The qualifying rounds are going on right now for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, which is being held this year in South Africa, 10 years after they held a World Cup (albeit in a different sport). For the low and uninitiated, FIFA is soccer. Granted, pundits and hooligans are saying that “the only World Cup worth watching is in 2011 in New Zealand” but then again, no one wants to hear from that malicious cadre of malcontents. No need to waste any payday loans on more TV channels just to get the latest scores, I’ll help you out on this one. Today, November 18th, is the last day of qualification – so whoever wins today goes.
South Africa automatically qualifies
For the African nations, South Africa is automatically qualified as the host nation – which won’t exactly guarantee them much. They’re currently ranked 84th in the world. Association football is the most popular sport in the nation, though in international competition, the most dominant South African presence is in cricket, and most notably in rugby union. The Springboks are perennially one of the world’s best sides, and won World Cups in 1995 and 2007, being the only nation besides Australia to have won it twice. (Though they recently were beaten by two English club sides, so they aren’t doing themselves any favors.)
Egypt vs. Algeria
The last available spot for Africa was up for grabs, and it came down to Egypt and Algeria playing to break a tie, as they were even up. On November 11th, the venue was chosen via draw, and the two faced off at Al Merreikh Stadium in Omdurman, Sudan in front of 50,000 fans. Algeria’s Antar Yahia scored five minutes before half time, and neither side was able score again, leaving Algeria the victors, 1-0.
Republic of Ireland vs. France
Ireland vs. France shaped up to be a doozy, and seeing the Emerald Isle take on the frogs at Croke Park would be something else. However, the Luck of the Irish ran out, and the French team ran away with the series, having aggregated 2 goals to the Irish 1, putting paid Irish hopes of World Cup glory. On the same day, Portugal defeated Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Slovenia defeated Russia by virtue of the away goals rule. (Meaning that the team that was away has goals count twice on aggregate if the match results in a shootout.) European teams usually get far more coverage in the news at times, but then again…they kind of came up with the sport there. In other news, Bahrain, after defeating Saudi Arabia, had to face off against New Zealand in a play off, and were defeated by the Land of the Long White Cloud, and Costa Rica is currently battling Uruguay, for the 32nd spot on the roster. (Here is a list of those qualified to go to the 2010 World Cup.)
This ought to be good
The wait is going to stink, but that being said, the 2010 FIFA World Cup is going to kick off in June of 2010. It would be worth some payday loans to go there to watch.
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