“We will play fair, we want to win the group and avoid getting a tougher draw in the next stage,” said Lyon manager Claude Puel.

Malawi and Liverpool are kind of in a similar situation. Malawi, Ivory Coast, Burkina and Guinea are in Group E. Click here for Group E Standings. Ivory Coast have already qualified for World Cup South Africa 2010 and Africa Cup of Nations Angola January 2010. Burkina Faso have already qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations Finals Angola January 2010.

On November 14 Ivory Coast will host Guinea and Burkina Faso will host Malawi. Malawi and Guinea are fighting for the last slot (Africa Cup of Nations). Malawi have 4 points while Guinea have 3 points but Guinea have a better goal aggregate than Malawi.

Here are the scenarios that will send Malawi through:
Malawi win, Guinea lose
Malawi win, Guinea win
Malawi lose, Guinea lose
Malawi draw, Guinea lose
Malawi draw, Guinea draw

Here are the scenarios that will send Guinea through
Guinea win, Malawi lose
Guinea win, Malawi draw
Guinea draw, Malawi lose

Will Ivory Coast play fair? Will Burkina Faso play fair? Earlier we had this poll

Will Drogba play? Please note that Drogba came in as a substitute on minute 64 when Ivory Coast salvaged a draw against Malawi. Win or lose, Ivory Coast will still lead the group so the game will not have any effect on World Cup and Africa Cup of Nations draws. In my most humble opinion I think he will not play. Without Drogba Ivory Coast is just an average team so Guinea could manage to get a point.

Since the Flames control their own destiny all they need to do is beat Burkina Faso and then they are through. It seems the Flames are taking this game seriously. They were expected to leave on Monday next week for Ouagadougou and arrive Tuesday but the departure has been brought forward so they can acclimatize. They will leave this Saturday and arrive in Burkina Faso on Sunday. The prodigal son, Malawi’s Russia based pro, has been recalled and he will also make the trip. Most foreign based players will join the team on Tuesday.

After beating Guinea 2-1 Malawi prepared for the game against Burkina Faso on November 14 by participating in the COSAFA Senior Challenge. They were booted out after playing only one game (Mozambique 1 Malawi 0). By the way, the hosts (Zimbabwe) won the cup after beating Zambia 3-1 in the finals. Now it looks like the hosts (Nigeria) will also win the FIFA Under-17 World Cup Nigeria 2009.

Between Liverpool and Malawi, who do you think will make it to the round of 16(survey)

Allegedly and reportedly, after Guinea beat Malawi 2-1, Kinnah (Malawi Head Coach) could not believe the loss which he attributed to his strikers who missed several clear chances. “We created several chances and we would have won this game by even three or four goals but I don’t know what’s wrong with my strikers that they can’t score even when the goal keeper is not there. (Same problem with Malawi U-17?)

“We really need to sit down and see how to rectify this problem. We seriously need to change the striking force and possibly put in young players,” said a disappointed Coach (in an apparent reference to Russia based Esau Kanyenda, who had failed to score in six games?).

Reportedly, Kanyenda quit the Flames because he was fed up with being the scapegoat. You win as a team and lose as a team?

“I will never come again for Flames duty. It is normal for strikers to struggle for goals. Even Wayne Rooney goes 10 games on the trot without a goal but is never abused like that,” complained the soft-spoken after arrival from Guinea.

Kanyenda has now come out of the shell and apologized to FAM, the coach and the team and asks to be considered for future games. However, most Malawians are wary of the the apology. Most think that he wants to come back just because the Flames have revived their fortunes of qualifying for the Nations Cup Finals in Angola. Malawi almost in Angola?

In Kanyenda’s absence, Malawi beat Guinea 2-1 and almost barbequed Drogba and the Elephants.

Should Kanyenda be recalled? Support your answer(survey software)

Which of the folling 4 groups do you think will produce winners(poll)

On my 17 October 2009 post I had this poll:

Which Group do you think will produce the winners of the 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup?
http://answers.polldaddy.com/poll/2132830/

Now that you have watched how the teams play I am sure some of you may have changed your opinion. So here we go again:

Now that you have watched how the teams play, which of the following groups may produce winners(opinion)

HOW THEY STAND (OVERALL)

Green = Group Leaders
Light Green = Group 2nd placed teams
Light Yellow= 4 best third placed teams

The top two teams from each of the six groups automatically qualify for the knock-out phase. The four best third-placed teams, from the six groups, will also progress to the round of 16. To be among the four best third-placed teams a team needs at least 4 points but sometimes even 3 points can be enough. During the FIFA Under 20 World Cup Egypt 2009, Nigeria made it to “Sweet Sixteen” after ending up as one of the four best third placed teams. They had 3 points from 3 games (1 win and 2 losses).

Click here for coverage up to yesterday.

Which of the following teams currently with no point do yo think will win their last game and make it to the round of 16?(polls)

GROUP E
U.S.A. 1-0 Malawi
Spain 3-1 U.A.E

GROUP F
Italy 2-1 Korea Republic
Uruguay 2-0 Algeria

Click here for video highlights

Click here for Day 1 games
Click here for Day 2 games
Click here for Day 3 games
Click here for Day 4 games
Click here for Day 5 games

Click here for Results/Preview/Fixtures
Click here for Groups and Standings

The top two teams from each of the six groups automatically qualify for the knock-out phase. The four best third-placed teams, from the six groups, will also progress to the round of 16. To be among the four best third-placed teams a team needs at least 4 points but sometimes even 3 points can be enough. During the FIFA Under 20 World Cup Egypt 2009, Nigeria made it to “Sweet Sixteen” after ending up as one of the four best third placed teams. They had 3 points from 3 games (1 win and 2 losses).

GROUP E STANDINGS
Spain are through to the round of 16. U.S.A. and U.A.E. have to wait for the final games on October 30 and 31. One or both of them will make it to the round of 16. It’s win or go home for Malawi. Can they beat Spain? Yes they can but the loss to U.A.E. will haunt them.

GROUP F STANDINGS
Italy are through to the round of 16. Uruguay and Korea Republic have to wait for the final games on October 30 and 31. One or both of them will make it to the round of 16. It’s win or go home for Algeria.

1) RESIDENCY PROGRAM

While Malawi has no residency program, Ten players on the U.S. roster have been in Residency since the Fall Semester of 2007: Andre Craven, Duran, Earl Edwards, Herold, Stefan Jerome, Perry Kitchen, Carlos Martinez, McInerney, Tyler Polak and Jared Watts. Only one player, midfielder William Packwood, is not based full time in U.S. Soccer’s Residency Program in Bradenton, Fla. Packwood is based in England and plays in the Birmingham City academy.

2) TEAM COHESION

After the dismal performance in Algeria (CAF Championship), the Malawi Under-17 coach carried out a massive program in secondary (high) schools to discover new talent. In fact some of the players currently at the World Cup Tournament have only been with the team for less than 4 months. The U.S. players have played together for close to 2 years. Team cohesion matters.

3) HEIGHT AND PHYSICAL FITNESS

One of the reasons Malawi didn’t do well in Algeria (CAF Championship) was because they were disadvantaged there by their lack of height and physical fitness. The same is happening at the World Cup tournament. Some of the teams that are winning at the World Cup are winning not because they are more talented but because they have the height and physical build advantage. Why is it that in boxing they go by weight and not age? Lightweight boxers are more talented than heavyweight boxers but if a heavy-weight boxer were to fight against a lightweight boxer a heavy-weight boxer would win. May be in addition to the age limit FIFA should also introduce a height and weight limit. That’s my humble take clones

Should FIFA introduce a height and weight limit in the Youth Championships?(polls)

GROUP C
Netherlands 2-1 Gambia
Colombia 0-0 Iran

GROUP D
New Zealand 0-0 Burkina Faso
Turkey 0-0 Costa Rica (The match between Turkey and Costa Rica was suspended after 21 minutes due to rain/water logged pitch and will be replayed tomorrow: 29 October 2009)

P/S 29 OCTOBER 2009: Turkey 4-1 Costa Rica

Click here for video highlights

Click here for Day 1 games
Click here for Day 2 games
Click here for Day 3 games
Click here for Day 4 games

Click here for Results/Preview/Fixtures
Click here for Groups and Standings

The top two teams from each of the six groups automatically qualify for the knock-out phase. The four best third-placed teams, from the six groups, will also progress to the round of 16.

GROUP C STANDINGS
Iran and Colombia have 4 points each and will likely progress to the round of sixteen even though they still have a game to play. The Netherlands have 3 points and if they win or draw their last game against Iran then they will likely progress to round of 16. Even if they lose the game against Iran they still have a chance of making it to the round of 16 for being one of the four best third placed teams. To be among the four best third-placed teams a team needs at least 4 points but sometimes even 3 points can be enough. During the FIFA Under 20 World Cup Egypt 2009, Nigeria made it to “Sweet Sixteen” after ending up as one of the four best third placed teams. They had 3 points from 3 games (1 win and 2 losses). It’s win or go home for Gambia. Even a win against Colombia may not be enough. If they win and the Nertherlands also win/draw then it’s end of the road for Gambia. If Gambia win and the Netherlands lose then they will end up with 3 points each. However, currently, the Netherlands have a better goal aggregate than Gambia (Netherlands = 0; Gambia = -3). So, for Gambia to qualify, A) Gambia must win and the Netherlands must lose by at least 3 goals or B) Gambia must win by at least 3 goals and the Netherlands must lose. (Cēterīs paribus: all other things being equal or held constant).

WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING DO YOU THINK WILL LIKELY HAPPEN(online surveys)

GROUP A
Argentina 2-1 Germany
Nigeria 1-0 Honduras

GROUP B
Switzerland 4-3 Japan
Mexico 1-0 Brazil

Click here for video highlights

Click here for Day 1 games
Click here for Day 2 games
Click here for Day 3 games
Click here for Results/Preview/Fixtures
Click here for Groups and Standings

The top two teams from each of the six groups automatically qualify for the knock-out phase. The four best third-placed teams, from the six groups, will also progress to the round of 16.

GROUP A STANDINGS
Argentina have progressed to the round of sixteen even though they still have a game to play. Nigeria are likely to qualify even if they end up third in the group. Germany too will likely qualify if they win their last game against Honduras. To be among the four best third-placed teams a team needs at least 4 points but sometimes even 3 points can be enough. During the FIFA Under 20 World Cup Egypt 2009, Nigeria made it to “Sweet Sixteen” after ending up as one of the four best third placed teams. They had 3 points from 3 games (1 win and 2 losses).

GROUP B STANDINGS
Switzerland (even though this’s their debut appearance) have progressed to the round of sixteen even though they still have a game to play. Brazil (yes Brazil), Mexico and Japan have to wait for the final games. Brazil will progress if they win or draw against Switzerland. Mexico will also progress if they win or draw against Japan. It’s win or go home for Japan.

Which of the following results shocked you the most?(online surveys)

The players – Mohamed Hussain and Haddaf – spotting jersey numbers 9 and 15 respectively, were not successful in the MRI scan carried out by FIFA medical officials on the players prior to the kick off of the tournament. Apparently, Mohamed Hussain also played for the U.A.E. during the AFC U-16 Championship last year. Hussain was born on January 1, 1993 and Haddaf was born on February 21, 1992 so how can they be over 17?

FIFA media officer for the cadet championship, Wlofgang Resch, had earlier declined comment on the MRI test results, saying the tests were inconclusive. But Sunday October 25 2009 the global football governing body came out with part of the result that ruled out Hussain, a midfielder and Haddaf from the United Arab Emirate team: “The players have been sanctioned from their respective qualification tournaments in their confederations.” On the UAE’S line up against Malawi, the two players were listed as substitutes but with comment: Not eligible to play

If these players took part in the qualification tournament of their confederation shouldn’t U.A.E. be disqualified? Malawi were knocked out in the first round of GROUP B (Burkina Faso, Niger, Malawi and Zimbabwe) of the African U-17 Championship in Algeria, only to be handed a semi-final place (and a World Cup Spot) after it was discovered opponents Niger had fielded an over-aged player when Niger beat Malawi on 20 March 2009 and Zimbabwe on 23 March 2009.

Should U.A.E. be disqualified? Support your answer.(opinion)