Preview: World Cup playoffs
Having suffered the ignominy of failing to directly qualify for next year’s World Cup to be held in Brazil, eight teams face-off against each other in hopes of resurrecting their World Cup dream. What awaits football fans are a set of mouth-watering fixtures, including two cross-continental matches, throwing up some intriguing battles.
- Franck Ribery – shouldering French hopes
Ukraine vs France
Runners up to England and Spain in the group stages of qualifiers respectively, both teams are desperate to earn a berth at the World Cup and realize that this is their last chance to do so. Having avoided Portugal in their playoffs draw, Dider Deschamps has surprisingly included Patrice Evra in his squad to face Mykhaylo Fomenko’s men, despite facing criticism from all ends for lashing out at the former Les Bleus star Bixente Lizarazu and calling him “a parasite.” Elsewhere Rio Mavuba has been rewarded with a place in the squad for his fine run of form with Ligue 1 side Lille. Deschamps would be banking on Olivier Giroud to continue his stunning form with Karim Benzema and Franck Ribery in tow to assist the Arsenal striker. Also in the fold is Newcastle front man Loic Remy, who has scored six goals in eight appearances so far, including the goal that killed off Chelsea at Sports Direct Arena. The first leg will have a huge impact on the fixture, both statistically and psychologically as opponents have found the going tough at the Olympic Stadium. Home fans have created a raucous atmosphere, and the players have responded, with Ukraine having suffered only a single defeat at home. If Ukraine are able to bring about a positive result in the first leg, things will get interesting as the fixture moves to the Stade de France for the return leg on November 19. Franck Ribery was in tremendous form in the group stages of qualifying, with a tally of 5 goals but Ukraine have their own potent strike force with Andriy Yarmolenko and Marko Devi? having scored 4 goals each. Roman Bezus, Yevhen Konoplyanka, Yevhen Khacheridi, Yevhen Seleznyov are not far behind with three goals apiece. And they would look to add to their tally against a French defense that has not looked convincing so far. France’s away form has been shaky, and Ukraine would be hoping to capitalize on it.
Portugal vs Sweden
Arguably the most interesting clash among the playoff matches, this fixture pits the Group F runners-up Portugal against the Group C runners-up Sweden. Portugal missed out on direct qualification in heartbreaking fashion, finishing just a single point behind Russia, the eventual group winners. Paulo Bento’s men would want to atone for their missed opportunity but face a stiff test against Sweden lead by their prolific striker and captain, Zlatan Ibrahimovic. The Swedes, runners-up to European heavyweights Germany, lost to Germany 3-5 in their last group stage match, but can take heart from a spirited performance against a top German side in a 4-4 draw last year, when they came back from being 0-4 down on 53 minutes. Zlatan Ibrahimovic will spearhead the Swedish attack, having an impressive tally of 6 goals in the group stages. Portugal on the other hand will look to Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo for inspiration as he looks to lead his team and a country with huge expectations into Brazil next year. Paulo Bento would rely on Bruno Alves and Pepe, two physical juggernauts to stymie the towering presence of Ibrahimovic and Johan Elmander. What makes this clash most interesting is the fact that at the end of this fixture, it will either be Cristiano Ronaldo or Zlatan Ibrahimovic on display at next year’s World Cup. Portugal has always been described as a perennially underperforming team despite having immense talent amongst its ranks. The sheer prospect of facing a team with the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Fabio Coentrao, Nani, Helder Postiga (to name a few) would be daunting for any opponent, but Sweden would beg to differ as they try to avoid repeating their feat of failing to qualify for the 2010 World Cup. The last fact would weigh in heavily on the mind of Erik Hamren as the then coach Lars Lagerback resigned, owning responsibility for failing to lead his team into the World Cup. Sweden would like to capitalize on the fact that they end this fixture at home in Stockholm, with home support having been crucial in their group stage matches. Cristiano Ronaldo, who has found the net 24 times in 17 games for Real Madrid, would be hoping to cap his fine run of form by helping his country qualify for the Holy Grail of football.
Jordan vs Uruguay
Uruguay go in as clear favorites in this cross-continental clash when they face Jordan in their playoff fixture. Luis Suarez has been scoring at will for Liverpool and Edinson Cavani has settled well at his new club, PSG. Oscar Tabarez’s men would be ruing the opportunity of missing direct qualification after a woeful dip in form midway through their qualifying campaign meant that they were placed 5th in the CONMEBOL standings. Jordan, on the other hand has scored a couple of impressive wins en route to their playoff march, having defeated Asian powerhouses Japan and Australia. But the favorites tag could backfire against the South Americans and prove to be a blessing in disguise for the Arab nation.
Luis Suarez – in tremendous form for Liverpool
Mexico vs New Zealand
Mexican coach Miguel Herrera has left many miffed by omitting Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez and Giovanni dos Santos for the playoff matches against New Zealand, citing continuity and fluidity as his reasons. This essentially means that the Mexican line-up consists of primarily Mexican League players with the exception of Rafael Maquez, the former Barcelona man who won the Champions League with them. New Zealand, on the other hand, come into this fixture as the winners of the Oceania Football Confederation. The attacking trio of Shane Smeltz, Chris Wood and Marco Rojas have been recalled into the squad for the All-Blacks who would seek inspiration from a 4-0 rout of Mexico albeit more 30 years ago during qualification for the 1982 World Cup.