UEFA 2014 World Cup qualifying: France and Netherlands disappoint

The result was coupled with Bosnia’s 1-0 home defeat to Slovakia. This puts Greece and Bosnia on level points with goal difference placing the latter at the top of the group.

Greece being the heavy favorites to win, commenced the match very slowly and lost possession on every attempt to move forward. The first half was largely quiet with Jose Holebas and Lazaros Christodoulopoulos making runs down the left flank. Mitroglou was also on hand a number of times but failed to convert.

Israel faced Azerbaijan today at the Ramat Gan in Tel Aviv in what was the most critical match of this campaign for the home side. The match was largely an even affair with both teams exchanging shots. Israel had periods of slightly higher momentum but could not translate it into three points.

The hosts came out on the attack early on but Azerbaijan put a strong defense behind the ball. Bibras Natchko had the best opportunity but his mid range effort was deflected by the keeper. Israel continued their domination but interestingly it was Azerbaijan who had two strong efforts which were saved by Dudu Aouate.

The Azzurri have stretched their lead at the top of Group B to seven points ahead of visiting Bulgaria, but the latter will feel that they should have got something out of the game. Just three World Cup qualifying games remain, and Italy will seal a place in next year’s finals if they defeat Czech Republic in Turin on Tuesday evening.

Gilardino put Italy in front seven minutes before the break. The Genoa frontman was lurking in the six yard box before heading home Candreva’s cross from the byline. It was Gila’s 19^th international strike and a classic centre forward’s goal.

Despite missing several regular starters and facing a Finland side that held them to a draw in their first meeting, Spain had no trouble getting some revenge as they downed the Huuhkajat 2-0 on Friday evening. Jordi Alba and Álvaro Negredo did the damage for La Roja.

Despite the fact that the game remained 1-0 for most of the second half, La Roja was never really in danger of letting Finland back in the match. Spain finally put the match to bed in the 85th minute when Jesus Navas laid off a ball into the centre of the Finland box where it was chipped past Maenpaa by Álvaro Negredo to make it 2-0.

The Georgians probably got away with a penalty in the 20th minute, when Ucha Lobjanidze appeared to block a cross with his hand while standing in the penalty area. He didn’t actively move his arm towards the ball, but it was away from his body. The referee opted not to point to the spot.

Georgia: Loria, Lobjanidze, Grigalava, Amisulashvili, Khubutia, Kashia, Kankava, Kobakhidze (Grigalashvili 60’), Ananidze (Targamadze 70’), Okriashvili, Gelashvili (Dvalishvili 79’)

This was supposed to be the biggest game of the decade for both nations, a game that would decide who rules the Balkans. Because of the recent history of these two countries, it was widely expected that this game would produce some political tension. Add the bad blood boiling between the two coaches and you have an epic game in the making, guaranteed to finish with one team securing a ticket to Brazil with a late goal. But those were the expectations, and now there is reality.

Ivan Strinic, the Croatian left back, injured himself during training in Zagreb a day before the trip to Belgrade, so Stimac called up Udinese’s new player Igor Bubnjic. Other than that, there were no problems with selection. Stimac is confident that his team has what it takes to beat their big rivals. He said that Croatia will be patient and will wait for possible counter attacks to try and win three crucial points.

Victory will put the Azzurri on the brink of a place in next year’s finals, while a Bulgaria win will blow Group B wide open.

Bulgaria boss Lyuboslav Penev has no such distractions and brings a 21 man squad with him to Sicily. Luzern striker Dimitar Rangelov has been recalled for the first time since last November. Former Serie A striker Valeri Bojinov has been dropped.

One of the issues may be a tendency toward cautious football. The Slovaks have won just twice, both times at home, yet barely managed to increase their goal difference despite playing Latvia and Liechtenstein. Ján Kozák, appointed prior to last round’s 1-1 home draw with Liechtenstein, seems unlikely to break the mold. It’s also of little help that Slovakia have rather unproductive forwards, with Stanislav Šesták, their high scorer at 12 international goals, having scored none this qualifying round. Midfielder Marek Sapara, who’s scored three in six matches, wasn’t called up for this round, possibly due to lack of fitness as he’s currently without a club.

You’d think, though, that Slovakia could depend on Marek Hamšík to orchestrate the attack. The midfielder has been immense for Napoli this (admittedly short) season, having already scored four goals in two matches, and creating two more. Yet talk to any Slovakia supporter and they will dismiss Hamšík, speaking of his unwillingness to step up and play his best for the repre. If Slovakia want a result on Friday, it will almost certainly have to come from other means.

When England face Moldova at Wembley, you can be pretty sure the match will follow one of two paths. The first is a happy one, so far as the hosts are concerned. The Three Lions score early, breaking through the bulwarks of Moldovan resistance. The defence collapses; further goals are shipped; England emerge not merely victorious but, as the pens of those chronicling the match will describe, gloriously so, having established their inherent superiority over wherever the heck Moldova is.

This triumph (one imagines Daniel Sturridge, scorer of four, emerging after halftime bearing a laurel crown*) would be ruined in the 65th minute or so by someone pointing out that ‘it’s only Moldova’. The nation’s conscience will consider this, and, upon reflection, rather sheepishly admit that they were getting carried away and that, perhaps, their boys should stop being such bullies. For the English, pride comes before an apology.

Estonia sit in fifth place, five points out of second place and a playoff spot.

Match Date/Time: 9:30 p.m. local, 2:30 p.m. ET

Sweden’s form in qualifying has been extremely inconsistent and their record in Ireland is less than impressive, with their last win there coming in 1950. They’ll need a massive game from Zlatan Ibrahimovic, which really isn’t a secret, to get a result. Rasmus Elm is out with an injury and Anders Granqvist is suspended.

Ireland are boosted by the return to fitness of Marc Wilson and first-choice goalkeeper David Forde. Robbie Keane also make his return for the Irish. Aiden McGeady’s knee problems will keep him out of the match.

Didier Deschamps has no major injury issues to deal with and will be hoping that Finland can give his side an assist with a good result against Spain and open the door for France to reclaim the group’s top spot.

Match Date/Time: 10:15 p.m. local, 2:15 p.m. ET

Finland will be buoyed by their draw against Spain in Madrid back in March and have slim hopes of injecting themselves back into the race for qualification with a win.

Match Date/Time: 9:30 p.m. local, 2:30 p.m. ET

Injuries have robbed the Germans of some of their best players, though their player pool is deep enough to make up for it. Lars Bender, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Mario Götze, Lukas Podolski and Ílkay Gündogan all miss out, along with Holger Badstuber, who has been out for a year. Austria is not missing any of their stars.

The last time these two teams met, Austria gave the Germans all they could handle but ultimately came up short of points. Zlatko Junuzović scored in the 57th minute to cut into the Germans’ two-goal lead and Austria kept the pressure on for the rest of the match, but they never found an equalizer.