Match schedule for 2014 FIFA World Cup™ unveiled

The Match Schedule for the 20th edition of the FIFA World Cup™ was announced in Zurich on 20 October 2011. The 64 matches will be played in 12 cities across the country. Sao Paulo will witness the Opening Match on 12 June 2014 while Rio de Janeiro will be the venue for the Final of the world’s most prestigious football tournament. The FIFA Executive Committee had confirmed in its meeting earlier the proposal by the Brazilian Organizing Committee.

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Colombia, Chile kick-start campaigns

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A last-gasp goal by Radamel Falcao Garcia helped Colombia claim a surprise 2-1 win away to Bolivia in their opening 2014 FIFA World Cup™ qualifier.

After having a day off at the weekend when the opening round was played, the Cafeteros hit their straps in La Paz, some 3,600 metres above sea level.

Dorlan Pabon put Colombia ahead two minutes after the interval, but Walter Flores equalised with a long-distance shot with only five minutes to go. Bolivia were close to their first point - after a 4-2 reverse at Uruguay - but Falcao finished a counter-attacking play to give Colombia the three points.

Colombia boss Leonel Alvarez told a media conference: "I want to see how many teams will come to La Paz to play the way Colombia did. This is a very difficult place."

Bolivia coach Gustavo Quinteros said: "Colombia played much better. We did not play as we had planned. We were not solid at all."

Chile overcame a disappointing 4-1 defeat at Argentina at the weekend as they claimed a 4-2 triumph over Peru in Santiago. Claudio Borghi's Chile needed only one minute to take the lead as Waldo Ponce sent them in front after a Jorge Valdivia corner.

In the 18th minute, Jean Beausejour doubled the lead before a 25-metre shot from Gary Medel made it 3-0 two minutes after the interval. Peru reduced the deficit with Claudio Pizarro and Jefferson Farfan scoring at the 49th and 59th minutes, but Humberto Suazo consolidated Chile's win four minutes later.

Playmaker Valdivia told the media: "It was a clear difference in the first half. The three points are very important. In the second half, Peru scored two goals quickly, but we managed to net a fourth to calm us down."

Finally in Asuncion, Paraguay gained one point in their home duel with Uruguay as they drew 1-1.

Reigning Copa America champions Uruguay took the lead in the 68th minute, when Diego Forlan was assisted by Luis Suarez and beat Paraguay keeper Edgar Barreto. However, Los Guaranies never gave up and Richard Ortiz levelled the duel in the second minute of injury time.

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Goalfest creates excitement in Asia

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Matchday 3 of Asia's third qualifying round for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™ turned out to be a goal-laden affair, with a number of favourites enjoying big wins to move a step closer to early progression. Notably Japan, Iran, Australia and Jordan hit a combined total of 24 unanswered goals, drawing significant attention from their respective local media.

In an article entitled "Australia has point to prove", The Age hails the confident performance of Holger Osieck's outfit. "The 2014 World Cup is three years away," it begins, "but the Socceroos have Brazil firmly in their sights after a comfortable 3-0 win against Oman at ANZ Stadium last night."

The victorious German mentor was in an obvious celebratory mood, with a point in Oman on 11 November potentially enough to seal their passage. "I am very pleased," he told The Australian. "Oman needed to win the game but we showed we were in command for nearly the whole game. Our opponents hardly had any opportunities."

We knew there were high expectations on us for this match, and all the players responded to that very well.

Japan coach Alberto Zaccheroni

Japan entered their home fixture with Tajikistan having scored only two goals from the opening two matches which, though yielding four points, prompted concerns that a lack of bite in the attacking third may be an ongoing concern. However, Alberto Zaccheroni's side produced the biggest win of the campaign so far, routing their rivals 8-0 to send the local press into raptures.

But it was the Italian manager that let out a sigh of relief after the match. "This was a win that leaves us with a great feeling," he said in the Japan Times. "We knew there were high expectations on us for this match, and all the players responded to that very well."

With the entire Japan team playing well, it was 24-year-old Mike Havenaar who is being hailed as Japan's latest new-found talent after breaking his international duck with a brace in only his third match. The Ventforet Kofu forward opened the scoring for his side, before striking his second after the interval to make it 5-0 for the hosts. "It was just a case of me putting both goals away," Havenaar told The Mainchi Daily News. "It was important to get the three points and I am pleased we could do that."

Having lost a crucial qualifier 3-1 against Bahrain on the road to Korea/Japan 2002, Iran were not lacking motivation as they took to the field at Tehran’s Azadi Stadium. Their 6-0 home win, understandably provided the local media with an unexpected outlet to loudly sing the team’s praises. "Iran punish Bahrain 6-0," was the title of an article from the persianfootball.com, while the Tehran Times led with "Team Melli routs 10-man Bahrain".

But there has was disappointment elsewhere, with Chinese media left lamenting the nation’s 1-0 home defeat to Iraq, a result which put them on the edge of elimination. "After losing a game we dominated once again, we are left with no option but to win the next game against Iraq in Doha," the country's leading Xinhua News Agency stated. "Finishing remained the key problem for us, which led to our loss despite the numerous chances we had created."

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Uruguay hit front as Argentina crash

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Venezuela and Colombia made the headlines on Matchday 2 of the South American qualifying competition for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™, the duo recording ground-breaking victories over Argentina and Bolivia. Chile were all smiles again after posting a morale-boosting home win over Peru, while Uruguay secured their first ever point in the Paraguayan capital of Asuncion to lead the table.

FIFA.com has the details on all four of Tuesday’s games in the CONMEBOL Zone.

Match of the day
Chile 4-2 Peru
Goals: Waldo Ponce 2, Eduardo Vargas 18, Gary Medel 47, Humberto Suazo 64 pen (Chile); Claudio Pizarro 49, Jefferson Farfan 59 (Peru)

Neighbours Chile and Peru served up a feast of attacking football in the latest Clásico del Pacífico, with the result in doubt till the end. The hosts looked to have sewn things up when Gary Medel’s superb right-footed drive put them 3-0 ahead at the start of the second half. The cultured Peruvians, who had already hit the post twice and would do so twice more, stormed back, however, with two goals in ten minutes and continued to press even after conceding a fourth. Chile’s star of the show was playmaker Jorge Valdivia, who forced the penalty that allowed Humberto Suazo to seal the points.

Elsewhere
Paraguay and Uruguay shared the spoils in Asuncion in an eagerly awaited repeat of the 2011 Copa America final. A scorer in that 3-0 win for the Uruguayans, Diego Forlan put the visitors ahead and seemingly en route to their first victory in the Paraguayan capital, a city where they had lost on all five of their previous FIFA World Cup qualifying visits. Richard Ortiz had other ideas, however, tapping in from close range to rescue a draw for La Albirroja, though it did not prevent La Celeste from taking an outright lead at the top of the table.

There was more late drama in La Paz, where Radamel Falcao's stoppage-time strike gave Colombia a 2-1 win over Bolivia, their first qualifying victory in the city in five attempts. Los Cafeteros, who took the lead through Dorlan Pavon after sitting out last Friday’s games, had not won their opening qualifier since the Italy 1990 campaign. Having momentarily pulled level through Walter Flores, the Bolivians are the only side in the nine-team section without a point to their name.

The day’s most notable victors were Venezuela, who chalked up a historic win of their own in overcoming Argentina 1-0 in Puerto La Cruz. Defeated in all 18 of their previous encounters with La Albiceleste, the Venezuelans, who finished an encouraging fourth at the recent Copa America, finally broke the spell when central defender Fernando Amorebieta headed home from a corner midway through the second half. That goal was also La Vinotinto’s first in four home games against the Argentinians.

Player of the day
Radamel Falcao Garcia (Colombia)
Starting his side’s game in Bolivia on the bench, the Atletico Madrid striker needed just 14 minutes to fire his side to victory. The goal was the 25-year-old front man’s second in 11 FIFA World Cup qualifiers for his country.

The stat
32 - The number of times Diego Forlan has now hit the back of the net for Uruguay, making him the country’s all-time leading scorer. In giving his side the lead in Asuncion, the Inter Milan forward move one goal clear of two-time Olympic and world champion Hector Scarone. And with 84 appearances and counting, Forlan is also La Celeste’s most capped player.

What they said
“I know people didn’t think much of Cesar’s (Farias) decision, but he knows what he’s doing. Fortunately we justified the faith he showed in us out on the pitch. We’ve made history but we need to keep our feet on the ground because this has only just begun. There’s a long way to go for us to reach the World Cup,” Venezuela midfielder Cesar Gonzalez defends his coach’s decision to leave several first-team players out of last Friday’s game in Ecuador and rest them for the home tie with Argentina.

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Venezuela make history over Argentina

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Venezuela claimed a historic 1-0 win over Argentina in the second round of South American 2014 FIFA World Cup™ qualifiers.

Fernando Amorebieta was the hero for the Vinotinto as Cesar Farias' side defeated the Albiceleste for the first time in their history. The result saw Venezuela bounce back in style after suffering a 2-0 defeat by Ecuador in their opening qualifying clash at the weekend.

Venezuela attacked Argentina throughout and the return of midfielder Javier Mascherano and defender Martin Demichelis in Argentina's line-up was not enough as Lionel Messi and Gonzalo Higuain under-performed in Puerto La Cruz.

The only goal of the game came in the 61st minute, when Athletic Bilbao defender Amorebieta headed the ball into the back of the net after a corner by Juan Arango.

Earlier, Argentina keeper Mariano Andujar was the key figure. In the first half, he saved a superb free-kick by Arango while the Catania custodian also stopped an Arango shot in the second period.

Argentina boss Alejandro Sabella told a post-match media conference: "We have to analyse what we should improve. The qualifiers are a long tournament and we must improve some aspects.

"Venezuela did not let us build attacking plays. In the first quarter of an hour we played well, but then our form dipped and Venezuela played better."

Venezuela defender Oswaldo Vizcarrondo told Argentinian Channel 7 that they have to go step-by-step towards the dream of a maiden FIFA World Cup appearance: "We have to keep our feet on the ground. We dream about the World Cup. In the Copa America earlier this year, it was a matter of seizing the moment. Now, we have to keep ourselves at a good level for three years."

Midfielder Cesar Gonzalez added: "We made history. We brought our soul on the field. We are family. We back the coach and each other. The goal is the World Cup. We defeated a big team, but there is a long, long way to go."

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Panama in as CONCACAF axe falls

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The first round of group-stage action in North, Central American and Caribbean qualifying for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™ claimed its first victims on Tuesday. No fewer than ten teams went out of contention, while Panama booked their passage through and Trinidad and Tobago rebounded from a shock loss.

Match of the day
Panama 5-1 Nicaragua
Blas Perez (3) and Luis Tejada (2) were both on target again as Panama made easy meat of Central American neighbours Nicaragua 5-1 to become the first side to reach the semi-final group stage of CONCACAF qualifying. With one fewer matchday than the rest of the sections due to the withdrawal of the Bahamas, Group C’s fate was known early, and Panama – semi-finalists at this summer’s CONCACAF Gold Cup – are improving on recent strides as they eye a first-ever place at a FIFA World Cup. For group mates Nicaragua and Dominica, however, it’s back to the drawing board and a long wait for Russia 2018 qualifying.

In other action
El Salvador kept top spot in Group A with a 4-0 win over Cayman Islands. The Dominican Republic, who threatened a victory in previous games, finally got the job done with a 3-1 result against Suriname, Jonathan Fana and Erick Ozuna leading the way to a fine road result. Even so, the Dominicans join the Caymans in going out of the competition, with first place to be decided between the Salvadorans and Surinamese.

Trinidad and Tobago rebounded from last week’s shock loss to minnows Bermuda with a 4-0 battering of section basement-dwellers Barbados, a result which sends the Barbadians – pointless from four games and without a goal scored – out of the competition. Guyana are one point ahead of T&T in top spot of Group B after Ricky Shakes’ late goal earned a 1-1 draw with third-place Bermuda, who are no longer in the running.

Canada hit their first hiccup on the qualifying trail, losing their 100 per cent record after recording a goalless draw in Toronto with Puerto Rico, a side they beat easily on the road. The Canucks remain top of Group D with 10 points, four more than St. Kitts and Nevis who drew 1-1 with St Lucia. The Canadians and St. Kitts will battle for top spot as Puerto Rico and St. Lucia are both eliminated.

The scenario in Group E remains unknown, although Guatemala are in good shape following another win, 3-1 over Belize. With Grenada and St. Vincent and the Grenadines not playing their game until Saturday, all involved will need to wait to learn their fates.

Haiti stumbled for the first time in Group F, losing their perfect record with a 2-2 draw at home in Port au Prince against Curacao, who picked up their first point of the campaign. Antigua and Barbuda took full advantage, moving into first place with a freakish 10-0 drubbing of the US Virgin Islands, who are now out of contention after a miserable campaign and they join Curacao in the list of eliminated teams.

Player of the day – Lester Peltier (Trinidad and Tobago)
While some of his team-mates and the fans in Port of Spain looked a little jittery after the surprise loss to Bermuda four days ago, former San Juan Jabletoh man Peltier – who now plies his professional trade in Slovakia – took the game against Barbados by the scruff of the neck. The 23-year-old striker settled the Soca Warriors’ nerves with a well-taken goal after just seven minutes and followed up with two more in the second half to bag his first hat-trick in a T&T jersey. With Peltier in this kind of form, captain and go-to man up front, Kenwyne Jones, might just have a tough time getting his spot back when he returns from injury.

What they said
“We couldn’t find the answer tonight. Puerto Rico parked the bus, allowed us to have the ball and waited for us to attack. We played too slow and when we did get our opportunities, we just failed to take them. It’s a real disappointment,” Canada coach Stephen Hart after his side’s dour 0-0 stalemate with Puerto Rico.

The number
8 - The number of goals scored by Peter ‘Big Pete’ Byers in four qualifying games so far, putting him top of the global scoring charts. He is also top scorer for Antigua and Barbuda, who top Group F and have scored no fewer than 24 goals as a team (best in CONCACAF).

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Asian heavyweights nearly there

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The third matchday in Asia's third qualifying round for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™ saw the favourites run riot across the continent, their big wins leaving them within touching distance of early passage to the next stage. Most notably, Japan put eight unanswered goals past Tajikistan, while Australia and Jordan both won 3-0 over Oman and Singapore respectively to stay perfect.

There were tensely-contested thrillers elsewhere, with Qatar edging past Indonesia 3-2, while Iraq and Uzbekistan recorded slim but crucial away victories. Join FIFA.com as we take a closer look at the night's Asian action.

The match
Iran 6-0 Bahrain
Seyed Hosseini 22, Mojtaba Jabari 34, Hadi Aghili 42, Andranik Samarani 62, Karim Ansari 75, Gholam Rezaei 83
What was expected to be a close contest turned out to be a one-sided affair in favour of Iran, who pulled off a magnificent 6-0 victory over ten-man Bahrain to consolidate their position at the top of Group E. The visitors were dealt a blow at the outset as Rashid Al Hooti received his marching orders for a rough challenge inside the opening minute. Captalising on their numerical advantage, the Iranians dominated the game, cruising to an easy win with three goals in each half.

In the section's another game, Cristian Gonzales struck a brace as his Indonesia twice came from behind to draw level against visiting Qatar. With so much at stake, Mohammed Razak rose to the occasion and grabbed the match-winning goal on the hour-mark for the west Asians, who moved to second place behind Iran.

The surprise
Lebanon 2-2 Kuwait
Hassan Maatouk 15, 86 (PEN); Musaed Nada 50, Mahmoud Younes 88 (OG)
Having revived their fortunes with a 3-1 stunner against UAE, Group B's Lebanon went on to draw 2-2 with Kuwait, a side who beat them 6-0 in a July friendly. The hosts went ahead on 15 minutes courtesy of two-goal hero Hassan Maatouk, who would go on to restore their advantage four minutes from time after Musaed Nada had leveled for the Kuwaitis. The visitors were made to sweat throughout and were lucky to escape defeat with Mohmoud Younes' late own-goal gifting them an away point.

In the other match in the group, Korea Repubic tightened their grip on the section with a 2-1 home win over pointless United Arab Emirates, who are facing elimination. Arsenal forward Park Chu-Young kept up his goal-scoring form with his fifth of the campaign as he put his side in front, before the hosts doubled the lead through Ismail Hamdan's own-goal, making Ismaeil Matar's late strike little more than consolation.

In other action
Jordan kept up their unblemished record with a resounding triumph in Singapore to cement their place at the summit of Group A, while Iraq emerged 1-0 winners in China, with captain Younis Mahmoud on target on the stroke of half-time. The Jordanians can progress to the next stage with two games to spare if they win their next match against Singapore and other results go their way, but the Chinese, with just three points, face an uphill battle in the return match with Iraq at Doha.

Also sitting comfortably at the top of their section are Australia of Group D, who thrashed Oman with goals from Brett Holman, Joshua Kennedy and Mile Jedinak for a third straight win. The result leaves the Socceroos on the cusp of progression, with another three points in the next outing enough to see them through regardless of the other results. In the other game, Thailand continued their impressive run by holding Saudi Arabia to a goalless draw at home, the result keeping them in second place.

In Group C, leaders Japan produced the biggest win of the qualifying campaign so far by dismantling Tajikistan 8-0, with Mike Havenaar, Shinji Okazaki and Shinji Kagawa each completing a brace while Yuichi Komano and Kengo Nakamura were also on target. In the other match, Alexander Geynrikh netted the only goal as Uzbekistan recorded a hard-fought 1-0 victory in Korea DPR. The results see the two winning sides share top spot on seven points, and they can both qualify with wins in next month’s return legs.

The player
Having netted the winner in their previous 2-1 defeat of China on the road to South Africa 2010, Iraq playmaker Nashat Akram proved the People’s Republic’s scourge once again as he provided the assist for Mahoud’s winning goal this time around.

The stat
34 - the number of goals scored throughout the ten games of this free-scoring matchday.

What they said
"We did a great deal of work in preparation for this match, but unfortunately Lady Luck was on Iraq's side. Our players worked hard, but with our rivals playing deep, it was hard for us to make the breakthrough and obviously we were lacking potency upfront," China coach Jose Antonio Camacho.

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