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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