Ruiz turned and fell to his back doing a bicycle kick from the penalty spot that hit the inside of the far post and stayed in the goal for a spectacular equalizer.  Panama were unable to regain their lead, so Costa Rica leave town with a valuable road point after a 1-1 draw.

Goals
Panama
Luis Henriquez 16
Roman Torres 27

Costa Rica
Alvaro Saborio 40
Bryan Ruiz 84

Match Reports:
http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2013/2/6/3962346/panama-vs-costa-rica-2013-final-score-result-concacaf-world-cup-qualifying
http://sports.terra.com/soccer/costa-rica-rescues-a-point-against-panama-in-2-2-draw,b49e705fad2bc310VgnVCM20000099cceb0aRCRD.html

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bs9tEb9rP1k

Honduras 2 - United States of America 1

San Pedro Sula was the locale as Honduras welcomed the United States of America to town for the first of the thirty matches in the CONCACAF Fourth Round.  The flow of the early minutes was completely in the favor of los Catrachos as they took advantage of the slow start by the United States, who were adjusting to an unbalanced formation in which they had never before played.  Nevertheless, the Americans weathered the storm as goalkeeper Tim Howard made an excellent punching save from Catracho winger Mario Martinez, who tried to curl a ball over Howard when Howard strayed a bit off his line.  Honduras nearly had the opener on one other occasion, but American fullback Fabian Johnson stepped around his mark at the last moment to steal the pass that was about to result in a tap-in goal.  The Americans found a jewel of a goal when center midfielder Jermaine Jones knocked a brilliant elevated through ball that was volleyed home from an angle by Clint Dempsey (pictured, blue).  The 1-0 lead was short-lived, however, as the Americans did not handle an overhit corner very well three minutes later.  Victor Bernardez (pictured, white #5) chased down the ball, and under no discernible pressure, gathered his wits before crossing to Maynor Figueroa, who chested a ball in the air that allowed Juan Carlos Garcia to unleashed from an amazing bicycle kick to equalize in stunning fashion.  1-1 was the score at intermission.

The Americans seemed to be much more comfortable in the second period, but a spree of substitutions around the hour mark seemed to take away from some of their attacking impetus.  Honduras regained their wits after a sliding block by goalscorer Garcia prevented a goalward shot by Dempsey from troubling their goalkeeper with midway through the period.  From then on, Honduras's defense stood firm, setting the foundation for a quick-strike winner.  On the whole, the young American backline seemed to be slow to react to situations that called for stepping up and closing down space all afternoon, and this habit bit them a second time with under a dozen minutes left in the match.  A through ball from Figueroa to fourteen yards caused indecision between an oncoming Howard and retreating centerback Geoff Cameron, so Oscar Boniek Garcia was able to get a touch across the face of goal from where Jerry Bengston was free to slot home for a 2-1 lead.  Honduras saw the match out comfortably, though an injury forced Bengston off the pitch.  The 2-1 victory for los Catrachos marks their first ever home victory against the United States in a competitive match.  All in all, this was a remarkably clean match, with neither team earning a yellow card as both were wary of conceding set pieces to the other side.

Goals
Honduras
Juan Carlos Garcia 39
Jerry Bengston 79

United States of America
Clint Dempsey 36

Match Reports:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/soccer/news/20130206/us-loses-world-cup-qualifier-to-honduras/index.html?mobile=no
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/1330042/u.s.-loses-to-honduras-2-1-in-world-cup-qualifier?cc=5901

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Pap4fEDxxc

Full Match Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_T3vCZMJ-0