Bolivia 3 - Paraguay 1

Bolivia welcomed Paraguay into La Paz on the opener of CONMEBOL Matchday Six.  Pablo Escobar (pictured, green) began his man-of-the-match performance ten minutes in with an assist to Alcides Peña.  Escobar dove forward with his left leg to save a cross from going over the end line, and his touch set up Peña, who shot into the ground and past Justo Villar in the Paraguayan goal for 1-0 Bolivia.  That would be the halftime score as well.

Paraguay looked ready to make it a match.  Thirteen minutes in, Oswaldo Martinez struck a free kick through a splitting wall, but the ball hit a post.  Five minutes later, Villar, stopped a penalty kick from Gualberto Mojica to keep the deficit at just one goal.  However, it was at this time that Escobar stepped up his game, providing two goals in a ten-minute span to push Bolivia's lead to 3-0 with ten minutes left in the match.  Cristian Riveros pulled one goal back on a bomb from the half circle, but the result had already been sealed.  Bolivia get their first win of the 2014 FIFA World Cup 3-1 over Paraguay.

Goals

Bolivia
Alcides Peña 10
Pablo Escobar 70, 80 (green)

Paraguay
Cristian Riveros 83

Match Reports:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/soccer/wires/06/09/2080.ap.soc.bolivia.paraguay.1st.ld.writethru.232/index.html

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

Morocco 2 - Cote d'Ivoire 2

In what figured to be the most difficult of the six Group C fixtures for Les Elephants, Cote d'Ivoire paid Morocco a visit in Marrakech.  Saka Tiene (pictured, green #17) put in a through ball from beyond midfielder to a streaking Salomon Kalou who chipped the oncoming goalkeeper from outside the box to give the visitors a 1-0 lead.  Boubacar Barry was his usual stellar self in goal for Les Elephants, but he had to face a penalty kick after a handball in the box against Cote d'Ivoire.  The kick was converted, so the match went to the break tied at 1-1.

The play was open on both ends of the field in the second period.  It took until the hour mark for the stalemate to be broken, though.  A Gervinho corner found Didier Drogba, who headed ahead to Kolo Toure, who dropped to his knee as he tucked his header away for a 2-1 lead.  Barry made a nice save on a shot from four yards to maintain the lead.  With one minute to go in the match, Yassine Salhi chipped a ball that beat Les Elephants' defense over the top on its way toward Hamza Abourazzouk, who smartly snapped a header into the side netting for the equalizer.  Morocco and Cote d'Ivoire tie 2-2.

Cote d'Ivoire 4 pts +2
Morocco 2 pts 0
Gambia 1 pts 0
Tanzania 0 pts -2

Goals
Cote d'Ivoire
Salomon Kalou 8
Kolo Toure 60

Morocco
Houssine Kharja 41 PK
Hamza Abourazzouk 89

Match Reports:
http://www.goal.com/en/match/77970/morocco-vs-cote-divoire/report

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJHitc3Rfc0&feature=related

Full Match Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XEfb4yLuhxY&feature=related (1st half)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKwWaCBXLHU&feature=related (2nd half)

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

Equatorial Guinea made their first appearance in Malabo in Group B play, serving as the hosts against Sierra Leone. The first half was replete with goals. Juvenal opened the scoring for the home side, but he saw his team give up two goals in the following twenty minutes. Juvenal found his second goal as the half was nearing its conclusion, and the eventful period ended level at two goals apiece.

Ibrahim Kargbo got himself sent off the pitch for a red card in minute 52, leaving Sierra Leone to cope on the road with only ten men. Oddly, Equatorial Guinea were able to do more damage with eleven than they were with ten as no second-half goals were to be found for the home side despite the advantage. Sierra Leone and Equatorial Guinea tie 2-2.

The Blue Sharks of Cape Verde welcomed Group B favorites Tunisia to Praia.  The Blue Sharks swarmed up the field early during the first half, applying high pressure to rattle the Tunisian passing attack.  Anis Ben Htira (pictured, white)  did not mind, threading a looping cross to the far post where he found a sprinting Saber Khalia for the finish and the 1-0 lead.  The Blue Sharks switched tactics and started sending long balls forward, and this led to an equalizer twelve minutes after the Tunisian opener.  A free kick from their own half bounced over the Tunisian defense and their goalkeeper, allowing Odair Fortes to curl in the equalizer from the baseline.

In the second period, Tunisia wasted no time regaining control.  Issam Jomaa played a one-two-one with Hamdi Harbaoui to get himself alone with the goalkeeper, and Jomaa made no mistake with the finish, restoring Tunisia's lead to 2-1.  Play opened up with Cape Verde streching themselves for the equalizer and Tunisia finding many counterattacks available.  However, goalkeeper Aymen Mathlouthi was up to the task for Tunisia, turning away a shot from his doorstep midway through the period.  Cape Verde were unable to protect their home turf and suffer their first home loss in four years, 2-1.

Tunisia 6 pts +3

Sierra Leone 4 pts +1
Equatorial Guinea 1 pts -2
Cape Verde 0 pts -2

Goals
Equatorial Guinea
Juvenal 13, 41

Sierra Leone
Samuel Barlay 23
Ibrahim Bangura 30

Tunisia
Saber Khalifa 14
Issam Jomaa 46

Cape Verde
Odair Fortes 26

Match Reports:
http://www.awoko.org/2012/06/11/equatorial-guinea-force-a-10-man-leone-stars-to-a-draw/
http://www.goal.com/en-india/match/77966/cape-verde-vs-tunisia/report

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MurAOQQIbAk (Tunisia v. Cape Verde)

Full Match Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJCBkKHOEgU (1st half - Tunisia v. Cape Verde)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKFUrojGuUk (2nd half - Tunisia v. Cape Verde)

Malawi 1 - Nigeria 1; Namibia 1 - Kenya 0

Nigeria made the trip to Blantyre to take on a solid Malawi side.  Group F is one that the Super Eagles looked destined to dominate, but their hosts were not privy to that knowledge.  Nigeria played better than their foes in the opening period, but no goals were found.

In the next period, the Super Eagles continued to show their superiority.  Finally, Ruben Gabriel (pictured, green) was able to put Nigeria on top with one minute left in the match.  However, Raheem Lawal lost the ball in the middle of the pitch, allowing Malawi to run up the field and score a stoppage time goal authored by John Banda, giving the home crowd reason to celebrate a 1-1 draw.  Nigeria were inconsolable in the locker room after the match with Lawal reduced to tears.

Namibia welcomed the Harambee Stars of Kenya to a battle in Windhoek.  The Brave Warriors trotted out a young side to face Kenya in the freezing temperatures.  Kenya were the first team to heat up, firing multiple shots from distance but gaining no reward.  Slowly but surely, Namibia started to gain traction.  The emphasis is on the word "slowly" as the half finished scoreless.

Nearing the end of the match, Namibia hit the crossbar via a Lazarus Kaimbi shot.  However, it was the only man above age thirty who ultimately struck gold for the home side.  Henrico Botes headed home the winning goal five minutes from time. Namibia win 1-0.

Nigeria 4 pts +1

Namibia 3 pts 0
Malawi 2 pts 0
Kenya 1 pts -1

Goals
Nigeria
Ruben Gabriel 89

Malawi
John Banda 90+2

Namibia
Henrico Botes 85

Match Reports:
http://allafrica.com/stories/201206110773.html
http://allafrica.com/stories/201206111489.html

Gabon 1 - Burkina Faso 0; Congo 1 - Niger 0

Group E, a group with no clear cut favorite, saw two 0-0 draws on Matchday One.  Matchday Two brought Burkina Faso to Libreville to face Gabon.  The hosts started off the best, but Burkina Faso had the one true chance of the first half, which they were unable to convert.  This half was to forever be scoreless.

In the second half, Remy Ebanega was the recipient of a flicked on header off a corner kick, allowing him to nod home from the unguarded far post.  The crowd in Libreville went crazy, and Gabon were up 1-0.  Burkina Faso failed to find the equalizer, so the final score read Gabon 1, Burkina Faso 0.

In another match that appeared destined to be goalless, Congo welcomed Niger to Pointe Noire.  Niger's Mohamed Chikoto was sent off for a red card with two minutes left in the first half.  The half was scoreless, but Congo surely would be able to parlay their man advantage into a goal.

It took them nearly the entire game to do so, but Congo eventually used their extra man to their benefit.  The goal fell four minutes from time, and Congo held on to take the full three points.  The 1-0 win means that Congo join Gabon on four points at the top of the group with the teams scheduled to face each other on the next matchday.

Gabon 4 pts +1

Congo 4 pts +1
Niger 1 pts -1
Burkina Faso 1 pts -1

Goals
Gabon
Remy Ebanega 56

Congo
Francis Malonga 86

Match Reports:
http://www.mtnfootball.com/international/fifa-world-cup-2014/matches/reports/2012/june/09-gabon-v-burkina-faso.html

Full Match Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ElVNvbZHmEI (1st half of Gabon v. Burkina Faso)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjXMiiegfrw (2nd half of Gabon v. Burkina Faso)

Zambia 1 - Ghana 0

In the highly anticipated rematch of the 2012 African Cup of Nations semifinal won by Zambia, Ghana travel to Ndola to square off with the African champions anew.  This match was the first held in the new stadium in Ndola, and the Chipolopolo did not want to disappoint their home crowd.  The stadium's first goal came after an act of brotherly love with Felix Katongo feeding Zambian captain Christopher Katongo for a goal after a quarter hour of play.  The Chipolopolo held onto a precarioius 1-0 lead at the half.

Ghana tried to fight back in the second period, but the defense of the Chipolopolo proved to be impregnable with a good showing from centerback Stoppila Sunzu.  Not even the exploits of Jordan Ayew (pictured, white), son of Abedi Pele, could breach the Zambia goal.  Zambia win the match 1-0 and give their Brasil 2014 campaign a kick start. 

Ghana 3 pts +6
Sudan 3 pts +2
Zambia 3 pts -1
Lesotho 0 pts -7

Goals
Zambia
Christopher Katongo 15

Match Reports:
http://www.goal.com/en-india/match/77974/zambia-vs-ghana/report
http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/artikel.php?ID=241469
http://www.graphic.com.gh/news/page.php?news=21623&title=Ghana%20Loses%201%20-%200%20To%20Zambia
http://allafrica.com/stories/201206110076.html

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoXRYG0lqdk

Senegal 1 - Uganda 1

Uganda, after a strong road draw against Angola, came home to face group favorites Senegal in rainy Kampala.  The host Cranes started well early, but Senegal eventually came to dominate the match.  Dame Ndoye burst up the left side of the pitch and laid a ball off to the six-yard line from where a sliding Papiss Cisse scored the opener.  Senegal led 1-0 at the break.

Senegal failed to push the lead, and it would be a late penalty kick that would give Uganda the chance at equalizing.  Godfrey Walusimbi stepped up and sent the goalkeeper the wrong way to earn his side a 1-1 tie at home to the Group J favorites.

Senegal 4 pts +2
Uganda 2 pts 0
Angola 1 pts 0
Liberia 0 pts -2

Goals
Senegal
Papiss Cisse 38

Uganda
Godfrey Walusimbi 85 PK

Match Reports:
http://allafrica.com/stories/201206111907.html
http://allafrica.com/stories/201206110080.html

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4w84gQ8d7I

South Africa 1 - Bostwana 1

South Africa went into Gaborone to take on Botswana with both sides desperate to right the ship after poor results in their opening matches in Group A.  The home Zebras almost got an early goal when Joel Mogorosi headed into the crossbar.  South Africa took advantage of the reprieve at the quarter hour mark when Morgan Gould (pictured, green) rose to head a Steven Pienaar corner kick home for a 1-0 lead.  Katlego Mphela nearly made it 2-0, but his effort struck the crossbar.  The Zebras took advantage of this reprieve when Ofentse Nato put back a rebound for the equalizer.  The half ended 1-1.

In the second period, Bafana Bafana nearly had a second, but Kabelo Dembe was able to save Gould's header to preserve the tie with twenty-five minutes to play.  Ten minutes from time, a Pienaar pass found Teko Modise wide open in front of an open net, but Modise somehow managed to blast over the bar from close range.  Botswana escape with a 1-1 draw, but they do not escape the bottom of Group A.

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

Goals
South Africa
Morgan Gould 15 (green)

Botswana
Ofentse Nato 38

Match Reports:
http://allafrica.com/stories/201206111409.html
http://www.mmegi.bw/index.php?sid=8&aid=902&dir=2012/June/Monday11

El Salvador 2 - Costa Rica 2; Mexico 3 - Guyana 1

Mexico, CONCACAF favorites, welcomed Guyana and their Golden Jaguars to the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City for the very first time.  A short elevated clearance by Guyana to their half circle landed at the feet of defender Carlos Salcido, who timed his volley to smack an expert strike into the back of the net and settle Mexico's nerves with a 1-0 lead.  Four minutes later, Mexico displayed their full arsenal in three quick touches.  Javier Hernandez back heeled to Aldo de Nigris, who settled the ball for an onrushing Giovani Dos Santos to blast a massive strike into the Guyanese goal, putting the Golden Jaguars down 2-0 before the quarter hour mark.  Mexico took the 2-0 score into the break.

Upon returning, Mexico kept attacking.  Andres Guardado sent in a dangerous cross to Hernandez that hit Hernandez and his marker in rapid succession, leading to an own goal and a 3-0 lead.  The only blemish on Mexico's record was an own goal of their own to make it 3-1.  Carl Cort had a goal effort that bounced off the goal toward Mexico's crossbar, but it flew just over.  Mexico win the match 3-1 and take an early lead in the race toward the CONCACAF Fourth Round out of Group Two.

La Selecta of El Salvador made the trip to San Jose to face off with powerhouse Costa Rica.  An early penalty appeal when Alvaro Saborio (pictured, red) was taken down in the box by Victor Turcios (pictured, white) was waved away to the dismay of Costa Rica.  Saborio quickly got Turcios back by chesting a ball down while turning Turcios around, leading to a superb unmarked finish by Saborio.  The Ticos extended the lead to 2-0 five minutes later when a Joel Campbell shot was deflected, leaving the goalkeeper extending himself in the wrong direction as he watched his net get breached again.  El Salvador were not shaken, and Isidro Gutierrez gathered a long rebound to finish clinically into the bottom left corner from twenty-six yards.  In minute 31, the lights went out, and the match was delayed by twenty minutes.  Costa Rica led 2-1 at the halftime whistle.

Nine minutes into the next period, Rafael Burgos received a ball in the Tico's half of the field and drew three Ticos defenders with his back to goal.  Burgos threaded a through ball to a streaking Osael Romero, who got off a shot before the overcommitted defense could react, levelling the match at two goals per team.  El Salvador were able to hold on to secure the valuable road point before facing Mexico at home on Tuesday.

Goals
Mexico
Carlos Salcido 11
Giovani Dos Santos 15
John Rodrigues 51 OG

Guyana
Hector Moreno 62 OG

Costa Rica
Alvaro Saborio 10
Joel Campbell 15

El Salvador
Isidro Gutierrez 23
Osael Romero 54

Match Reports:
http://www.goal.com/en-us/match/72579/mexico-vs-guyana/report
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1215116-mexico-vs-guyana-mexico-must-show-consistency-to-succeed-in-future-matches
http://www.concacaf.com/page/WCQ/NewsDetail/0,,12813~2805295,00.html

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YX1DDzzuwr0&feature=relmfu (Mexico v. Guyana)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2jmMbLkCyk (El Salvador v. Costa Rica)

Jamaica 2 - Guatemala 1; United States of America 3 - Antigua and Barbuda 1

The long-anticipated 2014 FIFA World Cup debut of the United States of America took place today in Tampa as the Yanks took on underdog sensation Antigua and Barbuda.  The rain put a damper on the festivities, but the group favorite Yanks did not mind in the opening of the match.  Many spectators and pundits wished to take Antigua lightly, but the Yanks knew better.  A series of nine early corner kicks for the USA led to one goal on a scramble pushed home by the boot of captain Carlos Bocanegra.  With seven minutes left in the half, Dexter Blackstock had a look at an equalizer, but USA centerback Clarence Goodson made a great sliding block of the shot along the wet pitch.  Landon Donovan was brought down in the box late in the half, and the penalty kick was converted for a 2-0 USA lead at the half.

Antigua's leading scorer Peter Byers was substituted onto the pitch just beyond the half hour mark, and it took him but two minutes to latch onto a ball, drive up the American defense, and whip a goal into the net to cut the lead to 2-1.  However, the USA restored order on a play that involved multiple rebounds and an alert Herculez Gomez who slotted home an open finish for the 3-1 scoreline that would serve as the final tally.  Antigua goalkeeper Molvin James was absolutely amazing on this night and is a huge reason why the margin of defeat was not more severe than two goals.  The left ankle injury to left-footed left back Jose Torres will be worrisome to the Yanks as they head to Guatemala next Tuesday.

Jamaica and the Reggae Boyz played host to the Chapines of Guatemala in Kingston.  The action was not the most riveting, but five minutes from time the Reggae Boyz had something to celebrate.  Demar Phillips took a shot from outside his box that bounced and took a funny hop that ate up the goalkeeper and went in for the opener.  Jamaica led 1-0 at the break.

Off the second-half kickoff, Luton Shelton broke up the left side of the pitch and laid a ball off to Ryan Johnson, who with his second touch coolly slotted the ball through the final defender and the goalkeeper to make it 2-0 Jamaica after only fifteen seconds.  Shelton nearly had one of his own after a long-range shot hit the crossbar and flew up and back into play.  Guatemala scored in second-half stoppage time after a good rebound from a shot that also hit the crossbar was nodded home with a looping header.  Jamaica win 2-1.

Goals
United States of America
Carlos Bocanegra 6
Clint Dempsey 43 PK
Herculez Gomez 71

Antigua and Barbuda
Peter Byers 64

Jamaica
Demar Phillips 40
Ryan Johnson 46

Guatemala
Dwight Pezzarossi 90+2

Match Reports:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/soccer/06/08/us.antigua.barbuda.recap.ap/index.html#?sct=sc_t2_a3
http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20120609/sports/sports11.html

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBDrYBSxniY (USA v. Antigua)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_FmYbHoIGf0 (Jamaica v. Guatemala)

Panama 2 - Honduras 0; Canada 1 - Cuba 0

In the first match of the CONCACAF Third Round, Canada traveled to Havana to face Cuba.  Cuba started off best on the patchy field, but it would be the Canadians who came closest in the first half.  At the tail end of the first period, Dwyane de Rosario struck the crossbar off an eight-yard sitter, leaving Canada to ponder what could have been as they went into the locker room tied at zero goals apiece.

Ten minutes after the restart, Edgar David sent a inside-out cross into the Cuban box from where Olivier Occean headed home to give the visitors a 1-0 lead.  In minute 64, Canuck goalkeeper Lars Hirschfeld was shown a red card for handling a ball outside the box, leaving Canada to hold onto their slim lead with only ten men on the pitch.  The resulting free kick was sent way high, and Canada go on to win 1-0.

La Marea Roja of Panama (picked by this blog to make their first FIFA World Cup finals appearance at Brasil 2014) paid a visit to group favorites and 2010 South Africa participants Honduras in San Pedro Sula.  The first forty-five minutes were nondescript, and the half ended scoreless.

The second period belonged to Blas Perez (pictured, red).  With twenty-five minutes left in the match, Perez with his back to goal flicked a ball in stride to his left hip, spun, and unleashed a massive right-footed volley into the goal for 1-0 to Panama.  With ten minutes left to play, Perez took a cross and headed home from the edge of the penalty area to score and impressive brace to give Panama a 2-0 lead.  Even more impressive was Perez's use of the "Bernie" dance to celebrate both strikes.  Panama should dance all the way back to their hotel after winning 2-0 in the house of the Catrachos.

Goals
Canada
Olivier Occean 55

Panama
Blas Perez 64, 80

Match Reports:
http://m.theglobeandmail.com/sports/soccer/occeans-goal-leads-canada-over-cuba-in-world-cup-qualifying/article4243070/?service=mobile
http://www.tropigol.com/2012/06/09/perez-panama-stun-honduras-on-the-road/

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ezjLwndGX9c (Canada v. Cuba)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djt3GulclqI&feature=related (Panama v. Honduras)

South Korea 4 - Qatar 1; Lebanon 1 - Uzbekistan 1

Lebanon played their second home match of the fourth round.  The last time out against Qatar resulted in a disappointing loss, but the Cedars had a chance at redemption in Beirut as they welcomed Uzbekistan.  Uzbekistan scored just after ten minutes had elapsed after a silly diving header clearance by Lebanon failed.  Jasur Hasanov made no mistake with his shot, firing a bullet for a 1-0 Uzbekistan lead.  A Lebanon side that created nothing in response during the first half hour suddenly found its equalizer with ten minutes left in the half.  Ali Al Saadi curled a ball twenty-six yards around a four-man wall to beat the goalkeeper to the bottom right corner to give the Cedars an impressive equalizer. The score at the half was 1-1.

The second half featured nothing more than a few half-chances with Uzbekistan having the best of it at the start and Lebanon having the best of it at the finish.  Neither team would score again, and the match finished 1-1.

South Korea opened their fourth round of games with a daunting trip to Doha to face Qatar, who were fresh off a win at Lebanon.  Qatar started out well with good possession, and the goal was found by Yousef Ahmad Ali, who sliced through two Korean defenders down the left side and shot a goal off the goalkeeper's knee for a 1-0 lead.  Only three minutes later, a chip from Kim Bo-Kyung found its way to Lee Kyun-Ho's head and into the goal for the equalizer.  The score remained 1-1 at the half.

Ten minutes into the final stanza, Kwak Tae-Hwi scored an excellent flick header from one post into the side netting on the far post to put the Taegeuk Warriors up 2-1 in Doha.  After another ten minutes, a cool Kim Shin-wook finish from the half-circle of a soft pass from Lee Dong-Gook put the South Koreans ahead 3-1.  Lee Kyun-Ho got his second goal after a corner was allowed to bounce in the Qatari box and find him open.  In the last minute, Qatar's Mohammed Razarak nearly pulled one back with a sweet volley into the post, but Qatar lose 4-1 to South Korea.

South Korea 3 pts +3

Iran 3 pts +1

Qatar 3 pts -2

Lebanon 1 pts -1

Uzbekistan 1 pts -1

  

Goals

Uzbekistan

Jasur Hasanov 12

Lebanon

Ali Al Saadi 34

South Korea

Lee Keun Ho 26, 80

Kwak Tae Hwi 55

Kim Shin Wook 64

Qatar

Yousef Ahmad Ali 22

Match Reports:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/soccer/wires/06/08/2080.ap.soc.lebanon.uzbekistan.1st.ld.writethru.452/index.html
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/news/newsid=1646176/index.html
http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/sports/2012/06/08/south-korea-downs-qatar-4-1-in-wcup-qualifier/

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UsUz4hzhiSc&feature=g-all-u (Lebanon v. Uzbekistan)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vtobmENY7lc&feature=g-all-u (South Korea v. Qatar)

Oman 0 - Australia 0; Japan 6 - Jordan 0

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Goals
Fiji
Maciu Dunadamu 14

Papua New Guinea
Kema Jack 85

New Zealand
Chris Wood 14

Solomon Islands
Benjamin Totori 57

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Vanuatu
Robert Tasso 90+5

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

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

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

Photo by Photosport employee

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

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

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

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

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

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

Goals
New Zealand
Shane Smeltz 2
Chris Wood 54

Papua New Guinea
Neil Hans 87 PK

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

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

Colombia 1 - Peru 0

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

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

Goals

Colombia
James Rodriguez 52

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

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

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

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

Iran 1 - Uzbekistan 0; Qatar 1 - Lebanon 0

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

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

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

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

Goals
Iran
Mohammed Khalatbari 90+4

Qatar
Sebastian Soria 64

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

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

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

Jordan 1 - Iraq 1; Japan 3 - Oman 0

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

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

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

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

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

Iraq
Nashat Akram 14

Jordan
Ahmad Ibrahim 43

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

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

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

Libya 1 - Togo 1

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

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

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

Goals
Togo
Kalen Damessi 8

Libya
Ahmed Zouay 15

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

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