Last six qualify for World Cup
Last six qualify for World Cup
Posted: 2009-11-19 08:22
The last six nations, Algeria, Greece, Portugal, Slovenia, France and Uruguay, were added to the list of 2010 World Cup competitors, after yesterday’s final round of qualifiers.
Uruguay completed the list of 32 nations that will be competing in South Africa in June next year with a 1-1 draw against Costa Rica.
Their victory on a 2-1 aggregate sends the Uruguayans back to the World Cup finals for the first time since 2002 - where they will seek to add to the titles they won in 1930 and 1950.
Portugal, coached by former Bafana Bafana mentor Carlos Queiroz, qualified for the World Cup for the third time in a row when they beat Bosnia 1-0 thanks to Raul Meireles’ second-half. Portugal beat Bosnia 1-0 on Saturday in the first leg in Lisbon on a goal by Bruno Alves.
The Portuguese advanced despite not having star Cristiano Ronaldo for either game; he’s sidelined with an ankle injury. Portugal lost to France in the 2006 World Cup semifinals.
Dimitris Salpigidis scored the only goal as Greece clinched their place with a narrow victory over Ukraine in Donetsk.
Salpigidis timed his run to perfection just after the half-hour mark to clip a composed finish beyond Ukraine goalkeeper Andrei Piatov, following Celtic striker Giorgos Samaras’ superb through-ball.
Alexei Mikhailichenko's side, needing to score twice to keep their qualification hopes alive, penned the Greeks in the own half for long spells in the second half but failed to breach a visiting rearguard inspired by goalkeeper Alexandros Tzorvas, who made a string of fine saves.
It is the first time Greece, the 2004 European Champions, have qualified for a World Cup since 1994 in the United States.
Sudan clamped down on security yesterday as Algerian fans celebrated their victory over Egypt which clinched Africa’s last place in the 2010 World Cup finals.
Thousands of Egyptian and Algerian fans flew in for the play-off in Khartoum which Algeria won 1-0. Police feared a repeat of violence around Saturday’s match between the two rivals in Cairo, when 20 Algerian fans were injured and three players suffered cuts after Egyptians stoned their team bus.
A single goal from Antar Yahia secured Algeria’s trip to South Africa next year in a tough match marked by many fouls. It will be Algeria’s first qualification for the World Cup finals in almost 25 years.
At least five fans were stretchered away with injuries during celebrations, witnesses said.
Slovenia earned their ticket when they beat Russia, who finished with nine men, 1-0 yesterday.
Zlatko Dedic scored the only goal just before the break when he stabbed in a Valter Birsa cross as Slovenia overcame a 2-1 deficit from the first leg in Moscow to secure a ticket to South Africa on away goals following a 2-2 aggregate draw.
The Slovenians, ranked 49th in the world, caused a major upset to secure only their second appearance at soccer’s greatest spectacle after making their World Cup debut in 2002.
Russia had substitute Alexander Kerzhakov sent off in the 66th minute following a violent clash with Slovenia keeper Samir Handanovic and Yuri Zhirkov was also shown a red card in stoppage time.
The day’s drama was left to last as France saw off a resolute Ireland after William Gallas' extra-time header gave Les Bleus a 1-1 result on the night to take the tie on aggregate.
The hosts were second best for large spells of the encounter and had an outrageous piece of dishonesty from their captain Thierry Henry to thank for their place in South Africa.
The Barcelona man handled a Florent Malouda free-kick to give Gallas the chance to nod home from the easiest of distances.
Have you discussed this topic on Team KICK OFF? Click Here...
Comment on this article:
TERMS OF USE: The comments posted below do not reflect the views of KickOff.com. Users are reminded that no misuse of this comment facility will be tolerated. Any abusive, racist or inflammatory comments will be deleted and the user banned. Please report abusive posts to editor@kickoff.com