A hell of a group: C.R.,Guatemala, Honduras and Canada

[chapin]

This group has to be the most challenging out of the concacaf groups. Costa Rica and Honduras are two dangerous teams that in my mind are equals. Guatemala is not far behind either, remember that Costa Rica had to go to a sudden death game with Guatemala to advance, and in the end they even made it to Japan. Canada is not cake either! I predict that C.R. will place first followed by Honduras or Guatemala. This will be entertaining to watch, but I hate to see my favorite teams in the same group. Maybe such competition will benefit the winners in the following round.

[Ronaldinho11]

I think that with a group like this we might end up seeing some teams that we thought weren't gonna make it to Germany end up going and others that we did end up at home. This group is going to be very interesting. When does the group play start??

[beachesl]

Semi-final round starts August 18, unless Costa Rica and Mexico get their first games moved up so there won't be any conflict with players going to the Olympics at the same time.

See the above sticky for the semi-final round for schedule.

[Ronaldinho11]

thanks chapin

[ZeekLTK]

This isn't the group... yet.

Each team still has to win their 2nd round aggregate to get to group play. And while those are the 4 favorites, there is nothing set in stone to guarentee all 4 will make it. Here are the 2nd round matchups:

Costa Rica vs Cuba
Guatemala vs Surinam
Honduras vs Netherland Antillies
Canada vs Belize

[Ronaldinho11]

This isn't the group... yet.

Each team still has to win their 2nd round aggregate to get to group play.

Thanks for stating the obvious buddy.

[BannockBoy]

The only real chance of a upset would have Cuba beating C.R.
Cuba has been playing well lately and CR does have awful games once in awhile. If Cuba can hold a close game away, they may have a chance Still, highly unlikely that Cuba will advance.

[CanuckFan]

Canada has gone out on a limb and announced (gasp) that Edmonton will be the site for their 2nd home game against the Honduras/Neth.Antilles winner. The game will be on Sept. 4th. They announced it early to let organizers get a head start.

[beachesl]

As long as we don't start setting matches for the hex before November! :)

[voros]

What's the latest on Guatemala's ban? Have they been re-instated? Will they be in time for qualifying?

[beachesl]

What's the latest on Guatemala's ban? Have they been re-instated? Will they be in time for qualifying?

In February, FIFA announced that Guatemala was being "temporarily reinstated" (so everything is on) with the decision to be reviewed at the regular FIFA congress in Paris the week of May 14. I expect that the reinstatement will continue, as FIFA does not want any more black eyes. the word from Guatemala is that all is starting to flow smoothly. The ban started when the Guatemalan government started to be concerned about the corrupt shennanigans of Bladder's and Warner's buddies on the national Association, and FIFA slapped on the ban last fall to cover up, under the old guise of "no political interference with a national association" which is usually (but not always, especially in parts of Africa) fifaspeak for "let our mafia capas go on
cutting up our pie".

Things have apparently been smoothed over in Belize too.

[SABuffalo786]

Canada will qualify from this group.

[cyberthoth]

Canada will qualify from this group.


I don't know why...but I aggree. Part of it I guess is I think Canada has the best coach.

[sidspaceman]

You seriously think that Yallop is a better coach then Bora?

[Autogolazo]

I hope this group's matches are televized in the US--would Univision have them?

This group is going to be a four-way knife fight in a phone booth.

Everyone will take points off of everyone else.

I can't see any team sweeping another.

For Canada, it all comes down to the willingness of their top Euro guys (Radzinski, Stalteri) to participate--to make the games in Mazatenango and San Pedro Sula as well as in Toronto and Edmonton. Otherwise, toast, even with Yallop.

Mexico and the US caught a break--not only because they don't have to play through a group of death like this, but because they are assured of having a weak T&T side in the Hex. I think any of these team would be stronger than T&T.

[Casper]

You seriously think that Yallop is a better coach then Bora?

Just look at their records in MLS. :eek:

[numerista]

You seriously think that Yallop is a better coach then Bora?
I do ... Bora is 60 years old and has been mostly unsuccessful for the past decade.

[sidspaceman]

How about we compare their records in international competations? :D

[Casper]

How about we compare their records in international competations? :D

Yallop is undefeated, untied, and unscored upon as a national team coach. Not bad at all. :p

[sidspaceman]

I said international competations I think the Eathquakes got beat by a Central American team last year in the CCC. Therefore, I will take Bora's international record. :cool: