[Red Harvest]

to potentially place a fourth team in the World Cup....right??

Just in case:

http://sports.yahoo.com/m/sow/news/a...ameetings.html

I'm all for it...I'm sure Honduras is happy (a little late but better late than never).

[RalRhino]

Originally posted by Red Harvest


I'm sure Honduras is happy

...and I'm sure Austrailia is happier!

[desertfox2]

I'm very happy that CONCACAF got that extra half of a slot...they deserve it. However (and although I knew that this was coming) I am not pleased that now Australia practically gets an auto berth into the finals. Decreasing the amount of spots for CONMEBOL just to get Australia in because they have been crying for so long just doesn't seem right. Anyways, let the discussion continue! We can now make more accurate predictions on which teams will qualify from what region.

[Bison1997]

Originally posted by Red Harvest


I'm all for it...I'm sure Honduras is happy (a little late but better late than never).

I'm happy about this too - it doesn't make sense that Honduras had to stay home while China (for example) got to do a Three-And-Out...

[Sachin]

Actually, New Zealand could really give the Aussies a run. The Kiwi program has made major strides forward. A few years ago, they viewed NCAA soccer as their proving ground. Now they're looking at Europe.

Sachin

[nicodemus]

Imagine a home and away with Honduras and Iran or something similar.

Two places renowned for being tough to outsiders. That should be nuts.

[Bison1997]

Originally posted by Sachin
Actually, New Zealand could really give the Aussies a run. The Kiwi program has made major strides forward. A few years ago, they viewed NCAA soccer as their proving ground. Now they're looking at Europe.

Sachin

Now that they've gotten a big win over the Aussies, the team's confidence has to be soaring. You can imagine how they must feel about the fact that the World Cup is a very real possibility going forward.

[Maczebus]

Originally posted by Sachin
Actually, New Zealand could really give the Aussies a run. The Kiwi program has made major strides forward. A few years ago, they viewed NCAA soccer as their proving ground. Now they're looking at Europe.

Sachin

Teams of either Australia or New Zealand's quality, shouldn't automatically have a 50% chance of competing.

It's just wrong.

[Heist]

Originally posted by maczebus
Teams of either Australia or New Zealand's quality, shouldn't automatically have a 50% chance of competing.

It's just wrong.

I agree. Its not fair to South America, especially in a year in which the past champion doesn't automatically qualify. I do think making Brazil qualify is good, but imagine if only Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, and Uruguay make it.
The Aussies or Jamaica or T & T could get in ahead of Paraguay or if someone like Ecuador slips in another of those big boys of South America get left at home.
That's just wrong. It'd be much more exciting and fair for Asia #5 to play Oceania #1 and CONCACAF #4 to play CONMEBOL #5. Honduras taking on Paraguay or Ecuador for a spot in Germany... now that'd be exciting.

At least they took half a spot from Europe, although Germany is getting a free pass. I wish there was a better way to make sure the top teams in Europe really do get in. The Netherlands missing the finals was really too bad last year. I just don't think there's a better way to do it though.

[ursula]

Originally posted by nicodemus
Imagine a home and away with Honduras and Iran or something similar.

Two places renowned for being tough to outsiders. That should be nuts.

Yeah, that's what I thought when I first heard the news.