FIFA WC qualifying: UEFA Zone: How it stands
As we head into the last two match days of UEFA World Cup 2014 qualifying campaign before November’s play-offs, Sportskeeda looks at the groups and how they stand heading into a frantic international week. Italy and the Netherlands are already assured of qualification from groups B and D respectively and with Belgium and Germany being assured of atleast a play-off place, there still remains a lot to play for and dream.
Belgium national football team
Group A: Marc Wilmots’ Belgium have impressed everyone related to football with their talent, aggression and technique in this campaign and many suggest the Red Devils to be one of the teams to watch out for in Brazil next June. But first they need a point in Zagreb on Friday against second placed Croatia to confirm qualification as group winners. The Croats will definitely head to the play-offs but will hope that Wales beat Belgium in the last match in addition to themselves winning in Zagreb on Friday to have any hope of automatic qualification.
Matches on October 11: Croatia v Belgium, Wales v Macedonia
Group B: Italy might have qualified for the finals last month beating the Czech Republic but there is some unfinished business in this tight group including a potentially fiesty clash in store in Yerevan when Armenia could be up for revenge against second placed Bulgaria. Hosts Armenia are in fifth place on nine points but a win against the Bulgarians at the intimidating Republican Stadium could make the group even more tighter as Denmark would sense something in stealing the show with wins over Italy and Malta. Yet two wins out of two for Luboslav Penev’s men would mean Bulgaria qualify for the play-offs regardless of results elsewhere.
Matches on October 11: Armenia v Bulgaria, Malta v Czech Republic, Denmark v Italy
Group C: Germany ideally need two points to ensure qualification although a point against the Republic of Ireland in Cologne on Friday should be enough due to superior goal difference. Nearest rivals Sweden tackle Austria in Solna in what could be a potential decider for a play-off berth. Marcel Koller’s Austria are three points behind Sweden on 14 points with a better goal difference but a second victory over the Swedes following June’s success in Vienna could make things interesting as a win over the Faroe Islands on October 15 would see the Alpine nation pip the Scandinavians to second place. Although the Republic of Ireland do have a mathematical chance of getting through but that would depend on them beating Germany and Kazakhstan and hoping results go in favour of them miraculously.
Matches on October 11: Faroe Islands v Kazakhstan, Germany v Rep. of Ireland, Sweden v Austria
Group D: Three teams are fighting for the coveted second place as the Netherlands have already qualified last month. Hungary, in second place, need to take this advantage as they travel to the Amsterdam Arena on Friday to take on what could be an experimental Dutch side. Turkey, under Fatih Terim, have the best goal difference in the group as they visit Estonia before entertaining Holland in Istanbul while Romania could sneak in also with wins over Andorra and Estonia. The Dutch lead with 22 points with Hungary on 14 followed by Turkey and Romania on 13 each.
Matches on October 11: Andorra v Romania, Estonia v Turkey, Holland v Hungary
Group E: With Ottmar Hitzfeld’s Switzerland virtually assured of a top spot from group E if they accumulate the required two points away to Albania and at home to Slovenia, four teams behind them have definite chances to finish second. Cyprus are already eliminated yet Iceland, Slovenia, Norway and could you believe tiny Albania are all in contention for a play-off spot come November. On Friday Albania host Switzerland hoping to get something from the game at Tirana before flying off to Cyprus four days later hoping to still be in contention as second placed Iceland would confirm atleast a second spot if not more with wins over Cyprus and Norway who travel to third placed Slovenia before hosting fellow Scandinavians on Tuesday. This is not a straight forward group by any means and the full table would certainly prove that.
Matches on October 11: Albania v Switzerland, Slovenia v Norway, Iceland v Cyprus
WORLD CUP QUALIFICATION UEFA – GROUP E – FULL TABLE
Team Pl W D L GF GA +/- Pts
1 Switzerland 8 5 3 0 14 5 9 18
2 Iceland 8 4 1 3 14 14 0 13
3 Slovenia 8 4 0 4 11 10 1 12
4 Norway 8 3 2 3 9 9 0 11
5 Albania 8 3 1 4 8 9 -1 10
6 Cyprus 8 1 1 6 4 13 -9 4