World Cup Hopes Hang on Play-offs
October 15, 2005
The consequences for Spanish coach Luis Aragones could be his instant release if Spain fail to win a two-leg playoff against lesser-known Slovakia in November.
The Spaniards, who boast one of the world's strongest domestic leagues, have been known more for their underperformance during big tournaments, the lone title coming at the European Championships in 1964. They have however not failed to qualify for a World Cup since 1974, so the pressure to assure their place in Germany next summer is great.
"Slovakia are definitely not the team I was hoping for," Aragones told Reuters after Spain drew Slovakia on Friday.
Aragones spoke of a team that might not be technically as skilled as his own but his players must face a physically tough squad, paying respect to the Slovaks. A loss to Slovakia cannot be ruled out.
"Of course we have always had good players technically but in recent years we have not been able to convert that talent into international success," Aragones admitted.
The Slovakian soccer association, while not overjoyed to be facing probably the strongest of the possible opponents, was happy to avoid a draw against the Czech Republic, their neighbor and former national partner as Czechoslovakia until 1993.
"We were quite keen to avoid a big derby against the Czech Republic," said association general secretary Dusan Tittel to Reuters. The derby will not happen, but it's hard to say whether Spain is a preferable opponent. In 1998 World Cup qualifiers, the Spaniards took both matches from Slovakia.
Czechs face Norway; Turkey and Swiss to meet
The other two matchups will pit teams that last clashed in the 1996 European Cup qualification rounds. The Czech Republic host Norway on November 12 before going to the icy cold of Oslo four days later.
Norway coach Age Hareide was happy to avoid Spain and thinks the chances against the Czechs, the 1996 Euro runners-up, are good.
"The Czech Republic is an opponent that I think will suit us," he said.
Turkey will face Switzerland. In the Euro 96 qualifiers, both sides won on the opponent's grounds 2-1.
Uruguay, Australia in rematch
Soccer fans in Colombia and Chile must be frustrated with one of the world's greatest soccer nations. For the second time in two World Cup qualifying rounds, the two-time world champions from Argentina failed to beat Uruguay, and hence allowed their River Plate neighbors to advance to the playoff round to face Australia.
"Uruguay must be at the World Cup and our dream of getting there is still alive," lone goalscorer Recoba said after the 1-0 victory over Argentina at Montevideo's Centenario Stadium.
And taking a stab at the Argentineans, Uruguayan defender Diego Lugano said the playoff against Australia will be "more difficult than Argentina."
Uruguay finished one point ahead of Colombia to finish fifth in the ten-team South America group. Four years ago, they also ended fifth after a 1-1 draw against Argentina in the last group stage match that many critics called highly uncompetitive. Uruguay went on to beat the Socceroos from Australia 3-1 on aggregate to play at the 2002 World Cup.
In the fifth and final matchup to determine who will compete for the World Cup in 2006, the fourth-place CONCACAF squad, surprising Trinidad and Tobago, will play fifth-place Asian side Bahrain.