This weeks World Cup qualifiers provided interesting matches for the football fans but also provided some stunning results, results that would have generated a lot of money if someone would bet on them.
The most stunning result was the defeat of Otmar Hitzfeld ‘s Switzerland team 2-1 against Luxembourg. Having lost to Luxembourg team in front of their own fans, with a goal scored in the 86 minute, Switzerland have seriously damaged their image and provided one of the top surprises in the World Cup qualifiers.This historic win for Luxembourg was the first one in a World Cup fixture since 1972.
Another surprisingly team was Lithuania. After an astonishing win 3-0 again top favorite Romania on Saturday evening, the Lithuanians did it again and defeated Karel Bruckner’s Austria ,after a conclusive 2-0 win. If the first result against Romania can be considered an accident ,after last win we can raise some questions about how we look at these so called “small teams”.
Another “surprisingly” thing would be in Romania’s “win” against the Faroe Islands where after opening the score Romania found itself being dominated by an amateur team , and almost was equalized in the 90 min if it wasn’t for Romania’s goalkeeper great intervention.
Having these in mind, I’m asking a question.Are there anymore any small teams left? Or is it just a mith and the football has evolved such that any results like the ones above shouldn’t be considered a surprise?
Are there anymore small teams left?
Spain’s rise in world football continues
After wining European trophy this summer, Spain continues with the great form also with the new coach. After wining 4-0 against Armenia, now they have a record of 37 games unbeaten in World Cup qualifiers, beating the previous record held by Germany.
The last game they lost was in 1993 against Denmark.
In all the competitions, including friendlies, Spain has 25 unbeaten games and 618 minutes without a goal conceded.
All these performances rise up Spain into the first position of the Fifa World Ranking.
Another important fact is that the Euro 2008 top goalscorer , David Villa struck twice which put him on the seventh position of all time scorers for Spain with 21 goals. The record is owned by Raul with 44 goals.
The 26 years old player declared that he is happy that the team manage to win the first two matches and hopes that he continue improving himself, scoring a lot of goals and entering in Spain‘s history.
The match signed also the debut of Bojan Krkic who finaly ended the last months speculations.
Bojan who just turned 18 got the chance by replacing Cazorla in the 64th minute.
Bojan becomes one of the four youngest Spain internationals.
Bojan declared that he is very happy and relief with the debut. Also the coach was delighted with the debut, mentioning that all have to take care of him and Capel because they are very young.
England gain revenge on Croatia
England took revenge after Euro 2008 exit, producing the first ever home defeat in qualifications for Croatia.
England came after a 2-0 victory against Andorra and despite wining there were some critics.
Fabio Capello made some changes compared to the team that played against Andorra with Wes Brown, Rio Ferdinand, Emile Heskey and Joe Cole came to replace Glen Johnson, Steward Downing, Joleon Lescott and Jermain Defoe.
Fabio Capello prefered an attacking formation with Rooney and Heskey in front and Joe Cole and Walcott supporting them from the flanks.
The most notable move was Theo Walcott keeping instead of David Beckham.
The Arsenal teenager repaid the faith that Fabio Capello put in him with an outstanding performance. Walcott manage to score a magnificent hat-trick. Walcott opened the score in the 25th min, which was his first goal for England. Both teams had good chances to score but the half time score remained 0-1.
Just after the start in 53rd min, Robert Kovac was sent of after a bad chalange at Joe Cole. Joe Cole had to be substitute and Jermain Jenas came in to replace him. It took only 6 min for Walcott to score a similar goal. Wayne Rooney and again Theo Walcott scored for England while the substitute Mandzukic scored the consolation goal.
This was the first competitive hat-trick for an England player after Michael Owen scored three in 2001 against Germany.
This performance will probably reduce the chances for David Beckham to start any other game for England.
Beckham did came on in the latest minutes and earned his 105th cap for England, three less that the most capped outfild player Bobby Moore.
Walcott declared that he is very happy with the win and that he must thank to David for the good advices that he gave him. Also Fabio Capello was very pleased with Walcott performance hoping he will play the same every match.
Is Liverpool strong enough to win the title this year?
Liverpool won the league title last time in 1989-1990 season finishing most of the time behind Manchester, Chelsea and Arsenal.
In February 2007 the club was taken over by the American businessmen George Gillet and Tom Hicks.
Since then Liverpool invested over £ 100 m in new players and stadium. Players like Fernando Torres, Ryan Babel, Yossi Benayoun, Javier Mascherano, Albert Riera, Robbie Keane, Andrea Dossena arrived to replace Djibril Cisse, Craig Bellami, Steve Finnan, Scot Carson, Peter Crouch, John Arne Riise, Harry Kewell who all left the club. This huge changes into the team starting line-up and tactics had a negative effect on the team consistency in the last seasons. The main reasons are that the new players need time to settle with the new team mates and with the new tactics.
Bad starts cost Liverpool 12-15 point every year, ending the title hopes until half of the season.
Benitez also invested in young players having brought close to 25 youth team players since he manage Liverpool.
This transfer policy is questioned by many of the fans and someof football people who consider that spending bigger sums in two or three world class players would be more efficient.
Following such massive investments, manager Rafa Benitez will be under pressure to fight for the title. Now he will not have have any excuse that he couldn’t afford the top players that he wanted.
Liverpool are currently on second position with 7 points from 3 matches.