World Cup Corner

On November 12 two international matches are due to be played on the same evening in the same country. In Bern Switzerland is playing against Turkey in their World Cup qualifying first-leg play-off the same night as Argentina is playing a friendly match against England in Geneva.

Because of two matches will be played on the same evening there are some concerns about security in Switzerland.

Related articles:
Crespo back in Argentina squad
Argentina fix date for friendly with England

Can Australia avenge their heartbreaking loss to Uruguay four years ago and qualify for next year’s World Cup? They beat Uruguay 1-0 in the opening leg in Melbourne four years ago and then they lose the second leg 3-0 in South America.

The two teams were once again drawn together to decide one of the last available places at the World Cup 2006. The first leg of their playoff will be held at Montevideo on November 12 with the return match in Sydney four days later.

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Play-off matches to be played on November 12 and 16:

Spain - Slovakia
Switzerland - Turkey
Norway - Czech Republic

The other global play-offs see Australia take on two-time World Cup winners Uruguay while Bahrain play Trinidad & Tobago.

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Qualification for the 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany is almost over.

There are just five more places for the finals in Germany which will start on June 9. Play-offs will be played on 12 and 16 November.

EUROPE
Read our previous post.

SOUTH AMERICA
Uruguay go into a two-legged play-off with Australia.

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Six European teams were confirmed to take part in the European qualifying play-offs for the 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany.

The Czech Republic, Slovakia, Spain, Switzerland and Turkey joined Norway – who had already secured second place. The European zone play-off draw will take place on October 14, with the two-legged ties played on 12 and 16 November.

Three seeded teams in the draw - Czech Republic, Spain and Turkey - will be paired with one of the unseeded trio of Norway, Switzerland and Slovakia. The seedings are based on the teams positions on the September’s FIFA world rankings.

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Last day matches in 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany qualifications:

Andorra - Armenia 0:3
Albania - Turkey 0:1
Guatemala - Costa Rica 3:1
Finland - Czech Republic 0:3
Greece - Georgia 1:0
Malta - Bulgaria 1:1
Hungary - Croatia 0:0
Netherlands - Macedonia FYR 0:0
Sweden - Iceland 3:1
Portugal - Latvia 3:0
England - Poland 2:1
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Friendly matches played today, October 12:

Korea Republic - Iran 2:0
Ukraine - Japan 1:0
Germany - China 1:0

Today is the final night of qualifying action for 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany. Three countries will be added to the 24 already qualified to the World Cup finals. Today we will also get all teams who will contest play-offs for the last five spots in the finals.

Which countries could still make to Germany? Read our previous post.

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There just a few games more to play in the battle for World Cup finals. Which countries could still make to Germany?

Africa
Qualifying is finished in Africa. The following nations making it to Germany:
Togo, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Angola, Tunisia

Asia
Qualified: Mexico, United States, Costa Rica
Still a chance: Uzbekistan, Bahrain
The first leg finished in a 1-1 draw, much to Uzbekistan’s chagrin. The second leg is on Wednesday evening.

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On October 8, 2005, 14 more teams from the whole world joined ten already qualified for the 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany.

African Zone:
Angola, Cote d’Ivoire, Togo, Ghana, Tunisia

European Zone:
Netherlands, Poland, England, Croatia, Italy, Portugal

North, Central American and Caribbean Zone:
Costa Rica

South American Zone:
Ecuador, Paraguay

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