Trio celebrate as Iran stumble

Japan took a giant stride towards 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™ qualification with a 2-1 win in Oman cementing their dominance in Asia's Group B.

Over in Group A, Qatar edged out visiting Lebanon 1-0 to claw themselves back into contention. Iraq also revived their fortunes by scraping past Jordan with the same scoreline.

Elsewhere, there was a surprise as Uzbekistan overcame all the odds in Tehran to record their first-ever win against hosts Iran. Join FIFA.com as we detail an enthralling matchday in Asia.

Final qualifying round, matchday 5 results:
14 November
Group A: Iran 0-1 Uzbekistan, Qatar 1-0 Lebanon
Group B: Oman 1-2 Japan, Iraq 1-0 Jordan

The match
Oman 1-2 Japan
Goals: Ahmed Mubarak 77; Hiroshi Kiyotake 20, Shinji Okazaki 89

A pair of new faces shone as Japan maintained their dominance with a hard-fought victory over Oman. Nurnberg midfielder Hiroshi Kiyotake, on for injured Shinji Kagawa, put Alberto Zaccheroni's visitors ahead on 20 minutes with his first international goal. Ahmed Mubarak may have drawn the hosts level on 77 minutes, but second-half substitute Gotoku Sakai provided the decisive cross which led to Shinji Okazaki's match-winning goal a minute from time.

The hosts carved out more clear chances as they sought their first win against the Japanese. Coach Paul Le Guen's Red Warriors nearly broke the deadlock on ten minutes, too, with Fawzi Bashir agonisingly pulling his shot over with only the goalkeeper to beat. The Omanis were soon punished for the near-miss when Kiyotake latched onto Yuto Nagatomo's pull-back from the right to put his side ahead.

The home team would miss another glorious chance when Ismail Al Ajmi's glancing header rattled the upright. Cheered on by the home crowd, the hosts continued to press forward after restart, with Mubarak equalising from a free-kick to put the game on a knife’s edge. However, Sakai surged down the left to flick a venomous cross into the area, which was tapped home by Okazaki to settle the affair.

The surprise
Iran 0-1 Uzbekistan
Goal: Ulugbek Bakaev, 71

While few teams have left Tehran unscathed, Uzbekistan returned home in celebratory mood by inflicting their first-ever defeat on their hosts. Ulugbek Bakaev struck the match-winning goal as the visitors ended the Iranian jinx. The result moves coach Mirdjalal Kasimov's charges to the top of the section, a point clear of the Iranians, Qatar and Korea Republic, all of whom are level on seven points.

In a scrappy match at the intimidating Azadi Stadium, Carlos Queiroz's home side enjoyed the lion’s share of possession, but they had few clear-cut opportunities. Mohammad Nori had a goal ruled out early on, before Karim Ansarifard saw his effort fly just over after the restart. With the hosts looking too anxious in front of goal, the visitors took a surprise lead when an unmarked Bakaev turned Server Djeparov's dipping free-kick home to silence the 100,000-strong home crowd and seal a famous triumph.

The other attractions
Striker Sebastian Soria eased a nation's worries by scoring the only goal as hosts Qatar scraped past Lebanon in Group A. The result not only extends the Qataris' unblemished head-to-head record to five wins, but also leaves them sharing second spot, level with Korea Republic on seven points.

With Theo Bucker's visitors content to defend, coach Paulo Autuori's home side were limited to three shots in the opening half despite pressing forward with gusto. The breakthrough finally came on 75 minutes, when an onrushing Soria caught keeper Abbas Hassanout, coolly firing into the top of net from 25 yards out. 

Elsewhere, captain Noor Sabri put in a series of brave saves before teenage striker Hammadi Ahmed scored the only goal against Jordan four minutes from time as Iraq recorded their first win of the campaign.

The triumph leaves Zico’s side level with Australia and Oman on five points, with the Jordanians trailing by a point. With Japan boasting a massive eight-point cushion at the top, Group B looks likely to turn into a three-way battle for the second automatic qualifying spot.

The player
Having netted the match-winning goal in their first-leg 3-0 home win against Oman, Shinji Okazaki continued his prolific form against the West Asians by sealing the second victory.

The stat
3 - Three players - Okazaki, Younis Mahmoud and Hassan Abdel Fattah - are tangled for tournament top-scorer honours with seven goals apiece.

What they said
"I know this young squad doesn't have enough experience, but I always believe what they are capable on the pitch. Before the match I told them to focus on their play and to my pleasure, they performed well as an organised team," Iraq coach Zico.

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Okazaki nicks Japan win in Oman

Shinji Okazaki scored a late winner as Asian champions Japan edged Oman 2-1 to home in on a berth at the 2014 FIFA World Cup™ in Brazil.

Oman had not lost at home in the final round of qualifiers and Ahmed Mubarak's 77th-minute free-kick looked like preserving their unbeaten streak, after Hiroshi Kiyotake's first goal for Japan had put the visitors in front after 20 minutes.

But Okazaki had the last word when he scored from close range after a break down the left, putting Alberto Zaccheroni's men provisionally eight points clear at the top of Group B with three games to play.

"I'm pleased I was able to score because I didn't do much else for the whole of the match," Okazaki said. "We kept chipping away and found a way to win in the end. We weren't in control today so I hope we can dominate to beat Jordan next time." 

Japan were weakened by the injury-enforced absence of Manchester United midfielder Shinji Kagawa and Schalke defender Atsuto Uchida, while Hiroki Sakai started at right-back in place of Yuichi Komano, who hurt his back in training.

Oman looked dangerous on the break and should have taken the lead after ten minutes, but Fawzi Bashir blazed over from a promising position after being picked out from the right wing by Ismail Al Ajmi.

Stuttgart's Okazaki, who missed Japan's recent friendlies against France and Brazil, saw a couple of half-chances saved by Oman's Wigan Athletic goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi at the other end, before Kiyotake broke the deadlock.

Oman failed to properly deal with Yuto Nagatomo's cross from the left and Nurnburg midfielder Kiyotake seized on the loose ball to slot home from close range.

Okazaki winner downs Oman
The goal settled nerves but Oman were unlucky not to be on level terms in the 36th minute, as Al Ajmi headed against the post and Nagatomo hacked the ball to safety, before Al Ajmi was taken off injured.

Oman came out with renewed purpose after the break and Mubarak nearly made it all square with a long-range effort that was well dealt with by Japan goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima.

Kiyotake and Sakai both had chances to extend Japan's lead as the pace slowed, but with 13 minutes remaining, Mubarak squeezed in a low free-kick which sent the home fans into a frenzy.

However, as Oman pressed for the winner, substitute Gotoku Sakai raced free on the left flank and his cross was flicked on at the near post by Yasuhito Endo, leaving the arriving Okazaki with the simplest of finishes. Japan resume their qualifying campaign away to Jordan on 26 March, when Oman are away to Australia.

"We had set ourselves the target of three points here, and I'm happy we accomplished that goal," Japan coach Alberto Zaccheroni said. "The heat meant we couldn't play the way we're capable of playing. Oman showed a lot of heart but I'm proud of the way my team refused to give in."

Oman coach Paul Le Guen commented: "We played against one of the best teams in the world at the moment and we had a great performance so we are very disappointed with the result, the manner in which we lost. There are still three games to play and we are still in the running to qualify."

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Ahmed keeps Iraqi dream alive

Iraq resurrected their slim chances of making it to 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™ with a 1-0 victory over Jordan in their qualifying match today. Winless in four matches prior to the clash in Doha, Iraq were in serious danger of missing the global finals before an 86th minute strike from forward Hammadi Ahmed kept their dream alive.

The result leaves Iraq five points from as many matches in Group B, one clear of Jordan, which draws them level on points with second-placed Australia, who have a game in hand, and Oman.

The result brought relief to Iraq coach Zico who had dropped veterans Younus Mahmoud and Nashat Akram from the squad. It was a decision that surprised many because other regulars, such as striker Ala Abdulzehra and defenders Basem Abbas, Muthana Khalid and Salam Shaker, were already unavailable through injuries.

Jordan's Iraqi coach Adnan Hamad was also handicapped by the suspension of Anas Bani Yaseen but the return of goalkeeper Amer Shafi and defender Basem Fathi from injuries gave the team some solidity. Shafi made his presence felt by providing a stellar role in goal before Ahmed's late strike ruined what could have been a perfect day.

Goalkeepers on song
In a fast-paced match, Jordan held the upper hand but found the Iraqi goalkeeper Nour Sabri a tough nut to crack. Sabri saved a 33rd minute strike by Abdulla Deeb and in the 59th minute, Hassan Abdel-Fattah, one of Jordan's heroes in the win against Australia, failed to score from less than six yards out, his weak shot finding the goalkeeper's body and going out of play.

With time running out. a desperate Iraq gave their all in the final 30 minutes, but the Jordanian goalkeeper Amer Shafi, too, was equal to the task, pulling off three saves to deny powerful efforts on goal. But Shafi could do nothing four minutes from time when Ahmed cracked home a left-footer from outside the penalty area, much to the delight of the Iraqi expatriate crowd in the stadium.

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Honduras rout Canada to advance with Panama

Jerry Bengtson scored a hat-trick on Tuesday to spark hosts Honduras to a 8-1 win against Canada and into next year's final round of 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™ qualifying in North and Central America.

Panama also advanced with a 1-1 draw at winless Cuba as the Canadians failed to reach next year's FIFA World Cup qualifying final round in CONCACAF.

Tuesday marked the conclusion of the 12-nation penultimate qualifying round with only unbeaten Mexico assured of moving on when the day began.

Needing a victory to advance from Group C, Honduras struck quickly with Bengtson scoring in the seventh and 16th minutes.

Carlos Costly added the first of his two goals in the 28th minute and Mario Martinez followed in the 32nd as Honduras seized a 4-0 half-time advantage.

Canada's David Edgar netted an own goal in the 48th minute and Martinez netted his second tally in the 62nd to put Honduras ahead 6-0.

Iain Hume answered for Canada in the 76th minute but Bengtson completed his hat-trick in the 82nd minute and Costly finished off the scoring in the 85th to complete the rout.

At Havana, the already-eliminated Cubans netted their only goal in six qualifying matches when Alberto Gomez scored in the 38th minute.

Nelson Barahona equalized for Panama in the 77th to earn a draw. Honduras took the group crown on goal difference thanks to the blowout of Canada.

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Armadillo a big hit with the kids

“Hey fans, I’m all of a flutter! I know it’s hard to believe that an armadillo can feel like that, but I guarantee it’s true. I think that I’m getting more and more involved in the FIFA World Cup™.

This Wednesday I was in the Beira-Rio. As a football-following armadillo, I know that a host of superstars of Brazilian and South American football have graced that green turf. It made me want to roll around on it, but I managed this time to restrain my desire to roll into a ball.

Of course I was the first to get out of the car and take the field. And, though I was already happy, seeing the kids that were waiting for me gave me an even bigger buzz. There were children of all ages there, all wanting to have their photos taken with me.

I’m a cheeky armadillo, everyone knows that. They said that I was very good-looking, that I was cool and colourful too. If they say so, they must be right... right? And at the end of the day, my colours are the same as Brazil’s!

I was so happy that I wanted to go onto the pitch hand-in-hand with the local kids. The stadium is looking better all the time too, and it’s going to be really cool to come back here in 2014.

Well, later on I got away from the delegation and went to eat churrasco (grilled meat), because no Brazilian could resist that, right? The trip has come to an end but I’ve got some great memories from Belo Horizonte and Porto Alegre to take with me. Next month I’ll have more too and by then I’ll even have a name. See you all next time!”

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Montenegro top qualifying group

Andrija Delibasic scored twice as Montenegro knocked England off the top of FIFA World Cup™ Qualifying Group H with a 3-0 victory over group minnows San Marino in Podgorica.

Delibasic opened the scoring after 14 minutes and made it 2-0 at the break when he doubled the home side's lead on the half-hour. Elsad Zverotic added the third in the second half.

Montenegro's third straight win takes them two points clear at the top of the group having played the same number of games as England. Poland sit in third place a further three points behind, having played a game less.

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Familiar foes reunite in Asian showdowns

Asia's final qualifying round for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™ reaches the second-half of the campaign on Wednesday, with four pairs of contenders meeting up in their first return matches.

Notably, Group B's runaway leaders Japan travel to Oman determined to maintain their momentum with a fourth victory, while bottom side Iraq entertain Jordan in Doha desperately seeking their first win.

Elsewhere, Iran from Group A will be hopeful of moving to the section summit with a home triumph over Uzbekistan. Lebanon, meanwhile, challenge hosts Qatar buoyed by their recent good form in what is a crucial match for both teams. Join FIFA.com as we preview these enticing match-ups in detail.

Final qualifying round, matchday 5 fixtures:
14 November
Group A: Iran-Uzbekistan, Qatar-Lebanon
Group B: Oman-Japan, Iraq-Jordan

The match
Oman-Japan
The great rivalry between the two sides needs no introduction, with the encounter at Muscat marking their eighth qualifying meeting. Their first dates back to 1997, when an emerging Japan carved out four points over two legs en-route to sealing their maiden qualification for the global extravaganza at France 1998.

Samurai Blue maintained their dominance with two victories on the road to Germany 2006, before another four points added to their undefeated record against Oman and helped pave the way for South Africa 2010 qualification. Their latest meeting saw Alberto Zaccheroni's Japan again prevail with an emphatic 3-0 home win.

Revenge, understandably, will be on the Omanis mind as Paul Le Guen's hosts seek to move into second place with their first-ever defeat of Japan. The Red Warriors overcame Jordan 2-1 in the last qualifier, although they were edged out by Estonia by the identical scoreline in a recent warm-up.

Star goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi is expected to continue his recent form with Wigan Athletic, while the team's goalscoring task lies on the shoulders of Amad Al Hosni, who famously scored the only goal as they stunned Australia this time last year.

Taking heart from their proud head-to-head record, the visitors received a further boost heading into the game with a 1-0 friendly win against France, although they lost 4-0 to a rampaging Brazil lately.

If there is anything to cause Zaccheroni concerns, it must be the loss of Shinji Kagawa due to a knee injury. Nuremberg midfielder Hiroshi Kiyotake is likely to fill the gap left by the Manchester United star, while CSKA Moscow playmaker Keisuke Honda remains the man to lead the team.

The other attractions
In a match neither side can afford to lose, Iraq welcome Jordan for the fourth time in the campaign. With just two points from four outings, Zico's hosts are quickly facing a must-win scenario, and the under-pressure Brazilian could field a new-look line-up without stars such as Younis Mahmoud and Nashat Akram.

The Jordanians, under Iraqi Adnan Hamad, are inspired by the return of goalkeeper Amer Shafi and defender Basem Fathi, both of whom were suspended against for the 2-1 defeat against Oman. And with a second victory potentially taking them to second, the visitors won't easily let the chance slip away.

In-form Iran and Uzbekistan enter their second leg meeting with a shared aim of moving top with three points in Tehran. Level with leaders Korea Republic on seven points, a draw will be enough to move Carlos Queiroz's hosts to the summit. Mirdjalal Kasimov's visitors, though, face a must-win if they wish to target top spot.

Team Melli ran riot against Tajikistan in a pre-match friendly which they won 6-1, with Ali Karimi excelling by providing three assists. However, the Iran captain injured his hamstring and is ruled out for the Uzbekistan showdown. The White Wolves, meanwhile, arrive in Tehran with a full-strength line-up as they seek to avenge their 1-0 defeat in Tashkent.

Elsewhere, Lebanon coach Theo Bucker travels to Qatar keeping faith with the line-up skippered by Chinese-based Roda Antar, who scored the match-winning goal as they sealed a history-making win against Iran in the last outing. Sitting out the previous matchday with a bye, the Cedars flexed their muscles with a 2-1 defeat of Yemen.

Similarly, Qatar coach Paulo Autuori, showed unwavering belief in his squad despite losing to Uzbekistan 1-0 at home. And his faith paid dividends in the build-up with his side edging Iraq 2-1 in a friendly.

Players to watch
In what coach Zaccheroni has predicted to be a largely defensive game by hosts Oman, Japan will look to make their most of set-piece specialists Yasuhito Endo and Keisuke Honda.

The stat
13 - Japan has edged Australia to boast Asia's highest quota of European-based players, with thirteen players from their current squad plying their trade in Europe.

What they said
"The game in Oman will be important for us. We are going to have three away matches in the latter half of the qualifiers, and it will be down to how many points we can collect in those away games," Japan coach Alberto Zaccheroni

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Saucedo, Bolivia’s late bloomer

Bolivia’s Carlos Saucedo will surely never forget the events of 16 October 2012, and with good reason. Indeed, how often does a 33-year-old make their senior national-team debut in a FIFA World Cup™ qualifier in the fiercely competitive South American Zone and fire three goals past Copa America holders Uruguay?

“I’d always dreamed of playing for my country, though what I really wanted was to be finally given a chance,” Saucedo told FIFA.com, clearly still thrilling in the 4-1 win over La Celeste that revived Bolivia’s hopes of reaching Brazil 2014. “Once I knew I was going to start against Uruguay I said to myself: ‘You have to score a goal now.’ That’s because I’ve seen so many proven strikers come in and not perform that I was afraid I wouldn’t be up to the test when it came to my turn. But I never imagined I’d score three!”

What's more, Saucedo has been something of a late bloomer throughout his professional career, with the right-footed forward only making his debut in the Bolivian top flight at the age of 26, back in 2006 at Oriente Petrolero. His first league top scorers’ honours would take a further six years to arrive – when he grabbed 17 in 22 games for San Jose de Oruro in the Clausura 2012.

Not that he was without goalscoring pedigree before then, having struck 18 times in 33 matches for Bolivar in 2007 and 15 in 41 for Aurora in 2010, but a national-team opportunity had always eluded him. Why does he think that was? “There was always a foreign-based player doing well at the same time, and they ended up getting the nod,” said the Santa Cruz-born front-runner, who himself has also played for domestic outfits Blooming and The Strongest, as well as Ecuador’s Deportivo Quito and Colombian side Independiente Medellin.

Nose for goal
Ninety minutes against Uruguay have done Saucedo’s international profile no end of good, however, and the modest goal-getter now finds himself pursuing the likes of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Gonzalo Higuain (all on seven goals) and Falcao (five) in the race for scorers’ honours in CONMEBOL qualifying. “It’s a very nice feeling and something that really spurs you on. They’re still quite far ahead, though, so I need to score more to get into the hunt,” he said with a grin.

“The most important thing is not to get ahead of myself and start saying ‘I’m going to top score in this qualifying phase,’” he continued. “It’s true that I played my part, but I don’t even know if I’ll start the next game. Over and above any selection dilemma I might have given the coach, it’s the team that matters. Our objective is to reach Brazil.”

And in Saucedo’s view, despite their stuttering start, Bolivia were never out of the running for a qualification place. “In our country the fans tend to see everything in terms of results, but we players don’t. So, just as we didn’t feel we had no chance after drawing [1-1 at home] with Peru, we don’t think we’re already there now we’ve beaten Uruguay,” said the self-described “penalty-area opportunist”, whose treble against Las Charrúas – one with the left foot, one with the right and finally a header – underlined his mastery of the art.

“We’re now four points short of the qualifying places and, though we’re already past halfway and we’ve got incredibly tough games next against Colombia away and then Argentina at home [in March 2013], we’ve still got a chance. As long as that’s the case, we’ll never stop believing,” added the man nicknamed El Caballo (The Horse) who, urged on by his team-mates, celebrated his hat-trick goal by miming a gallop across the pitch.  

Global aspirations
Saucedo is now fully focused on continuing to do his bit to help coach Xabier El Bigotón Azkargorta lead Bolivia to the next FIFA World Cup, a feat the supremo already achieved back at USA 1994. “I’ve got very vivid memories of watching that on TV, and I still can’t believe it’s the same Xabier who’s given me my national-team debut,” said the striker, a fervent admirer of attacking icons Ronaldo and Martin Palermo.

“When the game finished I went up to Xabier and said ‘Thanks gaffer for giving me this opportunity’. He replied, saying, ‘You don’t have anything to thank me for. You’ve earned everything that’s happening to you’. His words really meant a lot to me,” continued Saucedo, who admitted to being unable to hold back the tide of emotion in the hours after his stellar display.

“When I got to the hotel I just started weeping, and the same thing happened once I got back home,” said the player. “I just needed to get it all out my system. I was thinking about all the sacrifices I’d made and my family too, who are always there for me. I was so happy that I barely slept!”

Visibly moved when recalling those post-match moments, Saucedo recovered his composure as the conversation drew to a close. “I’ve had to do it all the hard way and, like the gaffer said, everything I’ve achieved in football is the result of my hard work,” he concluded with the same conviction with which he put Uruguay to the sword.

“I earned my chance with the national team and I didn’t disappoint. Now I’m hoping to stay in the squad and keep helping the team so Bolivia can reach the next World Cup.”

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Prandelli pleased with Azzurri

Italy coach Cesare Prandelli believes his side showed spirit in overcoming the dismissal of Pablo Osvaldo to beat Denmark 3-1 at the San Siro.

Two goals in the space of five minutes from Riccardo Montolivo and Daniele De Rossi had Gli Azzurri 2-0 up, although Denmark got a goal back in first-half stoppage time through William Kvist Jorgensen. Then, just 18 seconds into the second half, Osvaldo was shown red for violent conduct after an incident involving Denmark's Nicolai Stokholm.

However, Mario Balotelli, making his first appearance for Italy since UEFA EURO 2012, fired in a third in the 54th minute to put the result beyond doubt. The win saw Italy move four points clear at the top of Group B, and Prandelli could find few faults with his team's performance.

"We had some initial difficulties, but then we began to play some good football and we deserved the two goals," he told the Italian Football Federation's website. "We used up a lot of energy playing a man down, but I saw a great spirit in the ten still out there and we fought with determination and order.

"And for this, I have to congratulate the lads. We are now a bit more relaxed about our position in the group but we have to improve a lot."

It was a happy return to the San Siro for former Inter Milan striker Balotelli.

"I was hoping to win this game," he said. "We took the lead but things then became a little complicated when they scored at the end of the first half. My goal was instinct. I just tried to anticipate the goalkeeper. It's always special to play at the San Siro. It's a great stadium and gives you great emotions."

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Sacked Levein pays for poor Scotland results

Craig Levein paid for a poor run of results when he was sacked as Scotland manager by the Scottish Football Association (SFA) on Monday.

"The Scottish FA tonight announces that Craig Levein has been relieved of his duties as Scotland National Coach," said an SFA statement.

"The board of the Scottish FA has taken the decision primarily due to the disappointing results in the FIFA World Cup Brazil 2014™ Qualifiers, which have culminated in Scotland being bottom of the group after four matches."

Former Scotland defender Levein guided the Scots to just three wins in his 12 competitive matches in charge after replacing fellow former international George Burley in 2009. Their chances of reaching the finals of a major tournament for the first time since the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France are hanging by a thread.

Scotland U-21 coach Billy Stark will take caretaker charge of the senior side for next week's friendly away to Luxembourg.

Following a meeting of the SFA board at Glasgow's Hampden Park, chief executive Stewart Regan said in a statement: "We are taking this decision with real sadness. Craig has worked hard to bring success, and has been thoroughly professional in his approach to the job.

"He has achieved a great deal with the team and in other areas, such as the performance strategy. However, he would be the first to agree that football is a results-driven business. For that reason we have relieved Craig of his duties with immediate effect.

"After the Luxembourg match, the board will meet to begin the process of identifying and recruiting the next national coach to take us forward. We will give ourselves time, given our fixture schedule, to find the right person for the job.

Recent defeats by both Wales and Belgium had piled the pressure on Levein. But he'd lost the support of many fans early in his time as Scotland manager by opting for a 4-6-0 formation - playing without a recognised striker - in a 1-0 defeat away to the Czech Republic, Scotland's main rivals for a UEFA EURO 2012 play-off place.

However, the scale of the problem confronting Scotland is that a full-time successor to former Hearts and Dundee United boss Levein will be their eighth manager already this century.

Former Scotland midfielder Gordon Strachan, currently out-of-work, has long been tipped as the favourite to replace Levein. Strachan, who played under Alex Ferguson at both Aberdeen and Manchester United, has previously been in charge of Glasgow giants Celtic and has also managed in the English Premier League at Coventry and Southampton.

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The Giant of Porto Alegre welcomes delegation

Popularly known as O Gigante (The Giant) and one of the venues for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™, the Estadio Beira-Rio received a visit on Wednesday from a delegation comprising representatives from FIFA, the Brazil 2014 Organising Committee (LOC) and the Brazilian government.

Headed by the FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke, the Brazilian Minister of Sport Aldo Rebelo, LOC Operations Director Ricardo Trade, local dignitaries and the official mascot of Brazil 2014, the delegation was warmly welcomed by a large group of children and saw for itself how well work is progressing at the stadium and with the city’s urban mobility projects.

FIFA.com rounds up what the leading members of the delegation had to say about their Porto Alegre visit:

FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke:
“We visited the stadium this morning and I was fortunate enough to be taken by the local authorities to see the urban mobility programme that is being implemented here in Porto Alegre. I can safely say that FIFA need have no concerns as to the city’s preparations. It is making good progress and the schedule is being met. There is still much to be done of course, and we are going to carry on monitoring everything. You can be sure, however, of our continued support. The stadiums should be ready ahead of schedule as we have to carry out a minimum of two test events for the FIFA Confederations Cup and the FIFA World Cup, one with the stadium 35 per cent full and the other 70 per cent full, to ensure they are fully operational .”

Brazilian Minister of Sport, Aldo Rebelo:
“I have seen for myself that there’s a real sense of optimism and hard work here in Rio Grande do Sul, going towards getting Porto Alegre ready to host the FIFA World Cup for a second time, the city having also been a venue in 1950. I am absolutely convinced that  Porto Alegre will offer the warm welcome the state is known for to journalists, fans, delegations and all visitors to the city in general. That’s the tradition here in Rio Grande do Sul: to offer a warm welcome and overcome whatever problems there are. I can see the result of that dedication and hard work at the stadium and in the urban mobility projects. We all know the problems that exist. But there are problems even in the world’s most advanced countries, and I can cite a few international events in making that point. However, there’s a difference between building an image based on what’s gone right and one that’s founded on what’s gone wrong.”

Beto Grill, Acting Governor of Rio Grande do Sul:
“The Rio Grande do Sul state government decided it was going to focus special attention on building whatever was needed to stage a great FIFA World Cup. We have been working in complete harmony with the city council and the federal government. We know just how big a challenge it is to organise a FIFA World Cup, and we are convinced we will do the people of the state proud. Our job dictates that we do everything in our power to stage a great event, and we are not going to disappoint. We are going to achieve everything that’s been agreed on.”

Jose Fortunatti, Mayor of Porto Alegre:
“I hope all of you have felt right at home. We know that the FIFA World Cup is a major opportunity for us, not only because it is a huge event, but because it is going to leave an important legacy for the city of Porto Alegre and for the people of our state. Urban mobility, safety, public transport and a host of other initiatives: this whole process of transformation is geared towards the staging of the competition. I am sure that Porto Alegre will be making every effort to ensure everything is ready in 2014.”

LOC Operations Director Ricardo Trade:
“Once again we are absolutely delighted. We have formed an excellent partnership with the game of football here in Rio Grande do Sul, which is very strong, and with the state government, the city council and both regional departments. These are important points, as we are working closely together. Work is progressing as smoothly as it possibly can.”

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Poland earn point against England

Poland failed to pull off an historic win over England on Wednesday, a day after their FIFA World Cup™ qualifier had to be rescheduled due to a waterlogged pitch, but for home fans the 1-1 draw had a taste of victory.

Wayne Rooney sent the Poles' morale sinking 15 minutes from half-time, heading in a corner from Steven Gerrard for his 30th goal in an England shirt. Poland's answer came in the 70th minute, thanks to Torino defender Kamil Glik, courtesy of another header from a corner.

Conscious of their underdog image, they stand 54th in the FIFA rankings to England's fifth, Poland took the game to their rivals from kick off.

The game had been billed as a personal battle between Poland's Borussia Dortmund striker Robert Lewandowski and England's Manchester City keeper Joe Hart, who recently did battle in the UEFA Champions League.

But with Lewandowski failing to shine in the half, it was midfielder Kamil Grosicki who first sent home fans' pulses racing in the 58,000-capacity Kazimierz Gorski Stadium in the eighth minute, though poor control stymied his effort.

England had their chance after 15 minutes but James Milner's lateral pass failed to find a team-mate before Polish goalkeeper Przemyslaw Tyton smothered the ball.

Working hand-in-hand with fellow midfielder, French-born Ludovic Obraniak, Sivasspor's Grosicki continued to seek weak links in the England defence, to no avail.

Manchester City's Milner fed Tottenham Hotspur striker Jermain Defoe up front in the 26th minute, only for the latter to lose the battle with Poland captain Marcin Wasilewski, standing in for the injured Kuba Blaszczykowski.

Two minutes later, Poland powered back, with Grosicki finding Lewandowski in the box, only for newcomer Pawel Wszolek to fail to latch onto the pass.

A minute after Rooney's goal put England up, Grosicki again came up empty.

For the remainder of the half, both teams failed to capitalise on corners and free kicks, while strikes from Glen Johnson and Grosicki went wide minutes from the whistle.

After the interval, Poland upped the pace in a drive to close the deficit, with corner-taking stalwart Obraniak firing over the bar in the 49th minute, followed by Lewandowski ten minutes later.

A lone run by substitute Danny Welbeck then found Tyton floundering, but Rooney failed to make it two.

Poland's traditionally unforgiving fans began to harangue their team, but were suddenly silenced when a 70th-minute Obraniak corner found Glik, who earned his second Poland goal, as Hart came for the ball and was left stranded.

Ten minutes later, they were inches away from pulling ahead, as yet another Obraniak corner found Glik.

Three minutes from time, Milner found himself free, only for Tyton to beat him, before Obraniak pounded at Hart twice, the second time forcing the England keeper into a lunging save.

The Poles had been aware that history was against them having beaten England just once, in the race to qualify for the 1974 FIFA World Cup, when they deprived the English of a berth at the finals, and drawn six times in a total of 17 previous meetings.

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