The Road to Rio provides us with another instalment of World Cup qualifying fixtures on Friday. Here’s a look at the best matches on the European schedule.
Friday programming alert: Watch World Cup qualifying coverage live on Sportsnet: Latvia v Bosnia (on Sportsnet, noon ET), Croatia v Scotland (on The Score, 2pm ET), Czech Republic v Italy (on Sportsnet, 2:30pm ET), Portugal v Russia (on Sportsnet ONE, 3:30pm ET), Belgium v Serbia (on Sportsnet World, 2:30pm ET). You can also watch these games on Sportsnet World Online | TV schedule
Friday programming alert: Watch World Cup qualifying coverage live and exclusively on Sportsnet World Online: Finland v Belarus (at noon ET), Armenia v Malta (at noon ET), Azerbaijan v Luxembourg (at noon ET), Moldova v Poland (at 2:15pm ET), Montenegro v Ukraine (2:30pm ET) and Lithuania v Greece (2:45pm ET).
Portugal vs. Russia
Fabio Capello might have been deemed a huge flop as England manager, but the Italian has been a revelation for Russia, compiling a perfect qualifying record of four wins out of four matches, with eight goals scored and none conceded. The Russians travel to Lisbon with two games in hand over their opponents, and with the added benefit of having already beaten Portugal 1-0 in Moscow. Should Capello guide his side to victory, it would extend their lead to four points, and given the circumstances, could effectively clinch Russia a place on the plane to Rio — barring any catastrophic collapse against the group’s weaker participants in their remaining fixtures.
Portugal began qualifying with three straight wins, but the loss to Russia seven months ago was followed by successive draws at home to Northern Ireland and away to Israel. Thankfully for manager Paulo Bento, he was able to avoid further scrutiny through a hard fought 2-0 win against lowly Azerbaijan, done without the services of a suspended Cristiano Ronaldo.
But Portugal has not played to the standard of a top-five international side. A victory at the Estadio Da Luz would temporarily place the Portuguese at the group summit — two points clear of their opponents — albeit having played a few more matches.
Czech Republic vs. Italy
A win would essentially book Italy a spot in next year’s World Cup. Fresh off a routine warm-up thrashing of San Marino last week, the Italians travel to Prague in good form and looking to take a stranglehold on the group. The Czechs have collected eight points in five matches — five fewer than their visiting opponents – with both teams having played one less than Bulgaria who are sandwiched in the middle with 10 points.
The Czechs have had a tough time scoring goals, barely averaging one a game, but are equally tough to break down, even more so on home soil. Historically, you would expect a low-scoring contest, though Italy is ushering in a new generation of offensive prowess. The style has drifted away from a defensive mindset, which was criticized for being unattractive and boring. Not so surprising, the Italians have only kept two clean sheets in qualifying, and have scored three times as many goals (12) as they’ve conceded (four), with Mario Balotelli leading the way with five and Andrea Pirlo leading the team in assists (four). The integration of youthful exuberance with stoic experience has also been a key factor to success.
With trips to Italy, Armenia and Bulgaria left on the schedule, Czech manager manager Michal Bilek’s life would be made a lot easier should his side pick up all three points at home, although a draw wouldn’t be terrible result either. The last meeting between the two countries came seven years ago in the group stage of the World Cup in Germany. The Italians won 2-0 to eliminate the Czech Republic from the tournament.
Austria vs. Sweden
Having collected five of their eight points from minnows Kazakhstan and Faroe Islands, the Austrians must win in Vienna to properly position themselves for a chance at a playoff place. This is a make or break match for Austria, as they still have to travel to Sweden and Germany. The odds aren’t in their favour should they lose on Friday.
Despite being undefeated, thanks to an easy schedule to start their qualifying campaign, the Swedes have been less than impressive, barely notching victories over the Kazakhs and Faroese. Those results were followed by an inspiring and memorable 4-4 comeback draw in Berlin, with Sweden scoring four straight in the second half to salvage a point.
However, the momentum was wasted through a goalless stalemate at home to Ireland in March, keeping them tied with Austria on points. Recent friendly results have followed the same trend of inconsistency in front of goal, drawing 0-0 in Slovakia before a slim 1-0 victory at home versus Macedonia in a friendly. Other than the four goals against Germany, the Swedes have struggled to break down weaker opposition which is a cause for concern.
Rasmus Elm and Kim Kallstrom scored to secure a 2-0 victory over Austria back in 2009. It’s been 16 years since the Austrians last got the better of their Swedish counterparts — along the way to achieving qualification for France ’98.
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Belgium vs. Serbia
The Belgians are in pole position of a two-way battle with Croatia (tied on 16 points) for automatic qualification and are finally living up to all the hype and potential bestowed upon them. The sheer quality and talent on the roster is frightening, with 13 players on the books of Premier League clubs. Whether in goal (Simon Mignolet and Thibaut Courtois), at the back (Vincent Kompany, Jan Vertonghen and Thomas Vermahlen), in midfield (Eden Hazard, Marouane Fellaini and Alex Witsel) and up front (Romelu Lukaku and Christian Benteke), their depth is off the charts. Belgium is also riding a wave of confidence following a 4-2 victory over the United States in a warm-up match last week.
Serbia was convincingly beaten 3-0 in Belgrade, with Benteke, Kevin De Bruyne and Kevin Mirallas getting on the score-sheet for Belgium last year. Sitting nine points adrift, a loss in Brussels would officially eliminate the Serbians. If there is even an ounce of hope left, it must begin against Belgium. With four games left on the schedule, Serbia must collect maximum points in each fixture and will require Croatia to lose their remaining matches. Not to burst any bubbles, but the chances of that happening are improbable at best. Serbia is playing for pride at this point.
Montenegro vs. Ukraine
Should Ukraine win on Friday, not only would it catapult them back into contention, but it would blow the group wide open if coupled with a victory by the Poles in Moldova. Both coinciding results would effectually create a four-way dogfight with only four matches left to play. After a poor start — two draws and a defeat — Ukraine have bounced back with back-to-back wins, most notably 3-1 in Poland.
Podgorica has proven to be a difficult mountain to climb and overcome by its visitors, and the hostile atmosphere provides an intimidating presence. However, Ukraine has an undefeated away record in qualifying.
Montenegro’s progress has been rather quick, having only gained official FIFA status in January 2007 and given the ranking of 199 (tied for last on the list). What makes the accomplishment that much more respectable is the population of the country (625,266). Compared with group rivals England (53 million) and Ukraine (45 million), Montenegro has developed a solid foundation of footballers that has propelled the national team to an undefeated record (four wins) and top spot in the group, with 14 goals scored and only three conceded.
Ukraine must impose their will and make a statement in Podgorica if they want to be taken seriously as contenders in the group. The reverse fixture in Kyiv ended 1-0 in favour of the visitors, with Dejan Damjanovic scoring the match-winner right before the half-time whistle.
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