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As we head into the last two match days of UEFA World Cup 2014 qualifying campaign before November’s play-offs, Sportskeeda looks at the groups and how they stand heading into a frantic international week. Italy and the Netherlands are already assured of qualification from groups B and D respectively and with Belgium and Germany being assured of atleast a play-off place, there still remains a lot to play for and dream.
Group A: Marc Wilmots’ Belgium have impressed everyone related to football with their talent, aggression and technique in this campaign and many suggest the Red Devils to be one of the teams to watch out for in Brazil next June. But first they need a point in Zagreb on Friday against second placed Croatia to confirm qualification as group winners. The Croats will definitely head to the play-offs but will hope that Wales beat Belgium in the last match in addition to themselves winning in Zagreb on Friday to have any hope of automatic qualification.
Matches on October 11: Croatia v Belgium, Wales v Macedonia
Group B: Italy might have qualified for the finals last month beating the Czech Republic but there is some unfinished business in this tight group including a potentially fiesty clash in store in Yerevan when Armenia could be up for revenge against second placed Bulgaria. Hosts Armenia are in fifth place on nine points but a win against the Bulgarians at the intimidating Republican Stadium could make the group even more tighter as Denmark would sense something in stealing the show with wins over Italy and Malta. Yet two wins out of two for Luboslav Penev’s men would mean Bulgaria qualify for the play-offs regardless of results elsewhere.
Matches on October 11: Armenia v Bulgaria, Malta v Czech Republic, Denmark v Italy
Group C: Germany ideally need two points to ensure qualification although a point against the Republic of Ireland in Cologne on Friday should be enough due to superior goal difference. Nearest rivals Sweden tackle Austria in Solna in what could be a potential decider for a play-off berth. Marcel Koller’s Austria are three points behind Sweden on 14 points with a better goal difference but a second victory over the Swedes following June’s success in Vienna could make things interesting as a win over the Faroe Islands on October 15 would see the Alpine nation pip the Scandinavians to second place. Although the Republic of Ireland do have a mathematical chance of getting through but that would depend on them beating Germany and Kazakhstan and hoping results go in favour of them miraculously.
Matches on October 11: Faroe Islands v Kazakhstan, Germany v Rep. of Ireland, Sweden v Austria
Group D: Three teams are fighting for the coveted second place as the Netherlands have already qualified last month. Hungary, in second place, need to take this advantage as they travel to the Amsterdam Arena on Friday to take on what could be an experimental Dutch side. Turkey, under Fatih Terim, have the best goal difference in the group as they visit Estonia before entertaining Holland in Istanbul while Romania could sneak in also with wins over Andorra and Estonia. The Dutch lead with 22 points with Hungary on 14 followed by Turkey and Romania on 13 each.
Matches on October 11: Andorra v Romania, Estonia v Turkey, Holland v Hungary
Group E: With Ottmar Hitzfeld’s Switzerland virtually assured of a top spot from group E if they accumulate the required two points away to Albania and at home to Slovenia, four teams behind them have definite chances to finish second. Cyprus are already eliminated yet Iceland, Slovenia, Norway and could you believe tiny Albania are all in contention for a play-off spot come November. On Friday Albania host Switzerland hoping to get something from the game at Tirana before flying off to Cyprus four days later hoping to still be in contention as second placed Iceland would confirm atleast a second spot if not more with wins over Cyprus and Norway who travel to third placed Slovenia before hosting fellow Scandinavians on Tuesday. This is not a straight forward group by any means and the full table would certainly prove that.
Matches on October 11: Albania v Switzerland, Slovenia v Norway, Iceland v Cyprus
WORLD CUP QUALIFICATION UEFA – GROUP E – FULL TABLE
Team Pl W D L GF GA +/- Pts1 Switzerland 8 5 3 0 14 5 9 182 Iceland 8 4 1 3 14 14 0 133 Slovenia 8 4 0 4 11 10 1 124 Norway 8 3 2 3 9 9 0 115 Albania 8 3 1 4 8 9 -1 106 Cyprus 8 1 1 6 4 13 -9 4
Portuguese midfielder Andre Martins (2L) is teased by teammates Nelson Oliveira (L), Beto (3L) and Antunes (R) during a practice session in Praia Del Rey near Obidos on October 9, 2013, on the third day their training camp in preparation for the World Cup 2014 qualifying football matches Portugal vs Israel
Group F: Russia and Portugal are the pace setters in this group and would fight tooth and nail for 1st and 2nd places. Fabio Capello’s side lead the Portuguese by a point with the Russians having two away matches against Luxembourg and neighbours Azerbaijan to contend with while Paulo Bento’s men have two home games against Israel, placed third by a distant five points, and Luxembourg to look forward to.
Matches on October 11: Azerbaijan v Northern Ireland, Luxembourg v Russia, Portugal v Israel
Group G: Bosnia’s first ever participation in a major international tournament since independence will be a reality if they beat Liechtenstein at home which looks a formality after Safet Susic’s men pumped in eight past their opponents on the opening matchday in Vaduz and then win in Lithuania four days later. Second placed Greece are level on points with the small Balkan nation on 19 points with a difference of 15 in terms of goal difference and would hope Bosnia drop points in addition to them winning against Slovakia and Liechtenstein.
Matches on October 11: Bosnia v Liechtenstein, Greece v Slovakia, Lithuania v Latvia
Group H: The tightest of all the groups with four teams from 1st to 4th having a definite shout for automatic qualification and play-off berth. England have destiny on their hands as two home wins against third placed Montenegro and fourth Poland at Wembley would ensure an automatic spot. On the penultimate day, Montenegro face Moldova knowing that a win against the minnows coupled with a victory against England would atleast ensure a top-two finish while Poland know that they have to beat second placed Ukraine in Kharkiv on Friday before aiming to topple England and pave their way for a play-off spot or beyond.
Matches on October 11: England v Montenegro, Ukraine v Poland, Moldova v San Marino
WORLD CUP QUALIFICATION UEFA – GROUP H – FULL TABLE
Team Pl W D L GF GA +/- Pts
1 England 8 4 4 0 25 3 22 162 Ukraine 8 4 3 1 19 4 15 153 Montenegro 8 4 3 1 15 8 7 154 Poland 8 3 4 1 18 9 9 135 Moldova 8 1 2 5 4 15 -11 56 San Marino 8 0 0 8 1 43 -42 0
Group I: Spain and France are level on 14 points with the latter having played a game more which means home wins for the world champions against Belarus and Georgia would ensure an automatic qualification for Vicente del Bosque’s side while France a play-off spot. Les Blues entertain Finland in Paris on Tuesday which is their only qualifier to contend with this week.
