FIFA World Cup Qualifiers: Italy, Germany set to finish job
Countries could book place for Brazil mega event with wins tomorrow.
Four-time world champions Italy will qualify if they beat the Czech Republic in Turin tomorrow. PHOTO: AFP
LONDON:
No World Cup finals would be complete without Italy and Germany on the cast list, and both nations will take their places in next year’s Brazil showpiece with victories tomorrow.
Four-time world champions Italy will qualify if they beat the Czech Republic in Turin, while Germany, bidding for their 16th successive appearance, can follow suit with a win over the Faroe Islands, though a Sweden victory against Kazakhstan would delay the Germans’ passage.
The Netherlands, assuming they beat Andorra, will be guaranteed top spot in Group D if Romania fail to beat Turkey.
For other European powerhouses the task is less straightforward.
Meanwhile, England will be wary of their trip to Ukraine despite going top of Group H after a 4-0 win over Moldova. Ukraine warmed up for the potential group decider with a 9-0 hammering of San Marino.
“It’s a massive game against Ukraine, but we have nothing to fear and can go there full of confidence,” said England captain Steven Gerrard.
England look more certain qualifiers than France, whose hopes of topping world champions Spain in Group I look forlorn after a 0-0 draw with Georgia on Friday left them three points behind with two games to go.
Switzerland fluffed their lines in a dramatic 4-4 home draw with Iceland and could be vulnerable when they travel to Group E’s second-placed side, Norway, today.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 9th, 2013.
No World Cup finals would be complete without Italy and Germany on the cast list, and both nations will take their places in next year’s Brazil showpiece with victories tomorrow.
Four-time world champions Italy will qualify if they beat the Czech Republic in Turin, while Germany, bidding for their 16th successive appearance, can follow suit with a win over the Faroe Islands, though a Sweden victory against Kazakhstan would delay the Germans’ passage.
The Netherlands, assuming they beat Andorra, will be guaranteed top spot in Group D if Romania fail to beat Turkey.
For other European powerhouses the task is less straightforward.
Meanwhile, England will be wary of their trip to Ukraine despite going top of Group H after a 4-0 win over Moldova. Ukraine warmed up for the potential group decider with a 9-0 hammering of San Marino.
“It’s a massive game against Ukraine, but we have nothing to fear and can go there full of confidence,” said England captain Steven Gerrard.
England look more certain qualifiers than France, whose hopes of topping world champions Spain in Group I look forlorn after a 0-0 draw with Georgia on Friday left them three points behind with two games to go.
Switzerland fluffed their lines in a dramatic 4-4 home draw with Iceland and could be vulnerable when they travel to Group E’s second-placed side, Norway, today.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 9th, 2013.