Ferdinand ´not to blame´ for England defeat: Capello

Fabio Capello insists England defender Rio Ferdinand should not be held responsible for his side’s 1-0 qualifying defeat against Ukraine. Capello saw England’s unblemished record in Group Six come to an end on Saturday as Serhiy Nazarenko’s deflected first half goal in the Dnipro Stadium sunk his 10 men.

The turning point of a fiery encounter, which was marred by Ukraine fans repeatedly throwing flares onto the pitch, came when Ferdinand made a woeful misjudgement that led to England goalkeeper Robert Green being dismissed.

Ferdinand allowed a long ball to bounce past him to Artem Milevskiy, who was brought down in the penalty area by Green as he tried to save. After initially appearing to send off Ferdinand, Slovenian referee Damir Skomina showed Green a red card, making him the first England goalkeeper to be sent off.

A new look for 2016, this is the Megan Rapinoe Replica jersey will be wearing as they compete for the trophy this summer. Morgan Brian, Alex Morgan, Carli Lloyd, Lauren Holiday and Ali Krieger. christen press jerseys USA Andriy Shevchenko missed the penalty, but England never really recovered and Ukraine pushed home their one-man advantage through Nazarenko’s strike.

Ferdinand’s blunder wasn’t the first by the Manchester United centre-back in an England shirt recently. He was also at fault for a goal in England’s friendly draw in Holland in August. But Capello preferred to point the finger of blame at the referee rather than Ferdinand, who has also been below-par for United during an injury-hit start to the season.

“He made one mistake, that is all, and that was for the penalty,” Capello said. “Normally I don’t speak about referees. This time I am changing my mind. It was a big mistake. “Rio was running, the goalkeeper is diving. I need someone to explain to me how he can get that wrong.

“I spoke with the fourth official when the referee showed Rio the red card. He said he would tell the referee it was not Rio. “The referee thought Rio had fouled the player but it so obviously was not him.”

Capello confronted Skomina after the final whistle heralded his first defeat in a competitive game as England coach. But the Italian’s frustration didn’t extend to his team despite their spluttering display.

In the first half they could have been several goals behind as the defence creaked after Green’s dismissal.

Wayne Rooney led a more spirited second half effort but England rarely went close to an equaliser as their eight-match winning run in qualifying came to an end.

At least Capello could take heart from the fact that his team’s place at next year’s World Cup in South Africa had already been secured in convincing fashion.

“I am proud of my team. In the second half we played very well and created a lot of chances, right until the very last minute,” he said.

With Green suspended for Wednesday’s final qualifier against Belarus at Wembley, Portsmouth goalkeeper David James, who came on for the West Ham stopper when he was sent off, is likely to regain his position between the posts.

Capello may also have to pick a replacement for Steven Gerrard after the Liverpool midfielder was substituted at half-time with a groin injury. Ukraine coach Alexiy Mikhailychenko saluted his team’s performance as they defeated England for the first time.

The victory moved them above Croatia into second place and a victory in Andorra on Wednesday should guarantee a play-off place.

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Slovenia topple Slovakia to keep chances alive

Share Goals from Valter Birsa and Nejc Pecnik helped Slovenia topple Slovakia 2-0 in a World Cup qualifier that all but secured the top two spots in Group Three for both teams in Bratislava on Saturday.

Slovakia, which needed a point to go straight to South Africa, now top Group Three with 19 points ahead of Slovenia, which have 17 points and face minnows San Marino in the last qualifier on Wednesday while Slovakia travel to Poland.

Auxerre midfielder Birsa put Slovenia ahead in the 56th minute with a shot from 20 metres that swerved across the box and into the top corner. Pecnik then sealed Slovenia’s victory just before the final whistle after converting a four-on-one break.

The result upset 25,000 people at a crumbling Tehelne pole stadium, who were hoping to see Slovakia secure a World Cup debut.

Slovakia has never played at the European championships or the World Cup since it became an independent country when the former Czechoslovak federation split amicably in 1993.

Its partner in the federation, the Czech Republic, beat Poland 2-0 with second-half goals from Tomas Necid and Jaroslav Plasil in Prague. Arsenal midfielder Tomas Rosicky set up substitute striker Necid who tipped the ball past the Polish keeper in the 51st minute, and Bordeaux midfielder Jaroslav Plasil dived for a header to score 72 minutes into the game.

But the Czechs are trailing Slovenia by two points which makes their hopes of qualifying pure theory ahead of their last game against Northern Ireland.

The Czechs, who have played at World Cup 2006 and all Euro tournaments between 1996 and 2008, are now pinning their hopes on San Marino, last in the group with no points, one goal for and 44 against. Sun 11 Oct, 2009RSS Feed LAST 5 POSTS BY SOCCERNEWS

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Italy as ominous as they are unconvincing

Share Reigning champions Italy have qualified for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa and will justly start the competition, the first time it is to be held in Africa, amongst the favourites. Kelley O'Hara Jersey 2021

They qualified with a Group 8 game to spare following Saturday’s 2-2 draw against the Republic of Ireland in Dublin and as long as they don’t lose at home to Cyprus on Wednesday they will have gone through the group stages unbeaten.

The statistics are impressive, Italy have scored the most goals and conceded the fewest in what could have been a tricky group that included Bulgaria and the outrageous talents of Dimitar Berbatov as well as the gritty Irish, inspired by their Italian legend of a coach Giovanni Trapattoni.

But at closer inspection, this was far from a comfortable cruise to the finals. Italy began their campaign back in September last year in Cyprus and needed an Antonio Di Natale goal two minutes into injury time to snatch a win they did not deserve.

That was followed four days later by a 2-0 home win over Georgia thanks to a brace from combative midfielder Daniele De Rossi including one unstoppable 30-yard rocket — but Italy had not shown the dominance they should have done against such minnows. 

They earned a solid point in Bulgaria before then struggling to a slightly fortuitous 2-1 home win against Montenegro in yet another unconvincing display.

A more composed victory followed in Montenegro and then Italy’s 10 men, having had Giampaolo Pazzini sent off early on, battled to an honourable 1-1 home draw against Ireland, in one of the few performances when they actually emerged with any credit.

But it was soon back to reality as their next result was a drab 2-0 win in Georgia, thanks to two own goals from AC Milan’s Kakha Kaladze. Italy themselves did not break down the plucky Georgians and that came at a time when they had failed to find the net in their previous three games following a disastrous Confederations Cup that saw them eliminated in the group stages after defeats to Egypt (1-0) and Brazil (3-0).

They more or less secured their qualification for South Africa in their next game, though, by beating Bulgaria 2-0 at home as their forwards finally found the target but the visitors to Turin that day could easily have snatched a draw but for some terrible second half profligacy.

But what the Confederations Cup and subsequent matches highlighted was the worry surrounding Italy’s failing attack, which has been steadily building since the Eurpopean Championships.

Their forwards scored only six goals in nine games in qualification and Lippi has used a wide variety of combinations as he searches for one that works.

In fact it seems as if Lippi simply doesn’t know what his forward line should be having called on Vincenzo Iaquinta, Alberto Gilardino, Fabio Quagliarella, Di Natale, Pazzini, Giuseppe Rossi and the now seemingly forgotten Luca Toni during this campaign while also switching back and forth from a two-man attack to a target man with two wide players. The defence is aging and the midfield looks less convincing since Andrea Pirlo’s form has started to dip over the last couple of years and it has become over reliant on the grit and determination of De Rossi.

Probably the only plus point from the Italy team’s point of view is the continued brilliance of goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, still one of the best in the world.

But the flip side to these difficulties is this: Italy, as captain Fabio Cannavaro recently said, have never played well but Italy are not about playing well, they are about winning when it matters, as their 2006 victory in Germany so aptly demonstrates.

And that is what makes Italy look ominous, it is just this kind of Italy, aging, struggling, unconvincing, that is most dangerous when it comes to the big competitions.

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Last-gasp Gilardino sends Italy to World Cup

Share Alberto Gilardino’s late equaliser earned Italy a 2-2 draw against the Republic of Ireland here on Saturday, securing a World Cup place for the reigning champions and consigning the hosts to the play-offs.

Defender Sean St Ledger looked to have given the home side a memorable victory that would have taken them to within a point of the Italians at the top of group eight with one match to play when he dived in to head home Stephen Hunt’s free-kick in the 87th minute.

Croke Park was still reverberating with the celebrations when Italy stole down the other end and scored through Gilardino, whose cool strike guaranteed top spot in the group and a ticket to South Africa next summer. 

 Despite the Italian thoroughbreds on parade, it was an Irish workhorse in the form of Glenn Whelan who gave Ireland the lead in the eighth minute. The Italians were caught out after a Nicola Legrottaglie foul gave Ireland a free-kick from a dangerous wide position.

Liam Lawrence, making his first competitive start, declined the chance to whip in a cross and instead directed a low ball across the front of the Italian box for Whelan to fire a superb effort into the top-left corner from 25 yards.

Italy’s first strike on goal came after 23 minutes following a period of possession caused by Ireland’s inability to keep the ball. Fabio Grosso’s effort from outside the box was straight at Shay Given, but when Mauro Camoranesi rose unchallenged from a corner three minutes later to direct a bullet header at goal, the Irish shot-stopper was unable to arrange his feet and hands in time to stop the ball crossing the line.

The Irish responded to the equaliser by finding their passing boots and making better use of Aiden McGeady, whose trickery was causing problems down Italy’s right side.

The Italians were also finding the flanks their best option as St Ledger and Richard Dunne marshalled Vincenzo Iaquinta well in the centre. Marcello Lippi’s 2006 world champions arrived needing only a draw to qualify for next summer’s finals and a play-off berth looked more than likely for the Irish.

Lippi brought on Gilardino in the second half to give Italy a conventional 4-4-2 formation for the closing stages of what had become an engrossing encounter.

His opposite number and countryman Giovanni Trapattoni responded soon after by introducing Hunt on the right for McGeady and an incisive run by the Hull winger attracted a foul from which Ireland scored what looked destined to be the decisive goal.

Hunt curled in the ensuing free-kick himself, with St Ledger flinging himself in to convert a brave header that sent the capacity crowd into raptures.

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France floor Faroes to book play-off place

Share France made sure of a place in the European play-offs for the 2010 World Cup by comfortably beating the Faroe Islands 5-0 here on Saturday evening.

The result guarantees Raymond Domenech’s side a berth alongside the seven other best runners-up from the Europe zone’s nine groups but their automatic qualification hopes were dashed when Serbia secured top spot in group seven by thrashing Romania, also by five goals to nil.

Andre-Pierre Gignac struck twice to reward France’s first-half dominance and they went 3-0 up in the 53nd minute when William Gallas atoned for an earlier miss by heading home Thierry Henry’s deflected cross at the back post.

Jakup Mikkelsen performed heroics in the visiting goal, saving well from Gignac, Nicolas Anelka, Henry and substitute Karim Benzema, before Anelka tapped home France’s fourth with four minutes to play after Mikkelsen could only take the sting out of Henry’s close-range effort. Benzema made it five with a fine low strike across the goalkeeper after a jinking run, but the result from Belgrade means that there is now nothing riding on France’s final game against Austria in Paris on Wednesday.

Les Bleus have struggled in front of goal recently and their pressing need for goals saw them line up in a bold 4-4-2 formation with Sidney Govou and Henry on the flanks and Anelka alongside Gignac up front. The match was preceded by a moment’s silence in memory of Toulouse fan Brice Taton, who was killed in an attack by rival fans prior to a game between his team and Partizan Belgrade in Serbia at the end of September.

The Faroe Islands stunned Lithuania by beating them 2-1 in their last outing but they remain one of Europe’s weakest sides and quickly found themselves on the back foot against the 2006 World Cup finalists.

France twice struck the woodwork, through Govou and Jeremy Toulalan, before Gignac broke the deadlock in the 34th minute when his shot from Anelka’s centre dribbled over the line via a deflection off Atli Gregersen, who had earlier escaped punishment after appearing to handle a shot from Gignac inside the box.

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Denmark beat Swedes to secure World Cup spot

Share Former European champions Denmark secured automatic qualification for the 2010 World Cup finals after beating group 1 opponents Sweden 1-0 here on Saturday.

Jakob Poulsen scored the game’s only goal in the 79th minute to keep the Danes top of the group. They now have an unassailable 21 points from nine of their ten games.

Sweden remain on 15 points with Portugal, who play Hungary later Saturday, third on 13 points.

Only group winners secure automatic qualification for the finals in South Africa next year, with the eight best group runners-up being forced into a two-leg play-off.

An emotional Poulsen, who plays for AGF Aarhus, said: “I’m happy and proud. It’s amazing, it’s the highlight of my footballing career so far.” Sat 10 Oct, 2009RSS Feed LAST 5 POSTS BY SOCCERNEWS

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Inter don´t have time to work on tactics – Vecchi Puel praises Southampton fight Buy your shoes today and check back for all new arrivals as they're added! Drogba on target as Ivorians qualify for World Cup

Share Ivory Coast on Saturday qualified for the World Cup finals following a 1-1 draw with Malawi in Blantyre, Chelsea’s Didier Drogba netting the crucial equalising goal for the visitors.

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Ivory Coast reach World Cup and Cameroon almost there

Share Ivory Coast qualified for the 2010 World Cup by drawing 1-1 in Malawi on Saturday and Cameroon moved closer to joining them with a 3-0 triumph over Togo.

Chelsea striker Didier Drogba scored just 120 seconds after coming on in the second half to give the Ivorian ‘Elephants’ an unassailable seven-point Group E advantage. The visitors had been rocked midway through the second half at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre when Jacob Ngwira scored his first World Cup goal to put the ‘Flames’ ahead.

Bosnia-born Ivory Coast coach Vahid Halilhodzic responded by sending on Drogba to score the goal that took the cocoa-producing west African country into a second consecutive World Cup tournament. Ivory Coast have 13 points, Burkina Faso six, Malawi four and Guinea three and attention now turns to who will finish second and third after the final fixtures next month and qualify for the 2010 African Nations Cup in Angola.

The ‘Elephants’ made an honourable first-round exit in Germany three years ago, losing narrowly to Argentina and the Netherlands before finishing with a win over Serbia-Montenegro. England coach Fabio Capello says Ivory Coast are capable of going far in South Africa next year while Chelsea boss Carlos Ancelloti claims he would coach them for free at the finals, much to the annoyance of Halilhodzic.

Apart from talismanic Drogba, Ivory Coast also started with Barcelona midfield enforcer Yaya Toure on the bench while an injury ruled out his older brother, Manchester City defender Kolo.

Resurgent Cameroon stayed top of Group A after outclassing shock 2006 qualifiers Togo in Yaounde while Gabon stayed one point adrift after beating Morocco 3-1 in Libreville. Midfielder Geremi Njitap scored at the second attempt off a penalty to give the ‘Indomitable Lions’ a half-time advantage against Togolese opponents led by reigning African Footballer of the Year Emmanuel Adebayor.

But the Manchester City striker was substituted 15 minutes into the second half after goals from Jean Makoun and Achille Emana had given Cameroon a 3-0 cushion.

Makoun netted off a pass from Inter Milan striker Samuel Eto’o, who dribbled past four defenders, and Emana beat overworked goalkeeper Kodjovi Obilale with a low drive. A Cameroon side transformed by the mid-year arrival of French coach Paul le Guen have 10 points, Gabon nine, Togo five and Morocco three and the Lions cannot be overtaken if they triumph on November 14 in Rabat.

Hicham Mahdoufi conceded an own goal on the stroke of half-time to give Gabon a lead they stretched during the second half through Eric Mouloungou and Daniel Cousin before Adel Taarabt snatched a late consolation goal. Egypt kept alive hopes of overtaking Group C pacesetters Algeria with a fortunate 1-0 victory in Zambia courtesy of a mid-second half strike from midfielder Hosny Abd Rabou.

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Coni prosecutor asks for Cannavaro let off

Share Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro looks set to be let off his failed dope test after the Italian Olympic Committee’s (Coni) anti-doping prosecutor asked for the case against the Juventus star to be dismissed.

Cannavaro failed a dope test on August 29 after he had been given a medication containing the banned substance cortisone by Juve doctors following a wasp sting that resulted in his arm swelling up.

But Coni’s anti-doping prosecutor Ettore Torri on Saturday asked the National Anti-doping Tribunal to shelve the case against the former world player of the year while reserving the right to investigate others within the club.

Following his injection, Juventus had requested that Cannavaro be given an exemption on the grounds of having taken a medication in the case of an emergency but his request was missing a document and while awaiting a decision he was subjected to the test he subsequently failed.

But Torri not only ruled out guilt on his part but also negligence in the failure to submit the right documentation on time. Cannavaro released a statement expressing his feeling of vindication.

“I’m happy that the prosecutor has asked for the dismissal of my case, taking into account my good faith and correct behaviour,” he said. “I never had any doubt that this would happen and I’m disappointed that such an event as this caused so much of an uproar.”

The Italian Football Federation (Figc) had claimed they were immediately made aware of the situation as Juventus had sent a copy of the exemption request to their doctor just before Cannavaro joined up with the national team ahead of matches against Georgia and Bulgaria on September 5 and 9.

When the news broke on Thursday about the failed test, Juventus insisted the player himself had done nothing wrong.

“In response to the news relating to an inquest opened by the anti-doping prosecutor into Fabio Cannavaro, Juventus’s medical team underlines that it acted within sanitary prescriptions and moral rules to intervene in a case of emergency following the worsening of the clinical situation as a consequence of an insect sting,” said a statement on Juventus’s website.

“In such an occasion a vital medical therapy was given to prevent potential complications, even fatal ones.”

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Portugal and Argentina struggle to qualify

In the next week there will be tragedy and ecstasy for some of the top footballing nations. Some big nations are are likely to miss out.The likes of France, Portugal and Argentina are walking the tightrope of not appearing at next years World Cup.

In European qualification usually the bigger teams qualify for the major tournaments but there always seems to one big a nation that misses out on the big showpieces. The most recent example of that being England missing Euro 2008 of course.

This time around the two best players in the world are on the verge of missing on. Two of the stars of La Liga are in very real danger of not taking part in the greatest show on earth as its been described.

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As an England fan I would shed no tears if Portugal failed to qualify for South Africa 2010. Manchester United star Wayne Rooney put it best by saying: “It would be nice to see Portugal not there because they have knocked us out of the last two tournaments.” Wayne explained exactly why I don’t want to see them at next years World Cup.

Love him or hate hes quality However their star player and current World Player of the Year Cristiano Ronaldo would be a miss if the Iberians fail to qualify. How can a major tournament not miss the World Player of the Year. I don’t have a great liking for Ronaldo as a person but as a footballer his talent is indisputable. For the last three or four years he has been consistently brilliant.

Ronaldo has had a blistering start to his career at Real Madrid and people have even said that Madrid are too over-reliant on the former Manchester United star. Unfortunately for the winker his teammates are not of the same quality and have struggled in group One.

The Scandinavians of Sweden and Denmark have overshadowed Ronaldo’s side and his side now need to win their last two games to have any chance of making the World Cup. Its unlikely that they will make the automatic berth as they are currently five points behind group leaders Denmark. However they do have the advantage of the two Scandinavians facing each other later on today in Copenhagen. v Maradona struggles as Argentina boss I have mixed feeling about whether I want Argentina to qualify.

On one hand their manager Diego Maradona may be a legend in his homeland, not to mention Scotland for his hand of God goal in 1986 but in England memories are long and unforgiving. As I was only three at the time and don’t remember that incident but for some reason I still dislike Maradona. I think its the fact that he thinks just because he was a great footballer he can just wander into the one of the hardest jobs in world football.

I would miss messi One the other hand I really want to see Barcelona’s Leo Messi on the world stage. As a self-confessed fan of Barcelona I have enjoyed watching the little magician produce virtuoso performances but for his country I feel he tries to do everything himself. He simply has to win this years World Player of the Year. He finished a close second to Ronaldo in last years awards and this should be his year.

Will they qualify? Although they look like they are currently struggling to qualify I believe both of the nations will be at next years World Cup. If Sweden get beaten by group leaders Denmark then Portugal will jump up to second place in Group One with a win against Hungary at home.

Denmark look likely to qualify as group winners and Portugal will be hoping to seal a play-off place ahead of the Swedish. Portugal’s last game is at home against group whipping boys Malta. While Sweden play Albania at home. Portugal’s fate is not in their own hands at the moment much depends on the Denmark vs Sweden clash today.

Argentina are currently fifth in the South American qualification. The top four qualify automatically and fifth place goes into the play-offs. The group is very tight with Argentina a point behind fourth place Ecuador but just two points ahead of Colombia who are third from bottom.

Maradona’s side face bottom of the group Peru later on today knowing they have to win. Their last game however is against bitter rivals Uruguay in Montevideo which could prove a fatal obstacle.

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Bahrain seek first blood against New Zealand

Bahrain will be counting on massive support from home fans and familiar conditions to draw first blood when they clash with New Zealand here on Saturday in the first leg of the final play-off for a place in the 2010 World Cup.

The second leg will be held in Wellington on November 14 and the winner of this Oceania-Asia showdown will get to play in the showpiece soccer event in South Africa next year. New Zealand’s last appearance in a World Cup finals was way back in 1982 while the Bahrainis are yet to make their debut.

Milan Macala’s team are certain to receive passionate support with the organisers having already made elaborate arrangements to see that the 25,000 capacity National Stadium is bursting at the seams on match day.

The visitors, however, received a timely boost even before making the short trip from Dubai, where they are presently training, to Manama on Friday evening with influential central defender and inspirational captain Ryan Nelsen declared fit for this crucial tie.

The Blackburn Rovers player had missed his club’s 6-2 thrashing at the hands of Arsenal in the English Premiership last week with a back injury and was doubtful for Saturday’s clash. But the team’s medical staff yesterday declared the 31-year-old fit to hand coach Ricki Herbert the luxury of choosing from a full squad.

Nelsen will be a key player for New Zealand along with Simon Elliot in midfield and Shane Smeltz and Chris Killen up front.

Coach Herbert will certainly be relying on the experience and enterprise of the seniors in the team to get the first-half of the job done before the second-leg back at home.

The combined Kiwi team have experience of professional football in England, Holland, Scotland, the United States and Australia and it’s in this area that the visitors may be holding a slight advantage. “The mood is positive and I can feel a buzz around the players,” New Zealand’s assistant coach Brian Turner said.

“This team has been four years in the making. They are now in their 20s, some of them late 20s, so there is a lot of experience, and in games like this can prove decisive.”

Bahrain too have no injury worries but the hosts will be without key defender Abdulla al-Marzooqi who is serving a four-match suspension. But Macala has not lost any sleep over it as he, for the first time in a long period, had a majority of his professional players playing in different leagues across the Gulf at his command a week in advance.

Captain and energetic midfielder Mohammed Salmeen, who missed the heart-stopping clash against Saudi Arabia which Bahrain drew 2-2 in Riyadh to win on away goals and qualify for this final play-off, is also back after serving a one-match suspension. “My players are more determined than ever to make the most of this opportunity,” said Macala.

“Both the players and fans were very upset when they lost to Trinidad and Tobago at the same stage four years ago,” said the 66-year-old Czech tactician.

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Maradona in spotlight in battle for World Cup

Argentina coach Diego Maradona will be in the spotlight as six South American countries battle for the final berths for the 2010 World Cup final starting on Saturday.

With Brazil and Paraguay already assured of their tickets to South Africa next year, Maradona’s Arge

ntina and five other teams will be vying for the two remaining automatic qualifying spots with the fifth-placed team going into a play-off. Argentina, who have been further weakened by squabbling between Maradona and general manager Carlos Bilardo, need to beat Peru on Saturday, in the penultimate qualifier.

A defeat in Buenos Aires against tailenders Peru, who are already out of the running, would not end Argentina’s World Cup dream. But it would make their task extremely difficult before their visit to dangerous rivals Uruguay on Wednesday, who could also still be looking to qualify if they draw against Ecuador at the weekend. Footballing legend Maradona acknowledged that after a disastrous qualifying campaign his job was on the line and he might quit after their must-win qualifiers.

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The 1986 world champion famously dubbed his first quarter-final goal in that year’s competition the work of the “hand of God”. Argentina are five points behind third-placed Chile (27) with Ecuador on 23. Sixth-placed Uruguay (21), Venezuela (21) and Colombia (20), are also in the running for qualification.

Bolivia (12) and Peru (10), are already ruled out, but will be eager to ensure that they avoid the humiliation of finishing last in the standings. One of the two automatic qualifying spots looks certain to go to Chile, who will qualify if they beat Colombia on Saturday.

For the other, Argentina are trailing Ecuador and are just one point ahead of Uruguay and Venezuela. Maradona’s side must also be wary of Colombia who are just two points behind them.

The slightest slip up will mean Argentina fail to qualify for the World Cup for the first time since 1970. Argentina don’t need to be reminded of that nightmare after what has been a trying time for the team this week after Manchester City’s Pablo Zabaleta picked up a hamstring injury on Monday.

The incident revealed a simmering row between the Argentina coach and Bilardo, who Maradona reportedly blames for not travelling to England to ensure that Zabaleta was freed earlier by his English team.

And the South American press has fired up the controversy even further by claiming that referees are being put under pressure to ensure that Argentina, World Cup champions in 1978 and 1986, qualify automatically.

“The only thing that worries me is the referee,” said Peru strike Johan Fano.

But Maradona’s main worry will be the configuration of his team. The former play-maker has called up 78 players since his appointment a year ago, but is still looking for the right mix, and has given the nod to debutants Liverpool defender Emiliano Insua and Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Higuain.

He has also recalled up Pablo Aimar to try and help Lionel Messi work some miracles for Argentine. Uruguay, who play Ecuador on Saturday, will have every incentive to win as they can still grab fourth spot in the group and an automatic finals berth.

“We’re all dreaming of going to the World Cup. We have to get through these two matches to make it happen,” said coach Oscar Tabarez. “It’s difficult but not impossible.”

Chile look assured of their spot in the World Cup for the first time since 1998 in France, and can qualify directly if they beat Colombia on Saturday and if Ecuador or Argentina lose.

Colombia need to win against both Chile and Paraguay to be in with a chance of making the fifth-place play-off against the fourth-placed Central American zone team.

Ecuador, meanwhile, are also dreaming of qualifying for their third consecutive World Cup finals. But they must beat Uruguay on Saturday, a result which would practically assure them the play-off spot and take a point from Chile in Santiago next week.

A new look for 2016, this is the Sydney Leroux Replica jersey will be wearing as they compete for the trophy this summer. Hope Solo, Bobby Wood, Christian Pulisic, Caleb Stanko and Rubio Rubin. whitney engen authentic jersey Venezuela have a difficult task to qualify for their first World Cup. They first need to beat Paraguay and four days later topple Brazil.