Games to watch for Thursday and Friday's World Cup Qualifiers
Asia
In the Asian qualifiers there are two groups of six teams in this round. The top two teams from each group automatically qualify for the World Cup, the 3rd place teams from Group A and B have a play-off match against each other. The remaining teams can't qualify for the World Cup.
Playoff match: Syria vs Australia
Thursday: 15:30 CET (+3) - 20:30 Local time, Hang Jebat Stadium, Krubong, Malaysia
The first match is a playoff game between Syria and the Socceroos. This is the first time that Syria have been this far in the qualifiers and can qualify to the World Cup for the first ever in their history. Due to the ongoing civil war in Syria, the team is forced to play away from home since 2011.
The big strength of Syria's team is their defence. The defenders to watch are Moayad Ajan and Alaa Al Shbli who both play for Zamalek SC in Egypt, control the back line and have been the main reason why Syria has made it this far. In the middle Syria have Umm Salal (Qatar) player Mahmoud Al Mawas who has scored three goals and has won 75% of the tackles. Up front Syria have Al Hilal Riyadh forward Omar Kharbin who has scored three goals in the qualifiers and two goals for Hilal Riyadh in three matches. Another good striker is Omar Al Soma who has on fire with Saudi side Al-Ahli with five goals in five matches, and scored against Iran in the last minute to send Syria in the playoffs.
The Australian players have continued to preform well in the top league, however the qualifiers have been a bumpy road. In goal, Australia have Mathew Ryan who plays for Premier League side Brighton, has four clean sheets for the Socceroos. Yokohama Marinos defender Milos Degenek and Trent Sainsbury have controlled the back line and both players have an average of 85.5% tackles won. A player to watch in midfield is Aaron Mooy who has two goals and 12 assists in the qualifiers with an 85% pass accuracy rate. Another good midfielder is Celtic player Thomas Rogic who has five goals in the qualifiers and two goals and assists in the Scottish Premier League. And up front is veteran striker Tim Cahill who is still going strong with nine goals for the Socceroos.
The winner of the two matches between these two sides plays the 4th place team in North America, and then plays in the World Cup. Anything other than a win for the Socceroos would be a huge disappointment, as their team is improving and the players are starting to make an impact in Europe's top leagues. For Syria this is a historical match as Syrians around the world will be watching and the team will want to make Syrians happy after all of the things their country has suffered in recent years.
The big strength of Syria's team is their defence. The defenders to watch are Moayad Ajan and Alaa Al Shbli who both play for Zamalek SC in Egypt, control the back line and have been the main reason why Syria has made it this far. In the middle Syria have Umm Salal (Qatar) player Mahmoud Al Mawas who has scored three goals and has won 75% of the tackles. Up front Syria have Al Hilal Riyadh forward Omar Kharbin who has scored three goals in the qualifiers and two goals for Hilal Riyadh in three matches. Another good striker is Omar Al Soma who has on fire with Saudi side Al-Ahli with five goals in five matches, and scored against Iran in the last minute to send Syria in the playoffs.
The Australian players have continued to preform well in the top league, however the qualifiers have been a bumpy road. In goal, Australia have Mathew Ryan who plays for Premier League side Brighton, has four clean sheets for the Socceroos. Yokohama Marinos defender Milos Degenek and Trent Sainsbury have controlled the back line and both players have an average of 85.5% tackles won. A player to watch in midfield is Aaron Mooy who has two goals and 12 assists in the qualifiers with an 85% pass accuracy rate. Another good midfielder is Celtic player Thomas Rogic who has five goals in the qualifiers and two goals and assists in the Scottish Premier League. And up front is veteran striker Tim Cahill who is still going strong with nine goals for the Socceroos.
The winner of the two matches between these two sides plays the 4th place team in North America, and then plays in the World Cup. Anything other than a win for the Socceroos would be a huge disappointment, as their team is improving and the players are starting to make an impact in Europe's top leagues. For Syria this is a historical match as Syrians around the world will be watching and the team will want to make Syrians happy after all of the things their country has suffered in recent years.
Europe
In the European qualifiers, there are 9 groups of six teams. 1st place in each group qualifies directly to the World Cup. 2nd place teams enter a playoff round against each other. The rest cannot qualify.
Scotland vs Slovakia
Thursday: 21:30 CET (+3) - 19:30 local time, Hampden Park, Glasgow
Scotland are ready to take on Slovakia in the fight for 2nd place in Group F. As Scotland haven't participated in the World Cup since 1998, this is their chance to change that and prove that they are not the weakest team in the UK, since they were the only team in the UK to not qualify for Euro 2016.
Celtic keeper Craig Gordon has three clean sheets in five matches and will need to continue his great performance as Scotland cannot afford to concede goals in their last two fixtures. At the back, Scotland have Liverpool defender Andrew Robertson, who has an 86% pass accuracy and is making his way into the Liverpool starting 11. In the middle, Scotland have Robert Snodgrass who has three goals and and 81% pass accuracy. Another player to watch is Crystal Palace midfielder James McArthur who has two goals and has an 85% pass accuracy. Up front, is Celtic striker Leigh Griffins who has three goals, three assists and has been a crucial player for Scotland.
Sparta Prague keeper Martin Dubravka took over as Slovakia's first choice keeper as he is having a great season with Sparta. At the back, Slovakia have Peter Pekarik who has won 91% of the tackles he has faced and an 88% pass accuracy. In the middle, Slovakia have Napoli star Marek Hamsik who has got two goals, two assists and is Slovakia's main man as he controls the game. Another midfielder to watch is PAOK winger Robert Mak who has got two goals and an 84% pass accuracy rate. And up front is Dinamo Bucharest striker Adam Nemec who has been on fire for his nation, as he has scored three goals, three assists in only five matches.
As there are only two fixtures left, and Scotland being one point below Slovakia in second place, a defect would end their chances of qualifying to Russia next year. A draw would also be bad for Scotland, as Slovakia face Malta in the next fixture so it is a must win. For Slovakia, a win could secure them 2nd place if England defeat Slovenia who are at the moment, one point below Slovakia.
Sparta Prague keeper Martin Dubravka took over as Slovakia's first choice keeper as he is having a great season with Sparta. At the back, Slovakia have Peter Pekarik who has won 91% of the tackles he has faced and an 88% pass accuracy. In the middle, Slovakia have Napoli star Marek Hamsik who has got two goals, two assists and is Slovakia's main man as he controls the game. Another midfielder to watch is PAOK winger Robert Mak who has got two goals and an 84% pass accuracy rate. And up front is Dinamo Bucharest striker Adam Nemec who has been on fire for his nation, as he has scored three goals, three assists in only five matches.
As there are only two fixtures left, and Scotland being one point below Slovakia in second place, a defect would end their chances of qualifying to Russia next year. A draw would also be bad for Scotland, as Slovakia face Malta in the next fixture so it is a must win. For Slovakia, a win could secure them 2nd place if England defeat Slovenia who are at the moment, one point below Slovakia.
North America
In the North American qualifiers there are six teams in one group. The top three teams advance to the World Cup. 4th place enters a playoff against the 5th best team in Asia. Teams that are in 5th or 6th place cannot qualify.
USA vs Panama
Sat/Fri: 02:35 CET (+3) - 19:35 local time, Orlando City Stadium, Orlando, Florida
Sat/Fri: 02:35 CET (+3) - 19:35 local time, Orlando City Stadium, Orlando, Florida
The US are prepared to take on Panama in a must win situation, as US head coach Bruce Arena is under a lot of pressure. The Stars and Stripes are currently in 4th place with one point below Panama, but they are tied with Honduras.
The US have struggled with defense as they have conceded more goals than Costa Rica and Panama combined. However the US do have Stoke City defender Geoff Cameron has who 93% of tackles won, and he will need to be a leader at the back. Newcastle right back DeAndre Yedln has two assists and has an 88% pass accuracy. In the middle is the captain, Michael Bradley who has had a great season with MLS side Toronto FC, as they are top of the table. The player to watch is Christian
Pulisic has he has scored five goals and five assists for the US. Pulisic is having a fantastic year so far for Dortmund as they are 1st in the Bundesliga. And up front is the striker duo Bobby Wood and Jody Altidore with both players having a combined total of ten goals.
In goal Panama have Jamie Penedo who has four clean sheets and has only an average of 0.75 per match. At the back both NY Red Bull players Fidel Escobar and Michael Murillo have been controlling the back line and will be than main players for Panama. In the middle, Panama have Toronto FC player Armando Copper who plays as a playmaker, but he is lacking when it comes it soccring goals and assists. Another desentt midfielder for Panama is Anibal Godoy who has a 90% pass accuracy for the US and for San Jose Earthquakes. As Panama's defense is the teams strength, however they have only scored seven goals in eight matches, which is less goals than Honduras and three other nations. Up front, Panama have Luis Tejada who has scored 42 goals in 103 matches with one in these qualifiers.
A win for the visitors could send Panama to the World Cup for the first time ever in its history. A loss would be very bad for the Stars and Stripes as it could put the US in 5th place.
The US have struggled with defense as they have conceded more goals than Costa Rica and Panama combined. However the US do have Stoke City defender Geoff Cameron has who 93% of tackles won, and he will need to be a leader at the back. Newcastle right back DeAndre Yedln has two assists and has an 88% pass accuracy. In the middle is the captain, Michael Bradley who has had a great season with MLS side Toronto FC, as they are top of the table. The player to watch is Christian
Pulisic has he has scored five goals and five assists for the US. Pulisic is having a fantastic year so far for Dortmund as they are 1st in the Bundesliga. And up front is the striker duo Bobby Wood and Jody Altidore with both players having a combined total of ten goals.
In goal Panama have Jamie Penedo who has four clean sheets and has only an average of 0.75 per match. At the back both NY Red Bull players Fidel Escobar and Michael Murillo have been controlling the back line and will be than main players for Panama. In the middle, Panama have Toronto FC player Armando Copper who plays as a playmaker, but he is lacking when it comes it soccring goals and assists. Another desentt midfielder for Panama is Anibal Godoy who has a 90% pass accuracy for the US and for San Jose Earthquakes. As Panama's defense is the teams strength, however they have only scored seven goals in eight matches, which is less goals than Honduras and three other nations. Up front, Panama have Luis Tejada who has scored 42 goals in 103 matches with one in these qualifiers.
A win for the visitors could send Panama to the World Cup for the first time ever in its history. A loss would be very bad for the Stars and Stripes as it could put the US in 5th place.
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