The Bridge Lad
Striker
After the disappointment of Saturday, it's great that we have the return of World Cup qualifying to look forward to this week with big games in the UEFA, CONCACAF and CONMEBOL confederations, as well as AFC (Asia) and OFC (Oceania).
On Wednesday, Germany face England in a friendly in Dortmund, while Scotland host Canada with both games kicking off at 7.45pm.
There are 6 Asian qualifiers on Thursday afternoon with UAE vs Japan (3.30pm UK time) probably the most interesting with both teams still in qualifying contention. Other games include China vs South Korea (11.35am) and Iraq vs Australia (12pm).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2018_FIFA_World_Cup_qualification_–_AFC_Third_Round
The first of the CONMEBOL double header takes place later that evening. It's looking like 5 from 6 meaning that one notable name will miss out altogether. Colombia currently sit in 6th place but will be hoping to put pressure on the sides above them with victory at home to Bolivia (8.30pm), while Uruguay vs Brazil (11pm) and Argentina vs Chile (11.30pm) both look very good games in prospect.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2018_FIFA_World_Cup_qualification_(CONMEBOL)
Friday sees the return of the UEFA campaign with 2 games at 5pm including a tricky away match for Serbia in Georgia in Group D which also involves Ireland and Wales who meet at the Aviva Stadium at 7.45pm in the pick of the evening games. Croatia vs Ukraine (7.45) sees first take on second in Group I.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2018_FIFA_World_Cup_qualification_(UEFA)
Later that evening sees the return of the CONCACAF 'Hex' with all 6 nations playing their first of 2 matches. Trinidad vs Panama (11pm), Mexico vs Costa Rica (1.50am) in a battle of the current top two and a crucial match for the USA who have lost both of their matches thus far when they entertain Honduras (2.50am).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2018_FIFA_World_Cup_qualification_–_CONCACAF_Fifth_Round
The UEFA schedule for Saturday looks particularly poor. Sweden vs Belarus is probably the best of a very bad bunch of 5pm kick offs. The evening session (all 7.45pm) is a bit better with a clash between Belgium and Greece, the current top 2 in Group H, while Portugal (second) host Hungary (third) in Group B.
England are at home to Lithuania at 5pm on the Sunday and there are 4 decent matches later that evening with crucial matches for both Northern Ireland (home to Norway) and Scotland (home to Slovenia).
This round of qualifying matches concludes on Tuesday with games in the Asian, CONMEBOL and CONCACAF sections. Australia vs UAE (10am) again looks the pick of the AFC games while Ecuador vs Colombia (10pm) stands out in South America. Chile and Brazil both should have routine home fixtures vs Venezuela and Paraguay respectively, while Argentina travel to Bolivia (9pm).
Finally, Honduras take on Costa Rica (10pm), Trinidad host Mexico (12am) and USA travel to Panama (3.05am) in another crucial match for them where they will need at least 4 points from their 2 games to get back in qualifying contention.
As always, there will be plenty of English commentary streams available for these evening CONCACAF / CONMEBOL games and most of them are at decent enough times - I just wish Sky or someone picked up the coverage for them.
The return of #realfootball
On Wednesday, Germany face England in a friendly in Dortmund, while Scotland host Canada with both games kicking off at 7.45pm.
There are 6 Asian qualifiers on Thursday afternoon with UAE vs Japan (3.30pm UK time) probably the most interesting with both teams still in qualifying contention. Other games include China vs South Korea (11.35am) and Iraq vs Australia (12pm).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2018_FIFA_World_Cup_qualification_–_AFC_Third_Round
The first of the CONMEBOL double header takes place later that evening. It's looking like 5 from 6 meaning that one notable name will miss out altogether. Colombia currently sit in 6th place but will be hoping to put pressure on the sides above them with victory at home to Bolivia (8.30pm), while Uruguay vs Brazil (11pm) and Argentina vs Chile (11.30pm) both look very good games in prospect.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2018_FIFA_World_Cup_qualification_(CONMEBOL)
Friday sees the return of the UEFA campaign with 2 games at 5pm including a tricky away match for Serbia in Georgia in Group D which also involves Ireland and Wales who meet at the Aviva Stadium at 7.45pm in the pick of the evening games. Croatia vs Ukraine (7.45) sees first take on second in Group I.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2018_FIFA_World_Cup_qualification_(UEFA)
Later that evening sees the return of the CONCACAF 'Hex' with all 6 nations playing their first of 2 matches. Trinidad vs Panama (11pm), Mexico vs Costa Rica (1.50am) in a battle of the current top two and a crucial match for the USA who have lost both of their matches thus far when they entertain Honduras (2.50am).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2018_FIFA_World_Cup_qualification_–_CONCACAF_Fifth_Round
The UEFA schedule for Saturday looks particularly poor. Sweden vs Belarus is probably the best of a very bad bunch of 5pm kick offs. The evening session (all 7.45pm) is a bit better with a clash between Belgium and Greece, the current top 2 in Group H, while Portugal (second) host Hungary (third) in Group B.
England are at home to Lithuania at 5pm on the Sunday and there are 4 decent matches later that evening with crucial matches for both Northern Ireland (home to Norway) and Scotland (home to Slovenia).
This round of qualifying matches concludes on Tuesday with games in the Asian, CONMEBOL and CONCACAF sections. Australia vs UAE (10am) again looks the pick of the AFC games while Ecuador vs Colombia (10pm) stands out in South America. Chile and Brazil both should have routine home fixtures vs Venezuela and Paraguay respectively, while Argentina travel to Bolivia (9pm).
Finally, Honduras take on Costa Rica (10pm), Trinidad host Mexico (12am) and USA travel to Panama (3.05am) in another crucial match for them where they will need at least 4 points from their 2 games to get back in qualifying contention.
As always, there will be plenty of English commentary streams available for these evening CONCACAF / CONMEBOL games and most of them are at decent enough times - I just wish Sky or someone picked up the coverage for them.
The return of #realfootball
