World Cup qualifiers enter final stages

LONDON – A total of 23 teams go into tomorrow’s World Cup qualifiers around the globe with a chance of securing a place in next year’s finals in Germany.

Depending on how the results pan out, as many as 15 could see their dreams become reality as they attempt to take their places alongside the 10 countries already through which include the host nation and world champions Brazil. Almost 40 qualifiers are being played worldwide on Saturday followed by another full round in Europe, South America and CONCACAF, the North American and Caribbean zone, next Wednesday.By then the identity of 27 of the 32 finalists should be known with the five outstanding berths to be filled in November’s play-offs.Ukraine are the only European qualifiers known so far but they could be joined by as many as seven others on Saturday.The Netherlands will qualify from Group One if they avoid defeat against the Czech Republic in Prague, but even if they lose they will stay top and should clinch their place against Macedonia at home next Wednesday.Portugal, five points clear of Slovakia and Russia in Group Three, will also qualify, if, as expected they avoid losing at home to Liechtenstein.The Portuguese will take nothing for granted against their visitors after they were held to a 2-2 draw in Vaduz a year ago.Italy also need only a point at home against Slovenia to maintain their record of qualifying for every finals since 1962 and will be keen to avenge their defeat in Slovenia a year ago.France, world champions in 1998 who surprisingly went out in the first round four years ago, will seal first place in the tightly-bunched Group Four if they win in Switzerland, although the Swiss will go through if they beat France and Ireland fail to win in Cyprus.If England bounce back from their shock 1-0 defeat to Northern Ireland in Belfast last month by beating Austria at Old Trafford, they can qualify for the finals if the Czech Republic lose at home to the Netherlands in Group One.That scenario would guarantee England finish among the best two runners-up in Europe, guaranteed to join the eight group winners who automatically go through.Poland, who lead England in Group Six, can qualify without playing as group winners if England fail to beat Austria or as one of Europe’s best two runners-up if Sweden win in Croatia in Group Eight or the Czechs fail to beat the Dutch in Group One.Two of the four automatic South American qualifying berths have already been filled by Argentina and Brazil and Ecuador and Paraguay could join them on Saturday.Costa Rica will also secure their place as third-placed finishers in the CONCACAF final group if they beat the already-qualified United States or if they draw against the States and Guatemala fail to win in Mexico.-Nampa-ReutersAlmost 40 qualifiers are being played worldwide on Saturday followed by another full round in Europe, South America and CONCACAF, the North American and Caribbean zone, next Wednesday.By then the identity of 27 of the 32 finalists should be known with the five outstanding berths to be filled in November’s play-offs.Ukraine are the only European qualifiers known so far but they could be joined by as many as seven others on Saturday.The Netherlands will qualify from Group One if they avoid defeat against the Czech Republic in Prague, but even if they lose they will stay top and should clinch their place against Macedonia at home next Wednesday.Portugal, five points clear of Slovakia and Russia in Group Three, will also qualify, if, as expected they avoid losing at home to Liechtenstein.The Portuguese will take nothing for granted against their visitors after they were held to a 2-2 draw in Vaduz a year ago.Italy also need only a point at home against Slovenia to maintain their record of qualifying for every finals since 1962 and will be keen to avenge their defeat in Slovenia a year ago.France, world champions in 1998 who surprisingly went out in the first round four years ago, will seal first place in the tightly-bunched Group Four if they win in Switzerland, although the Swiss will go through if they beat France and Ireland fail to win in Cyprus.If England bounce back from their shock 1-0 defeat to Northern Ireland in Belfast last month by beating Austria at Old Trafford, they can qualify for the finals if the Czech Republic lose at home to the Netherlands in Group One.That scenario would guarantee England finish among the best two runners-up in Europe, guaranteed to join the eight group winners who automatically go through.Poland, who lead England in Group Six, can qualify without playing as group winners if England fail to beat Austria or as one of Europe’s best two runners-up if Sweden win in Croatia in Group Eight or the Czechs fail to beat the Dutch in Group One.Two of the four automatic South American qualifying berths have already been filled by Argentina and Brazil and Ecuador and Paraguay could join them on Saturday.Costa Rica will also secure their place as third-placed finishers in the CONCACAF final group if they beat the already-qualified United States or if they draw against the States and Guatemala fail to win in Mexico.-Nampa-Reuters