| 20/06/09 14:00 | Chililabombwe |  |
Zambia | 0:2 (0:1) | Algeria |  |
| 20/06/09 16:00 | Nairobi |  |
Kenya | 2:1 (1:0) | Mozambique |  |
| 20/06/09 18:00 | Rabat |  |
Morocco | 0:0 | Togo |  |
| 20/06/09 18:00 | Ouagadougou |  |
Burkina Faso | 2:3 (1:1) | Côte d'Ivoire |  |
| 20/06/09 19:10 | Rades |  |
Tunisia | 0:0 | Nigeria |  |
| 20/06/09 20:30 | Omdurman |  |
Sudan | 0:2 (0:1) | Ghana |  |
| 21/06/09 17:00 | Conakry |  |
Guinea | 2:1 (2:0) | Malawi |  |
| 21/06/09 19:00 | Bamako |  |
Mali | 3:1 (1:1) | Benin |  |
Sunday, June 21, 2009
2010 FIFA WC QUALIFIERS MATCHES
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
2010 FIFA WC QUALIFIERS MATCHES
| 17/06/09 19:30 | Manama |  | Bahrain | 1:0 (0:0) | Uzbekistan |  |
| 17/06/09 20:00 | Seoul |  | Korea Republic | 1:1 (0:0) | Iran |  |
| 17/06/09 20:20 | Melbourne |  | Australia | 2:1 (0:1) | Japan |  |
| 17/06/09 21:00 | Riyadh |  | Saudi Arabia | 0:0 | Korea DPR |  |
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Team # 4 Korea Republic (Daehan Chukgu Hyeophoe)
Asia's most frequent visitors to the FIFA World Cup finals, the Taeguk Warriors have also been known as the continent's most successful team at the showpiece event, their fourth place finish as co-hosts at Korea/Japan 2002 surpassing Korea DPR's quarter-final finish in England in 1966.
Under then coach Guus Hiddink, the Koreans swept past the likes of Italy and Spain to storm through to the semi-finals, where their impressive campaign came to an end with a 1-0 defeat by Germany. With this unprecedented success still fresh in the memory, the Koreans have kept faith with Dutch managers. First Jo Bonfrere took hold in the run-up to the previous FIFA World Cup, and then Dick Advocaat took charge, but failed to take the team beyond the group stage at Germany 2006.
While both managers failed to emerge from Hiddink's giant shadow, the Koreans continued their trend of going Dutch by appointing Pim Verbeek, who had served as an assistant coach for the East Asians at the last two FIFA World Cups.
The 2007 continental competition saw the two-time Asian champions struggle at the group stage, where they were held to a 1-1 draw by Saudi Arabia before losing out 2-1 to Bahrain in their second game. Verbeek's new-look side - a mixture of youth complemented with several experienced old hands - only secured a place in the last eight with a slim victory over co-hosts Indonesia in the last group game.
Korea Republic's lackluster performance continued in the knockout stages, with their three matches ending in goalless draws after regular and extra time. However, it was the team's trademark brand of never-say-die spirit, coupled with a series of brilliant displays by veteran goalkeeper Lee Woon-jae that ensured them a penalty shootout victory against Iran in the quarter-finals. After losing the crucial semi-final to Iraq they emerged victorious over Japan in the third-place playoff. Verbeek, however, parted company with the team following the tournament.
For the South Africa 2010 qualifying campaign, The Korean FA has reverted to a home-grown manager, with former boss Huh Jung-Moo taking the reins at the close of 2007. Huh, who is in his third spell with the Taeguk Warriors following a 12-day stint in 1995 and two years in the hot-seat between 1998 and 2000, could not have had a better start as his side thrashed Turkmenistan 4-0 at home in the opener of the third stage qualifying for South Africa 2010.
Results have not been as encouraging since then, however, with a 0-0 draw away to Korea DPR and a surprising 2-2 home draw with Jordan leaving Huh's team still sweating on qualification for the next Asian qualifying stage. But the South Koreans returned to winning ways by defeating Jordan 1-0 and then Turkmenistan 3-1 on the road, which put them through to the next round. The last group match against Korea DPR at home, therefore, was played in a friendly atmosphere as the two Koreas finished jointly on top of the table after a goalless draw.
Despite the criticism leveled at the team, coach Huh and his men silenced detractors by dominating their group throughout the final round to book qualification with two games to spare. After a 1-1 draw against Korea DPR, coach Huh's charges looked rampant in the next two outings as they registered a 4-1 home win over UAE before overcoming Saudi Arabia 2-0. They went on to hold Iran for a precious away point, which was followed by a lone-goal home victory over their resilient Northern Peninsula neighbours. A 2-0 away win over UAE may have looked customary for Huh's side but the result was just enough for them to seal their place in South Africa.
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Under then coach Guus Hiddink, the Koreans swept past the likes of Italy and Spain to storm through to the semi-finals, where their impressive campaign came to an end with a 1-0 defeat by Germany. With this unprecedented success still fresh in the memory, the Koreans have kept faith with Dutch managers. First Jo Bonfrere took hold in the run-up to the previous FIFA World Cup, and then Dick Advocaat took charge, but failed to take the team beyond the group stage at Germany 2006.
While both managers failed to emerge from Hiddink's giant shadow, the Koreans continued their trend of going Dutch by appointing Pim Verbeek, who had served as an assistant coach for the East Asians at the last two FIFA World Cups.
The 2007 continental competition saw the two-time Asian champions struggle at the group stage, where they were held to a 1-1 draw by Saudi Arabia before losing out 2-1 to Bahrain in their second game. Verbeek's new-look side - a mixture of youth complemented with several experienced old hands - only secured a place in the last eight with a slim victory over co-hosts Indonesia in the last group game.
Korea Republic's lackluster performance continued in the knockout stages, with their three matches ending in goalless draws after regular and extra time. However, it was the team's trademark brand of never-say-die spirit, coupled with a series of brilliant displays by veteran goalkeeper Lee Woon-jae that ensured them a penalty shootout victory against Iran in the quarter-finals. After losing the crucial semi-final to Iraq they emerged victorious over Japan in the third-place playoff. Verbeek, however, parted company with the team following the tournament.
For the South Africa 2010 qualifying campaign, The Korean FA has reverted to a home-grown manager, with former boss Huh Jung-Moo taking the reins at the close of 2007. Huh, who is in his third spell with the Taeguk Warriors following a 12-day stint in 1995 and two years in the hot-seat between 1998 and 2000, could not have had a better start as his side thrashed Turkmenistan 4-0 at home in the opener of the third stage qualifying for South Africa 2010.
Results have not been as encouraging since then, however, with a 0-0 draw away to Korea DPR and a surprising 2-2 home draw with Jordan leaving Huh's team still sweating on qualification for the next Asian qualifying stage. But the South Koreans returned to winning ways by defeating Jordan 1-0 and then Turkmenistan 3-1 on the road, which put them through to the next round. The last group match against Korea DPR at home, therefore, was played in a friendly atmosphere as the two Koreas finished jointly on top of the table after a goalless draw.
Despite the criticism leveled at the team, coach Huh and his men silenced detractors by dominating their group throughout the final round to book qualification with two games to spare. After a 1-1 draw against Korea DPR, coach Huh's charges looked rampant in the next two outings as they registered a 4-1 home win over UAE before overcoming Saudi Arabia 2-0. They went on to hold Iran for a precious away point, which was followed by a lone-goal home victory over their resilient Northern Peninsula neighbours. A 2-0 away win over UAE may have looked customary for Huh's side but the result was just enough for them to seal their place in South Africa.
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Team # 3 Japan (Japan Football Association)
Having long established themselves as one of Asia's top teams, the Japanese are now aiming at making an impact on the international stage. However, their disappointing performances at Germany 2006, where they failed to make it out of the group under Brazilian coach Zico, proved they still have work to do if they want to be among the best in the global arena.
The fact that they merely managed a goalless draw against Croatia, sandwiched between two defeats at the hands of Australia and Brazil, made the football powers that be back home take notice. Zico was sacked shortly after the team returned home from Germany.
Former Yugoslavia coach Ivica Osim was immediately handed the task of rejuvenating the team further discouraged by the departure of the retired Nakata. Despite the difficulties, Osim, who had spent a successful three-year stint in charge of J-league side JEF United Chiba, had not only the necessary international pedigree but essential knowledge of Japanese football.
The Bosnian coach injected new blood into the team like Urawa Reds' trio Marcus Tulio Tanaka, Keita Suzuki and Yuki Abe. He kept the team's experienced core of midfield fulcrum Shunsuke Nakamura, defensive key man Yuji Nakazawa, goal-getter Naohiro Takahara and reliable custodian Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi.
With a mixture of experience and youth hitting the perfect balance, it was no surprise that Osim's men fared so well in the 2007 Asian Cup in July until the defending champions were narrowly edged out 3-2 by Saudi Arabia in their semi-final.
The Asian Cup saw the new-look Japan team continue to dominate the continental competition with their brand of fluid play. Boasting one of Asia's most creative midfields, the Japanese always managed to produce more chances than their rivals. However, their lack of a finishing touch cost them dearly against the Saudis, who, by contrast, were able to convert the three chances they produced.
While initially successful in moulding Japan into a strong unit, Osim suffered a serious stroke in November. As a result the Japanese FA turned back to Takeshi Okada, who guided them to their debut FIFA World Cup finals in 1998.
The former Yokohama F Marinos boss got his second spell as Japan coach off to a blistering start as his charges made light work of Asia's third qualifying round, topping a group also featuring Bahrain, Oman and Thailand to reach the last ten. The final round saw Japan pitted against Australia, Bahrain, Uzbekistan and Qatar, but despite the tough assignment the Blue Samurais continued to dominate and sealed qualification with two games to spare.
Booking their fourth consecutive appearance at the global showpiece provided more food for thought for Okada, who was quick to announce his goal of a semi-final place at South Africa 2010. Despite the emergence of young striker Shinji Okazaki, a proven goal-scorer is still a missing component with Japan and Okada fully aware that they have to shore up their attacking and improve their finishing if they are to achieve the lofty goal the boss has set.
Team # 2 Australia (Football Federation Australia)
The move marked the beginning of a series of ground-breaking achievements in Australian football. In August of the same year, their first fully-professional domestic championship - the Hyundai A-League - was launched and in November they sealed their return to the FIFA World Cup finals after 32 years. Still playing under the Oceania banner, substitute John Aloisi converted the side's decisive spot-kick to send them through on penalties at the expense of Uruguay.
The resurgence of Australian football reached its culmination at Germany 2006, when the team, under Guus Hiddink, stormed into the second round from a group also featuring the likes of Brazil, Croatia and Japan, only to lose by the narrowest of margins to eventual champions Italy.
While the tremendous success was attributed to Hiddink, who had also guided Korea Republic to their milestone last-four finish at Korea/Japan 2002, credit was also due to the players who showcased their talent to the watching world.
In the opening encounter against Japan, who took the lead through Shunsuke Nakamura, Hiddink's men pulled off a classic comeback victory, with Tim Cahill scoring twice in the closing stages before Aloisi sealed the memorable 3-1 win with a last-minute strike. After a 2-0 defeat by Brazil, Australia then twice came from behind to draw against Croatia and claim a place in the second round.
The same team came close to springing a bigger surprise when they bravely kept the Italians at bay for the entire 90 minutes until Fabio Grosso earned a penalty in injury time, from which Francesco Totti grabbed the winner.
Australia were, in fact, the only Asian team to reach the knockout phase, which duly made them top seeds and gave them an automatic place in the continent's third stage qualifying competition for South Africa 2010.
Boasting a squad awash with household names, Australia are unquestionably one of the most formidable teams in Asia. They can not, however, underestimate their challengers. In the AFC Asian Cup 2007, Graham Arnold's star-studded charges were beaten 3-1 by Iraq in a group match before crashing out in the quarter-finals after penalty shootout defeat by Japan. Not surprisingly, Arnold stepped down after the disappointing run, making way for Hiddink's former assistant and ex-Korea Republic boss Pim Verbeek.
The Socceroos have thrived under the Dutchman, dominating Asian Group 1 and scoring ten points from the opening five games to book progression to the final qualifying round with a game to spare. The ensuing stage then proved a roller coaster for the side, who sealed qualification with two games remaining. Verbeek's men also completed their mission in style as they remained undefeated in the final round, with two draws and six wins, including a 2-1 home victory over Japan in the final game.
Having matched his compatriot by taking Australia to their second consecutive FIFA World Cup finals, Verbeek is well aware that only a more ambitious goal will satisfy the fans' thirst for success this time around. The new coach is determined to break new ground, vowing to take the team to the quarter-finals in South Africa.
2010 FIFA WC QUALIFIERS MATCHES
| 03/06/09 20:00 | San Jose |  |
Costa Rica | 3:1 (2:0) | USA |  |
| 06/06/09 14:00 | Chililabombwe | |
Zambia | 1:0 (0:0) | Rwanda |  |
| 06/06/09 14:30 | Blantyre | |
Malawi | 0:1 (0:0) | Burkina Faso | |
| 06/06/09 15:30 | Libreville |  |
Gabon | 3:0 (1:0) AWD | Togo | |
| 06/06/09 16:00 | Montevideo |  |
Uruguay | 0:4 (0:2) | Brazil |  |
| 06/06/09 16:50 | La Paz |  |
Bolivia | 0:1 (0:1) | Venezuela |  |
| 06/06/09 17:00 | Pyongyang | |
Korea DPR | 0:0 | Iran | |
| 06/06/09 17:30 | Bratislava |  |
Slovakia | 7:0 (5:0) | San Marino |  |
| 06/06/09 17:45 | Skopje |  |
FYR Macedonia | 0:0 | Norway |  |
| 06/06/09 18:00 | Buenos Aires |  |
Argentina | 1:0 (0:0) | Colombia |  |
| 06/06/09 18:00 | Rades | |
Tunisia | 2:0 (1:0) | Mozambique | |
| 06/06/09 18:05 | Bacolet |  |
Trinidad and Tobago | 2:3 (1:1) | Costa Rica | |
| 06/06/09 18:45 | Reykjavik |  |
Iceland | 1:2 (0:2) | Netherlands |  |
| 06/06/09 18:50 | Asuncion |  |
Paraguay | 0:2 (0:1) | Chile |  |
| 06/06/09 19:00 | Helsinki |  |
Finland | 2:1 (1:1) | Liechtenstein |  |
| 06/06/09 19:00 | Grodno |  |
Belarus | 5:1 (2:0) | Andorra |  |
| 06/06/09 19:00 | Doha |  |
Qatar | 0:0 | Australia | |
| 06/06/09 19:00 | San Salvador |  |
El Salvador | 2:1 (1:0) | Mexico |  |
| 06/06/09 19:05 | Tashkent | |
Uzbekistan | 0:1 (0:1) | Japan | |
| 06/06/09 19:27 | Chicago | |
USA | 2:1 (1:1) | Honduras |  |
| 06/06/09 20:00 | Solna |  |
Sweden | 0:1 (0:1) | Denmark |  |
| 06/06/09 20:00 | Baku |  |
Azerbaijan | 0:1 (0:1) | Wales |  |
| 06/06/09 20:15 | Zagreb |  |
Croatia | 2:2 (1:1) | Ukraine |  |
| 06/06/09 20:15 | Dubai |  |
United Arab Emirates | 0:2 (0:2) | Korea Republic | |
| 06/06/09 20:30 | Belgrade |  |
Serbia | 1:0 (1:0) | Austria |  |
| 06/06/09 20:30 | Larnaca |  |
Cyprus | 2:2 (2:0) | Montenegro |  |
| 06/06/09 20:30 | Sofia |  |
Bulgaria | 1:1 (1:1) | Republic of Ireland |  |
| 06/06/09 20:45 | Tirana |  |
Albania | 1:2 (1:1) | Portugal |  |
| 06/06/09 21:00 | Almaty |  |
Kazakhstan | 0:4 (0:2) | England |  |
| 06/06/09 21:00 | Marijampole |  |
Lithuania | 0:1 (0:1) | Romania |  |
| 07/06/09 15:30 | Lima |  |
Peru | 1:2 (0:1) | Ecuador |  |
| 07/06/09 15:30 | Yaounde |  |
Cameroon | 0:0 | Morocco | |
| 07/06/09 16:00 | Cotonou | |
Benin | 1:0 (1:0) | Sudan | |
| 07/06/09 17:00 | Abuja | |
Nigeria | 3:0 (1:0) | Kenya | |
| 07/06/09 17:00 | Conakry | |
Guinea | 1:2 (0:1) | Côte d'Ivoire | |
| 07/06/09 19:00 | Bamako | |
Mali | 0:2 (0:0) | Ghana | |
| 07/06/09 20:30 | Blida | |
Algeria | 3:1 (0:0) | Egypt |  |
| 10/06/09 16:00 | Quito | |
Ecuador | 2:0 (0:0) | Argentina | |
| 10/06/09 17:45 | Skopje | |
FYR Macedonia | 2:0 (1:0) | Iceland | |
| 10/06/09 18:00 | Medellin | |
Colombia | 1:0 (1:0) | Peru | |
| 10/06/09 19:00 | Gothenburg | |
Sweden | 4:0 (1:0) | Malta |  |
| 10/06/09 19:00 | Tehran | |
Iran | 1:0 (0:0) | United Arab Emirates | |
| 10/06/09 19:15 | Torshavn |  |
Faroe Islands | 0:2 (0:1) | Serbia | |
| 10/06/09 19:30 | San Pedro Sula | |
Honduras | 1:0 (1:0) | El Salvador | |
| 10/06/09 19:39 | Yokohama | |
Japan | 1:1 (1:0) | Qatar | |
| 10/06/09 20:00 | Kyiv | |
Ukraine | 2:1 (1:1) | Kazakhstan | |
| 10/06/09 20:00 | Sydney | |
Australia | 2:0 (0:0) | Bahrain | |
| 10/06/09 20:00 | Seoul | |
Korea Republic | 0:0 | Saudi Arabia | |
| 10/06/09 20:15 | London | |
England | 6:0 (3:0) | Andorra | |
| 10/06/09 20:30 | Puerto Ordaz | |
Venezuela | 2:2 (1:0) | Uruguay | |
| 10/06/09 20:30 | Helsinki | |
Finland | 0:3 (0:1) | Russia |  |
| 10/06/09 20:30 | Mexico City | |
Mexico | 2:1 (1:1) | Trinidad and Tobago | |
| 10/06/09 20:45 | Rotterdam | |
Netherlands | 2:0 (1:0) | Norway | |
| 10/06/09 21:00 | Santiago De Chile | |
Chile | 4:0 (1:0) | Bolivia | |
| 10/06/09 21:50 | Recife | |
Brazil | 2:1 (1:1) | Paraguay | |
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