Re: The Official 2014 Road to Brazil World Cup Qualifying Thread

by McAgger Fri Mar 22, 2013 3:33 pm

Hoping Denmark can get themselves together. Todays match is crucial.

Will be watching Macedonia and Belgium and after Uruguay vs Paraguay.

by AltoZ Fri Mar 22, 2013 4:06 pm

Can Finland make it a tight game vs Spain, what do you think?

by nasir6371 Fri Mar 22, 2013 5:33 pm

Kolarov pretending to be a footballer :facepalm:

... Passes the ball to opposing team from a FK in his own 1/3 of the pitch that leads to simple Mario Mandzukic finish.

Serbia have a descent defense with Nastasic, Ivanovic, and Neven Subotic. That should keep them in the game.

by Art Morte Fri Mar 22, 2013 5:55 pm

AltoZ wrote:Can Finland make it a tight game vs Spain, what do you think?

by la bestia negra Fri Mar 22, 2013 6:29 pm

I'll share a pretty interesting story about this occasion, for the ones who don't know it.

Two men grew up in different clubs as players, but very close geographically, so they sort of bonded at bars and such. They also spent time together in the Jugoslavian national u-teams. Very promising players both of them. Then the war happened and suddenly because of their ethnicity they became enemies.

Just as the Borovo Selo killings was taking place, and the tension was at its highest, the Croatian player, told his Serb opponent in a match they both participated in, that he hoped his fellow countrymen would slaughter the other man's family in Borovo. [URL="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WCOArChjYYQ#t=0m57s"]Needless to say, they both received red cards in the match as they were both filled with so much rage.[/URL] You see, the telephone lines were cut off from the city of Borovo where the family of the Serb lived, and he hadn't received words from them in days.

Hajduk Split and Red Star Belgrade faced each other soon again, a match where the Serb, Mihajlovic, got sent off once again. They both got more hateful and more poisoned by the war, but time went by.

The last time Mihajlovic was in Croatia was in 1999, when Jugoslavia faced Croatia in a Euro qualification match. [URL="http://bloggar.aftonbladet.se/bankoniva/files/2013/03/zastava_vukovar91.jpg"]It looked like this.[/URL] It was obvious the war was still in the veins of the people. It was still them against us, and vice versa. The match ended 2-2. Stimac, the Croatian man, was suspended. Mihajlovic? [URL="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2UQ25NmFwvs#t=1m43s"]He assisted both goals.[/URL]

A couple of years ago Stimac appeared on national television. He was asked by the host about this feud, and later tried to lighten the mood by putting on a pre-recorded fake phone call with Stimac and Mihajlovic, where the latter said that he'd forgive the former, if he gave him some Dalmatian wine and drank with him. Stimac was furious, he said he could forgive the man who threatened to kill him once, but never drink with him.

The two will probably never forgive each other, not even respect each other. But they've put that aside for friday. Because interesting enough, the former talented players went on to become coaches.

On friday Croatia faces Serbia. On friday Stimac faces Mihajlovic.

my god this game is on fire

by Catracho Fri Mar 22, 2013 7:04 pm

In the spirit of March Madness (College Basketball tourney), Teams on Upset Alert today:

Argentina against Venezuela at home.. I have Argentina clear winners, but it wouldn't be out the realm of possibility that La Vinotinto snatch a point away after beating them in Maracaibo.

USA against Costa Rica. A lot going on off the field coupled with a questionable call-up list. Inexperienced defense and poor tactical performances as of late from the criticized Jurgen... a lot of pressure tonight againt a team they haven't beaten in QUITE SOME time. CR coming off an away tie in Panama after going down 2-0 at halftime in Panama City. If USA loses, this could spell disaster for their campaign going into Azteca Stadium next week where they could be left with 0 points after three rounds.

Mexico against Honduras. Mexico has lost 4 straight in San Pedro Sula since 1993, which was the last time Mexico found a positive result in Honduran soil. Honduras coming off a 2-1 home win over the USA, and Mexico coming off a shock draw at home to Jamaica makes this game very interesting. A lot of talk about how Mexico will react to the hostile and very hot (100 degrees, 85% humidity) environment today. A loss here and Mexico are in a must win situation next week.

Chile against Peru.. Chile in a run of terrible games.. drubbing in Colombia, and crucial loss at home to Argentina, makes this game almost a do or die game for Chile. Chile will not have it easy in Lima, Peru, who gave Argentina all they could handle in a 1-1 game. Chile tied with Venezuela and Uruguay. Venezuela whose expected to lose tonight and Uruguay whose expected to win tonight, should take full advantage to jump a Venezuelan side in the standings if Chile do indeed find 3 points away in Peru.

Algeria against Benin.. Benin on top of the African standings could jump to a 4 point gap above Algeria if they find a win next week in Algeria. Algeria coming off a disappointing loss in a neutral field to Mali, may see their chances dwindle if they don't manage to beat Benin who beat Mali at home and knicked a point off Rwanda in Kigali.

by RED Fri Mar 22, 2013 8:54 pm

What is the point of San Marino? Honestly. Might as well give the rest of the teams in the group an automatic 3 pts when they face them to save everyone's time.

This is like a kick in the park for England. SM haven't even gone out of their half.

by Art Morte Fri Mar 22, 2013 9:02 pm

RED wrote:What is the point of San Marino? Honestly. Might as well give the rest of the teams in the group an automatic 3 pts when they face them to save everyone's time.

This is like a kick in the park for England. SM haven't even gone out of their half.

Yeah, it's like a training session for most teams. But it sure would save some time if they just withdrew from International football.

Btw, there is a Road to Brazil -thread stickied...

by AltoZ Fri Mar 22, 2013 9:38 pm

Lol Spain.

I said it. Finland would give them a game.

by TalkingReckless Fri Mar 22, 2013 10:01 pm

Last two games for Finland aganist Spain were both draws

Finland has become only the second nation in nearly seven years not to lose on Spanish soil, the other being France

by McAgger Fri Mar 22, 2013 10:03 pm

We have a thread stickied at the top of this very page for the Qualifyers.

by TalkingReckless Fri Mar 22, 2013 10:06 pm

Last two games for Finland aganist Spain were both draws

Finland has become only the second nation in nearly seven years not to lose on Spanish soil, the other being France

by McAgger Fri Mar 22, 2013 10:07 pm

Uruguay v Paraguay on right now

by Albiceleste Fri Mar 22, 2013 10:08 pm

Colombia decimate Bolivia 5-0, hopefully we can kick them while they are down in la paz.

Uruguay just kicked off against parguay and Argentina plays against Venezuela in 2 hours. vamos argentina Proud

Most goals in World Cup 2014 qualifiers (South America): Higuain 7 - Messi 7 - Suarez 7 - Falcao 5 - Caicedo 4

by Guest Fri Mar 22, 2013 10:08 pm

So does that mean the chat is gone? Sad

by Albiceleste Fri Mar 22, 2013 10:13 pm

rumored lineups:
ROMERO; ZABALETA, GARAY, FERNANDEZ, ROJO; GAGO, MASCHERANO, MONTILLO; LAVEZZI, MESSI and HIGUAIN.

D. Hernández; A. González, Vizcarrondo, Túñez, Cichero; Rincón, Lucena; Seijas, Arango; Feltcher y Rondón.

by McAgger Fri Mar 22, 2013 10:19 pm

OH wtf. PAulo Da Silva looks hurt badly. Looks like a head injury

by McAgger Fri Mar 22, 2013 10:19 pm

He's back up. Thank god. That looked scary

by rwo power Fri Mar 22, 2013 10:32 pm

Legend wrote:Last two games for Finland aganist Spain were both draws

Finland has become only the second nation in nearly seven years not to lose on Spanish soil, the other being France

Last time Germany and Finland were in one qualification group (2008/09), Finland also managed two draws against Germany (and these were the only points Germany dropped). Finland :bow: