Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sweden, Turkey and Czechia had taken the last four European qualifying spots in this year’s World Cup, following wins in their respective playoffs overnight. Bosnia beat Italy 4-1 in penalties after scores were locked at one-all at the end of extra time, while Sweden needed a 88th minute goal to defeat Poland (which last won in Sweden in 1930).
The result means Italy will miss the World Cup for the third time in a row.
Turkey will go into group D alongside co-host USA, Australia and Paraguay. Czechia go into group A, Bosnia into group B and Sweden into group F.
The Socceroos will play against Turkey first up in Vancouver on June 13 (June 14 Australian time).
Ha ha ha ha. Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha. Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha .
What makes people think Spurs are going down? They’re a poiint off relegation, do they think West Ham are going to bounce back and Spurs will continue to be as useless as ARN?
Iraq have qualified for this year’s World Cup, after defeating Bolivia 2-1 in the final inter-confederation playoff in Mexico, to grab the last remaining spot. Graham Arnold’s team will compete against France, Senegal and Norway in group I.
So happy he’s gone to Spurs, was worried Man United would consider him! Not because of the Greenwood situation but because I don’t like him as a manager. Prefer Carrick to stay on compared to him.
That’s the new vape-inspired away kit. On a plus note, I believe all our opponents clash with it so we’ll have to wear our home kit in the WC group stage.
Hoping so desperately they get relegated. Will be hilarious.
Wow, who would have thought we played well when we brought on the good players?!?
I mean the away kit can be creative…
Sensational. Fake “football” country. And clowns still pick Italy over playing for Australia.
Hopefully!
Graham Arnold becomes the first Australian to manage another country at the FIFA World Cup (assuming he’s still in charge come match 1 for Iraq). He also wins at a playoff stage for the second World Cup in a row.
I may just be a biased Southampton fan, but I wouldn’t call it a minor upset. Arsenal are leading the PL by 9 points and had a ton more possession and opportunity in the match. Anyone in that position losing to a second division team, even with how good Tonda has had Southampton playing recently (now 18 games unbeaten in all competitions), is staring down a major upset.
To be fair, we’ve entered the stretch of the year that the Gunners start bottling trophy opportunities. As early as January, there were talks of a quadruple. Then it became triple.
Soon it could become a second-place quadruple.
Meanwhile, the abnormal morning of football continued with two comebacks in the Bundesliga.
If the men’s side isn’t enough, Arsenal women have bottled the FA Cup as well.
The last time they’ve suffered a 2-goal defeat was May 5, also against Brighton (in WSL). Throughout the current season, this is only their 6th loss.
Calling it a disaster would be a massive understatement.
UEFA WCL (semifinals vs. Lyon on April 26 and May 3) is now their best shot at a double attempt. WSL not impossible but unlikely - 11 points behind Man City with 2 matches in hand.
FA Cup just ended the QF phase with Leeds defeating West Ham in penalties. (The former originally led 2-0 but got tied in stoppage time. No goals were scored in extra time.)
Graham Arnold was greeted with a rousing reception at Sydney Airport last night, returning home after leading Iraq to their first World Cup qualification in 40 years.
In EFL League One, Lincoln City defeated Reading 2-1 on their home turf to extend the unbeaten run to 24 games (longest in L1 history) and secure an EFL Championship spot for the first time since 1960-61.
One decade ago, they were stuck at the Conference - English football’s 5th tier. But here they are, with a real shot at EPL in 2027-28.
On the other side, Leicester - one decade ago were EPL champions - are trying to avoid falling into where Lincoln got out of.
