David C. Posted December 6, 2006 Share Posted December 6, 2006 http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news?slug=ap-fifa-americas&prov=ap&type=lgns 2 American confederations to play for spot at next World Cup December 6, 2006 ZURICH, Switzerland (AP) -- Teams from two American confederations will play for a spot at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. The fifth-place South American country will face the fourth-place nation from CONCACAF, FIFA said Wednesday. FIFA president Sepp Blatter decided that the Oceania champion will play against Asia's fifth-best team, keeping the number of qualifiers from each region the same as last time. FIFA later said it was possible the Oceania champion could play in the late stages of Asian qualifying instead of a two-leg playoff. Australia beat Uruguay and Trinidad and Tobago defeated Bahrain in playoffs to qualify for the 2006 World Cup in Germany. In other action at a two-day meeting of soccer's governing body: -- Blatter reiterated his concern on the slow pace of stadium construction for the 2010 World Cup. "Nevertheless, we express confidence in South Africa," he said. -- The ruling body cleared FIFA vice president Jack Warner of illegally selling thousands of tickets during the 2006 World Cup. -- Blatter criticized a European Union-backed report in May that said financial scandals, corruption and racism left European soccer in a dire state and urged the "direct involvement of political leaders." Blatter said that represented greater government involvement in sports. -- FIFA opened the bidding procedure for the 2014 World Cup in South America. The host will be chosen in November 2007, with Brazil the favorite. -- FIFA rejected an application from the British colony of Gibraltar to become a member. Thirteen European countries and five African countries will play at the next World Cup. Host South Africa automatically qualifies. The 2010 World Cup dates are June 11-July 11, with the draw for qualifying set for Nov. 23, 2007, in Durban. Also, the 2009 Confederations Cup will be played in South Africa from June 14-27 in the cities of Johannesburg, Bloemfontein, Port Elizabeth, Pretoria and Rustenburg. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David C. Posted December 6, 2006 Author Share Posted December 6, 2006 Confirmation from the FIFA website: http://www.fifa.com/en/media/index/0,1369,127068,00.html?articleid=127068 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonovision Posted December 6, 2006 Share Posted December 6, 2006 http://www.canadian-soccer.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=10921 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David C. Posted December 6, 2006 Author Share Posted December 6, 2006 Sorry jonovision; I rarely check the "World Soccer" part of the forum. In any case, it might be worth keeping it posted here too, for others in the same bateau. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonovision Posted December 6, 2006 Share Posted December 6, 2006 I agree. Just wanted to point it out so people could read the discussion that has already happened on the topic. I have to agree with those in that thread saying that the winner of the Asia - Oceania playoff will be a weak World Cup side. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ivan Posted December 6, 2006 Share Posted December 6, 2006 So 5 African countries plus South Africa? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bertuzzi44 Posted December 6, 2006 Share Posted December 6, 2006 Yea this sucks... I'd much rather we play a country like Bahrain than Uruguay or Ecuador. But who knows, maybe by the time of WC2010 qualifying we will have it all together, be in top form and be killing everyone that stands in our way!! Or, we could still have no coach...[] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daniel Posted December 6, 2006 Share Posted December 6, 2006 Top 5 Asian teams: Japan South Korea Iran Australia Saudi Arabia Seeing as all 5 were at the last WC, it shouldn't be as bad as Bahrein, because of the addition of Oz. For CONCACAF, it'll be harder, but we need to concentrate on making the Hex before anything else. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheeta Posted December 7, 2006 Share Posted December 7, 2006 I know I'm in the minority on this but I think it's a grand idea. A playoff against a SA side would be very marketable up here. And yeah fair enough, probably a bit of a tougher road. But I'd take it in a heart-beat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJB Posted December 7, 2006 Share Posted December 7, 2006 You know, I hate that the defending champion doesn't get an automatic birth. It should be a gift to the federation that because they won the last tournament, they can receive an extra spot. Otherwise, I feel the format is good as it is. It think that FIFA is giving appropriate allocations to each federation. In terms of Africa, we should really only look at it as five teams, because South Africa is the host. 13 EUROPE 3.5 CONCACAF 5 AFRICA 4.5 ASIA 4.5 SOUTH AMERICA 0.5 OCEANIA 1.0 HOST 32 TOTAL That is off the top of my head, but it seems right. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
georg Posted December 7, 2006 Share Posted December 7, 2006 Stop the whiming. either we are enough to reach thr top 32 or keep on making excuses. We should be able to beat Ecuador or Columbia to deserve a place to the Elite. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loyola Posted December 7, 2006 Share Posted December 7, 2006 I think Africa should get 4.5 and South America 5. CONCACAF .5 playing Africa .5 and it wouldn't be that easier for the 4th CONCACF team to be playing an African team. Brazil, Argentina and Ecuador all went trough the group stage with only Paraguay getting eliminated in the first round. Only one African team went to the second round on a possible 5. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soccerpro Posted December 7, 2006 Share Posted December 7, 2006 Hopefully the "new and improved CSA" would put the home game in Whitehorse or Yellowknife Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redhat Posted December 7, 2006 Share Posted December 7, 2006 quote:Originally posted by Soccerpro Hopefully the "new and improved CSA" would put the home game in Whitehorse or Yellowknife Or Winnipeg in November or April. Or in St. John's. Or Saint John. Too bad they (the CSA) have forgotten the advantages of St. John's in 1985 WCQ. Why make it easy for the damned visitors? I never understood why they keep accomodating the Latino fans at Swangard. No more excuses. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soccerpro Posted December 7, 2006 Share Posted December 7, 2006 quote:Originally posted by redhat Or Winnipeg in November or April. Or in St. John's. Or Saint John. Too bad they (the CSA) have forgotten the advantages of St. John's in 1985 WCQ. Why make it easy for the damned visitors? I never understood why they keep accomodating the Latino fans at Swangard. No more excuses. Because it makes too much sense, and up to this point, the CSA's motto has been "Let's not try too hard to help the MNT qualify" However as much as I love to harp on Canadas big cities (ie Toronto, Vancouver) for being absolutly useless as home venues , I do remember for WC 2002 qualifying we played Hondouras or somebody else in Winnipeg in the absolute freezing cold and still managed to lose, so....who knows. But were doomed to playing in Toronto forever now so whats the use whining over it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonovision Posted December 7, 2006 Share Posted December 7, 2006 quote:Originally posted by Soccerpro Because it makes too much sense, and up to this point, the CSA's motto has been "Let's not try too hard to help the MNT qualify" However as much as I love to harp on Canadas big cities (ie Toronto, Vancouver) for being absolutly useless as home venues , I do remember for WC 2002 qualifying we played Hondouras or somebody else in Winnipeg in the absolute freezing cold and still managed to lose, so....who knows. But were doomed to playing in Toronto forever now so whats the use whining over it. Maybe your memory has failed, because Canada has never lost in Winnipeg. The city has hosted three men's national team matches, all in 2000: 223 May 30, 2000 Honduras Friendly Win 2:1 Winnipeg, MB 225 June 11, 2000 Cuba World Cup Qualifyer Draw 0:0 Winnipeg, Manitoba 230 October 9, 2000 Panama World Cup Qualifyer Win 1:0 Winnipeg, Manitoba http://www.canadasoccer.com/eng/nationals/m_wc/mens_results.pdf Unfortunately, there really isn't anywhere to play these days in Winnipeg. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grizzly Posted December 7, 2006 Share Posted December 7, 2006 I am outraged absolutely outraged by this FIFA meeting. What disgrace, what corruption, what discrimination. Gibraltar deserves its own spot goddammit. How could an organization so wise to pardon good ol' Jack and to scream interference in sport when any political or enforcement agency wants to look into its shady affairs deny a rising soccer Superpower entry into its ranks? Guess those Gibralterans forgot to sign the "We will vote for you forever" contract that Sepp sent them or maybe Spain threatened to tear up their similar contract if the Gibs were let in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soccerpro Posted December 7, 2006 Share Posted December 7, 2006 quote:Originally posted by jonovision Maybe your memory has failed, because Canada has never lost in Winnipeg. The city has hosted three men's national team matches, all in 2000: 223 May 30, 2000 Honduras Friendly Win 2:1 Winnipeg, MB 225 June 11, 2000 Cuba World Cup Qualifyer Draw 0:0 Winnipeg, Manitoba 230 October 9, 2000 Panama World Cup Qualifyer Win 1:0 Winnipeg, Manitoba http://www.canadasoccer.com/eng/nationals/m_wc/mens_results.pdf Unfortunately, there really isn't anywhere to play these days in Winnipeg. My bad. Although the issue of a stadium is a difficult one. A bright spot may be Halifax where bidding for the Commonwealth games is going ahead already commiting to a 14 million dollar bid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
georg Posted December 7, 2006 Share Posted December 7, 2006 Let's see the American wants to play their games in Alaska or Death Valley ot U.K. in the Falkland Island. Either we have a team good enough to make it or we to be embrassed to qualify than show up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJB Posted December 7, 2006 Share Posted December 7, 2006 quote:Originally posted by loyola I think Africa should get 4.5 and South America 5. CONCACAF .5 playing Africa .5 and it wouldn't be that easier for the 4th CONCACF team to be playing an African team. Brazil, Argentina and Ecuador all went trough the group stage with only Paraguay getting eliminated in the first round. Only one African team went to the second round on a possible 5. Yes, but there are only 10 teams in South America, whereas Africa has many more. How can one continent have 50% of their membership guaranteed? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesW Posted December 7, 2006 Share Posted December 7, 2006 quote:Originally posted by RJB Yes, but there are only 10 teams in South America, whereas Africa has many more. How can one continent have 50% of their membership guaranteed? Is it not based on how good the teams are? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loyola Posted December 7, 2006 Share Posted December 7, 2006 quote:Originally posted by RJB Yes, but there are only 10 teams in South America, whereas Africa has many more. How can one continent have 50% of their membership guaranteed? Currently they have 40% with a chance of 50% so, no big deal giving them the 1 instead of the .5 since it's easily the best and toughest qualification zone in the world. Africa, like CONCACAF have a lots of minnows and their teams didn't do well in Germany so they should've at least lose a spot or a half spot. I guess it was too complicated to re-organize the qualifications there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Jeffery S. Posted December 7, 2006 Share Posted December 7, 2006 One advantage for the half team from Concacaf is less problems with time zones playing the Comebol no. 5. Sure, if you had an Asian team coming to Canada, that was our advantage, but the reverse situation was theirs. The key, in any case, is getting into the Hex, it is critical. We have to get at least nine points out of the semi-final round, and have to ensure that the home advantage really works, that we can pressure the other side and make things uncomfortable for it. Once in the Hex there is a lot more margin for error, as coming in fourth keeps us alive, but that is looking too far. In any case having to play vs the no 5 Comebol team is hard, so you would probably have to strive for third overall, a difficult challenge, as any no 5 team from South America will be better than three worst teams in the Hex, IMO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bettermirror Posted December 7, 2006 Share Posted December 7, 2006 i think this is a great idea. if we can't beat and/or draw the 5th place south american team then we don't deserve to be in the world cup. simple as that. the same goes for every other concacaf/asian team. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Metro Posted December 7, 2006 Share Posted December 7, 2006 quote:Originally posted by bettermirror i think this is a great idea. if we can't beat and/or draw the 5th place south american team then we don't deserve to be in the world cup. simple as that. the same goes for every other concacaf/asian team. True, but the winner of New Zealand/Asian 5th place team may still not deserve to be in the world cup (who would they have beaten?)... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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