FIFA World Cup 2010

USA book spot in final round of qualifiers, beat Cuba 6-1

The USA maintained their unbeaten record in qualification for the 2010 World Cup when they thrashed Cuba 6-1 at the RFK Stadium in Washington. The victory, the fourth for the USA in as many games in the third qualification round, sees them sit atop Group 1 with 12 points. With Guatemala and Trinidad seven points behind, the USA are guaranteed of going into the next round as one of the two top teams from the group.

Rangers winger DaMarcus Beasley opened the scoring in the 10th minute, and doubled USA’s lead in the 30th minute. Jenzy Munoz then scored for the visitors two minutes later ( the first goal to have been conceded by the USA in qualification), but any hopes that the Cubans harboured of getting something out of the match were crushed when Yoel Colume was sent off for a second bookable offence before half time.

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Slovenia 2-0 Northern Ireland- WC 2010 Qualifier

Slovenia scored two goals in one minute to run out 2-0 winners at home against Nigel Worthington’s Northern Ireland. Milivoje Novakovic gave Slovenia the lead in the 84th minute, and Zlatan Ljubijankic doubled it seconds later to end NI’s hopes of coming out of Maribor with something.

As many as nine players were booked in the game, and NI defender Jonny Evans will miss their next qualifier against San Marino.

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Romania vs France preview- WC 2010 qualifier

In a repeat of their clash at Euro 2008, France meet Romania in a WC 2010 qualifier on Saturday night in Constanta. Anything less than three points could see the axe fall on French coach Raymond Domenech, whose future will be decided by the French Football Federation bosses four days after the game.

Both Romania and France suffered shock defeats in their opening qualifiers. France were embarrassed by Austria, while Lithuania stunned Romania. Les Bleus recovered to beat Serbia, while Romania just about managed to scrape past lowly Faroe Islands 1-0.

Both the teams will welcome back key players from injury. Romania have skipper Cristian Chivu and Fiorentina’s Adrian Mutu back, while Domenech can once again call upon the experience of Patrick Vieira. The former Arsenal midfielder is expected to take back the captain’s armband from Thierry Henry, and his presence is important for Domenech, especially as the inform Lassana Diarra is injured. Vieira last played for France in February against Spain, and did not take part in Euro 2008, where France were unable to make it past the group stage.

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