WORLD CUP 2010 QUALIFYING: Round 2

In Europe, World Cup qualifying inevitably comes with the excitement and dread of some of the world's power clubs and superstar players being left out. There always seems to be at least one team that squeaks in at the end or misses out on the competition all together. France failed to qualify in 1990. England and France both missed out on the trip to the U.S. in '94. And The Netherlands failed to qualify as recently as 2002.

We are always excited by the prospect of one of these clubs being upset and knocked out (if it's not OUR country, of course) in qualifying, but when it comes down to Cup time, the tournament is lesser for not having all the world's great teams involved.

Round One saw some surprising results.
Austria 3-1 France- The French came into Vienna unprepared. Austria outscored and outplayed Les Bleus, who looked less than their collection of talent would suggest they are.

Romania 0-3 Lithuania- Romania was blown away by the Lithuanians at home in a shocking result. Missing Chivu, Mutu, and Rat is no excuses for the superior Romanian squad.

Spain 1-0 Bosnia-Herzegovina- Spain wasn't spectacular at home under new manager Vincente del Bosque, but that was to be expected with the negative approach taken by Bosnia, who once scored upon and unable to play for a 0-0 draw, looked no match for Spain.

Cyprus 1-2 Italy- The Italians needed a stoppage time goal from Di Natale to eek past Cyprus. Then again, Italy, not always pretty in victory, is capable of winning ten one goal games to qualify.

England and the U.S. took care of Andorra and Cuba, respectively, but neither were all that impressive in victory. The U.S. were undisciplined and uninspired in a tight match up with Cuba, a far less talented squad. England was efficient with Andorra, with two Joe Cole goals being the difference, but could of used some more convincing performances to set the squad against Croatia.

A look ahead....

Crotia vs. England
Speaking of Cole, the ever-cantakerous Fabio Capello says that he isn't a lock to start against Croatia. Capello is an interesting figure at the head of England. Presumably, he was brought in to reign in the stars and egos of the national squad. There are ways to do this without publicly reprimanding and challenging his players. That's not Capello's style. He will tell you that he is a disciplinarian and motivator, some might just say he is a miserable jerk and a conflict junkie, who wants everyone to know who is at the head of the operation. Those who didn't follow him in Italy and Spain, you cannot argue with his results, but you also cannot argue that his approach his rubbed many players the wrong way. His adversarial nature could wear on the team at some point, as it did at Juventus and Madrid.

Capello wants to stay true to his practical, conservative, defensive minded style of play, but he also wants to instill a killer instinct in the squad, an element that has previously been non-existent. When you are up 2 goals on Andorra, why not go 3 or 4 or 5 up? The team looked like they just settled in and, much to Capello's dismay, were happy with a 2-0 result.

A lot is riding on Wednesday's match with Croatia. They are a well coached team that can score and grind out victories. They put emphasis on skill, passing, and have great midfield game breaker in Modric. Make no mistake, the Slavic Elvis, Slaven Bilic, has his team going into qualification as the favorite in Group 6.

Forget that England are facing the squad that knocked them out of the Euros. The Croats will be the number one obstacle for England in getting automatic qualification. A win in Zagreb will set the tone for the rest of qualification. A loss will mean high pressure on each match up, and the longer games with Andorra and Belarus remain at 0-0, the more tension the Lions will feel.

Euro Group 7
Despite the Croatia-England match, France will have the most vital match up of any of the Euro powers on Wednesday. With the loss to Austria, the French are facing what figures to be one of their toughest opponents in Group 7, Serbia. A home loss to the Serbs could be the beginning of the end for France. With one of the world's most talented squads, it is puzzling to see their history of struggling through the qualification grind continue.

Austria and Lithuania had first game stunners that have blown this group wide open. There are now five squads with a legitimate shot at the top spot. There could be a logjam at the top that isn't decided until the final match day.

The United States
The U.S. has a home game against Trinidad and Tobago, in my neck of the woods, Bridgeview, IL. T&T will be the Americans toughest opponent in qualifying, although probably not as annoying as the feisty Guatemalan side. Our biggest concern is playing well and establishing the squad going into South Africa.