Ibrahimovic vs Ronaldo - who will miss the World Cup?

Following Monday's World Cup play-off draw which saw Sweden paired with Portugal, we already know one superstar will not will heading to Brazil next summer.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Cristiano Ronaldo, two of the game's current greats, are both in danger of missing out on international football's pinnacle competition.

Let us know who you would prefer to see at the World Cup.

Tuesday, October 22, 2013 12:00

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Dzeko and the dragons to the mondial

Bosnia and Herzegovina finally qualified to the Brazilian mondial, with the big effort from stars like Dzeko, Pjanic, Spahic and others.

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Roy The Redeemer leads England to Rio

England were finally able to celebrate on Tuesday night after a 2-0 victory over Poland booked a place at the 2014 World Cup.

Knowing Ukraine were likely to thrash Group H minnows San Marino, Roy Hodgson's side had to win at Wembley Stadium in order to top the table and avoid a potentially tricky play-off tie.

And the Three Lions were sent on their way just before half time by a Wayne Rooney header, before captain Steven Gerrard secured a vital three points in the closing stages.

Hodgson and his charges have come in for criticism throughout his spell in charge, with the former Fulham and Liverpool manager once comically mocked up as the Christ The Redeemer statue prior to the Euro 2012 clash with France, such was the nation's bleak view of England's chances of progression.

But few could knock Hodgson after two exhilarating victories wrapped up an ultimately unbeaten World Cup qualifying campaign.

Wednesday, October 16, 2013 11:00

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Final obstacle for World Cup hopefuls

Just one more game stands between a number of teams and qualification for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

England can secure their place at next year's competition with a victory over Poland, with anything less meaning Roy Hodgson's side will be relying on San Marino to shock Ukraine to avoid a play-off tie.

Spain, meanwhile, need a single point against Azerbaijan to complete their road to Rio, with France likely to have to settle for second place.

Russia are also likely to finish top of their group at the expense of Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal, while Honduras and Mexico are still playing for automatic qualification in the Concacaf zone.

In South America, Ecuador and Chile clash with both teams requiring a point to qualify, and Uruguay will be relying on either side to lose, while still needing to beat Argentina, who are already bound for Brazil.

Tuesday, October 15, 2013 10:15

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Ronaldo haunted by France failure

Cristiano Ronaldo has admitted he is not looking forward to facing France, should both sides fail to book an automatic spot at next summer’s World Cup in Brazil.

Portugal’s hopes of finishing top of Group F took a huge dent after a 1-1 draw with Israel on Friday, leaving them three points behind leaders Russia and looking destined for a play-off place.

France, meanwhile, are in a similar position in Group I, meaning a play-off date between the two sides is a distinct possibility.

The last time the two sides met France won 1-0 to book a spot in the 2006 World Cup final, and Ronaldo admits he is a worried man: "Hopefully, we'll now get a bit of luck and not get a complicated team. The only team I wouldn't like to face is France.”

Sunday, October 13, 2013 11:56

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Dutch Master Van Persie overtakes class of legends

Netherlands destroyed Hungary 8-1 in Amsterdam on Friday evening in one of the Oranje's more impressive displays.

Louis van Gaal's side had already qualified for World Cup 2014 but put on a show in front of expectant fans in the Amsterdam ArenA, led by Robin van Persie.

The Manchester United striker has steadily climbed the goalscoring ranks for his country, but finally overtook Patrick Kluivert at the top of the list after he netted a stellar hat-trick against Hungary.

Van Persie celebrated his 40th strike by running to Kluivert - now assistant coach to Van Gaal - before repeating the act of emotion as he went one better than the former Ajax and Barcelona hitman with his third goal on the night.

Saturday, October 12, 2013 11:52

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Redknapp poison piles pressure on Roy

Harry Redknapp was spurned by the Football Association last year as the rulers of the domestic game appointed Roy Hodgson as manager of England.

Unsurprisingly, Redknapp did not walk quietly into the sunset, shrugging his shoulders and muttering "ah well, that's life". No, no, Redknapp has instead revealed all in his upcoming autobiograhpy - a raucous tale of backstabbing, contradictions and half-truths that has drawn pressure on Hodgson.

England face Montenegro on Friday night at Wembley before another home showdown, this time against Ukraine next week. Two wins will guarantee qualification for World Cup 2014 and ease the pressure on Hodgson - but with Redknapp waiting in the wings, perhaps it'd be more fun to watch this story play out a little more.

Friday, October 11, 2013 12:38

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African nations set for World Cup 2014 war

Saturday and Sunday sees the first legs of the final qualification round for the African nations as we gear towards World Cup 2014.

The first set of fixtures sees The Stallions (Burkina Faso) host The Desert Warriors (Algeria), while The Elephants (Ivory Coast) welcome The Lions of Teranga (Senegal) in Abidjan.

On Sunday The Black Lions (Ethiopia) take on The Super Eagles (Nigeria), The Eagles of Carthage (Tunisia) face The Indomitable Lions (Cameroon) and The Black Stars (Ghana) draw swords with The Pharaohs (Egypt).

All in all it promises to be colourful and entertaining at the very least.

Wednesday, October 9, 2013 09:49

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Netherlands & Italy settle in for World Cup party

Victories for Netherlands and Italy in their World Cup qualifiers on Tuesday ensured they both booked their spot at the 2014 showpiece in Brazil.

Louis van Gaal's side progressed from Group D following a 2-0 win over minnows Andorra, while the Italians came from behind to defeat Czech Republic 2-1 in Turin.

Argentina, Costa Rica and the USA also sealed their passage to Brazil for next summer's international tournament as the beaches of Rio await!

Wednesday, September 11, 2013 12:00

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الاردن تتأهل لملاقاة خامس امريكا الجنوبية Jordan to face the 5th place of CONMEBOL

تمكن المنتخب الاردني من الفوز على منتخب اوزبكستان بضربات الجزاء ضمن تصفيات كأس العالم ليلتقي خامس قارة امريكا الجنوبية.المبارة تخللها انقطاع في التيار الكهربائي و ظروف تكنولوجية سيئة.

Jordanian team managed to win over Uzbekistan on penalties in a World Cup qualifier to meet the fifth continent of South America.
Game interrupted by a break in the power supply and poor technological conditions.

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Klose and Ronaldo become striker masters

Cristiano Ronaldo and Miroslav Klose etched their way into the record books on Friday after netting for their countries once again.

In Belfast, Ronaldo hit his first international hat-trick to surpass Eusebio’s record and become Portugal’s second highest goalscorer as Paulo Bento's men beat Northern Ireland 4-2 in a chaotic match.

The Real Madrid star has now scored 43 times for his country, and is just four goals behind Pauleta who is Portugal’s leading goalscorer.

Meanwhile, over in Munich, Klose’s 33rd minute strike, ensured he became Germany’s joint highest goalscorer.

The forward bagged his 68th international goal, in a 3-0 win over Austria, equalling Gerd Muller’s record.

Saturday, September 7, 2013 11:51

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Race to Rio continues as stars face World Cup qualifiers

The race to qualify for World Cup 2014 continues in earnest this weekend with many top stars in action for their countries.

The world’s most expensive footballer, Gareth Bale, should feature for Wales although Real Madrid’s newest recruit is highly unlikely to make it to Rio.

Another big summer signing Mesut Ozil is in action for Germany, who are closing in on qualification, while Manchester United new-boy Marouane Fellaini will face Scotland with Belgium.

Elsewhere expect to see Cristiano Ronaldo, Luis Suarez and Zlatan Ibrahimovic in action as club football takes a back seat this weekend.

Friday, 6 September 2013 11:50

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Pedro flies the flag as Spain conquer France

 

Spain ensured they regained full control of both their World Cup 2014 destiny and top spot in Group I on Tuesday after they battled to a 1-0 victory over France.

Despite Paul Pogba's red card, a closely-contested match at Stade de France was decided by a sole Pedro finish on the shade of an hour to give Didier Deschamps and his troops a case of les Bleus in their quest to reach the finals in Brazil.

Prior to kick-off, Spanish newspaper Marca - in a bid to taunt their Gallic neighbours - printed a front page of the Eiffel Tower resembling the colours of la Roja, and it seems they have now got their wish following the world champions' latest conquer! 
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Ronaldo might need helping hand to reach Brazil 2014

 

If Cristiano Ronaldo is not worried, he probably should be. Portugal are labouring in qualification for another major tournament - this time, Brazil 2014.

Friday's 3-3 draw away with Israel has left Paulo Bento's men third in Group F, four points behind Fabio Capello's Russia, who also have a game in hand.

If they win, the gap will extend to seven, in all likelihood condemning Portugal to a life-and-death scrap with Israel for second place and passage into a nail-biting qualifying playoff.

There also remains the distinct possibility that Ronaldo, widely regarded as one of the greatest players of his or any generation, will not even make it to the World Cup next year.

Missing out could potentially deal a fatal blow to the Real Madrid superstar's hopes of adding a World Cup winner's medal to his heaving collection, and hand Lionel Messi a decisive advantage in their epic rivalry.

With this in mind, he needs all the help he can get. 
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England make a splash with new kit

The World Cup qualifier between England and Poland didn't exactly go according to plan on Tuesday night.

What was supposed to be a crucial Group H clash became the washout in Warsaw, as a waterlogged pitch saw the game postponed after officials failed to close the stadium roof amidst the onset of a downpour.

The game has been rescheduled for Wednesday afternoon, where England players will no doubt be well prepared for the conditions.

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Rampant Germany hit Ireland for six

 

Even the most optimistic of Republic of Ireland fans may not have been expecting to defeat Germany, but the 6-1 hammering in Friday's World Cup qualifier certainly wasn't part of the plan for Giovanni Trapattoni's men.

Doubles from Marco Reus and Toni Kroos, alongside goals for Mesut Ozil and Miroslav Klose, ensured Joachim Low's men secured a rampant win at the Aviva Stadium.

And while Andy Keough may have grabbed a late consolation goal, there is no denying that the Irish were smashed out of the park by their German counterparts...
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Hodgson gambles on Sterling

 

With injuries taking their toll on his squad, England boss Roy Hodgson took the shock measure of handing Raheem Sterling his first senior call-up on Monday.

The 17-year-old has impressed after breaking through at Liverpool this season but has just five Premier League appearances to his name and represents something of a gamble.

However, these are odds that the 65-year-old Three Lions boss clearly fancies ahead of a World Cup qualifying clash with Ukraine.
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Iraq 1-0 China

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