Judgement Day: Part Two

So there is one more night of World Cup qualifying to go, 12 countries still dreaming of South Africa, but only 6 places available. In Europe, Africa and South America the high stakes contests will be fought, and with the possibility of extra time and penalties to decide the qualifiers, tension will be high and nerves jangling, but by the end of the day the 32 finalists will be decided.

Africa – Egypt v. Algeria

This is a straight forward one off playoff after the dramatic scenes in Cairo on Saturday when Egypt’s last gasp second goal left things all square between these bitter rivals.

The neutral venue of Khartoum in Sudan is where it will all be played out, but even that is not without controversy since Sudan was Egypt’s preferred choice, as opposed to Tunisia as hoped for by the Algerians. In addition a war of words is ongoing about Algeria’s’ team bus being attacked prior to the Cairo match, and the tension from the similar clash in 1989 doesn’t even seem to have dissipated.

As for the football, clearly the teams are fairly evenly matched, but Egypt may well have the edge both technically, they are current African Champions, and psychologically after winning 2-0 in Cairo. I expect it to be very tight, but I think Egypt will win through eventually, probably in the 90 minutes but I wouldn’t be surprised if extra time was necessary.

Prediction: Egypt by one goal

Europe – France (1) v. Ireland (0)

Ireland would have hoped to have gone to Paris with a clean sheet, and 0-0 would have been ideal. However France’s away goal leaves the tie firmly in their favour. Ireland will have huge support in Paris, but the French have class on their side, so I expect them to survive an early onslaught and then ease through.

Prediction: France to win on the night and aggregate

Bosnia-Herzegovina (0) v. Portugal (1)

This one is certainly more in the balance, and a hostile atmosphere in Zenica could swing it the host’s way. Portugal should have more quality even without the injured Ronaldo, but Bosnia have talent on their side too.

Prediction: A draw on the night to send Portugal through

Slovenia (1) v. Russia (2)

Another finely balanced tie thanks to Slovenia’s late goal in Russia. They came within a whisker of equalising too which would have put them in pole position. Russia have the quality, but they let Slovenia back in on Saturday and may live to regret it. However, I feel class will come through and Russia will do enough to go through.

Prediction: A draw to send Russia to South Africa

Ukraine (0) v. Greece (0)

A scoreless draw at home in the first leg isn’t a bad result at all given the importance of away goals, but I expect Ukraine to win the second leg and the tie in Donetsk. Put simply, they have more quality than Greece and at home they should make it count.

Prediction: Ukraine to win through

Intercontinental Playoff: Uruguay (1) v. Costa Rica (0)

Uruguay won out over 10 man Costa Rica in the away leg which suggests that Costa Rica may have missed their chance. The Ticos were within a whisker of automatic qualification but now their chances in the playoffs look limited. A huge partisan crowd in the Centenario in Montevideo will roar Uruguay on and if Diego Forlan can play to his ability it should see Uruguay through.

Prediction: Uruguay to be too strong at home for Costa Rica