#wcqualifiers

And Panama make it to Russia!

Just got back home. I’ve been travelling the globe watching the 82 World Cup Qualifiers that have just taken place. The simultaneous kickoffs were tricky, but I managed to see them all, with the help of a very special man.

Thanks Big Man

During the six days of Qualifiers, 25 teams were eliminated, leaving just 43 competing in the World Cup overall. Another 15 teams qualified for the Finals in Russia next year, taking the total to 23. Twenty teams still have Qualification undecided, therefore - they will have their fate decided in November.

A lot happened, and like any good thriller, the suspense was maintained to the final minute of the last of the 82 games. And the award for Best Performance by a World Cup Group goes to....

CONCACAF! The solitary group contesting Qualification in North and Central America and the Caribbean produced a rollercoaster and an extraordinary climax. This was the position on 4 October, before the final two games were played.

Panama, Honduras and the USA were engaged in a three-way fight to claim the third automatic qualifying spot, or entry to the inter-confederation playoff, and avoid elimination altogether by finishing 5th. Firstly, and I thought crucially, the USA played Panama in Florida, the winners I felt, being assured of third place: what with the USA ending with an easy trip to Trinidad and Tobago, and Honduras meeting the top two in their last games.

The USA trounced Panama 4-0. Christian Pulisic, the boy wonder, looked a great player. Panama looked nervous. Once again, the USA’s traditional dominance of CONCACAF had re-asserted itself. Honduras meanwhile, nearly produced an epic victory in Costa Rica, but drew after Kendall Waston’s excellent headed equaliser in the fifth minute of injury time, after great stuff by Bryan Ruiz - the point confirmed Costa Rica’s qualification. So the USMNT headed for Trinidad, knowing a draw would almost guarantee them third place and automatic qualification.

And anyway, Panama and Honduras had to beat Costa Rica and Mexico as well, the biggest boys in the playground....

Christian Pulisic - one goal and one assist against Panama (this goal was against Honduras)

Us Panama fans (I’ve taken a shine to them) focussed on the battle for 4th with Honduras.

The final games kick off. At half-time Panama and Honduras, are both losing, not surprising. But strange news from Trinidad. T&T lead 1-0, then 2-0, through two extraordinary goals, first Omar Gonzalez’s own goal, the sort of deft lob over the keeper which no attacking player could ever achieve deliberately, then Alvin Jones’ 35 yard shot, teed up like a golfer on the fairway. USA two down at half-time. But I for one wasn’t fooled. No way would the States not come back, too powerful, too experienced, too motivated. Pulisic scored after 47 minutes. 2-1. I imagined an encampment of Americans in and around the T&T box, and waited for the equaliser. But the second half went on, it stayed 2-1.

Meanwhile Panama and Honduras got back into their matches. Panama equalised - the ball not crossing the goal-line. How did that get given? But Perez was clearly fouled as he ran in to score - definite penalty. Honduras scored twice to lead Mexico 3-2, the first of these another brilliant own goal, the ball hitting the bar, hitting the keeper on the back of the head and going in. As it stood, Honduras were third with 13 points, the USA fourth with 12 and Panama fifth with 11. And it stood like that and stood like that. But surely the USA would score.

What’s this bloke’s name again? Trump following the action in Trinidad with growing concern

Starting as a small revelation, and becoming larger as the end of the games neared, we all realised: if Panama beat Costa Rica, they would jump from 5th to 3rd, qualifying automatically, and eliminating the USA. It didn’t really seem possible for all this to happen until about 5 minutes from the end. Panama scored with two minutes left, taking the lead, mighty Roman Torres thundering home! After the longest 5 minutes or so in football history, the scores were confirmed as final.

Panama qualify, Honduras into a playoff, USA out. Amazing. How did USMNT lose in Trinidad? They didn’t look like scoring, apparently. Panama and Honduras’ wins featured extraordinary goals, they appeared to have some luck. Speaking from the European side of the Atlantic, how delighted are Mexico and the other Central American nations with the USA’s elimination? I don’t know. The USA are eliminated by teams they beat 4-0 and 6-0 in qualification. This sequence of results was stupendous.

Nigeria vs Zambia Match: Akwa Ibom State Governor Udom Emmanuel visits Super Eagles Camp (Photos)

NIGERIA VS ZAMBIA

Ahead of the World Cup Qualifier, CAF Zone, Group B Match of the Nigerian Super Eagles against the Chipolopolo of Zambia taking place on Saturday, 7th October 2017 at Godswill Akpabio International Stadium (The Nest Of Champions), Akwa Ibom State Governor Mr. Udom Emmanuel visited the Super Eagles Camp to pep up the team to victory.

Photos below

Nigeria vs Zambia Match: Akwa Ibom State Governor Udom Emmanuel visits Super Eagles Camp (Photos)

NIGERIA VS ZAMBIA

Ahead of the World Cup Qualifier, CAF Zone, Group B Match of the Nigerian Super Eagles against the Chipolopolo of Zambia taking place on Saturday, 7th October 2017 at Godswill Akpabio International Stadium (The Nest Of Champions), Akwa Ibom State Governor Mr. Udom Emmanuel visited the Super Eagles Camp to pep up the team to victory.

Photos below

Okay this last game was fucking bullshit thanks to the backline.

- Winning the Gold Cup was a beacon of hope but when Ream had already made one mistake and then followed up with another that gave CRC the first goal, it was Bruce's call to sub him out. How tf was he gonna just keep Gonzalez and Besler warming the bench??

- Don't get me started on Cameron's inaccuracy

- Pulisic had a bad night, which is why it's important to remember he's still developing and we can't just rely on him because 10 other players can't perform.

- Howard missing those two shots was really bad, but defense shouldn't have let it happen in the first place.

- Dempsey should've gotten a red, and it was LUCK that he only got the yellow. But to fight in the last few minutes was ridiculous, especially knowing that Tuesday is crucial for us.

- Subs for Villafaña, Pulisic, and Zusi when Cameron and Ream were practically as far away from each other as possible?? Really???