2010 WC Qualifiers Wrap Up

The Qualifiers for the 2010 World Cup are over, except for the playoff games which will determine the last batch of teams that will travel to South Africa. Here is a breakdown of the qualified teams, and the teams that will fight for a spot in the playoffs.




Europe


Qualified teams: Denmark, Germany, Netherlands, Slovakia, Switzerland, England, Italy, Serbia, Spain

Playoff teams: Portugal, Greece, Slovenia, Russia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Ukraine, France, Republic of Ireland

Many big teams had difficulty in Europe, Portugal and Sweden struggled, and eventually Portugal prevailed, leaving Sweden and Ibrahimovic out of the 2010 World Cup. France struggled to get in the playoffs as well, but great playing by Gignac and Benzema helped save them a spot in the playoffs. Italy made it through, but coach Marcello Lippi was met with heavy controversy by Italian journalists for leaving Cassano out of the squad. England cruised through qualifications with new coach Fabio Capello, and Spain and the Netherlands had little trouble qualifying too.


South America


Qualified teams: Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, Argentina

Playoff team: Uruguay

Only one change in the four qualified teams from the last World Cup, Chile takes the place of Ecuador in the top four. Chile is well known for their extremely attacking play, playing with the 3-3-1-3 formation Chile seems to be one of the teams that will add spice to this upcoming World Cup. Argentina makes it in at the last with controversial comments from Maradona. It seemed that Argentina might not qualify because of the constant change in the squad.


Concacaf


Qualified teams: USA, Mexico, Honduras

Playoff team: Costa Rica

The USA did well in these qualifiers, immediately solidifying its position, and their rival Mexico tried to overcome them, but were short one point. Honduras overcame Costa Rica thanks to a late goal by USA International Bornstein.


Africa

Qualified teams: Ghana, Ivory Coast

The African qualifiers haven't finished, and so far only two teams are qualified, Ghana and Ivory Coast. South Africa is already qualified because it is the host nation.


Asia

Qualified teams: Australia, Japan, Korea Republic, Korea DPR

Playoff teams: Bahrain, Saudi Arabia


The Asian qualifiers were quickly dominated by Australia and the Korea Republic, both having lost no games, they came first in their respective groups. A very tight competition between Korea DPR, Saudi Arabia, and Iran, all within one point of each other, Iran was unable to qualify.


Oceania


Playoff team: New Zealand

In Oceania, no direct qualification, the winner of the group of four teams goes in the playoff stages, New Zealand dominated the group with almost double points compared to New Caledonia who came second.

What do you think of the 2010 WC Qualifiers? Comment below!

Quote of the Week: Roy Keane and USA Team News

This week's Quote of the Week comes with some bad news; Charlie Davies, USA International striker, was in a car accident  and received serious injuries. While this news is bad, there is worse, he was in the car with two other people, one of which died. Ashley J. Roberta, 22, was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash, the only details on the third person, who was also the driver, are it is a female. Charlie Davies has received multiple injuries, and after around three hours of surgery, it is clear that he will not play in the 2010 World Cup. A diagnosis states that it will be 6-12 months before he is fit, this is a great loss for the USA national team, but it is also sad that a young woman lost her life.

Here is this weeks Quote of the Week,

Fail to prepare, prepare to fail.

Roy Keane 

Roy Keane, current coach of Ipswich said this very short and simple phrase which explains football preparation well. 

What do you think of this week's QOTW and the bad news that has come with it? Comment below!

My First Article on Serie A Talk is Out

Serie A Talk: Mazzarri Takes on Napoli job

I just wanted to let everyone know that my first article at Serie A Talk is out, it is about the dilemma of Italian football club Napoli, and the managerial problems they have had.

If the link at the top doesn't work, go to http://www.serieatalk.com/mazzarri-takes-on-napoli-job/1698 to read it.

Quote of the Week: George Graham

This weeks quote of the week is by George Graham, Scottish football player and manager who is best known for when he played for Arsenal. He describes the system of football and the teams job with this unique quote

The goalkeeper is the jewel in the crown and getting at him should be almost impossible. It's the biggest sin in football to make him do any work.

- George Graham

And there is your Quote of the Week, what do you think about it ? Comment below!