New Delhi, Oct 17 (IANS) After the latest round of matches Tuesday, war-torn Bosnia stormed into the 2014 World Cup in Brazil from June 12-July 13 along with England, Spain, Russia, Chile and Ecuador.
Bosnia, which is still recovering from the horrific conflict that left over 100,000 dead, sent their countrymen into raptuous joy by qualifying for the ultimate summit of global football.
They marched into the World Cup finals with a carefully eked out 1-0 win over Lithuania for their eighth victory in 10 matches in Group G.
For England, it was a must-win match against Poland and they pulled it off with a meticulously crafted 2-0 victory at London’s Wembley Stadium. England’s qualification pushed Ukraine into the play-offs.
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Spain also recorded a similar 2-0 victory over Georgia to make sure they defend the World Cup they won in South Africa four years ago.
Russia needed a draw to book their passage to Brazil and they achieved precisely that with a 1-1 deadlock with Azerbaijan to send Portugal into the play-offs.
Countries qualifying for the 2014 World Cup, the draw for which will be Dec 6:
EUROPE:
The Netherlands, Italy, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, Spain, England, Russia, Bosnia
(Four places remain to be decided in play-offs between Portugal, Croatia, Ukraine, Greece, France, Sweden, Romania and Iceland. Draw to be made on October 21
ASIA:
Japan, Australia, Iran, South Korea
(Jordan will take on Uruguay in a playoff in November)
SOUTH AMERICA:
Brazil (hosts), Argentina, Colombia, Chile and Ecuador
(Uruguay will play Jordan in a playoff in November)
CONCACAF:
United States, Costa Rica, Honduras
(Mexico will take on New Zealand in a playoff in November)
AFRICA:
(Five teams to qualify in playoffs)
First leg results:
Ghana 6 Egypt 1
Ethiopia 1 Nigeria 2
Tunisia 0 Cameroon 0
Burkina Faso 3 Algeria 2
Ivory Coast 3 Senegal 1
(Second legs: Nov 16, 17, 19)
OCEANIA:
(New Zealand will take on Mexico in a playoff in November)
