South America World Cup Qualifiers June 2009

Brazil and Chile Close in on Qualification for South Africa 2010

Jun 11, 2009

The World Cup finals in South Africa are exactly one year away and on recent performances it is Brazil and Chile who look to be the main contenders from Conmebol.

With only four games remaining Brazil, Chile and Ecuador notched up some fine performances in rounds 13 and 14 while Colombia struggled for a valuable three points and Paraguay continued in their inexplicable slump. Venezuela and Uruguay scrapped for points and Peru and Bolivia fell further behind and out of the running. Maradona’s Argentina should be mounting a challenge on the top 3 but perhaps the boss’ management skills can now be questioned?

Paraguay Winless in Four

Third placed Paraguay who were leading the qualification process for so long and were looking, to be frank, unstoppable have now gone winless in four games. First they lost to the impressive Chile 4-0 in Asuncion and, despite giving Brazil an early scare in Recife, succumbed to a 2-1 away loss.

Ecuador, a Team to Watch

Elsewhere, Ecuador look to be another team on the up and to look out for taking a maximum points haul from two games by beating and overwhelming Argentina in the altitude of Quito to win 2-0. It could have been all so different had Carlos Tevez not missed a penalty. The Tri also defeated a complicated Peru in Lima 2-1.

Peru, Winless Again

Peru’s results leave them without a competitive win since September 2008 and trailing pathetically in 10th place with a paltry 7 points. Their dreams of a tournament are over and they can only act as spoilers in the final four games.

Colombia Down But Not Out …yet

Despite a good performance in Buenos Aires not going their way (losing 1-0 to a Daniel Diaz goal) the cafeteros managed a 1-0 win over Peru in Medellin. River Plate’s Radamel Falcao Garcia netted his first competitive goal for the team but is hardly the natural born striker that Colombia is crying out for. With only 7 goals in 14 games Colombia’s problems are all too evident.

Results from Rounds 13 and 14

Conmebol World Cup Qualification Standings June 2009

The competition looks set to really heat up for the 4th and 5th spots since it is highly unlikely that anyone can challenge the top three of Brazil, Chile and Paraguay. Argentina will be looking nervously over their shoulder at Ecuador. Uruguay, Venezuela and Colombia will be taking a long hard look at their squads to decide how best to play out the remaining games and try and upset the status quo.

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