Austria 2 - Sweden 1; Ireland 3 - Faroe Islands 0

Austria welcomed Sweden to their palace in Vienna for the most anticipated European qualifier of the day as both teams were level on points in their chase for a play-off berth.  This match did not disappoint in terms of excitement.  Midway through the first period, Austrian forward Martin Harnik was charging a ball in the box.  Harnik beat Sweden goalkeeper Andreas Isaksson to the ball and was taken down for a penalty.  Austria converted for a 1-0 lead.  Harnik again provided the impetus for a goal when his dipping cross found the diving head of Marc Janko for a remarkable finish and a 2-0 lead.  That would be the score at the break.

Sweden came out with renewed vigor in the second half, but Austria goalkeeper Robert Almer was not ready to relinquish his clean sheet.  He made two saves against Zlatan Ibrahimovic, one off a volley and another from a header, plus a close-range save on Sebastian Larsson. With less than ten minutes to play, Sweden drew closer on the scoreboard.  Ibrahimovic one-time chipped a through ball off a long pass into the path of Johan Elmander.  Almer rushed out to apply pressure, but Elmander lofted a soft volley off a bounce and into the net.  However, this goal was not to be paired with a second for Sweden, so Austria win 2-1.

Ireland welcomed cellar-dwelling Faroe Islands to Dublin, where the fans were hoping to witness a drubbing.  It did not take long for the Irish to jump ahead.  Five minutes in, the Faroese forgot to mark their right wing defensively, so a simple through ball to Aiden McGeady allowed for a rolled cross into the box, which Robbie Keane adeptly turned into the goal with his left foot.  That would be the only goal of the first half, giving Ireland a 1-0 lead at intermission.

Ten minutes into the second half, Ireland added another goal.  Wes Hoolahan shook his defender and laid a ball off to Seamus Coleman and the right.  Coleman rolled a cross dangerously into the box, and a sliding Keane was there to poke home his second goal of the night.  With ten minutes to go, Ireland prevented a ball from rolling out for a Faroese goal kick, and the desperate pass found its way to Conor Samman.  Samman made a half-spin pass to the six-yard box that was knocked home by Keane to finish his hat trick.  Ireland finish off the Faroe Islands 3-0.

Germany 16 pts +15
Austria 11 pts +10
Ireland 11 pts +2
Sweden 8 pts +2
Kazakhstan 1 pts -13
Faroe 0 pts -16

Goals
Austria
David Alaba 26 PK
Marc Janko 32

Sweden
Johan Elmander 82

Ireland
Robbie Keane 5, 56, 81

Match Reports:
http://msn.foxsports.com/foxsoccer/worldcup/story/austria-2-1-sweden-world-cup-qualifiers-uefa-group-c-match-report-marc-jenko-060713
http://extratime.ie/newsdesk/articles/10443/
http://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/jun/07/republic-ireland-faroe-islands-world-cup

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmxa1WCg61s (Austria v. Sweden)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SHxFU6GIxCE (Ireland v. Faroe Islands)

Scotland 1 - Croatia 0; Belgium 2 - Serbia 1

Zagreb was the site of the clash between hosts and joint group leaders Croatia against already-eliminated Scotland.  With twenty minutes left in the first half, a Shaun Maloney darting run through four defenders led to a crazy deflection off a tackle, leading to a simple toe-poke finish for Robert Snodgrass.  Scotland had their opener. In stoppage time, centerback Russell Martin made a vital clearance on a ball played across the face of the Scottish goal to prevent an equalizer.  Scotland led 1-0 at the conclusion of the half.

Croatia were dominant in terms of possession throughout the match, but the pressure and frustration began to mount as the equalizer refused to appear.  Five minutes after the restart, a cross from Sammir to the far post needed just a touch from Mario Mandzukic, but his outstretched boot could not finish the job from point blank.  Scotland could barely exit their own half, but they held firm in defense for a 1-0 road victory, their first victory of the campaign.

Belgium welcomed Serbia into Brussels for a tussle.  They would be exactly what this match provided.  Brussels, the young team with lofty expectations, grabbed the opener before a quarter hour had passed.  Jan Vertonghen was given too much space on the left wing, so he picked out a running Kevin De Bruyne at the back post for a sliding finish and a 1-0 lead to the home side.  With ten minutes left in the period, Serbia had a chance with the goalkeeper beaten, but the groin of Toby Alderweireld was able to absorb the shot from Lazar Markovic and prevent the ball from crossing the goal line.  The half ended 1-0.

Ten minutes into the second half, a dipping shot from distance by Dusan Basta forced an awkward parry from Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, but a diving save is a fine save.  On a corner kick on the hour mark, De Bruyne swept in an in-swinger to Marouane Fellaini, who nodded home from three yards, though it appeared his hug-from-behind on his defender made the job easier.  Belgium had a two-goal lead to protect for thirty minutes.  Serbia did apply loads of pressure, but Courtois was up to the challenge as he denied a header from Markovic that dipped down to his feet.  With under five minutes to go, a free kick from just to the right of the half circle was sent in by Aleksandar Kolarov, giving Belgian fans a bit more drama than they would have liked at the end of the match.  Belgium held on to their slim lead and win 2-1 to take first place in Group A.

Belgium 19 pts +11
Croatia 16 pts +6
Serbia 7 pts 0
Wales 6 pts -8
Scotland OUT
Macedonia 4 pts -4

Goals
Scotland
Robert Snodgrass 26

Belgium
Kevin De Bruyne 13
Marouane Fellaini 60

Serbia
Aleksandar Kolarov 87

Match Reports:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22787925
http://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/jun/07/croatia-scotland-world-cup-qualifier
http://www1.skysports.com/football/live/match/253604/report
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/soccer/belgium-take-control-of-world-cup-qualifying-group-with-win-over-serbia/article12426711/

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rDYHAt0F_8 (Scotland v. Croatia)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UxBgoQHEnn4 (Belgium v. Serbia)


Full Match Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPnJgbJRYcU (Scotland v. Croatia)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9PLBf-oXlwk (Belgium v. Serbia)

Czech Republic 0 - Italy 0; Malta 1 - Armenia 0

Yerevan and its faithful were hopeful that Armenia would be able to right their campaign against visiting Malta, who had yet to record a single point.  Malta scored early on through a lightning counterattack as Andre Schembri linked up with Gareth Sciberras, who then powered a through ball in to Michael Mifsud, captain and all-time leading goalscorer.  Mifsud carried the ball sixteen yards before having his initial shot blocked by the goalkeeper.  However, the rebound was kind and Mifsud chipped into the vacated net for a 1-0 lead.  The rest of the match fell upon the shoulders of Malta goalkeeper Justin Haber.  With twenty minutes to go in the half, Haber made a diving save to punch away a shot by Marcos Pinheiro.  With a couple minutes left to play, Karlen Mkrtchyan lofted a point-blank header over the crossbar.  Malta took their shock 1-0 lead into halftime.

More Haber heroics were needed to parry away a shot from Aras Ozbiliz with twenty minutes left in the second period, but the low dive was enough to protect the lead.  Malta were able to see the game out and record their first competitive road victory since 1993 by a 1-0 scoreline.

Prague Italy's backline looked quite disorganized early on in the match, leaving goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon to come up with a timely save as he rushed out to deny Petr Jiracek.  Italy created nothing in response, but the Czechs were not able to muster a better opportunity than Jiracek's effort in the first half, which ended having seen no goals.

Libor Kozak nearly opened the scoring midway through the second half, but again Buffon was able to fly just high enough to punch the shot to safety.  Mario Balotelli (pictured, blue) received his second yellow in five minutes in minute 72, leaving a lackluster Italy to cope with ten men for the remainder of the proceedings.  With less than ten minutes to go, the Czechs yet again drew up a winning set piece only to see the finish not executed.  Jiracek was wide open at the back post, but his sliding effort hit the post, injuring himself during his exertion.  Italy, in spite of doing absolutely nothing positive in the match, escape with a 0-0 draw.

Italy 14 pts +8
Bulgaria 10 pts +7
Czech Rep. 9 pts +2
Denmark 6 pts +1
Armenia 3 pts -6
Malta 3 pts -12

Goals
Malta
Michael Mifsud 8

Match Reports:
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20130607/football/malta-armenia.472938
http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2013/6/7/4407458/czech-republic-vs-italy-world-cup-2014-qualifying
http://msn.foxsports.com/foxsoccer/worldcup/story/czech-republic-0-0-italy-uefa-world-cup-qualifying-match-report-mario-balotelli-red-card-060713

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZ-6Vmtt5w8 (Malta v. Armenia)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8y6906alyA (Czech Republic v. Italy)

Full Match Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCAplljHGKk (Malta v. Armenia)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SzuLxe7-wfE (Czech Republic v. Italy)

Ukraine 4 - Montenegro 0; Moldova 1 - Poland 1

The city of Chisinau welcomed Poland to town as they took on home side Moldova.  Poland wasted little time settling themselves in the early going.  A ball played to Robert Lewandowski was dribbled quite a ways up the field before Lewandowski unleashed a long-distance rolling through ball the was met by the sprinting run of Jakub Blaszczykowski, who then finished with his first touch.  The two players are quite familiar with one another, as both play together for Borussia Dortmund.  Poland were made to pay for at turnover at midfield thirty minutes after their opening goal.  After a clumsy breakaway off the turnover, Vitalie Bordian smashed a ball across the box intending to reach a player much farther away, but Eugeniu Sidorenco took the hard pass from close range and then finished into the upper ninety near post for his first international goal.  A couple minutes later, Bordian fired from long range, and a soft rebound nearly lead to Moldova's second goal before a sliding clearance by Bartosz Salamon beat the attacker to the ball.

A fog rolled over the pitch for the second half, and the weather conditions seemed to sap most of the energy from the match.  Poland were the only team to produce any scoring opportunities in the second forty-five, but none would come to fruition.  The match ends 1-1.

The Podgorica faithful were expecting Montenegro to extend their lead atop Group H as Ukraine paid a visit.  The first half gave the faithful their money's worth as the action was back and forth.  Mirko Vucinic (pictured, red) hit the woodwork for Montenegro.  Andriy Pyatov in goal for Ukraine made many keys stops in the opening period.  Ukraine nearly had an opener themselves, but Andriy Yarmolenko hit the woodwork instead of the back of the net.  In stoppage time, Roman Zozulia was given a red card after unsportsmanlike aggression toward Vladimir Bozovic, leaving Ukraine a man down for the second half after a scoreless opening period.

Yarmolenko hit a hopeful ball from long distance, but a tough short hop led to a long rebound which was collected by Denys Garmash.  Garmash dribbled away from the goalkeeper and found a shot to the far post which hit the far post and crossed the line to give ten-man Ukraine a surprising lead.  Montenegro's attempt at a comeback were de-railed as Vladimir Volkov idiotically took a frustration foul for a second yellow card and was ejected in minute 66.  A giveaway at midfield allowed Ukraine to attack four-versus-four on the break.  Yarmolenko ended up with the ball wide to the right, from where he laid a ball into the box for Yevhen Konoplyanka, who scored to make it 2-0 to Ukraine.  Savo Pavicevic was ejected for his second yellow in minute 79, leaving Montenegro down two goals and down to nine men.  A mishit cross by Artem Fedetskiy found its way into the Montenegrin net for a 3-0 lead to Ukraine with five minutes to go.  In stoppage time, Ukraine added to the misery with a fourth goal.  Roman Bezus took a through ball and ran approximately thirty yards across an unmotivated defense before chipping across his body to beat the goalkeeper.  Ukraine win 4-0.  The result eliminates idle San Marino from Brasil 2014 and tightens the race atop Group H considerably.

Montenegro 14 pts +7
England 12 pts +18
Ukraine 11 pts +6
Poland 9 pts +5
Moldova 5 pts -7
San Marino OUT

Goals
Poland
Jakub Blaszczykowski 6

Moldova
Eugeniu Sidorenco 36

Ukraine
Denys Garmash 52
Yevhen Konoplyanka 77
Artem Fedetskiy 85
Roman Bezus 90+2

Match Reports:
http://www1.skysports.com/football/live/match/253615/report
http://www.uefa.com/worldcup/season=2014/matches/round=2000294/match=2008731/postmatch/report/index.html
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2337687/Montenegro-0-Ukraine-4-Shock-win-puts-visitors-just-ONE-point-England-men-red-Podgorica.html
http://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/319259/Montenegro-0-Ukraine-4-England-s-rivals-falter

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=orb7KUfnsf8 (Moldova v. Poland)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dD3FBicaAZ0 (Ukraine v. Montenegro)

Full Match Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aB1DqLjPS6U (Moldova v. Poland)

Liechtenstein 1 - Slovakia 1; Greece 1 - Lithuania 0; Bosnia and Herzegovina 5 - Latvia 0;

Bosnia and Herzegovina came storming into Riga looking to continue their dominance in Group G against hosts Latvia.  Edin Dzeko nearly had an early opener for Bosnia, but a one-handed stab save was made by Latvia goalkeeper Andris Vanins.  Aleksandrs Fertovs thrown out for Latvia after receiving a straight red card in minute 11, essentially rendering the rest of the match a formality.  Fertovs had stuck a high boot into Bosnian midfielder Elvir Rahimic's knee as Rahimic tried to clear a ball.  A Miralem Pjanic free kick bent over the wall was knocked aside on a dive by Vanins.  Latvia were able to hold back the flood of goals in the first half, leaving the pitch tied 0-0.

Within three minutes, Bosnia were on their way to victory.  A probing cross by Mensur Mujdza was tipped by Latvian captain Kaspars Gorkss, but Senad Lulic was not thrown off by the deflection and scored his first international goal in off the post to give Bosnia the opener.  Lulic created a second goal five minutes later as his chipped cross has headed home by Vedad Ibisevic for 2-0.  Haris Medunhanin scored a spectacular thirty-yard strike after having teed himself up to give Bosnia a glorious third goal.  With ten minutes to go, a run by Edin Visca took the ball to the end line, from where he laid the ball back upfield.  An onrushing Pjanic pushed home the fourth goal from there.  Bosnia were sitting on the counterattack, and Dzeko got the fifth of the night for Bosnia off a long clearance that led to a breakaway.  Bosnia win 5-0 and pull themselves even closer to their first ever FIFA World Cup finals.

The fans in Vilnius were supporting home side Lithuania, who were looking to upset visiting Greece and launch themselves back into contention for the playoff berth from Group G.   Greece looked to make their superior quality pay off, and twenty minutes in it was the quality of left back Jose Holebas that provided the break through.  A long-distance, inswinging cross from Holebas found a great run at the back post by Lazaros Christodoulopoulos, whose header put Greece into the lead.  It was Christodoulopoulos's first international goal.  Greece would take that 1-0 lead in to the break.

Georgios Karagounis nearly got the second half off to a perfect start for the visitors as his long-distance cross from the right side found an open Theofanis Gekas at the penalty spot, but his diving header was pushed aside by Lithuania goalkeeper Emilijus Zubas.  Lithuania were reduced to shooting from distance, and the Greeks were happy with that given the lack of threatening shots.  Greece nearly pushed a second ball across the line at the end of the match, but Dimitrios Salpingidis struck the crossbar flush with a cannoned shot after a nice lay-off by Georgios Samaras.  Greece win 1-0.

Vaduz was the site for Liechtenstein's home match against Slovakia as the perennial minnows looked to shock the larger country.  Andreas Christen was on the ball for the hosts on a two-versus-two break.  Christen slowed down to cross the ball, which beat a diving slide from a Slovak defender and landed on Martin Buechel.  Buechel shook Marian Cisovsky and then hit a shot that found the net for a shock 1-0 to Liechtenstein.  Marek Hamsik looked to right the ship four minutes on, but Liechtenstein goalkeeper Peter Jehle's fist denied him the goal.  Liechtenstein continued to be the brighter side for the remainder of the first half with no less than two further saves being forced out of Slovakia goalkeeper Dusan Kuciak, who could not have been pleased with the time and space afforded to the Liechtenstein attack.  Cisovsky was able to knock a rebound away to safety to prevent a tap-in for 2-0 on the stroke of haltime.  Liechtenstein took a 1-0 into their locker room.

A through ball saw Tomas Dubek in on goal for the chance at an equalizer, but Liechtenstein defender Yves Oehri was having none of it as his daring saving tackle was perfect and denied the opportunity inside his own box.  A well-worked set piece finally provided some joy to Slovakia as a short corner slid across to the top of the penalty area.  Miroslav Stoch deftly landed a chipped cross onto the six-yard box where three unmarked Slovak attackers caught the defense off-guard.  Jan Durica would be the one to get the goal as his open header tied the match at one-goal apiece.  Slovakia could have won the match with two minutes left to play when a Dusan Svento floating cross found an unmarked man at the back post, but Jehle was able to make the point-blank saved to ensure the spoils were split on this day.  The match ends 1-1.

Bosnia 16 pts +20
Greece 13 pts +3
Slovakia 9 pts +2
Lithuania 5 pts -4
Latvia 4 pts -8
Liechtenstein 2 pts -13

Goals
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Senad Lulic 48
Vedad Ibisevic 53
Haris Medunhanin 63
Miralem Pjanic 80
Edin Dzeko 82

Greece
Lazaros Christodoulopoulos 20

Liechtenstein
Martin Buechel 13

Slovakia
Jan Durica 73

Match Reports:
http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2013/6/7/4407262/bosnia-vs-latvia-final-score-result-2013
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/soccer-table-topping-bosnia-rout-10-man-latvia-185954374.html
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1665590-lithuania-vs-greece-score-grades-and-post-match-reaction
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/soccer-slovakia-hopes-dented-liechtenstein-draw-213020832.html
http://www.uefa.com/worldcup/season=2014/matches/round=2000294/match=2008713/postmatch/report/index.html

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lm_tV74eN7U (Bosnia v. Latvia)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_BzsNoK0FP0 (Greece v. Lithuania)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o43fiK8HxOQ (Liechtenstein v. Slovakia)

Full Match Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGsqjeNJ_Zg (Bosnia v. Latvia)

Ghana 3 - Sudan 1

Sudan welcomed group favorites Ghana into Omdurman knowing that a loss to the Black Stars would eliminate Sudan from the 2014 FIFA World Cup.  After a quarter hour had elapsed, Ghana made the breakthrough.  Yiadom Boakye managed to get a weak shot off after struggling with Sudanese defender Ahmed Abdalla.  The rebound went off the goalkeeper's body and rolled out for a second chance, but Abdalla managed to block the ball.  However, Asamoah Gyan picked up the loose ball and scored into a net defended only by Abdalla and a fellow defenseman, giving the Black Stars a 1-0 lead.  Richard Boateng was ejected in minute 28 for Ghana when he tackled Mudathir Al Tayeb inside the penalty area.  Al Tayeb composed himself enough to convert the penalty kick and level the match at one-goal apiece.  1-1 was the halftime score.

In the second period, Ghana were the better side in spite of their numerical disadvantage.  A beautiful cross by Harrison Afful floated into the area and was met by the rising head of Gyan, whose finish left the goalkeeper rooted to his spot as Ghana took a 2-1 lead.  Gyan's brace today made him the all-time leading goalscorer for Ghana.  This goal was a result of miscommunication between the back three for Sudan, as two players stepped up for offsides but the third chose to run with Gyan.  Sudan goalkeeper Ehab Mohammed dropped a corner kick that was not even sent on frame into his own net for what may have been the softest goal in the history of world football with less than ten minutes left in the match.  Ghana win 3-1.

Ghana 9 pts +12
Zambia 7 pts +4
Lesotho 2 pts -7
Sudan OUT

Goals
Ghana
Asamoah Gyan 16, 63
Sulley Muntari 83

Sudan
Mudathir Al Tayeb 30 PK

Match Reports:
http://www.goal.com/en-gb/match/82097/sudan-vs-ghana/report?

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

Finland 1 - Belarus 0

Finland needed a win at home in Helsinki against Belarus in order to maintain hope of qualifying for Brasil 2014.  It would be Belarus that were the more enterprising of the two teams in the first half as they came close to hitting the frame on two separate occasions in the final quarter hour of the first period.  The teams returned to their dressing rooms knotted at 0-0.

Twelve minutes after the restart, Finland capitalized on some amazingly good fortune.  A fast throw-in lead to an attack down the right flank, but a poor cross went between the legs of Finnish attacker Teemu Pukki (pictured, white) and deflected off Belarus defender Igor Shitov.  Kasper Hamalainen had a chance for a tap-in, but his whiff actually threw off the goalkeeper and the ball rolled into the net for an own goal.  Goalkeeper Sergei Veremko denied a Pukki shot with his knee after Pukki had shaken his marker to get a shot off in an attempt to double the lead within five minutes of the opener.  Pukki struck a laser from distance shortly thereafter, but Veremko was able to push the shot high over the bar.  Showcasing an extreme lack of focus, Finland, playing with a one-goal lead with under ten minutes left in the match, decided to leave substitute Timofei Kalachev wide open on a switch of play cross, but Kalachev's open strike failed to curve inward quickly enough to get inside of the far post.  Pavel Nekhaichik was sent off for Belarus in minute 90 for his second yellow card, this one for diving for a penalty.  Finland made it through stoppage time to secure the 1-0 victory.

Spain 11 pts +6
France 10 pts +4
Finland 5 pts 0
Georgia 4 pts -4
Belarus 3 pts -6

Goals
Finland
Igor Shitov 57 OG

Match Reports:
http://www1.skysports.com/football/live/match/253617/report
http://www.uefa.com/worldcup/season=2014/matches/round=2000294/match=2008410/postmatch/report/index.html

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VeprHy5GW1s

Full Match Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XwGotDfwR-o

Democratic Republic of Congo 0 - Libya 0

Tripoli was the site of Libya's first competitive match on home soil since the end of their revolution.  The visitors on this occasion where the Democratic Republic of Congo.  Libya could have pushed into an early lead, but Ahmed Osman saw his penalty kick opportunity saved by DR Congo goalkeeper Robert Kidiaba.  Boosted by the save, DR Congo looked lively on the counter, but the first period produced no goals.

The second half was controlled by Libya, but it was decidedly less enthralling than the first period.  The second half was marred by racist chanting and projectiles being thrown at Libya striker Tresor Mputu as he stood over a corner kick with ten minutes left in the match.  With their prime minister in attendance, Libya could only muster a lackluster 0-0 draw that leaves both teams adrift of Cameroon, who have played one less game in Group I.

Cameroon 6 pts +1
Libya 6 pts +1
DR Congo 5 pts +1
Togo 1 pts -3

Match Reports:
http://www.libyaherald.com/2013/06/07/disappointment-at-libya-dr-congo-goalless-draw-but-pride-at-hosting-the-game/

Nigeria 1 - Kenya 0; Namibia 0 - Malawi 0

Malawi and the famed artificial home turf of Blantyre welcomed Namibia in a match Malawi needed to win in order to place pressure upon great favorites Nigeria.  In spite of featuring most of their South African-based starters, Malawi were unable to penetrate the Namibian defense, and the first half ended scoreless.

Both teams were strong defensively, and nary a shot was to be found in this match.  Perhaps this is to be expected from Group F play, which after eight matches has produced a whopping total of eight goals.  None of those were scored in this match as Malawi and Namibia draw 0-0.

Nairobi and a confident Kenya side welcomed the 2013 African champions Nigeria into town.  The Harambee Stars were bursting with confidence after their draw away to Nigeria in March, but the absence of star striker Dennis Oliech and first team goalkeeper Arnold Origi due to yellow cards dampened their spirits a tad.  The inexperience of backup goalkeeper Duncan Ochieng nearly cost Kenya in the second minute as his clearance was scooped up by Super Eagles winger Ahmed Musa, who laid the ball across the box for forward Brown Ideye, but the resulting shot was wide of goal.  Elderson Echiejile (pictured, green) at left back for Nigeria did well to contain Francis Kahata, the goal scorer for Kenya back in March throughout the match.  Kenya star winger Vincent Wanyama had a good chance at goal at the end of the half, but it was not to be.  The half ended as it had begun, with no goals on the scoreboard.

Kenya lost all attacking impetus in the second period when Wanyama was slowed due to injury.  to Nigeria found the breakthrough with ten minutes left in regulation through an Efe Ambrose through ball clearance from seventy yards out onto which latched Ahmed Musa.  Musa was able to fight off David Ochieng (pictured, white) and loft a twenty-yard chip shot over an onrushing Duncan Ochieng, and the ball took a couple bounces on its way into the net.  Nigeria hold on and win 1-0 to take the lead in Group F.  The loss has eliminated Kenya from the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Nigeria 8 pts +2
Malawi 6 pts +1
Namibia 4 pts -1
Kenya OUT

Goals:
Nigeria
Ahmed Musa 81

Match Reports:
http://www.goal.com/en-ke/match/82110/kenya-vs-nigeria/report
http://www.nigerianeye.com/2013/06/world-cup-qualifier-nigeria-1-0-kenya.html

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5cgxVVbQoZs (Nigeria v. Kenya)

Mexico 1 - Jamaica 0

Kingston was the site of the bottom-of-the-table clash between home side Jamaica and visitors Mexico.  Of course, with the bottom of the table only three points from the summit, this was an opportunity for both sides to get right back into qualifying position.  Though the pace of Reggae Boyz forward Garath McCleary proved at times troublesome for Mexico, the majority of the first half was spent on Jamaica's side of the pitch.  Jamaica's counterattacks were neutralized by the high offside line of the Mexican defense.  In spite of their superior play in the first half, Mexico were unable to put a good effort on frame, though one Javier Hernandez (pictured, green) effort from midrange was tipped by Jamaica goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts off the outside of his post.  The first half was a scoreless one.

Early in the second period, Mexico took advantage of Je-Vaughn Watson on the right wing.  Watson had lost Andres Guerrero once in the first half, but he was made to pay in the second half when both he and right back Alvas Powell fell asleep.  Carlos Salcido blew by them both after performing a throw-in as he dashed up the left side of the pitch.  Salcido's cross was headed in by Aldo de Nigris, and Mexico were ahead 1-0.  Jamaica nearly answered straightaway, but Mexico goalkeeper Jesus Corona.  A Jermain Hue cross found Ryan Johnson's head at the near post, but a kick save denied Jamaica.  On the resulting corner kick, Marvin Elliot was able to power a header to the near post, but a two-handed diving save by Corona was enough to preserve the lead a second time.  Quite a bit later, Elliot had another header when he received a cross to the far post, but Elliot's bouncer into the turf went wide of frame.  Hernandez nearly found a second goal for Mexico with six minutes left to play, but Ricketts was able to make the one-on-one save after Hernandez had juked his only marker, Adrian Mariappa.

Mexico 6 pts +1
Panama 5 pts +2
Costa Rica 4 pts +1
USA 4 pts 0
Honduras 4 pts -1
Jamaica 2 pts -3

Goals
Mexico
Aldo de Nigris 48

Match Reports:
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/jamaica-0-1-mexico-el-033000916--sow.html
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/news/newsid=2102805/?intcmp=newsreader_news_box_1

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Goals
Iran
Reza Ghoochannejhad 66

Lebanon
Hassan Mattouk 12

South Korea
Kim Chi-Woo 90+7

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

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

Australia 1 - Japan 1; Oman 1 - Iraq 0

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

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

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

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

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

Goals
Australia
Tommy Oar 82

Japan
Keisuke Honda 90+1 PK

Oman
Ismail Al Ajmi 45+3

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

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

Match Schedule: June 2013

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

14 June 2013
Togo at Libya 9:00 Tripoli

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

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

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

Predictions: CONMEBOL qualifying

I will assign totals for the likelihood of a given outcome based on my analyses, predictions and premonitions about all remaining matches in the CONMEBOL qualifying group.

Once the percentages are assigned to each outcome, each match's result will be generated from a Random.org selection of one number between 1 and 100.  The home team's numbers will come first, then the tie, then the road team's numbers.  For example, a home team with 50% chance to win, 40% to tie, and 10% chance to lose will have the following numbers assigned to each outcome: 1-50 for win, 51-90 for tie, 91-100 for loss.

CONMEBOL Matchday 13
Bolivia host Venezuela at altitude.  The supposed fortress at La Paz has been under siege so far during this qualifying campaign, with Bolivia defeating only last-place Paraguay and slumping Uruguay for a 2-2-2 home record.  Venezuela won in their last two trips to La Paz.

Bolivia: 30   Tie: 30   Venezuela: 40

Argentina host Colombia in the middle of winter.  Argentina have only one loss in eleven qualifying matches, and that was in October 2011.  Argentina have won five of six home matches, and the one draw to Bolivia was due to referee error.  Colombia are a strong road team with three wins out of five matches, but this is Argentina of which we speak.

Argentina: 85   Tie: 13   Colombia: 2

Paraguay host Chile at Defensores del Chaco stadium.  Paraguay have shown little heart in this qualification campaing, but they have played only four home games against seven road games so far.  Chile have a 2-0 win already against Paraguay in the 2014 FIFA World Cup, along with two wins from six road matches.  Chile are averse to ties, so three points should be had here.

Paraguay: 38   Tie: 2   Chile: 60

Peru host red-hot Ecuador.  However, Ecuador's record is a bit deceiving and has been built on the backs of six home wins.  Ecuador have no wins in four road games, though they do have two ties.  Peru are historically very strong at home and so far have a 3-1-1 record, including a home win over Chile in their previous outing.

Peru: 55   Tie: 35   Ecuador: 10

CONMEBOL Matchday 14
Colombia host Peru on the heels of what is likely to be a two-game losing streak.  However, Colombia have been superb in their last three home games, winning by a combined margin of 11-0.  Peru are not a good road team and have four losses and one draw as visitors so far.

Colombia: 93   Tie: 5   Peru: 2

Ecuador host Argentina with their perfect home record on the line against the best team in CONMEBOL.  Argentina have a 2-2-1 road record with the sole loss coming at Venezuela in October 2011.  Ecuador did defeat Argentina in this fixture 2-0 in 2009.

Ecuador: 41   Tie: 34   Argentina: 25

Venezuela host Uruguay in the middle of summer.  Uruguay will be coming off a bye, but Luis Suarez is suspended for the match.  These teams have played to three consecutive ties.  Uruguay have been awful on the road with four losses and only one draw so far, and that was to last-place Paraguay.  Venezuela's record at home is 3-1-1.

Venezuela: 63   Tie: 34   Uruguay: 3

Chile host Bolivia.  Bolivia's road record is ugly.  They have four losses and their only draw was aided by referee error.  They are pretty much a lost cause away from La Paz.  Chile do have two home losses from five matches, but their opponents on those days were Argentina and Colombia, not Bolivia.

Chile: 97   Tie: 2   Bolivia: 1

CONMEBOL Matchday 15
Paraguay host Bolivia in Asuncion.  These are the two teams currently at the bottom of the standings.  Bolivia are not good away from home, but Paraguay are decidedly mediocre everywhere.  However, Paraguay are 2-1-1 at home having faced only one of the big three at home so far.

Paraguay: 79   Tie: 19   Bolivia: 2

Chile host Venezuela in the most pivotal of all remaining showdowns in CONMEBOL as the two teams fight for fourth-place and the final direct ticket to Brasil 2014.  These teams drew this fixture 2-2 in 2009, and Venezuela defeated Chile 2-1 in Copa America 2011 in Mendoza, Argentina, which is on the border with Chile.  However, Chile did win 2-0 against Venezuela already in the 2014 FIFA World Cup.  Chile are the only South American team that have yet to tie in this tournament.

Chile: 55   Tie: 20   Venezuela: 25

Peru host Uruguay.  It seems likely that Uruguay's slide into obscurity will be ongoing coming into this match, and the fact that they gave up two goals to Peru in Uruguay back in June 2012 does not bode well for their defense going into Lima.  Peru's attack is always potent at home.

Peru: 67  Tie: 23   Uruguay: 10

Colombia host Ecuador.  Colombia have only had two matches not end in victory at home, but those two were against contenders Venezuela and Argentina.  Ecuador are most definitely a contender, but Colombia score a lot at home since the year 2012.  Colombia won this fixture 2-0 in 2009.

Colombia: 61   Tie: 30   Ecuador: 9

CONMEBOL Matchday 16
Uruguay host Colombia.  Colombia already smashed Uruguay 4-0 in this tournament to throw Uruguay into a tailspin from which they have yet to recover.  Uruguay are undefeated so far at home in the 2014 FIFA World Cup with three wins and three 1-1 draws.  When Uruguay win, they score four goals at home.  Uruguay need this match a lot more than do Colombia in terms of making it to Brasil 2014.

Uruguay: 43   Tie: 43   Colombia: 14

Bolivia host Ecuador.  Ecuador needed a very questionable penalty call to go their way in order to defeat Bolivia 1-0 earlier in the tournament.  Bolivia are always solid at home, though less so during the 2014 FIFA World Cup.  Ecuador got a 3-1 win here in 2009.

Bolivia: 30   Tie: 40   Ecuador: 40

Paraguay host Argentina who will be coming off a bye.  Traditionally, this was always a riveting fixture, but with the slippage in Paraguay's quality and the sheer dominance of Argentina, perhaps some of the shine has worn off here.

Paraguay: 12   Tie: 21   Argentina: 67

Venezuela host Peru.  Venezuela have always seemed to be victimized by Peru away from home, as evidenced by their 2-1 loss in Lima earlier in the tournament and their 4-1 defeat in Copa America 2011.  However, Venezuela have four straight competitive home wins against Peru, including the 2007 Copa America and three qualifying matches.

Venezuela: 84   Tie: 14   Peru: 2

CONMEBOL Matchday 17
Argentina host Peru.  By this time, Argentina should have clinched a berth at Brasil 2014 and Peru should only be clinging to the slightest of hopes.  A loss in Argentina should be enough to extinguish that home on this penultimate matchday.

Argentina: 94   Tie: 5   Peru: 1

Ecuador host Uruguay at altitude.  Uruguay were able to win here 2-1 in 2009 in one of the most shocking results of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, thereby keeping Uruguay's hopes alive on their way to an eventual fourth-place finish at South Africa 2010.  This tournament has been a lot different, however, as Ecuador have recaptured their form from the 2002 and 2006 FIFA World Cups.

Ecuador: 88   Tie: 6   Uruguay: 6

Colombia host Chile.  Chile are the hardest team to predict as they hover around a .500 win percentage both home and away.  Colombia have not dropped points at home since 2011.

Colombia: 73   Tie: 5   Chile: 22

Venezuela host Paraguay.  Venezuela defeated Paraguay on the road for the first time ever during this tournament, and they did so by a 2-0 scoreline.  That was the only match in which Venezuela have scored multiple goals so far in the 2014 FIFA World Cup, and a lack of goals may undo all the stellar defensive work they have put in should they not qualify.  Paraguay did win this fixture in 2009.

Venezuela: 82   Tie: 11   Paraguay: 7

CONMEBOL Matchday 18
Uruguay host Argentina in a border battle.  Argentina will be motivated as they look to avenge their elimination at home in Copa America 2011 at the hands of Uruguay with a win on the road.  Argentina were able to secure a win in this fixture in 2009.

Uruguay: 26   Tie: 30   Argentina: 44

Paraguay host Colombia in what is likely to be a dead rubber.  Paraguay will be eliminated and Colombia will be in Brasil 2014.  Colombia were able to win 2-0 in a dead rubber here in 2009.

Paraguay: 40   Tie: 20   Colombia: 40

Chile face Ecuador.  The implications of this match could be enormous, with a possibility that both teams would need to collect points in order to clinch direct berths to Brasil 2014.  Ecuador have already beaten Chile 3-1 during this tournament, but Chile eliminated Ecuador from South Africa 2010 contention in this fixture with a 1-0 victory in 2009.  Chile have not fared so well against the power teams at home in this tournament, losing to Argentina and Colombia.

Chile: 55  Tie: 3  Ecuador: 42

Peru host Bolivia, who will be coming off a bye for this likely dead rubber.  One of the best home teams will be playing perhaps the weakest road team on the continent.

Peru: 90   Tie: 8   Bolivia: 2

Random.org Results

Every result was run through the random generator for fifty iterations of the qualification cycle.  What follows are the average outcomes and range extremes over the fifty iterations.  The top four teams go directly to Brasil 2014 with the fifth-place team going to the intercontinental playoffs.

Average Final Standings: (Median point total in parentheses)
Argentina 34.26 (34)
Colombia 28.68 (29)
Ecuador 28.12 (29)
Venezuela 24.56 (24.5)
Chile 23.96 (24)
Peru 18.5 (18)
Uruguay 17.14 (17)
Paraguay 14.02 (14)
Bolivia 12.04 (12)

Chance of Direct Qualification: (Chance of going to intercontinental playoffs in parentheses)
Argentina 50
Colombia 50
Ecuador 46 (4)
Venezuela 26 (22)
Chile 28 (20)
Peru 0 (2)
Uruguay 0 (2)
Paraguay 0
Bolivia 0

It is strange to note that although Venezuela achieved a higher average point total, Chile were more likely to secure direct qualification.

Highest and Lowest Point Totals:
Argentina 39 / 31
Colombia 34 / 24
Ecuador 33 / 23
Venezuela 31 / 19
Chile 30 / 18
Peru 23 / 13
Uruguay 23 / 13
Paraguay 20 / 9
Bolivia 16 / 9

The takeaway is that Argentina, Colombia, and Ecuador will be at Brasil 2014, where they will be joined by the winner of the coin flip between Venezuela and Chile.  The loser of that coin flip will be going to the intercontinental playoffs to face the fifth-place team from Asia.  I would bet on all five teams being present at Brasil 2014.

United States of America 0 - Mexico 0

Struggling CONCACAF titans Mexico welcomed eternal rivals United States of America to their friendly abode in Mexico City.  The German experiment for the United States was put on hold for a match as all fourteen players who saw the field had at some point in their careers played in the domestic competition Major League Soccer.  The United States nearly scored first when a Geoff Cameron header from eight yards was nodded just wide of the far post at the quarter hour mark after a Herculez Gomez corner kick.  Mexico were completely and utterly in control from that point forward.  Javier Hernandez (pictured, black #14) missed a point-blank header on an all-out sprint after Jorge Torres Nilo had unleashed a great cross into the six-yard box.  The teams went into the locker room at 0-0.

In the second period, Mexico really took to utlizing Javier Aquino (pictured, black #11) up the right flank to attack American left back Damarcus Beasley (pictured, white #7).  Center back Matt Besler (pictured, white #14) made a saving block with his body on a Jesus Zavala attempt to keep the Americans level.  With under twenty minutes left, a heroic thirty-yard dash by Graham Zusi allowed him to head away a point-black chance for Angel Reyna and save the shutout for the United States.  With a quarter hour left to play, American midfielder Mauric Edu came in from behind Aquino and knocked him down at the penalty spot, but the referee somehow waved play on.  Hernandez continued his miserable night with three minutes to go as he failed to connect on a half-volley off a free ball inside the box.  Reserve United States goalkeeper Brad Guzan played like a man who wanted to win the job outright, and his diving save denied Reyna in the dying moments of stoppage time to give himself a second shutout in five days' time.  Mexico had fifteen corners in the match, but no goals as the teams draw 0-0.

Panama 5 pts +2
Costa Rica 4 pts +1
USA 4 pts 0
Honduras 4 pts -1
Mexico 3 pts 0
Jamaica 2 pts -2

Match Reports:
http://www.npr.org/2013/03/27/175430062/u-s-ties-mexico-0-0-in-world-cup-qualifier
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2013/mar/27/mexico-usa-live
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/27/sports/soccer/for-us-tie-in-mexico-feels-a-lot-like-victory.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/27/usa-soccer-mexico-tie-azteca_n_2960375.html
http://articles.latimes.com/2013/mar/26/sports/la-sp-usa-mexico-soccer-20130327
http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2013/03/27/mexico-0-usa-0-world-cup-qualifying-match-recap

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=VuyQ51MbQ1I

Panama 2 - Honduras 0

Panama, winners of four points from two matches against Honduras in the previous phase of qualifying, welcomed Honduras for a second time in the 2014 FIFA World Cup to Panama City.  Last time around, the teams played to a 0-0 draw, but that was guaranteed not to be the case after only sixty seconds.  After Blas Perez's initial shot was blocked, Marcos Sanchez gathered the rebound.  He put a through ball in for Leonel Parris, who immediately laced a ball across the six-yard box to Luis Tejada (pictured, red) for the finish and a quick-strike 1-0 lead for Panama.  Honduras had a solid chance to equalize on twenty minutes, but Carlo Costly sent his header into the crossbar.  Honduras put in plenty of teasing crosses into the opening forty-five minutes, but Costly's crossbar was their only true shot at goal.  The half ended with La Marea Roja on top 1-0.

Just after the restart, Costly again had a chance to equalize and a turnover from Panama, but Panama second-string goalkeeper Luis Mejia made the save diving toward his far post.  Panama in all honesty had the lesser of the chances, but they made their few opportunities count on the scoreboard.  Sanchez beat his defender to the endline and cut a pass back to Perez, but Perez blasted just wide of goal.  However, with a quarter hour left in the match, La Marea Roja had a second goal.  Nelson Barahona sent in a driven through ball from the midfield stripe that put Perez in behind the three-man Catracho defensive line.  Perez shot unimpeded from the top of the half circle, and his strike was true and in the net to give Panama a two-goal advantage.  Anibal Godoy nearly made it three, but his strike to the near post was knocked aside by flying Honduras goalkeeper Noel Valladares.  Panama win 2-0.

Goals
Panama
Luis Tejada 2
Blas Perez 75

Match Reports:
http://www.concacaf.com/page/WCQ/NewsDetail/0,,12813~3123067,00.html
http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2013/3/27/4151554/panama-vs-honduras-world-cup-qualifying-2014-fulltime-recap

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYtV9S0tvsw

Full Match Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=svKOQ9KAWIE

Costa Rica 2 - Jamaica 0

Costa Rica welcomed Jamaica to San Jose for their CONCACAF Fourth Round matchup on Tuesday night.  Midway through the first period, Ariel Rodriguez stood over a medium-distance free kick for Costa Rica.  The ball he put into the box was well-collected by Alvaro Saborio who in turn gave a soft pass to an oncoming Michael Umaña, who finished from short range to put Costa Rica ahead 1-0.  Luton Shelton had a nice solo run to put himself in with a chance at goal, but a defensive slide by Cristian Gamboa (pictured, red) forced Shelton to come to a standstill, and in the meantime Costa Rica goalkeeper Keylor Navas had closed the gap enough to make a simple save on the ensuing Shelton effort.  The half ended with the Ticos up one goal to nil.

With less than a quarter hour to play, Ticos playmaker Joel Campbell sucked the entire Jamaican defense out of position, but his excellent play and pass were ruined by a botched Saborio shot from close range.  With under ten minutes left to make a change in the scoreboard, Diego Calvo took it upon himself to make something happen.  He cut inside Jamaica defender Jermaine Taylor and then cut behind a second defender to release a shot to the far post side netting that was never in danger of being saved.  Costa Rica remained sound defensively for the final push, and they win 2-0.

Goals
Costa Rica
Michael Umaña 22
Diego Calvo 82

Match Reports:
http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2013/3/26/4151348/costa-rica-vs-jamaica-final-score-result-2013

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHo534dliSI

Chile 2 - Uruguay 0

Santiago was the site of the most important qualifier in South America today with Chile hosting Uruguay with fourth place on the line.  An embarrasing defense sequence felled Uruguay ten minutes into the affair.  Matias Aguirregaray muffed a clearance that was picked up on the run by Chilean forward Esteban Paredes, who pushed the ball wide to Jean Beausejour.  Alvaro Pereira made a second terrible defensive area, choosing to chest a ball down in his box, and Paredes pounced on the ball for an ugly goal that matched Uruguay's recent ugly decline in form.  Chile led 1-0 at the interval after a drab conclusion to the opening half.

Mauricio Isla was providing excellent service for his Chilean teammates throughout the second period, and eventually his teammates caught onto his thought process in the build up to the second goal.  With twelve minutes to go, an Isla ball went to Matias Fernandez, whose shot was blocked by Uruguay goalkeeper Fernando Muslera.  The rebound fell to Eduardo Vargas for an easy tap-in goal to put Chile up by two goals.  Chile win 2-0, and the loss really deals a crushing blow to Uruguay's qualification chances as they now face the toughest remaining schedule in CONMEBOL, beginning with a crucial road qualifier against Venezuela in June without the now-suspended Luis Suarez, who is out due to yellow card accumulation.

Argentina 24 pts +16
Ecuador 20 pts +6
Colombia 19 pts +12
Chile 15 pts -3
Venezuela 15 pts -3
Uruguay 13 pts -4
Peru 11 pts -4
Bolivia 9 pts -7
Paraguay 8 pts -13

Goals
Chile
Esteban Paredes 10
Eduardo Vargas 78

Match Reports:
http://www.santiagotimes.cl/sports/soccer/25926-chile-pulls-off-crucial-win-against-uruguay

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

Full Match Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WN0jDJK2a8Q

Venezuela 1 - Colombia 0

Puerto Ordaz was the scene as Venezuela looked to continue a run stretching over sixteen years and four FIFA World Cup tournaments of not losing at home to Colombia.  Venezuela seemed determined to continue that streak on this day.  Salomon Rondon was a strong presence at left forward for Venezuela, who rarely deploy a two-forward setup as they did today.  Rondon unleashed a shot from a sharp angle that force Colombia goalkeeper David Ospina into a leaping save at his near post.  Luis Amaranto Perea had all sorts of problems with Rondon, and Venezuela winger Juan Arango (pictured, maroon) recognized the mismatch and played a curling ball along the ground to put Perea and Rondon in a foot race.  Rondon won and then shot from a short angle into the roof of the net over Ospina's hands, giving Venezuela a 1-0 lead before a quarter hour had elapsed. 

Venezuela were left scratching their heads as to way they did not have a second goal after a nice build up from Cesar Gonzalez led to a shot from the half circle by Tomas Rincon.  Ospina parried the ball away, but an onside rebound went to Fernando Aristiguieta.  However, the resulting shot was saved off the line by a sliding Perea, and Colombia were still alive in the match.  A long-distance Arango free kick was met by the foot of Oswaldo Vizcarrondo, but Vizcarrondo plays center back for a reason and his poor placement meant Ospina was there for the save again.  Miku Fedor come onto the pitch for Venezuela, and his one-two-one-two with Rondon gave Fedor a shot that Ospina held onto with his fingertips while prone on the floor.  Radamel Falcao received the ball off a wide cross from Carlos Bacca and had the goal at his mercy on the half-volley from nine yards, but Falcao's shot rocked the crossbar and went straight up and down into the hands of the goalkeeper, allowing the crowd in Venezuela to breathe a collective sigh of relief.  Venezuela win the match 1-0 and look to be in good position to qualify given that they have the easiest remaining schedule in CONMEBOL.

Goals
Venezuela
Salomon Rondon 13

Match Reports:
http://www.zonalmarking.net/2013/03/27/venezuela-1-0-colombia-venezuela-keep-two-upfront-offer-a-consistent-threat-on-the-break/
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/soccer-venezuela-dream-1-0-victory-over-colombia-024711798--sow.html

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

Full Match Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYhGVar5UHQ

Ecuador 4 - Paraguay 1

Hapless Paraguay made the trek to the scary heights of Quito to face surging Ecuador.  Fidencio Oviedo (pictured, red #6) created an early opportunity for Paraguay out of nothing when he blocked a clearance attempt by Jefferson Montero (pictured, yellow) that took a crazy rebound and allowed Luis Caballero to smash a laser from sixteen yards into the Ecuadorian goal and give Paraguay a shock 1-0 road lead.  Gabriel Achilier nearly equalized for Ecuador, but his header connected with the crossbar and denied the crowd a reason to be joyful.  A Walter Ayovi free kick from a short angle with seven minutes left in the half was sent in three yards from goal.  Felipe Caicedo made like a tank and bullied both Cristian Riveros and Richard Ortiz to the ground as he knocked the ball home for the equalizer.  The first half score: Ecuador 1, Paraguay 1.

Five minutes into the second period was when Montero made the match his own.  A quick restart free kick that traversed the field from Christian Noboa put the speedy Montero in ahead of Ivan Piris, whom he dusted on route toward goal.  Montero finished off the inside of the far post to give Ecuador a 2-1 advantage.  An unfocused Paraguay allowed the same play to beat them five minutes later as Noboa again found Montero on a cross-the-field ball from a quick restart.  Montero dribbled around Piris twice before crossing a ball to Cristian Benitez, who headed away easily for the third goal for Ecuador.  Montero scored another goal twenty minutes later when his effort was turned into his own goal by Pablo Aguilar, though Montero received credit for the fourth Ecuador score.  Frickson Erazo took the opportunity late in the match to deliver a crushing blow physically to Paraguay as he shouldered Edgar Benitez in the face on the edge of the Ecuador penalty area.  Ecuador win 4-1.

Goals
Ecuador
Felipe Caicedo 38
Jefferson Montero 50, 75
Cristian Benitez 54

Paraguay
Luis Caballero 15

Match Reports:
http://www.conmebol.com/en/content/ecuador-punishes-paraguay-atahualpa-4-1
http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2013/3/26/4150680/ecuador-vs-paraguay-2013-final-score-result

Full Match Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UbJOKalxEwg (1st half)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tm5ZlpY4X_E (2nd half)

Bolivia 1 - Argentina 1

Bolivia hoped a match in their high-altitude palace in La Paz would be enough to garner another famous result against CONMEBOL leaders Argentina like the 6-1 victory they had over the Albiceleste in 2009.  Bolivia fullback Diego Bejarano made an early foray forward, but Argentina goalkeeper Sergio Romero made a close-range save to deny Bolivia the early goal.  Argentina nearly scored when Angel di Maria laid off on a two-on-one break for Rodrigo Palazio, but Bolivia goalkeeper Sergio Galarza come off his line quickly and stopped the shot.  Twenty-five minutes into the match, Bolivia looked on their way to another upset of Argentina at altitude.  Alejandro Chumacero swung in a cross from the right side that floated just over the head of Argentina defender Hugo Campagnaro and onto the skilled head of Marcelo Martins, who nodded the ball into the goal for a 1-0 lead to Bolivia.  Clemente Rodriguez sent in a cross to the Bolivian penalty spot in the penultimate minute of the half.  Ever Banega had to stop his momentum and back track in order to be in position for the header, which made the resulting power he put on his shot all the more remarkable as he scored the equalizer.  1-1 was the halftime score.

Banega almost put Argentina ahead, but Galarza made an acrobatic save to deny the goal.  With thirteen minutes left in the match, Lionel Messi (pictured, blue) struck a marvelous free kick to the far post that Galarza somehow reached with an outstretched hand on another all-out dive.  Messi had a solo opportunity against Galarza following his block of an outlet pass, but Messi could not shoot under an oncoming Galarza, who clearly earned man-of-the-match honors on this day.  The match ends in a 1-1 draw.

Goals
Bolivia
Marcelo Martins 25

Argentina
Ever Banega 44

Match Reports:
http://int.soccerway.com/news/2013/March/26/conmebol-world-cup-qualifying-bolivia-1-argentina-1/
http://www.goal.com/en-us/match/97310/bolivia-vs-argentina/report
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/soccer/news/20130326/argentina-bolivia-draw-world-cup-qualifiers/

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

Spain 1 - France 0

Saint-Denis was the site of the decisive clash in Group I, with defending champions Spain needing a win on the road against France in order to reclaim pole position in the group.  Spain really should have taken the lead four minutes in, but Xavi Hernandez missed a open net after a pass from left back Nacho Monreal.  Franck Ribery had France's best chance in the opening half as he headed down Mathieu Valbuena's lofted through ball, but his first touch gave Spain goalkeeper Victor Valdes time to slide tackle the ball to safety.  The first half ended with no goals having been scored.

Valdes came off his line bravely ten minutes into the half to snatch the ball ahead of two open French players at the back post.  Andres Iniesta had a nifty flicked shot attempt tipped just over the French crossbar by France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris (pictured, yellow).  The breakthrough came soon thereafter as a Monreal cross found Pedro Rodriguez (pictured, red), who somehow pushed the ball over the line despite the challenge from Patrice Evra (pictured, blue) and Lloris, who lay prone across his goal line and managed to paw the ball but not redirect it out of his net.  Blaise Matuidi shot a hard, low grounder under a Gerard Pique slide, but again Valdes made a quick save on the ground.  With a quarter hour remaining, a French corner fell to Raphael Varane in a dangerous setting, but before he could find the ball Monreal had cleared it out-of-bounds off Varane.  Soon thereafter, Paul Pogba picked up two yellows in two minutes, leaving France down a man from minute 78 on through the finish.  Three minutes from time, Valdes miraculously denied an Evra header from three yards in front of him.  Valdes was a superhero and the French could not best him on this day.  Spain win 1-0.

Spain 11 pts +6
France 10 pts +4
Georgia 4 pts -4
Belarus 3 pts -5
Finland 2 pts -1

Goals
Spain
Pedro Rodriguez 58

Match Reports:
http://www.zonalmarking.net/2013/03/28/france-0-1-spain-both-sides-use-one-wide-player-for-ball-retention-and-the-other-for-direct-attacks/
http://www.philstar.com/sports/2013/03/27/924647/spain-beats-france-1-0-world-cup-qualifying

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQ5G9SefdRw