Group 1:
The group 1 seems to have become the grave of a strong team. With Denmark leading at a safe distance and Hungary following it seems difficult that both Portugal and Sweden will get through this round to qualify for the World Cup 2010. Today's matches were most important with the top two meeting next two. Sweden did something to claim a position with a win over Hungary but Portugal let Denmark go with draw. With only three matches remaining and Portugal and Hungary meeting each other twice it seems Denmark and Sweden are the favourites now.
Today's Results:
Denmark 1-1 Portugal
(Bendtner 42') (Liedson 86')
Hungary 1-2 Sweden
(S Huszti 79' P) (O Melburg 8', Z Ibrahimovic 90')
Group Standings:
Denmark: 17 (7)
Hungary: 13 (7)
Sweden: 12 (7)
Portugal: 10 (7)
Albania: 6 (8)
Malta: 1(8)
Group 2:
Switzerland looks favourite from this group to top the group. The fight for the other position is between Greece and Latvia with a match between them to be held on 10th October. However, Latvia's match against Switzerland may on 9th September may change the course of the group if Latvia manage to win. Still the favourites to qualify from this group are Switzerland and Greece looking at the schedule and form. Israel seems to be out of race but may spoil the party of Switzerland on the last match when they meet on 14th October.
Today's Results:
Maldova 0-0 Luxembourg
Israel 0-1 Latvia
(K Gorkss 60')
Switzerland 2-0 Greece
(S Gritching 83', M Padalino 88')
Group Standings:
Switzerland: 16 (7)
Greece: 13 (7)
Latvia: 13 (7)
Israel: 9 (7)
Luxembourg: 5 (7)
Maldova: 2 (7)
Group 3:
Though currently Slovakia looks favourite to get the direct qualification spot from this group, this is the most open group after the 7th round. The surprise in the group is Czech Republic, who are down at fifth position. But the situation will be more complicated after the next round of matches when Czech Republic plays minnows San Marino and the top four meet each other. The Czechs will look to increase the goal difference against San Marino who have let in 37 in the previous 8 matches scoring only one and will hope that the other matches end in draw. However they will still be left with two tougher matches against Poland and Northern Ireland. Nothing can be said about this group at least before ninth September.
Today's Results:
Poland 1-1 Northern Ireland
(M Lewandowski 80') (K Lafferty 38')
Slovakia 2-2 Czech Republic
(S Sestak 60', M Hamsyk 73' P) (D Pudil 68', Milan baros 83')
Group Standings:
Slovakia: 16 (7)
Northern Ireland: 14 (8)
Poland: 11 (7)
Slovenia: 11 (7)
Czech Republic: 9 (7)
San Marino: 0(8)
Group 4:
Germany and Russia are clear favourites in this group. Unless Finland does something dazzling in the last three rounds, these will qualify. The important match will be on 10th October when Germany and Russia meet each other to decide who will have to play the play off.
Today's Results:
Azerbaijan 1-2 Finland
(E Mammadov 49') (M Heikkinen 74', P Pasanen 86')
Russia 3-0 Liechtenstein
(V Berezutski 17', R Pavlyuchenko 39' P, 45' P)
Group Standings:
Germany: 19 (7)
Russia: 18 (7)
Finland: 13 (7)
Wales: 9 (7)
Azerbaijan: 1 (7)
Leichtenstein: 1 (7)
Group 5:
Spain sitting clear on top of the group with seven wins in as many matches and with their current form it seems improbable that second placed Bosnia will be able to overturn the lead. However, Bosnia themselves have the danger of being ousted by Turkey whom they meet on ninth September. Bosnia will have to play in form Spain in their last match in which they have a very less chance of getting any point. However, unless they lose the home match three days later to Turkey they will get the second place in the group.
Today's Results:
Armenia 0-2 Bosnia-Herzegovina
(S Ibricic 6', Z Islamovic 73')
Turkey 4-2 Estonia
(T Sanli 30', 73', S Yildrim 37', A Turan 63') (V Voscoboinikov 7', K Vassiljev 53')
Spain 5-0 Belgium
(D Silva 41', 68', D Villa 49', 85', G Pique 50') *David Villa missed a penalty at 28'
Group Standings:
Spain: 21 (7)
Bosnia-Herzegovina: 15 (7)
Turkey: 11 (7)
Belgium: 7 (7)
Estonia: 5 (7)
Armenia: 1 (7)
Group 6:
England is at the top of the pool and will not be thrown out unless they lose two and draw one of their last three matches. However, that is not impossible as they have to face Ukraine and Croatia in the next two matches. The survival of these two teams depend on the result if their match against England. They are virtually at the same position and if they have same result against the topper of the group, goal difference may come into play. England have, however, won all their matches so far and it is expected that they will qualify without much hassle.
Today's Results:
Ukraine 5-0 Andorra
(A Yarmolenko 19', A Milevsky 45', 90' P, A Shevchenko 73' P, E Seleznyov 90' P)
Croatia 1-0 Belarus
(I Rakitic 24')
Group Standings:
England: 21 (7)
Croatia: 17 (8)
Ukraine: 14 (7)
Belarus: 9 (7)
Kazakhstan: 3 (7)
Andorra: 0 (8
Group 7:
Serbia topping this pool is looking set to finish in the top two in this group. France are in the second position but will be tested by Serbia and Austria in the next two matches. Any bad result in these two matches may take Austria as the second spot and leave France out.
Today's Results:
Austria 3-1 Faroe Islands
(S Maierhofer 1', M Janko 16', 59' P) (A Olsen 83')
France 1-1 Romania
(T Henry 48', Escude 56' OG)
Group Standings:
Serbia: 18 (7)
France: 14 (7)
Austria: 10 (7)
Lithuania: 9 (7)
Romania: 8 (7)
Faroe Islands: 1 (7)
Group 8:
Italy are leading the group and even though they have to face Ireland and Bulgaria in the next two matches, it seems the current world champions will not be out from the group stage of the qualifying round. However, a chance remains that both Ireland and Bulgaria defeat Italy in the next to matchdays and take the top two positions. The other matches remaining for the teams are not going to make any big difference. A win for Bulgaria over Italy on ninth will open the group for all the three teams.
Today's Results:
Bulgaria 4-1 Montenegro
(R Kishishev 45', D Telkiyski 49', D Berbatov 85' P, V Domovchiski 90') (S Jovetic 9')
Georgia 0-2 Italy
(K Kaldze 57', 67' OG)
Cyprus 1-2 Ireland
(M Elia 30') (C Doyl 5', R Keane 85')
Group Standings:
Italy: 17 (7)
Ireland: 16 (8)
Bulgaria: 11 (7)
Cyprus: 5 (7)
Montenegro: 4 (7)
Georgia :3 (8)
Group 9:
The Netherlands, in this group, is the only team sure of qualifying at the top of the table. In this group with five teams, the Dutches have won all their 7 matches so far. The fight for second position is between Scotland and Norway. Though Scotland is leading Norway by 3 points, they have to face the Netherlands in their last match while Norway will face Macedonia and if either of them win and Scotland lose, Scotland will lose the second position due to their worst goal difference. In that case even the second position holder may lose out as it seems they will be worst among all the group runners up. The fate of the group will be final on ninth September.
Today's Results:
Scotland 2-0 Macedonia
(S Brown 56', J Mcfadden 81')
Iceland 1-1 Norway
(E Gudjohnson 29') (J Riise 10')
Group Standings:
Netherlands: 21 (7)
Scotland: 10 (7)
Norway: 7 (7)
FYR Macedonia: 7 (7)
Iceland: 5 (7)
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