World Cup Qualifying Playoffs are in Full Swing

The first legs of the four UEFA World Cup Qualifying Playoffs fixtures were played last Saturday. These fixtures were played by the eight best second place finishers from the nine UEFA Qualifying groups. The eight teams would compete in home and away series with the winner of the two game series qualifying for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Controversy about the playoffs was created when UEFA announced that the draw for the playoffs would be seeded. Guaranteeing that the four teams with a higher FIFA ranking would play the four teams with a lower FIFA ranking. This announcement created controversy, but none the less was carried out. No matter how their opponents were decided, the eight teams still alive in European Qualification and now had to focus on the task at hand; Qualifying for the World Cup. Here is a review of how the four first leg matches of the qualifying fixtures were carried out on Saturday, and a review of every countries situation heading into Wednesday's matches, and their hopes of reaching South Africa in 2010-- Also note, since this is the AMERICAN Soccer Report, I will also do an overview of the playoff between the two playoff representatives of the two American Continents from CONCACAF (North and Central America, and the Caribbean). And CONMEBOL (South America).

Russia 2-1 Slovenia

The Russians did the job at home getting a 2-1 win over upstart Slovenia. Diniyar Bilyaletdinov scored in the 40th and 55th minute to give the home side a 2-0 lead. Slovenia's Nejc Pecnik scored in the 88th minute for Slovenia to cut the Russian lead to 2-1, and giving Slovenia an away goal. Trailing only by a goal, and having an away goal is enough to give Slovenia some hope heading into their home fixture. Wednesday's match up in Slovenia will be interesting as we will see if Russia will shell-up in order to secure their third World Cup Birth as the Republic of Russia, or will the underdog Slovenia pull off the home win and receive the nation's second ever birth to the World Cup.

Greece 0-0 Ukraine

The battle between Eastern Europe's two rising Football sides ended up in a scoreless draw through the first leg. Both sides should feel disappointed in this one. The Greeks blew an opportunity to take advantage of playing at home, and building up a lead to head into Ukraine. As for the Ukrainians, they did come out of Greece with a draw -which is great-but a lack of an away goal means that if Greece scores in Ukraine, it would be detrimental for the Ukrainians. Much of Wednesday's match will be determined by who strikes first, and who can take advantage of the other sides mistakes. Ukraine wants to make it two appearances in a row after getting the nation's first World Cup birth in 2006. Whereas Greece is also looking for their second ever World Cup birth, and first since they made it to the United States in 1994.

Ireland 0-1 France

France really helped their cause by pulling off a win at Ireland, making the return leg in Paris all the more easier. Nicolas Anelka scored in the 72nd minute for the French, who out shot the Irish 13-11. French Goalkeeper Hugo Lloris made 5 saves for the shut out, persevering France's 1-0 lead heading into Wednesday's match. The French must feel confident leading the series 1-0 heading into France, especially after defeating their opponent in their backyard. As for the Irish the situation looks dim, now needing a goal to even the series back up. However it is not all bad for the Irish, if the men of Erie can get a quick goal in France than the series will be all tied up and the Irish would have the momentum throughout the match. Much tension will be in Paris as the French look to qualify for their twelfth World Cup, in comparison to the Irish who are in search for the nation's fourth World Cup.

Portugal 1-0 Bosnia

Portugal did get the 1-0 result at home, but that does not mean the Portuguese will be breathing easy heading into Bosnia on Wednesday. Bruno Alves scored the winner in the 31st minute to give the Portuguese a 1-0 leading heading into tomorrow's fixture, but one goal is my no means breathing room. Still, Portugal is in a good position heading into their match at Bosnia, especially since they prevented the Bosnians from scoring on the road. The series will be determined by whether or not Portugal can get a quick goal, or will Bosnia hang around, and keep threatening to equalize the series. Much pressure will be on the Bosnians at home, trying to qualify in their first attempt as the completely independent nation and ethnic group of Bosnia. While Portugal will look to qualify for their third straight World Cup, and fifth overall. All the while overcoming injuries to several key Portuguese stars. Wednesday's match in Bosnia will be tense as the Portuguese try to legitimize their claim as one of Europe's upper tier teams.

Costa Rica 0-1 Uruguay

For this World Cup's Qualification Cycle, the fourth place team from CONCACAF (Costa Rica) would play the fifth place team from CONMEBOL (Uruguay) for a spot in the World Cup, sorta as a American Continents cross-over game, between North and South America. Uruguay got a key road victory heading into them much feared Saprissa Stadium and getting a 1-0 win on the road. Diego Alfredo Lugano scored in the 21st minute to give Uruguay the win, and the advantage heading back to Uruguay. Costa Rica was in this game however out-shooting Uruguay 6-4, however Uruguay's Nestor Fernando Muslera made three saves to persive the shutout and the win. Uruguay now have a huge advantage taking the 1-0 lead, back home. However CONCACAF's Costa Rica still is in this fixture as a win in Uruguay on Wednesday could sent the Ticos to the World Cup, and all the while scoring a huge upset win for CONCACAF over their neighbors to the south CONMEBOL. However, it is hard to doubt the originators of the World Cup, and the first winners of the tournament Uruguay at home. The two-time winners of the tournament are looking for their eleventh World Cup Birth. Meanwhile, Costa Rica is in search for the nation's fourth World Cup birth, and third in a row. If they are to do so, Costa Rica will have to pull off a tough task by beating a very good Uruguay side on the road.

Tomorrow's playoffs are sure to be full of drama and excitement, as dreams will realized or crushed. The nation's of the World will watch with anxiety and hopes, praying that their team will be in South Africa 2010. For tomorrow's victors, the countdown to South Africa, and parties will begin. For the defeat, it will be a long four years till Brazil 2014, a thought most nations that still need to qualify do not want to think about. Tomorrow's games will be filled with blood, sweat, tears, hopes, and dreams. With the question of is that enough to be in the World Cup. Tomorrow the final field of countries that will compete in the World Cup will be set. The only question that remains is which playoff team will put in the work necessary to be on that coveted list of nations. Tension and suspense will rise, as 18 months worth of qualifying will all come down to one day, to determine the hopes and dreams for a nation for the next four years.