We're nearly there! 29 of 31 teams are now qualified for the DWC finals, and this is our final qualifying episode!
This is the Intercontinental play-off, where one team from each continent is put into a group of 6, fighting it out for the final 3 spaces in the DWC. This is who has qualified:
This is the Intercontinental play-off, where one team from each continent is put into a group of 6, fighting it out for the final 3 spaces in the DWC. This is who has qualified:
For those who aren't as into flags as I am, those teams are Venezuela, Jamaica, Turkey, New Zealand, Japan and Nigeria.
The level of competition in Europe is a bit higher than elsewhere, and so Turkey should be untroubled in qualifying from this group. Last year, Colombia were South America's representative and also qualified with ease, which should be a good sign for Venezuela. However, I personally think that the competition is much tougher this year than last, and Japan and Nigeria should have serious hopes of qualification. New Zealand and Jamaica both came close to qualification last year, although start here as the two outsiders.
Despite a miserly 28% possession, Jamaica struck twice in three minutes to overcome Japan 2-0. Venezuela took the lead against Turkey through Jesús Lugo, but the group favourites came back to win comfortably 3-1. Elsewhere, Nigeria and New Zealand's game was entertaining, but still finished 0-0.
The level of competition in Europe is a bit higher than elsewhere, and so Turkey should be untroubled in qualifying from this group. Last year, Colombia were South America's representative and also qualified with ease, which should be a good sign for Venezuela. However, I personally think that the competition is much tougher this year than last, and Japan and Nigeria should have serious hopes of qualification. New Zealand and Jamaica both came close to qualification last year, although start here as the two outsiders.
Despite a miserly 28% possession, Jamaica struck twice in three minutes to overcome Japan 2-0. Venezuela took the lead against Turkey through Jesús Lugo, but the group favourites came back to win comfortably 3-1. Elsewhere, Nigeria and New Zealand's game was entertaining, but still finished 0-0.
Japan's poor start looked like continuing as they went behind to Nigeria, but second half goals from Lukas Podolski and Fernando Torres turned it round into a 2-1 victory. Elsewhere, goalkeeping errors proved crucial. Firstly, New Zealand's Enaut Zubikarai spilled an easy shot into the path of Venezuela's José Velázquez, who finished to win the game 1-0. It was a similar story as Fernando's tame shot was bundled into the net by Duwayne Kerr to give Turkey a narrow 1-0 win over Jamaica.
Ricardo Morris grabbed both goals as Jamaica came from behind to claim a deserved 2-1 victory over Venezuela. Turkey's perfect start continued as they beat Nigeria 2-0 away from home. The most impressive performance of the round, however, came from Japan who crushed New Zealand 5-0.
Just when it looked like New Zealand were slipping out of the reckoning, they come back with a highly accomplished 3-0 win over Jamaica. This left Nigeria are the only winless team, as they were dispatched 4-0 by Venezuela - a 3rd minute red card not exactly helping Nigeria. Japan visited Turkey and saw most of the ball, but had very few shots. Turkey had several chances, and finally grabbed the game's only goal when a goalmouth scramble fell the way of Martin Skrtel to fire home.
New Zealand got off to the perfect start against Turkey, David Williams' penalty putting them ahead. This was doubled just after the break by Roy Krishna's header, and a shock looked on. Islam Slimani volleyed Turkey back into the game, but they couldn't prevent a surprise 2-1 defeat. Elsewhere, two of the chasing pack met, and Japan claimed a priceless 1-0 victory over Venezuela thanks to Jo's header. The unpredictability of this group continued as Nigeria picked up their first victory in style, beating Jamaica 3-0.
This leaves us with this exciting table halfway in:
New Zealand got off to the perfect start against Turkey, David Williams' penalty putting them ahead. This was doubled just after the break by Roy Krishna's header, and a shock looked on. Islam Slimani volleyed Turkey back into the game, but they couldn't prevent a surprise 2-1 defeat. Elsewhere, two of the chasing pack met, and Japan claimed a priceless 1-0 victory over Venezuela thanks to Jo's header. The unpredictability of this group continued as Nigeria picked up their first victory in style, beating Jamaica 3-0.
This leaves us with this exciting table halfway in:
Turkey look good, and Japan are well-placed. Nigeria need a good second half of the group, but the rest are barely distinguishable. Certainly, every match will be crucial!
Nigeria started the second half of the group with a more attacking mindset, and they were immediately rewarded with a 3-0 win over New Zealand. The draw between the two sides at the start of the group had been the only draw of the whole play-off, but suddenly everyone else was in on the act, as Japan and Turkey were held 0-0 at home by Jamaica and Venezuela respectively. Thrillingly, this left everyone except Turkey and Japan on 7 points.
Nigeria started the second half of the group with a more attacking mindset, and they were immediately rewarded with a 3-0 win over New Zealand. The draw between the two sides at the start of the group had been the only draw of the whole play-off, but suddenly everyone else was in on the act, as Japan and Turkey were held 0-0 at home by Jamaica and Venezuela respectively. Thrillingly, this left everyone except Turkey and Japan on 7 points.
Suddenly, Nigeria are to be feared, as their third win in a row was a superb 3-0 triumph over Japan. Turkey got their first win in three games, as Ryan Babel scored twice to overcome Jamaica 2-1, whilst Venezuela came from a goal down to beat New Zealand 3-1.
Nigeria's good form looked to be ended as Turkey raced into a 2-0 lead within 5 minutes of their clash. But Victor Obinna pulled one back from a corner before Emmanuel Emenike raced away to score for a 2-2 draw. Jamaica fought back to claim a 1-1 draw away to Venezuela, whilst New Zealand recorded their third straight defeat since moving into third, as they lost 1-0 to Japan.
Despite not firing on all cylinders, enough points had been dropped below them that Turkey were one game away from qualification, and they secured it in style as they beat Japan 3-0, Emmanuel Adebayor claiming a brace. Arguably the most crucial game came as the teams in 3rd and 4th met, Venezuela visiting Nigeria. Evelio Hernández put Venezuela ahead, but Obinna's penalty levelled matters, before two powerful Victor Anichebe strikes saw Nigeria come out 3-1 winners. Due to the final-round fixtures, Nigeria also secure themselves a top-three finish, and qualification! A huge achievement given they were on 1 point five games ago. These results meant that Jamaica hosted New Zealand with both teams needing a win to avoid elimination. Fabian McCarthy's header had Jamaica ahead, but Williams' penalty made it 1-1, and neither team could find a winner, so both were eliminated.
With one game to go, this is the table:
Nigeria are safe in the top three because the final round of fixtures sees Venezuela host Japan, in a winner-takes-all match. The two dead rubbers see New Zealand visit Turkey and Nigeria visit Jamaica.
Venezuela vs Japan
I did suggest that this should be a very close group, and so it has proved! Japan should have been safe by now, but only 4 points added in the last 4 games sees them vulnerable, and Venezuela will throw everything at them to take third spot.
Venezuela got the early goal they will have desperately wanted, as Jonathan Lopera nodded home a free kick. Tomoaki Makino had a similar chance for Japan, but headed just wide, and it looked crucial as Juan Falcón doubled Venezuela's lead. He grabbed another one after the break, making Japan late's goal a mere consolation as they lost 3-1, securing qualification for Venezuela!
Venezuela vs Japan
I did suggest that this should be a very close group, and so it has proved! Japan should have been safe by now, but only 4 points added in the last 4 games sees them vulnerable, and Venezuela will throw everything at them to take third spot.
Venezuela got the early goal they will have desperately wanted, as Jonathan Lopera nodded home a free kick. Tomoaki Makino had a similar chance for Japan, but headed just wide, and it looked crucial as Juan Falcón doubled Venezuela's lead. He grabbed another one after the break, making Japan late's goal a mere consolation as they lost 3-1, securing qualification for Venezuela!
Elsewhere, the two already-qualified sides finished in style, Nigeria beating Jamaica 3-1 and Turkey beating poor New Zealand 4-0.
Final table
I can't lie, I am sorely disappointed for Japan, whose journey I have been particularly invested in since I created their squad myself. The real story has to be Nigeria, whose run of form to earn qualification was exceptional. It's also a fine achievement for Venezuela to qualify for their second successive DWC finals, given the level of competition they have had to face.
Anyway, that completes the line-up for the 2019 Draft World Cup! These are all 32 qualifiers:
Anyway, that completes the line-up for the 2019 Draft World Cup! These are all 32 qualifiers:
The next update will give you all the details on the finals, including the all-important draw!