Paraguay Lead While Brazil and Argentina Falter
The Tricky Road to the Football World Cup in South Africa Continues
Sep 26, 2008
As it stands after 8 games in this hotly contested South American qualifying league, Paraguay, Brazil, Argentina and Chile are set to make it through to the World Cup Finals in South Africa 2010 leaving Uruguay in fifth place to fight it out with a team from Central America.
Paraguay, Brazil, Argentina and Chile
With Paraguay pulling away from the leading pack yet further with a very credible draw away in Buenos Aires and a business as usual win versus Venezuela in Asuncion this landlocked nation are value for money in 1st place with 17 points. Their next matches, away versus Colombia and home versus Peru should not present the relisilient guaranis with too much trouble.
Second placed Brazil are having a torrid time of it right now despite a fine showing in Chile winning 3-0 but then being booed from the pitch in Rio de Janeiro after drawing 0-0 with Bolivia. Dunga's credentials have long been questioned by the demanding Brazilian public and this looks to add further fuel to this debate. A home game against an unsteady Colombia and an away fixture in Venezuela should bring in maximum points, but will this sound a reprieve for Dunga?
Third placed Argentina look out of sorts. Having dropped invaluable home points in drawing with Paraguay they then met a sturdy and defiant Peru in Lima. Two games and two draws with only one goal scored for the albiceleste. October fixtures against neighbours Uruguay (home) and Chile (away) will be key to their qualifying hopes.
Chile, with their precociously talented youngsters, have pulled themselves out of the mire and into the fourth automatic qualifying spot and brought themselves level on points with 13 with Brazil and Argentina. despite a mauling at home by Brazil in Santiago they comprehensively outplayed and outclassed Colombia and won 4-0. Tricky games with Ecuador (away) and Argentina (home) are on the horizon.
Uruguay, Colombia and Ecuador
Only a point behind the three second placed teams on 12, Uruguay have made some significant progress of late and look to be suring up their defence somewhat. They presented Colombia with their first defeat of the campaign (1-0) and then drew with Ecuador at home. Their next game, Argentina in Buenos Aires is a different story as is Bolivia in La Paz. The Charrua could leave this next round without scoring any points.
Colombia suffered their first lost in this qualifying league, falling to Uruguay and then rapidly succumbed to their second defeat, a humbling by Chile (4-0). Their coach has since been dismissed and there is talk over major unrest in the camp. The Cafeteros still feel that they are in with an outside chance of qualifying and face the all dominant Paraguay in Bogota before heading to Rio de Janeiro to meet Brazil.
It is too early to call time on Ecuador's chances of qualifying 2010 as this is an experienced and talented team with two consecutive World Cup appearances under its belt. A win against Bolivia and then their first point away in Uruguay since 1993 are cause for cheer. They face Chile at home and then Venezuela away and we could see them bagging all six points.
Venezuela, Peru and Bolivia
Usual whipping boys Venezuela have started to move in the right direction but losses to Peru and Paraguay have not helped morale. For Venezuela the next games against Brazil and Ecuador will be tough and despite a successful Copa America they may now be a spent force.
Much has been said about the Peruvian side and there is no doubt a vast pool of talent here but they have really failed to take any points from their away fixtures. A victory over Venezuela guaranteed them 3 points and then a draw away in Argentina was caise for celebration but can they do it in the altitude of La Paz against Bolivia and then in the atmosphere of Paraguay?
Bolivia have to be pragmatic about their chances of qualifying for 2010 and are now paying as spoilers. their best result to date in this qualiying round has arguably been securing a 0-0 draw away against Brazil. They may present difficulties for Peru in la Paz and then again for Uruguay but unless they too start to gain a few more points on their travels South Africa will remain a dream.
