David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
On Friday, the latest round of 2014 World Cup Qualifiers will be played around the world. In particular, there are some important games that will be played in Europe, South America and North America.
In Europe, there are two games of note to watch. In Group A play, Belgium will host Serbia in Brussels. Belguim and Croatia are currently co-leaders in the group; both have 16 points through six games played. Belgium is currently ahead, thanks to having a better goal differential.
The Belgians have been one of the darlings during UEFA World Cup Qualifying, as their collection of young stars, captained by Manchester City defender Vincent Kompany, are playing up to their potential. For Belgium, beating Serbia will be a must, as Croatia faces Scotland in Zagreb. A win for the Belgians would allow them to maintain first and the chance to go into the Oct. 11 match against Croatia only needing a draw to win the group and secure passage to Brazil next summer.
The other marquee game being played in Europe is Italy traveling to Prague to play against the Czech Republic. Italy leads Group 5 with 13 points through five games, three points ahead of Bulgaria, who have played one game more and five better than the Czechs.
A win for Italy would virtually ensure them qualification for the World Cup, while a draw would allow them to continue to lead the group and inch closer to qualification. As for the Czech Republic, a win would mean keeping thoughts of potentially winning the group and allow them to at least stay second and potentially play a playoff later in the year, while a draw or loss would put their World Cup aspirations in serious jeopardy.
In CONMEBOL, South America zone, the game that is taking the headlines is the one that will be played in the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires; that is Argentina hosting Colombia. This game is a matchup of no. 1 versus no. 2 in the standings, with Argentina in first with 24 points, four ahead of Colombia.
Both teams are expected to be either at or close to 100 percent full strength, with the big question being if Lionel Messi is healthy enough to start the game and/or even play the full 90 minutes. The game also represents a homecoming for Radamel Falcao, who played at famed River Plate before he left to play in Europe.
To add even more intrigued into the game, Colombia is coached by Jose Pekerman. Pekerman was formally Argentina’s youth team coach and coach of the senior team at the 2006 World Cup. Furthermore, ever since Colombia defeated Argentina 5-0 in the same stadium back in 1993 during a World Cup Qualifier, the game between these two countries on Argentine soil ever since has always been played with memories of that fateful game.
Closer to home in CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying play, Mexico visits Panama in a game between teams who are now first and second in the Hexagonal standings. Also, Honduras takes on Costa Rica and the United States visits Jamaica in games where the team that is able to win improves it’s standing in a very tight final round of qualifying play.
Lucas Carreras is a contributing Soccer writer for www.RantSports.com. You can follow Lucas on Twitter by following him @maldini3fan and you can add him to your circles on Google+.
