Reflections : WC 2010 - Before Last Round

Now that only the last round of matches are left, here is where all the teams stand at present.

We take a look at each qualification group zone by zone.

Africa :-

Group A :-

Camerooon play away at Morocco on 14th November and only need to match the result of Gabon playing away at Togo to reach the world cup.

Group B :-

Tunisia play away at Mozambique and only need to match the result of Nigeria playing against Kenya away in order to qualify.

Group C :-

The crunch tie still remains but it's completely in Algeria's hands now to throw it away. Egypt at home need to beat Algeria by three goals at least in order to qualify. Otherwise Algeria will qualify as group winners except if they lose by two goals which will open up different mathematical possibilities between the two of them.

Group D :-

It's done and dusted as Ghana have already qualified.

Group E :-

It's done and dusted as Ivory Coast have already qualified.

Asia / Oceania

The advantage is with the all whites as the first leg in Bahrain finished 0-0. However this tie is still very close to call.

Europe :-

Group 1 :-

Sweden can consider themselves a little unlucky since before conceding the goal, they had been the better team on the pitch. Their game was being run almost entirely through Ibrahimovic who with his touches and some excellent passes created a few scoring chances which either his team mates missed or somehow did not result in goals such as Henrik Larsson being marginally offside. However after the result, Denmark have already qualified as group winners and Portugal when playing against Malta at home on 14th October only need to match the result of Sweden playing against Albania at home and they will make the playoffs.

Group 2 :-

Switzerland only need a draw against Israel at home to qualify as group winners. Greece need to win at home against lowly Luxembourg to make the playoffs although a draw may also suffice.

Group 3 :-

Contrary to all expectations Slovakia blew an excellent chance by losing to Slovenia at home. They are still sure to make the playoffs but in order to qualify directly, they must aim to win away at Poland since Slovenia will be expected to beat lowly San Marino away from home. If Slovakia only get a draw, it would come down to goal difference. As for the Czechs, this match has almost put paid to their hopes since they must now hope for San Marino to get something out of their game against Slovenia.

Group 4 :-

Like Sweden, Russia can consider themselves unlucky - perhaps even more than Sweden. They were the better side on the field against Germany but could not prevent Germany scoring from one great move. Also their misfiring strikers such as Pavlyuchenko who was clearly lacking sharpness didn't help matters at all. However Arshavin demonstrated once again that he probably deserves to be named with the world's best - showing good skill, at times using pace to incite attacks and giving great passes to team mates all the time. Still Russia have made the playoffs where they will be formidable but it's Germany who have qualified as group winners.

Group 5 :-

The European champions Spain have already qualified without dropping a point. Also Bosnia Herzegovina have sealed a playoff spot.

Group 6 :-

Well, the so far unbeaten England got beaten by Ukraine. Still looking at the match it would be unfair to say that the English did not put their heart in the match. England of course had already qualified as group winners. As things stand, Ukraine when playing Andorra away only need to match the result of Croatia playing away at Kazakhsthan and they will be through to the playoffs.

Group 7 :-

Serbia have qualified directly as group winners. France have made the playoffs.

Group 8 :-

The world champions Italy have qualified as group winners. Perhaps they were a bit lucky against Ireland, but due to the points difference between them, even a victory was perhaps not enough for Ireland to qualify directly. They have now ensured the playoffs.

Group 9 :-

It's already done and dusted. Netherlands have qualified without dropping a point. Norway have come second but their points tally is so low that they are almost certain to miss the playoffs.

North America :-

Finally the two conventional giants of USA and Mexico are through. Also the other two places will go to Costa Rica and Honduras. It only remains to be seen which of these sides can qualify directly. Costa Rica play USA away and need to match the result of Honduras playing away at a much weaker El Salvador in order to claim the last automatic spot. However there are still twists and turns here since no one can say what will happen between USA and Costa Rica.

South America :-

It would be an understatement to say that it was a night of immense drama. Argentina are now in a much better position and had lady luck smiling on them in more ways than one. The same can be said of Uruguay while Ecuador can consider themselves to be a little unlucky. However Venezuela have been almost eliminated and Colombia have been completely eliminated while Chile have taken the third automatic qualifying spot. It's hard to cite any reasons to suggest that any of these three nations did not deserve their eventual fate. As things stand, all three of the remaining teams hold at least a part of their destiny in their own hands. Let's discuss each one separately.

1. If Argentina win away at Uruguay they bag the fourth qualifying spot. A draw gives them the same outcome barring only absurd mathematical possibilities. Even a loss sees them bag the playoff spot unless Ecuador win away at Chile.

2. If Uruguay win at home against Argentina it's they who claim the fourth qualifying spot. A draw gives them the playoff spot. A loss also gives them the playoff spot unless Ecuador win away at Chile. A draw for Ecuador will also play into Uruguay's hands barring absurd mathematical possibilities.

3. Ecuador can realistically hope for a playoff spot only and the only likely way to get it is to win away at Chile.