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Wednesday October 14, 2009

Argentina, Uruguay, Ecuador battle for two remaining spots

BUENOS AIRES: Three South American teams have already earned berths in next year’s World Cup in South Africa, and three more will have their shot at making the two remaining spots in the final round of qualifying today.

Brazil, Paraguay and Chile have qualified for the World Cup, leaving Argentina, Uruguay and Ecuador to decide who finish fourth – the last automatic qualifying spot from the region.

The fifth-placed team earn a playoff with the No. 4 team from North and Central America and the Caribbean (Concacaf) for another berth. The opponents will be either Costa Rica or Honduras.

More joy: Argentina’s Martin Palermo (right) celebrates with team-mates after scoring in their 2-1 win over Peru on Saturday. Today they take on Uruguay in a crucial World Cup match. — AP

Going into today, Argentina have 25 points, Uruguay 24 and Ecuador 23.

Argentina play at Uruguay and Ecuador play at Chile.

In three other matches that have no bearings on World Cup berths, it’s Peru vs Bolivia, Brazil vs Venezuela and Paraguay vs Colombia.

Argentina are in the best position, thanks to Saturday’s 2-1 victory over Peru in which Martin Palermo scored in the third minute of injury time – in a driving rainstorm – to give the underperforming regional powerhouse victory at River Plate’s Monumental Stadium.

The worst team in South America, Peru have won only two of 17 qualifiers.

Main man: Uruguay will bank on striker Diego Forlan to take them to the World Cup. — AFP

Palermo, who entered as a second-half substitute, may have saved Argentina from missing their first World Cup since 1970.

“A Miracle Named Palermo,” read the headline in Sunday’s La Nacion newspaper.

Palermo celebrated the goal by pulling off his shirt and raising his arms skyward in the downpour. At the same moment, embattled Argentina coach Diego Maradona dived headfirst into the soaking wet pitch – as if he’d just scored the goal.

“This lets us go to Montevideo at bit more relaxed,” said Barcelona striker Lionel Messi.

But Palermo warned against any complacency.

“I have faith. We’ve struggled right to the end, and we still have another step to take,” Palermo said. “We can’t relax. We have to give our fellow Argentines the happiness of going to the World Cup.”

If Argentina beat Uruguay at Montevideo today, the two-time champions advance to the World Cup. The same for Uruguay. A victory and they go to South Africa.

For Argentina, a draw might be enough to finish fourth, and they can even lose and still have a shot at the playoff spot.

For Uruguay, a draw would only be enough for a possible finish in fifth place – and a playoff in November. Uruguay might even reach the playoff with a loss.

Ecuador are the wild card.

If Ecuador beat Chile, they will finish at least fifth and earn a playoff. Ecuador could also get the automatic spot. For that to happen, Argentina and Uruguay have to draw and Ecuador have to beat Chile by at least five goals.

The playoff is set for Nov 14 and 18. The first-leg will be in Central America with the second-leg in South America.

“We know it will be difficult,” Ecuador captain Ivan Hurtado said. “But it’s not impossible. We’ll be facing a team (Chile) who have already qualified and they won’t give us a thing. But it all depends on us.”

Added goalkeeper Marcelo Elizaga, who was born in Argentina but is a nationalised Ecuadorean: “Everyone has to be united in the match against Chile.” — AP

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