Last time out New Zealand and Indonesia qualified for the Intercontinental Play-offs, where one team from each continent do battle to grab the 3 last spots to qualify for the Draft World Cup finals. But first, we need to see who takes places 26-29, which we will do from the European play-offs!
This is how the ties shape up after the first legs:
This is how the ties shape up after the first legs:
Three of the ties are on a knife-edge, with the side that was at home winning by 1 goal. The exception is also the biggest shock, as Israel were relatively comfortable in beating the vast riches of France. Anyway, enough waffling, let’s just get stuck in!
Denmark (1) vs. Switzerland (2)
Denmark will be wondering how they are behind in this tie, after they took the lead in the first leg only to be pegged back by two Guillaume Hoarau strikes. Suchy’s red card for Switzerland gave Denmark the opportunity to get level, but they couldn’t take it and have to turn the tie around here instead.
Denmark remain unchanged, whilst Switzerland make only one switch, Akanji replacing the suspended Suchy.
Denmark (1) vs. Switzerland (2)
Denmark will be wondering how they are behind in this tie, after they took the lead in the first leg only to be pegged back by two Guillaume Hoarau strikes. Suchy’s red card for Switzerland gave Denmark the opportunity to get level, but they couldn’t take it and have to turn the tie around here instead.
Denmark remain unchanged, whilst Switzerland make only one switch, Akanji replacing the suspended Suchy.
Denmark start with intent, and have the first chance as Santander’s strong header is narrowly wide. Not long after, Sanogo puts in a great challenge on Toutouh, but the ball ends up rolling through perfectly for Teemu Pukki, who puts it away at the second attempt. Denmark only needed 7 minutes to put themselves in pole position, as the away goals are in their favour. It takes a further 20 minutes for Switzerland to get their first effort away, as Kuzmanovic’s shot flies just over. Worse news for Switzerland comes in the form of a match-ending injury to key man Hoarau. Norwich fans may regard the fact that he’s replaced by Ricky van Wolfswinkel as even worse news. Half time, and Denmark remain narrowly ahead.
Switzerland’s players all appear to be nervous, whilst Denmark try and shut up shop by replacing Santander with Christensen, moving to a solid 4-1-4-1. The luck just isn’t with the Swiss, as Kuzmanovic and Barnetta both pick up knocks. The latter has to stay on, as by then all three subs had been made, as it’s now injury time. You can correctly infer from that that bugger all has happened this half, and bugger all happens in injury time, as Denmark calmly see out a 2-2 “win” on away goals.
Sweden (2) vs. Greece (3)
Can Sweden take inspiration from fellow Scandinavians Denmark and overturn a 1-goal deficit? The first leg was quite topsy-turvy. Sweden led 1-0 at half time, but a two-minute burst fired Greece ahead. Sweden faded badly from the game, but equalised late on, only to concede another even later on. So it’s advantage Greece, and on the basis of the first leg performances, they have to be favourites to progress.
Sweden are missing Obasi through injury, so Ghoddos is brought in on the right flank. Kallstrom is left out in favour of Elm. Fortounis, Greece’s highest-rated player, is injured, so Mantalos replaces him in Xandra Hellas’ only change.
Sweden (2) vs. Greece (3)
Can Sweden take inspiration from fellow Scandinavians Denmark and overturn a 1-goal deficit? The first leg was quite topsy-turvy. Sweden led 1-0 at half time, but a two-minute burst fired Greece ahead. Sweden faded badly from the game, but equalised late on, only to concede another even later on. So it’s advantage Greece, and on the basis of the first leg performances, they have to be favourites to progress.
Sweden are missing Obasi through injury, so Ghoddos is brought in on the right flank. Kallstrom is left out in favour of Elm. Fortounis, Greece’s highest-rated player, is injured, so Mantalos replaces him in Xandra Hellas’ only change.
Mantalos announces his presence in the game with a superb volley from 20 yards which cannons off the underside of the crossbar and stays out. Sweden are struggling to get into the game, and suffer a blow as Paulinho is forced off injured, Sarfo coming on. Sweden’s first shot comes in the 25th minute, and it brings the opening goal as Henok Goitom rises highest to nod in Ghoddos’ cross. This is very harsh on Greece, who are having plenty of shots, and Odjida-Ofoe has the latest one with a low volley repelled by Isaksson. Overall, they manage 15 shots in the first half, but they are currently going out on away goals.
Greece find the chances dry up in the second half, suiting Sweden well. The first effort of note is Sarfo’s shot from range which is just wide. But Greece’s efforts to push players up eventually bears fruit as the ball comes to Andre Simoes in the box, who lashes into the roof of the net. Greece now lead 4-3, with 10 minutes remaining. Sweden have already made a number of defensive changes, which leaves them in a bit of a quandary. Despite going all-out, they can’t force a winner, and they have to bow out as 2017 DWC quarter-finalists Greece qualify for the 2018 finals!
France (0) vs. Israel (2)
France should never have even been in the play-offs, with a squad containing the likes of Neymar, Cavani, Verrati, Thiago Silva, etc... But here they are, and they suffered a torrid first leg. They lost the world’s most expensive player in the opening 3 minutes, as well as his replacement Draxler, to injury. But worse still, they suffered a 2-0 defeat as Israel took their chances well. This would inarguably go down as the biggest shock of DWC qualifying if Israel can hold their nerves in Paris.
Draxler is fit for France... but Neymar is not. This means the German starts on the left wing, with no place for Falcao after his horrendous display last time out. Despite bad performances across the whole back line, only Marquinhos is axed, with Glik replacing him. Israel’s Cuenca is fit enough to make the bench after his first-leg injury, which is no bother since his replacement Melikson was excellent in his stead.
France should never have even been in the play-offs, with a squad containing the likes of Neymar, Cavani, Verrati, Thiago Silva, etc... But here they are, and they suffered a torrid first leg. They lost the world’s most expensive player in the opening 3 minutes, as well as his replacement Draxler, to injury. But worse still, they suffered a 2-0 defeat as Israel took their chances well. This would inarguably go down as the biggest shock of DWC qualifying if Israel can hold their nerves in Paris.
Draxler is fit for France... but Neymar is not. This means the German starts on the left wing, with no place for Falcao after his horrendous display last time out. Despite bad performances across the whole back line, only Marquinhos is axed, with Glik replacing him. Israel’s Cuenca is fit enough to make the bench after his first-leg injury, which is no bother since his replacement Melikson was excellent in his stead.
Israel are in the enjoyable position of knowing a single away goal will double the number of goals France need to avoid elimination. Gershon should provide such a goal as he heads over when unmarked following a free kick. In the 11th minute Verratti lets fly from 30 yards as a corner is played to him. Rajkovic parries it, but straight to Thiago Silva who prods in. However, the flag is raised and the leg remains goalless. But they finally get a valid goal in the tie just three minutes later when an Alves cross from out wide meets the head of Cavani, flying beyond Rajkovic. However, France can’t kick on, and there are no more highlights as we reach the break with Israel still leading on aggregate.
The second half also progresses with Israel looking good in defence, with the best France can muster coming from a long Fabinho shot which is pushed behind. It’s Fabinho whose smart header gives Cavani a glorious chance in the 6 yard box, but he shows traces of Falcao as he heads over. With just three minutes to go a free kick is played to Fabinho, who puts it through to Glik, and the Polish centre back shows his strikers how to finish with a calm strike. France have saved their bacon! They have a great chance in added time to steal the tie as di Maria is through on goal, but Rajkovic produces a fine save. But it’s not over, as di Maria plays it into substitute Lucas Moura, who cuts inside and lashes it in for a 93rd-minute winner! Amazing stuff, and France seal their qualification for the DWC in ludicrous style! And without Thierry Henry’s arms anywhere in sight...
Cyprus (1) vs. Ukraine (2)
My heart is racing after that... anyway, the next and final match. The first leg between these two was a tight and ugly affair, with the sides trading penalties before Junior Moreas found the crucial goal. Cyprus have competed well with their more illustrious opponents, but still have their work cut out to turn this around.
Cyprus’ centre backs Yuste and Ekiza pay the price for a bad first leg, as they are replaced by Vyntra and Rueda. Vida comes in at the back for Kharcheridi in the Ukrainian back line, whilst Alan Patrick earns a place instead of Kovalenko, after he set up Moreas’ goal last time.
My heart is racing after that... anyway, the next and final match. The first leg between these two was a tight and ugly affair, with the sides trading penalties before Junior Moreas found the crucial goal. Cyprus have competed well with their more illustrious opponents, but still have their work cut out to turn this around.
Cyprus’ centre backs Yuste and Ekiza pay the price for a bad first leg, as they are replaced by Vyntra and Rueda. Vida comes in at the back for Kharcheridi in the Ukrainian back line, whilst Alan Patrick earns a place instead of Kovalenko, after he set up Moreas’ goal last time.
It’s a dour start, but it’s clear that Ukraine are in charge, and they extend their advantage as Ismaily fires in after collecting a loose ball. Moreas hits the woodwork with a powerful shot, before missing when put through one-on-one. Ismaily goes from villain to hero, however, when he is dispossessed in his own half, allowing Christofi to chip the ball in for Arruabarrena to head Cyprus level in the leg. But Ukraine don’t let it get to them, and Alan Patrick justifies his selection by making it 2-1 with a low shot – a goal that means Cyprus now need three more goals. A fine passing move nearly yields one of those goals, but Christofi’s rising shot is parried over.
With the second half drifting by, Albert Cyprus goes to take off the underperforming Ruben Rayos, when the attacking midfielder picks up the ball 30 yards out, runs forward and fires a screamer into the top corner. So he gets to stay on. However, Cyprus can’t create the chances they need, so with 5 minutes to go they break the IN CASE OF EMERGENCY glass and find behind it... Matt Derbyshire. He goes incredibly close with a thunderous effort from the edge of the box, but it goes wide and Cyprus can’t prevent a 2-2 draw, which secures Ukraine’s progress to the finals.
Next time
So there were no real upsets, but there was some fantastic drama, as every game was one goal away from a different result (or extra time at least). Anyway, France and Greece will be pleased to avoid the embarrassment of failing to qualifying after good performances last year. Meanwhile, Denmark will be pleased to be making their DWC bow, and Ukraine will hope to rectify a disappointing finals performance last year. Anyway, that’s ALL the individual continents finished with their qualifying stages now... which means that next time it’s only the INTERCONTINENTAL PLAY-OFFS! Italy, Ghana, Jamaica, Colombia, Indonesia and New Zealand will battle it out for the final 3 spots in the DWC finals... I really can’t wait for that one!
So there were no real upsets, but there was some fantastic drama, as every game was one goal away from a different result (or extra time at least). Anyway, France and Greece will be pleased to avoid the embarrassment of failing to qualifying after good performances last year. Meanwhile, Denmark will be pleased to be making their DWC bow, and Ukraine will hope to rectify a disappointing finals performance last year. Anyway, that’s ALL the individual continents finished with their qualifying stages now... which means that next time it’s only the INTERCONTINENTAL PLAY-OFFS! Italy, Ghana, Jamaica, Colombia, Indonesia and New Zealand will battle it out for the final 3 spots in the DWC finals... I really can’t wait for that one!