South American World Cup Qualifying Heats Up

With Paraguay as Clear Favourites the Group is Still Open

Mar 26, 2009

The outcome of the next games will determine which nations go to South Africa 2010 with Paraguay, Brazil and Argentina leading and then an open race for 4th and 5th.

March and April are traditionally the make or break months in South American qualifying games allowing the traditional powerhouses of Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay to pull further away from the pack and place one foot in South Africa.

Most commentators will have already concluded that Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina have made it through to the World Cup so all eyes are now on the “spoilers” (those teams who can give anyone a bad day and upset their plans) and a furious battle is being played out for the 4th automatic qualification spot as well as the 5th spot which requires a two legged playoff with a team from the Central, North and Caribbean Football Group (Concacaf).

There are some interesting matches coming up which will undoubtedly see some high scoring games, bore draws and more often than not some games that bear all the hallmarks of something more of a geopolitical brawl rather than a football match!

Roque Santa Cruz has been declared unfit and reacting slowly to treatment by his coach Sam Allerdyce at Blackburn, but, will this prevent the Paraguayan talisman from travelling or even playing. While playing in Montevideo’s Centenario stadium is a daunting task we can expect the ever effective Paraguay to come away from here with a draw and remain in the first spot.

Perhaps the most straightforward game for new boss Maradona. Nothing but a win for the boys in blue and white can be expected here.

The Bolivians will have no fear of the high altitude of Bogota while the cafeteros will be hoping to gain three invaluable points to pull themselves within reach of the coveted higher reaches of the table. Colombia is Jekyll and Hyde prospect and it is simply a question of which teams shows up to play.

Kaka and Adriano are doubtful for Brazil in this must win game for Ecuador if they are going to put some daylight between themselves and the Colombians while maintaining the heat on Uruguay.

Facing Peru in Lima is never an easy task and not in the least when your two nations are once again at one another’s throats for reasons that have no place in football. Expect a packed stadium, rabid fans and poor discipline. Old guard Nolberto Solano will be playing his socks off trying to get his nation to the World Cup.

Another must win game for Colombia if they harbour any real desires for South Africa. Venezuela poses a lot of problems at home and are not the whipping boys of yesteryear.

The Argentines truly dislike visiting La Paz but their team is evolving and with some effort they could play for a draw or even squeak a win against the unfancied Bolivians.

A win in this match could see Paraguay really pull away from the pack and come within a sniff of qualifying, don’t write off the Ecuadorians just yet though.

With Suazo on form in Mexico the Chilean team will force a win and despite a Uruguayan team deadly on the counter attack the home side should prevail.

While Dunga is probably going to be shown the door as Brazil coach before long and the home side have not been confident in home games, one can only feel that the Peruvians will be overwhelmed by the setting and their opponents and will leave a lot to be desired.

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