FIFA World Cup Qualifying Draw

Since I am American and have little to look forward to in terms of international competition over the next few years, here is a recap of the recent qualifying draw for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil:

Brazilian legend Ronaldo displaying an unfavorable fortune cookie message

African Zone Draw 

Group A: South Africa, Botswana, Central African Republic, Somalia or Ethiopia 

Group B: Tunisia, Cape Verde Islands, Sierra Leone, Equatorial Guinea or Madagascar
Group C: Côte d'Ivoire, Morocco, Gambia, Chad or Tanzania
Group D: Ghana, Zambia, Sudan, Lesotho or Burundi
Group E: Burkina Faso, Gabon, Niger, Sao Tome e Principe or Congo
Group F: Nigeria, Malawi, Seychelles or Kenya, Djibouti or Namibia
Group G: Egypt, Guinea, Zimbabwe, Comoros or Mozambique
Group H: Algeria, Mali, Benin, Eritrea or Rwanda
Group I: Cameroon, Libya, Guinea-Bissau or Togo, Swaziland or Congo DR
Group J: Senegal, Uganda, Angola, Mauritius or Liberia

Asian Zone Draw 

Group A: China, Jordan, Iraq, Singapore
Group B: Korea Republic, Kuwait, UAE, Lebanon
Group C: Japan, Uzbekistan, Syria, Korea DPR
Group D: Australia, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Thailand
Group E: Iran, Qatar, Bahrain, Indonesia

North, Central America and the Caribbean Zone Draw (Round Two) 

Group A: El Salvador, Surinam, Cayman Islands, Dominican Republic
Group B: Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, Barbados, Bermuda
Group C: Panama, Dominica, Nicaragua, Bahamas
Group D: Canada, St. Kitts and Nevis, Puerto Rico, St Lucia
Group E: Grenada, Guatemala, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Belize
Group F: Haiti, Antigua and Barbuda, Curacao, US Virgin Islands

North, Central America and the Caribbean Zone Draw (Round Three) 

Group A: USA, Jamaica, Winner of R2 Grp E, Winner of R2 Grp F
Group B: Mexico, Costa Rica, Winner of R2 Grp A, Winner of R2 Grp B
Group C: Honduras, Cuba, Winner of R2 Grp D, Winner of R2 Grp C

Oceanian Zone Draw

Group A: Vanuatu, New Caledonia, American Samoa/Cook Islands/Samoa or Tonga, Tahiti
Group B: Fiji, New Zealand, Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea

European Zone Draw 

Group A: Croatia, Serbia, Belgium, Scotland, Macedonia, Wales
Group B: Italy, Denmark, Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Armenia, Malta.
Group C: Germany, Sweden, Republic of Ireland, Austria, Faroe Islands, Kazakhstan.
Group D: Netherlands, Turkey, Hungary, Romania, Estonia, Andorra.
Group E: Norway, Slovenia, Switzerland, Albania, Cyprus, Iceland.
Group F: Portugal, Russia, Israel, Northern Ireland, Azerbaijan, Luxembourg
Group G: Greece, Slovakia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Lithuania, Latvia, Lichtenstein
Group H: England, Montenegro, Ukraine, Poland, Moldova, San Marino
Group I: Spain, France, Belarus, Georgia, Finland

Intercontinental play-offs
Asia – South America
North, Central America and the Caribbean - Oceania

Source: FIFA

More in depth reviews to come, with the possibility of some outside commentary. Stay tuned, amici.

Oh My Word: Neymar & Ronaldinho - Santos vs. Flamengo

In case you missed one of the nicest goals in a while, feast your eyes on this:

An incredible effort by the Brazilian prodigy, Neymar. As Dirty Tackle predicts, this could up the asking price of the talented youngster. But hey, what are a couple-a-million more smackaroos?

Oh and by the way, this game was an absolute cracker - a battle of Neymar's Santos and Ronaldinho's Flamengo; the latter's hat-trick won the match in a 5-4 thriller:



Truly one of the best matches of the year.

USWNT: What is it with Americans and late drama?

A year after Landon Donovan buried the injury-time winner against Algeria that sent the USMNT through to the knockout stages of the 2010 World Cup, the USWNT similarly progressed yesterday with an even bigger heart-stopping last gasp goal in their Women's World Cup quarterfinal match with Brazil.

Hope Solo's vital save in PKs 

Abby Wambach sealed the United States' comeback while playing with 10-women, nodding home a pin-point Megan Rapinoe cross in the 122nd minute of extra-time to force penalties. Hope Solo, the towering 'keeper who wrongfully had a penalty save overturned in the second half, played the hero in the shootout, producing a critical save with a strong right hand (pictured above).

This match had it all - stunning strikes, finger-tip saves, referee controversy, and heroics. Highlights here:



The climax of this match rivaled that of Landon's legendary moment, for sure. As for Brazil, they got what they deserved. They played lackluster all game, pretty much had the referee's calls going their way, and shot themselves in the a$$ while faking injury in ET. This ultimately added the injury-time at the end of the second half in which Wambach struck. Had they not embellished, they would have likely won the match. Note to young players: Don't act like babies and fake injured.

Tune in for more Sensible Soccer this week and keep your eye on the ladies of America, who are reppin' the stars and stripes versus the French on Wednesday.

P.S. - how awesome were the black kits? I'm sick of this USMNT's "Red all over" sh*t.

Fantastic Strikes!

It seems this weekend was ripe with blockbuster goals! I thought it would be prudent to share with you a few which I found particularly fantastic:

Zlatan Ibrahimovic - AC Milan vs. Lecce

Another unbelievable strike by Ibra. Make no mistake, this man was not hitting and hoping. The talented Swede took a quick glance over his shoulder while taking the ball down in stride (amazing) to see Lecce's goalkeeper Antonio Rosati off his line. The result - a ridiculously casual finish. Incredible!

Alberto Aquilani - Juventus vs. Bari

The former Roma dangerman and Liverpool loanee can still hammer them in dramtically! Aquilani saved the Bianconeri further Serie A embarrassment by hitting a 'Gerrardesque' goal late on to give the Old Lady (what a horrible nickname) the win. Bravo Alberto!

Cani - Villarreal vs. Osasuna

Cani's wonderful midfield strike is surely a candidate for European goal of the season. Goals from the halfway line are always special, but Cani's effort that sealed a 2-1 victory for the Yellow Submarine (what an awesome nickname) was truly spectacular. This was hardly a floater - it was drilled in from deep! Cani's supreme awareness spotted the keeper out and his ability made a hero of him.

Carlos Tevez - Manchester City vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers

Carlos Tevez's wonderful solo effort versus four Wolves defenders and the keeper (55 seconds into the video) shows his wonderful control with the ball at his feet. A nice brace for the Argentinian in his first game with new strike-partner Edin Dzeko.

Andres Iniesta - Barcelona vs. Malaga

Last week's Ballon d'Or failure didn't stop Andres Iniesta from scoring a splendid goal! This man certainly has a flair for delicately placed shots, and this goal is evidence of it. Iniesta's supreme one-time control of Dani Alves' pass from outside the 18 was brilliant, as the Spaniard kissed the post with his well-placed shot. Very nice.

Roberto Carlos - Corinthians vs. Portuguesa

And last but certainly not least, a throwback from the past: a breathtaking Roberto Carlos set-piece! Watch as the wiley old Brazilian tricks the goalkeeper on a corner kick with yet another special 'other-ways bend' goal. Carlos still has the beautiful swerve that made him a star for club and country.

Any goals of note that I missed from this weekend? As always, let me know your favorite out of the bunch.