My Fifa World Cup(Warning 56k users) - 19th June - TOG v SWE, UZB v CRO, NED v NIG

[DJ Ager]

Asian Play Off

All to play for in second leg after Bahrain hold South Korea in Manama

Bahrain 1 - 1 Korea Republic

Underdogs Bahrain will go into the second leg in Seoul with a realistic chance and belief that they can progress into the North American-Asian Play off, after they managed to hold 2002 World Cup Semi Finalists, South Korea to a draw.

The home side took the lead after the Korean and Spurs defender, Lee Young Pyo, was caught in possesion in his own penalty area by Mohamed Salmeen, and then he soon placed it past the 'keeper to give Bahrain an unlikely lead over the Asian giants. Bahrain were the better side in the first half as they captilized on a nervy Korean side.

However things changed in the second half, as South Korea came back and eventually equalized through Lee D.G. as he fired in a superb cross from Kim Do Heon to draw the favourites level. Things got worse for Bahrain as defender Sayed Mahfoodh was given a slightly harsh straight red and he will miss the second leg. From then on Bahrain were on the back foot and came under pressure, but thanks in part to 'keeper Hassan Ali, the home side managed to hold on for the draw.

 

[DJ Ager]

Asian Play Off

South Korea finally manage shake off battling Bahrain to book a tie with tricky Trinidad & Tobago

Korea Republic 3 - 1 Bahrain (aet)

Korea Republic finally managed to squeeze past a brave bahrain side who didn't know when they were beaten. They'd thought they had already got past Bahrain, when Lee D.G smashed home clincally to put the home side. The home side went on to dominate the first half and it seemed like they would would only increase their lead. They didn't something they would live to regret. The visitors showed signs of getting back level but by the time it was in injury time it seemed Korea would scrape through. They thought wrong. Ahmed with the last chance of normal time placed it past the keeper to stun Korea and send them to extra time.

However, Korea were determined to end this tie for good as they came out for extra time and they soon regained the lead at the start of extra time through Park C.Y. as he placed it past Ali in the Bahrain goal. Bahrain were then hit by a cruel blow as Lee D.G caught Bahrain on the break at made certain of Korea Republic's place. Bahrain battled hard but Korea will be the ones playing Trinidad & Tobago.

 

[DJ Ager]

World Cup Qualifying nears it climax as the Play Offs around the world reach the halfway stage

European Zone

French comeback leaves Scots with it all to do in Paris

Scotland 1 - 2 France

Scotland will have to beat France on home soil for the first time since 1950 if they are to knock out the 1998 holders and reach their first World Cup since that WC. Despite this, Scotland got off to a dream start, when in just the 3rd minute, Kenny Miller broke through and finished past Coupet to send the Scots into unexpected delirium. And surprisingly, a poor France went into half time 1-0 against a tenacious Scottish side. Things changed after the break however, when France started to apply pressure to the Scottish defence. And, as always, it was Henry to the rescue, as he, to French relief, cooly finished to restore parity. It seemed though that Scotland had done enough to hold onto a deserved draw. However, Trezeguet had other ideas, as the Scots were caught on the break, and Trezeguet chipped Gordon cheekly to leave Scotland with an uphill task if they are to qualify.

Koller and Poborsky help Czech Republic put one foot in the World Cup

Slovenia 1 - 2 Czech Republic

Czech Republic will feel confident of progressing into the World Cup Finals, after overcoming a tricky first leg in Ljubljana. In a tight, uninspiring contest, it was the Czechs who took the lead when Koller fired in a fantstic low shot into the Slovenian goal. The lead was doubled when a cross was headed by old head Poborsky, and Handanovic would be dissapointed that he could only get a hand to it at his near post. The Slovenians came out a better out outfit in the second half, but they found it hard to break down the Czech defence. However, they did eventually pull back one late, Cimerotic with the towering header to give Slovenia hope for the second leg.

Poland waste crucial chances as they hold Italy to a stalemate in Warsaw

Poland 0 - 0 Italy

Poland will have to be content with a draw and the scores level going into the secong leg, but they may feel, and it well could be, that their best chance has gone. In an incredibly poor, dull contest, there were very few openings and very little to write home about. Macej Zurawski wasted two golden chances for Poland in the first half, both wasting one on one situations against Buffon. Italy were probably the better side in the second half, but they too couldn't break the deadlock as Dudek was forced into probably one meaningful save off Del Piero.

 

[usy]

Great win by france, they gonne win this cup!

 

[DJ Ager]

North American - Asian Play Off

South Korea could pay the ultimate penalty for a poor first leg performance

Trinidad and Tobago 2 - 0 Korea Republic

2002 World Cup semi finalists, South Korea, will have to pull out all the stocks if they are to turn the their tie with the West Indian side around. This was due to a brilliant battling display from the hosts, combined with an under par performance from the Korean outfit. In an exciting match, Korea had the early pressure, but struggled to create any chances and trouble Hislop in the Trinidad goal. It was the home side however who took the lead, when a free kick from the right hand side was fired in quickly by Luton's Carlos Edwards, and volleyed home even harder by Swindon's Ricky Shakes. The rest of the game Korea tried to force home an equalizer, but they still struggled to force a way through the Caribbean defence. They huffed and puffed, and then suffered a sucker punch when they conceeded a late penalty, which was converted by veteran Dwight Yorke. Hislop was forced into his first meaningful save in the dying moments to help keep Trindad's 2 goal lead intact, but Korea have an uphill task if they are going to qualify.

South American - Oceanian Play Off

Socceroos hold slight advantage over Peru in tight contest

Peru 1 - 2 Australia

Australia will be confident that they can reach their first World Cup since 1974, ironically, also in Germany. This was after they managed to gain an advantage over their South American opponents, Peru. Australia came out the blocks quickly, and it was only due to a fantastic performance in the Peruvian goal by Flores, that they kept the Aussies at bay. They finally did take the led, when Kewell fired home as Flores couldn't deny Oz a third time. Then Peru's troubles deepened when just before half time, a dominant Australia doubled their lead thanks to a Viduka shot which Flores could only get a hand on. However, the second half was a very different affair as the side came back into the match. Peru started to exert pressure on the Aussie defence and got their reward, as Pizzaro pulled one back on the hour to give Peru belief. From then on the hosts were dominant and went close on numerous occasions and in the dying moments, Farfan hit the post for luckless peru, but the Socceroos held on to hold the advantage for the home leg.

 

[DJ Ager]

The World Cup Play Offs reach their climax, and consequently completing the World Cup picture for the Finals in Germany in the summer

European Play Offs

France squeeze past Scotland the Brave

France 1 - 2 Scotland (3-3 agg) (aet) (4 - 3 on penalties)

France will breathe a huge sigh of relief, after they overcame a supeb Scotland side, as the 1998 winners, qualified after a tense win on penalties. It seemed after the first half, France would not have to go that far, as they dominated, with Trezeguet hitting the bar, but the Scots did well to withstand the French pressure. In the second half, it was more of an evenly matched contest, without many chances. It seemed that the match would remain scoreless and France would progress. Yet, Naysmith, in his own half, drove a world class long ball, and Miller capitalized to send the tie into extra time after the injury time aggregate equalizer.

In extra time, France came out the stronger, and Trezeguet soon helped the French regain the lead in the tie as he fired in cooly from the edge of the area. It was the Scots in the second half of extra time who were the better, but they thought they chance had gone, when McFadden fluffed a golden opportunity. Howevr, like in normal time, it was in injury time, Miller shrugged off two defenders to place it past Coupet to send it to penalties. On penalties, Scotland's luck ran out and Coupet was the hero as France got to the World Cup, 4-3 on penalties.

Czech mate for an unlucky Slovenia

Czech Republic 3 - 2 Slovenia (5 - 3 agg) (aet)

Slovenia were not fancied to go through against the Czechs, even more so, after the first leg result, but for the majority of Wednesday night in Prague, this looked the likely result. The Slovenians came out of blocks quickly against a comparitively sluggish Czech Republic, an Rodic levelled the scores on aggregate early on as he chipped it cooly over a dispairing Patr Cech. Then soon after the Slovenians took the lead for the first time in the tie, Cimerotic, placing it past the keeper, as the Slovenians dominated the firs half. The second half was not as active, and became a midfield battle. Czech Republic looked unlikely to score, until in the dying moments, veteran Koller, smashed home a rare Czech chance, to break Slovenian hearts. In the extra time, Czech Republic regained the aggregate lead early, when Nedved headed powerful across the goal, past Handanovic, and in the net. A disraught shattered Slovenian side were then caught on the break, in the second half of extra time, as Baros chipped it over the keeper to make certain of qualifcation.

Gilardino double is just enough to see off Poland

Italy 2 - 1 Poland (2-1 agg)

3 times winners Italy, have confirmed their place in the finals, after they did just enough to see off Poland. Gilardino gave Italy the lead in the first half, finishing it low past Dudek in the Polish goal. Poland's troubles doubled at the the end of the half, when the former Parma striker, smashed home a low cross from Pirlo on the half volley. In the second half, the home side went into its shell a little, and subsequently invited pressure. Yet Buffon was in great form like in the first leg, and Sobolewski missed one of a few of good chances. Finally, it was Zurawski, who managed to convert a chances past Buffon and put left the Italians with a nervy last half hour. However they held on to secure their place in Germany.

 

[MWaugh]

this is a great thread. lucky for france and italy. should be a great cup

 

[DJ Ager]

I will post the North American - Asian Play Off and the South American - Oceanian Play Off soon, but I'm going to a Swindon match this evening so it will have to wait.

 

[DJ Ager]

North American - Asian Play Off

Korea complete first half turn-around to end the Trinidad and Tobago dream

Korea Republic 3 - 0 Trinidad and Tobago (3-2 agg)

The Socca Warriors were blown away by a first half hurricane from Korea. At first, Hislop made a string of good saves to prevent the home side taking the lead. However, it was preventing the inevitable, as Lee D.G. slotted a shot past Hislop. Korea then sensed their chance, and before long they drew level. It was their big star, Park J.S. who grabbed the second. The Manchester United fired in from the edge of the area low into the left hand corner. A shaken Trinidad side tried to hold on, but on the stroke of half time, Kim N.I. headed a cross in to put Korea ahead on aggregate, to give a distraught Trindad and Tobago the ultimate sucker punch. The Socca Warriors came out in the second half, trying to level again, but despite chances for Ricky Shakes and Stern John, the home defence held fim to end the T&T dream.

Oz it any wonder? Australia qualify on penalties

Australia 1 - 2 Peru (3-3 agg) (aet) (5-3 pens)

Australia have booked their place in the World Cup finals for the first time since 1974, after overcoming Peru 5 - 3 on penalties. Bresciano hit the winning penalty after the previous spot kick from Farfan was saved by Schwarzer, the only one to miss. To say Australia were deserved victors would be a bit untrue, as Peru can count themselves unlucky after their second leg performance.

It was Peru who took the lead, Guerro who finished past an on rushing Schwarzer, to draw the Peruvians level on aggregate. Peru will probably rue the fact they failed to score a second in the remaining 90 mins. The Australians rarely threatened, although they improved slightly in the second half, although they were quite happy to hold on to extra time. In extra time, Peru deservedly got the second goal early in the first period, as Pizzaro capitalized on defensive indecision to put Peru ahead on aggregate. This seemed to spark the Socceroos into life, but it seemed still seemed with the second half of extra time drawing to a close, it would be more heartbreak for the Aussies. But it was not to be as Thompson broke through, and held his nerve to send the tie to penalties. And the Australians held their nerve on penalties to secure their World Cup place.

The complete list of the 32 teams playing at the World Cup:

Argentina
Australia
Austria
Brazil
Bulgaria
Congo DR
Croatia
Czech Republic
Denmark
Ecuador
England
France
Germany
Ghana
Guatemala
Iran
Italy
Japan
Kenya
Korea Republic
Mexico
Netherlands
Nigeria
Paraguay
Saudi Arabia
Serbia & Montenegro
Sweden
Switzerland
Togo
Ukraine
USA
Uzbekistan

Pots for the draw:

Pot One

Argentina
Brazil
England
France
Germany
Italy
Mexico
Netherlands

Pot Two

Australia
Congo DR
Ecuador
Ghana
Kenya
Nigeria
Paraguay
Togo

Pot Three

Austria
Bulgaria
Croatia
Czech Republic
Denmark
Sweden
Switzerland
Ukraine

Pot Four

Guatemala
Iran
Japan
Korea Republic
Saudi Arabia
USA
Uzbekistan

Special Pot

Serbia & Montenegro

 

[DJ Ager]

I can post the draw, but do you want me to post it today or tomorrow, as I was hoping to post round to everyone when the draw was so they could see the draw at a fixed time.

Here's a a zip with an excel file of the complete qualifiers.

 

[DJ Ager]

Tune in at 3pm for the draw!

 

[DJ Ager]

Live: The World Cup Draw

Watch It Here Now:

 

[treva]

Good draw that and nice animation

 

[MWaugh]

group c (if ghana perform), group b and group f look to be the toughest there. australia will have a tough job to beat ukraine to the number 2 spot in group f

 

[DJ Ager]

I was wondering, if enough people are interested, to do a sweepstakes with all the teams in the tournament. Sign up and get your randomly choosen team.

Here's the fixtures

09 June 2006 A Germany v Guatemala Munich 18:00
09 June 2006 A Switzerland v Ecuador Gelsenkirchen 21:00

10 June 2006 B Argentina v Paraguay Frankfurt 15:00
10 June 2006 B Japan v Denmark Dortmund 18:00
10 June 2006 C Brazil v Ghana Hamburg 21:00

11 June 2006 C Iran v Czech Republic Leipzig 15:00
11 June 2006 D France v USA Nuremberg 18:00
11 June 2006 D Congo DR v Austria Cologne 21:00

12 June 2006 F Australia v Saudi Arabia Kaiserslautern 15:00
12 June 2006 E Serbia & Montenegro v Bulgaria Gelsenkirchen 18:00
12 June 2006 E Mexico v Kenya Hannover 21:00

13 June 2006 G Korea Republic v Togo Frankfurt 15:00
13 June 2006 G England v Sweden Stuttgart 18:00
13 June 2006 F Italy v Ukraine Berlin 21:00

14 June 2006 H Netherlands v Croatia Leipzig 15:00
14 June 2006 H Nigeria v Uzbekistan Munich 18:00
14 June 2006 A Germany v Switzerland Dortmund 21:00

15 June 2006 A Ecuador v Guatemala Hamburg 15:00
15 June 2006 B Argentina v Japan Nuremberg 18:00
15 June 2006 B Denmark v Paraguay Berlin 21:00

16 June 2006 C Brazil v Iran Gelsenkirchen 15:00
16 June 2006 C Czech Republic v Ghana Stuttgart 18:00
16 June 2006 D France v Congo DR Hannover 21:00

17 June 2006 D Austria v USA Frankfurt 15:00
17 June 2006 E Bulgaria v Kenya Cologne 18:00
17 June 2006 E Mexico v Serbia & Montenegro Kaiserslautern 21:00

18 June 2006 F Saudi Arabia v Ukraine Nuremberg 15:00
18 June 2006 F Italy v Australia Munich 18:00
18 June 2006 G England v Korea Republic Leipzig 21:00

19 June 2006 G Togo v Sweden Dortmund 15:00
19 June 2006 H Uzbekistan v Croatia Hamburg 18:00
19 June 2006 H Netherlands v Nigeria Stuttgart 21:00

20 June 2006 A Ecuador v Germany Berlin 16:00
20 June 2006 A Guatemala v Switzerland Hannover 16:00
20 June 2006 B Paraguay v Japan Kaiserslautern 21:00
20 June 2006 B Denmark v Argentina Cologne 21:00

21 June 2006 D Austria v France Gelsenkirchen 16:00
21 June 2006 D USA v Congo DR Leipzig 16:00
21 June 2006 C Czech Republic v Brazil Frankfurt 21:00
21 June 2006 C Ghana v Iran Munich 21:00

22 June 2006 E Bulgaria v Mexico Hamburg 16:00
22 June 2006 E Kenya v Serbia & Montenegro Nuremberg 16:00
22 June 2006 F Saudi Arabia v Italy Dortmund 21:00
22 June 2006 F Ukraine v Australia Stuttgart 21:00

23 June 2006 H Croatia v Nigeria Berlin 16:00
23 June 2006 H Uzbekistan v Netherlands Kaiserslautern 16:00
23 June 2006 G Sweden v Korea Republic Hannover 21:00
23 June 2006 G Togo v England Cologne 21:00

Sweepstakes sign ups:

DJ Ager