This is always my highlight of Draft World Cup qualifying. Each continents' qualification process leaves one team in a state of limbo, marginally short of qualification but not eliminated. These teams go into this group for the final 3 places in the DWC finals. These are this year's qualifiers:
For those less into flags than I, those teams are Australia (Oceania), Bolivia (South America), Honduras (North America), Poland (Europe), South Africa (Africa, obviously) and South Korea (Asia).
In both the two previous ICPOs, the teams from Europe, South America and Africa progressed. So in theory, Poland, Bolivia and South Africa are favourites here. However, all six teams seem fairly evenly matched this year, so anything is possible.
Matchday 1
South Korea came back from a goal down spectacularly against South Africa, triumphing 4-1. Bolivia also came from a goal down against Honduras to get level, but a late penalty allowed Wilson Palacios to earn Honduras a 2-1 win. The match between Australia and Poland also went to 1-1, but neither team could find a winner and the spoils were shared.
In both the two previous ICPOs, the teams from Europe, South America and Africa progressed. So in theory, Poland, Bolivia and South Africa are favourites here. However, all six teams seem fairly evenly matched this year, so anything is possible.
Matchday 1
South Korea came back from a goal down spectacularly against South Africa, triumphing 4-1. Bolivia also came from a goal down against Honduras to get level, but a late penalty allowed Wilson Palacios to earn Honduras a 2-1 win. The match between Australia and Poland also went to 1-1, but neither team could find a winner and the spoils were shared.
Matchday 2
South Africa once again fell behind after opening the scoring, this time as Australia's Diego Castro grabbed a brace. However, this time South Africa came back, as first Khama Billiat and then a wonderful goal from Rivaldo Coetzee saw them take an excellent 3-2 win. The other team to lose in the previous round of games, Bolivia, also got off the mark with a win, as Dany Cure's header was enough to beat South Korea 1-0. This was the first clean sheet of the group, and it remained the only one as Poland and Honduras traded goals. In the 92nd minute Eddie Hernández headed in to dramatically put Honduras ahead... but there was still time for Poland to haul themselves level as Joao Amaral poked in for a dramatic 2-2 draw!
South Africa once again fell behind after opening the scoring, this time as Australia's Diego Castro grabbed a brace. However, this time South Africa came back, as first Khama Billiat and then a wonderful goal from Rivaldo Coetzee saw them take an excellent 3-2 win. The other team to lose in the previous round of games, Bolivia, also got off the mark with a win, as Dany Cure's header was enough to beat South Korea 1-0. This was the first clean sheet of the group, and it remained the only one as Poland and Honduras traded goals. In the 92nd minute Eddie Hernández headed in to dramatically put Honduras ahead... but there was still time for Poland to haul themselves level as Joao Amaral poked in for a dramatic 2-2 draw!
Matchday 3
South Korea got off to a flyer against Australia by scoring in the first minute. Australia battled back, and the spoils were shared 1-1. Bolivia looked to prolong Poland's bad start as they went ahead, but Poland equalised with an absurd goal. Left back Filip Mladenovic hit a free kick deep inside his own half. It went harmless towards the Bolivian goal, but goalkeeper Carlos Lampe somehow let it bounce past him and trickle into the goal. Poland pulled away to win 3-1, Christian Gytkjaer scoring two. Meanwhile, South Africa had the better of their game against Honduras, but could only draw 0-0.
South Korea got off to a flyer against Australia by scoring in the first minute. Australia battled back, and the spoils were shared 1-1. Bolivia looked to prolong Poland's bad start as they went ahead, but Poland equalised with an absurd goal. Left back Filip Mladenovic hit a free kick deep inside his own half. It went harmless towards the Bolivian goal, but goalkeeper Carlos Lampe somehow let it bounce past him and trickle into the goal. Poland pulled away to win 3-1, Christian Gytkjaer scoring two. Meanwhile, South Africa had the better of their game against Honduras, but could only draw 0-0.
Matchday 4
Despite grabbing their first win last time out, Poland continued to struggle as they fell two behind to South Africa. Jakub Blaszczykowski pulled one back, but couldn't prevent a 2-1 defeat. This was also the score as Australia came from behind to beat Bolivia. Cesinha's 3rd-minute penalty gave South Korea a narrow 1-0 win over Honduras.
Despite grabbing their first win last time out, Poland continued to struggle as they fell two behind to South Africa. Jakub Blaszczykowski pulled one back, but couldn't prevent a 2-1 defeat. This was also the score as Australia came from behind to beat Bolivia. Cesinha's 3rd-minute penalty gave South Korea a narrow 1-0 win over Honduras.
Matchday 5
This round saw three away 1-0 wins. Firstly, Ricardo Nascimento's penalty saw South Africa overcome Bolivia, whilst far-post volleys from Nicolai Muller and Yun Yeong-Seon saw Australia and South Korea beat Honduras and Poland respectively.
This round saw three away 1-0 wins. Firstly, Ricardo Nascimento's penalty saw South Africa overcome Bolivia, whilst far-post volleys from Nicolai Muller and Yun Yeong-Seon saw Australia and South Korea beat Honduras and Poland respectively.
Those first five rounds felt very chaotic, let's see how the teams stand:
There's a little daylight between those in the qualification spots and those outside, but it could very easily change. If things stay as they are, Africa will be the only continent to see a team get through all 3 ICPOs.
Matchday 6
Bolivia's bad run looked set to continue as they fell behind to Honduras, but a brace from Juan Carlos Arce saw them go ahead. But it wasn't to last, as Miguel Castillo's header earned Honduras a 2-2 draw. Meanwhile, Poland hosted Australia with a chance to go level with them in the table. Mirko Boland marked his first start by putting the visitors ahead, but two quick goals after the break from Marko Vesovic and André Martins saw Poland claim a 2-1 victory. The two Souths met, both eyeing the chance to go clear at the top, and it was South Korea who managed it with a 3-1 triumph.
Matchday 6
Bolivia's bad run looked set to continue as they fell behind to Honduras, but a brace from Juan Carlos Arce saw them go ahead. But it wasn't to last, as Miguel Castillo's header earned Honduras a 2-2 draw. Meanwhile, Poland hosted Australia with a chance to go level with them in the table. Mirko Boland marked his first start by putting the visitors ahead, but two quick goals after the break from Marko Vesovic and André Martins saw Poland claim a 2-1 victory. The two Souths met, both eyeing the chance to go clear at the top, and it was South Korea who managed it with a 3-1 triumph.
Matchday 7
South Africa bounced back with aplomb as they cruised to a 3-0 win over Australia, with all goals coming in the opening 20 minutes. The action in the game between South Korea and Bolivia was also early on as well, as the two sides both scored in the opening 10 minutes. It finished 1-1 here, as it did in the game between Honduras and Poland.
South Africa bounced back with aplomb as they cruised to a 3-0 win over Australia, with all goals coming in the opening 20 minutes. The action in the game between South Korea and Bolivia was also early on as well, as the two sides both scored in the opening 10 minutes. It finished 1-1 here, as it did in the game between Honduras and Poland.
Matchday 8
South Africa out-did themselves, as they brushed Honduras aside 4-0. This meant that if South Korea could win their home clash with Australia, both they and South Africa would qualify with two games to spare. And Lee Dong-Gook's late winner secured a 1-0 win that sees them through, and consigns Australia to their third successive defeat. Speaking of runs, Bolivia came from two down to draw 2-2 with Poland for their third draw in a row.
South Africa out-did themselves, as they brushed Honduras aside 4-0. This meant that if South Korea could win their home clash with Australia, both they and South Africa would qualify with two games to spare. And Lee Dong-Gook's late winner secured a 1-0 win that sees them through, and consigns Australia to their third successive defeat. Speaking of runs, Bolivia came from two down to draw 2-2 with Poland for their third draw in a row.
Matchday 9
So now there is only one place in the DWC remaining. Poland copied Bolivia by drawing their third game in a row, as they lost their lead to draw 1-1 with South Africa. This was the 5th match to finish with that scoreline, and it became 6 as Honduras kept themselves alive, just, as they came from behind against South Korea. These results meant Bolivia had to beat Australia, and they were helped by their opponents going down to 10 men in the 72nd minute. They capitalised as Fernando Saucedo's vicious volley secured a 1-0 win.
So now there is only one place in the DWC remaining. Poland copied Bolivia by drawing their third game in a row, as they lost their lead to draw 1-1 with South Africa. This was the 5th match to finish with that scoreline, and it became 6 as Honduras kept themselves alive, just, as they came from behind against South Korea. These results meant Bolivia had to beat Australia, and they were helped by their opponents going down to 10 men in the 72nd minute. They capitalised as Fernando Saucedo's vicious volley secured a 1-0 win.
So, with one round of games to go, this is the state of play:
Australia and Honduras have both experienced very, very bad runs of form, and as such they see themselves almost certainly eliminated. They face each other in the final game with both needing a big win to stay in it. They would need Poland to lose, preferably heavily, away to South Korea, whilst Bolivia's last roll of the dice sees them travel to South Africa.
Matchday 10
Australia ended their horror run, and kept their hopes alive, by beating Honduras 2-0. However, the hope didn't last long as Bolivia's win over South Africa, by the same scoreline, meant it was down to them and Poland. The specific equation was that Poland just needed a point in Korea...
They started perfectly as Gytkjaer's instinctive finish put them ahead, but goals from Cesinha and Ricardo Lopes saw South Korea lead at the break. Hong Chul's free kick doubled that lead, but a monstrous long strike from Cafú brought Poland to within one. This was repeated twice more - firstly, Cesinha & Gytkjaer grabbed their second goals - then Osmar's goal was cancelled out by Lukás Haraslín. This left South Korea 5-4 up, and they held on to that scoreline, meaning that Bolivia have somehow earned qualification!
Matchday 10
Australia ended their horror run, and kept their hopes alive, by beating Honduras 2-0. However, the hope didn't last long as Bolivia's win over South Africa, by the same scoreline, meant it was down to them and Poland. The specific equation was that Poland just needed a point in Korea...
They started perfectly as Gytkjaer's instinctive finish put them ahead, but goals from Cesinha and Ricardo Lopes saw South Korea lead at the break. Hong Chul's free kick doubled that lead, but a monstrous long strike from Cafú brought Poland to within one. This was repeated twice more - firstly, Cesinha & Gytkjaer grabbed their second goals - then Osmar's goal was cancelled out by Lukás Haraslín. This left South Korea 5-4 up, and they held on to that scoreline, meaning that Bolivia have somehow earned qualification!
Final table:
That two-goal comeback by Bolivia against Poland proved particularly crucial, but the main thing was how close this group was. The margins between Bolivia, Poland and Australia were so close, it could easily have been any of them through. As it is, Bolivia maintain South America's 100% record in the ICPO, whilst Poland embarrassingly fall short. If it wasn't for that run of defeats, Australia would have been Oceania's first-ever team in the DWC.
Anyway, that's the 32 qualifiers for the DWC through! Next time, we'll do the draw for the finals!
Anyway, that's the 32 qualifiers for the DWC through! Next time, we'll do the draw for the finals!