World Cup 2010 Full Draw

[Mosha]

http://www.inthenews.co.uk/infocus/feature...036;1171787.htm

England get to be embarassed by Croatia again.

[chonabot]

http://www.inthenews.co.uk/infocus/feature...036;1171787.htm

England get to be embarassed by Croatia again.

Wow , do you know who wins the cup as well ?

[chavy]

Another simple group to get through then ??

Then again , so was the last one

[mrbojangles]

There's nothing quite like getting revenge. How nice would it be to get our own back on the Croats, by stopping them going to the WC

[mrtoad]

There's nothing quite like getting revenge. How nice would it be to get our own back on the Croats, by stopping them going to the WC

At least we won't be handicapped by the McClown this time, which should make a difference. Nice to see that Scotland probably won't qualify again.

[Jockstar]

Nice to see that Scotland probably won't qualify again.

We'll see. We can beat anyone of those teams on our day.

[mrtoad]

Nice to see that Scotland probably won't qualify again.

We'll see. We can beat anyone of those teams on our day.

I couldn't resist Jock, I was hoping that a certain poster from NE Thailand was going to bite.

[Spit the Dog]

Tough group for Thailand with Japan, Bahrain and Oman. I would like to see them qualify but it's going to be tough from this group.

I wouldn't mind going to see the Japan game when it's in Bangkok. Should be a good one.

[mrbojangles]

Tough group for Thailand with Japan, Bahrain and Oman. I would like to see them qualify but it's going to be tough from this group.

If the 3 Thai lads get stuck in and learn at Man City, they could do well, you never know. If they pick up some tricks from Elano, watching Thailand could soon be like watching Brazil

[mrtoad]

Tough group for Thailand with Japan, Bahrain and Oman. I would like to see them qualify but it's going to be tough from this group.

If the 3 Thai lads get stuck in and learn at Man City, they could do well, you never know. If they pick up some tricks from Elano, watching Thailand could soon be like watching Brazil

Do Brazil walk off the pitch?

[mrbojangles]

Tough group for Thailand with Japan, Bahrain and Oman. I would like to see them qualify but it's going to be tough from this group.

If the 3 Thai lads get stuck in and learn at Man City, they could do well, you never know. If they pick up some tricks from Elano, watching Thailand could soon be like watching Brazil

Do Brazil walk off the pitch?

No, they swagger. So at least the Thai's will learn to swagger off, if nothing else

[mrtoad]

England's World Cup task

By Mandeep Sanghera

The next England manager will be able to clock up the air miles after the World Cup draw for South Africa 2010 provided several lengthy treks abroad.

Croatia and Andorra are mere short hops compared to trips to fellow Group Six rivals Belarus, Ukraine and Kazakhstan.

The winners of each of the nine European groups will qualify for the finals automatically and the best eight runners-up play off for four more qualifying berths.

But, apart from the logistical difficulties, what problems will the countries pose?

CROATIA

World ranking 10

Oh no, not again. The biggest gasps at the draw went out when this rematch was drawn.

Croatia beat England twice in the recent Euro 2008 qualifying group to help end their hopes of reaching next summer's finals and they have plenty of dangermen.

The England players, fans and media will be able to tell the new manager plenty about the likes of Luka Modric, Niko Kranjcar and Eduardo Silva.

An up-and-coming team, Croatia are expected to be England's main rivals to qualify from the group.

UKRAINE

World ranking 29

Striker Andriy Shevchenko is their main threat but, judging by his form at Chelsea, he looks like a player on the wane.

But his reputation earns him the right to be seen as a threat, while fellow forward Andriy Voronin is showing the potential to be a thorn in England's side as he tries to make his mark at Liverpool.

Holding midfielder Anatoliy Tymoschuk starts Ukraine's attacks and has reportedly been eyed by both Arsenal and Manchester United.

Ukraine will host Euro 2012 and will be making attempts to improve and bring on their national side so England will have to be wary.

They finished fourth behind Italy, France and Scotland as they failed to qualify for Euro 2008 but lost only one game at their Kiev home - to Italy - in the process.

BELARUS

World ranking 60

They ended their failed Euro 2008 qualifying campaign with a home win over a Holland side that had already secured their slot in Austria and Switzerland for the finals.

Arsenal playmaker Alexander Hleb poses their biggest threat and Belarus have the potential to be troublesome if Englandtake them too lightly.

They finished fourth in their Euro 2008 qualifying group and German Bernd Stange is at the helm and in charge of making them into a force.

He will be hoping they can match some of their promising play with more bite.

Maksim Romaschenko is an experienced and key player and another man of whom England will have to be careful.

KAZAKHSTAN

World ranking 110

The Borat jokes are already doing the rounds but Serbia were not laughing after their defeat in Kazakhstan during their Euro 2008 campaign.

Serbia went on to miss out on qualification and Kazakhstan also held Belgium at home and narrowly lost to Portugal.

Those results showed Kazakhstan could be difficult opponents who are improving and can raise themselves for high-profile opposition.

But despite the length of the trip and potentially tough nature of the conditions, England will be castigated if they do not beat Kazakhstan.

ANDORRA

World ranking 174

Any opposition whose country is known as a principality should be viewed as a gimme and Andorra are no different.

England made hard work of beating them 3-0 in the away leg in Spain but, while they are a tough team to break down, they are an exception to the phrase "there are no easy games in international football".

[mrbojangles]

For anyone who wants to know the full World Cup draws including Africa, Europe North, Central America and Caribbean Oceania, South America and Asia

Click here:- http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries...ings/index.html

Can someone tell me why New Zealand play in Oceania instead of with Australia in the Asia draw. Seems a bit barmy

[mrtoad]

For anyone who wants to know the full World Cup draws including Africa, Europe North, Central America and Caribbean Oceania, South America and Asia

Click here:- http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries...ings/index.html

Can someone tell me why New Zealand play in Oceania instead of with Australia in the Asia draw. Seems a bit barmy

Australia campaigned to get into Asian group hence why they now play in the Asian Cup, whereas New Zealand were quite happy to stay where they are in Oceana and bother sheep, in between playing football giants like American Samoa, Vautanau, Solomon Islands, Cook Islands and Fiji.

[Mosha]

Don't the home nation automatically qualify anymore? I see that S.Africa are in one of the groups.

[Jockstar]

Don't the home nation automatically qualify anymore? I see that S.Africa are in one of the groups.

Correct!

[Mosha]

I found out why SA where in the draw. The African stages are doubling as the African Nantions Cup. So if SA do not win their league they will still be ok.

[mrbojangles]

I found out why SA where in the draw. The African stages are doubling as the African Nantions Cup. So if SA do not win their league they will still be ok.

Ngiyabonga ka khulu

[Sunderland]

BURP!