World Cup play-offs round-up

Italy famously failed to qualify for the World Cup for a third straight time, losing to Bosnia and Herzegovina 4-1 on penalties after the teams were tied 1-1 at the end of extra time. Below are the other sides who were more successful on March 31 in clinching the remaining spots for the June 11-July 19 Finals in the US, Canada and Mexico.

Iraq

Coach Graham Arnold has challenged his players to “shock the world” after Iraq became the 48th and final team to qualify for the World Cup, following a nerve-shredding 2-1 win over Bolivia in an intercontinental play-off in Mexico on March 31.

Goals from Ali Al-Hamadi and Aymen Hussein secured a famous win for Iraq, whose only appearance at the World Cup came in Mexico in 1986. Moises Paniagua had levelled proceedings for Bolivia late in the first half.

Said Australian Arnold: “With everything going on in the Middle East at the moment, it made it harder for the players... We have two months to get fit. For us to do something at this World Cup would be a miracle.”

DR Congo

In the earlier intercontinental play-off in Mexico, former England Under-21 defender Axel Tuanzebe basked in the adulation of one of Africa’s largest nations on March 31, after his extra-time winner against Jamaica put the Democratic Republic of Congo into the World Cup.

He kneed the ball home in the 100th minute to seal a 1-0 win and send the Leopards through to the Finals for the first time since 1974, when the country was still known as Zaire.

“To get the winning goal for the country, this is what, as a young boy, you dream about,” said Tuanzebe, who moved with his family to Britain as a five-year-old.

Turkey

In the European play-offs, Turkey celebrated their return to the World Cup on March 31 after ending a 24-year wait with a 1-0 victory over Kosovo.

Kerem Akturkoglu’s second-half winner in Pristina sent a talented Turkish generation through to football’s global showpiece and, in the aftermath, captain Hakan Calhanoglu is already targeting progress from the group stage. The Inter Milan midfielder said: “Our first target is to get out of the group. After that, we will take it step by step. I believe in this team.”

Czech Republic

In Prague, the Czech Republic upset a battling Denmark side 3-1 on penalties after an absorbing encounter in which they led in both normal time and extra time on March 31.

The hosts were pegged back to 1-1 at the end of 90 minutes and 2-2 after the extra period, before Michal Sadilek sent Denmark’s Mads Hermansen the wrong way to win the shoot-out, sending them to their first World Cup since 2006. Pavel Sulc and Ladislav Krejci netted for the Czechs with Joachim Andersen and Kasper Hogh equalising for the Danes.

“Before the match, I said the better team doesn’t always win – the team that wants it more does, and that was us,” said Czech captain Ladislav Krejci, who missed in the shoot-out.

Sweden

Sweden finished rock bottom of their qualifying group with no wins, yet booked their World Cup spot on March 31 with a frantic play-off victory over Poland as coach Graham Potter orchestrated a stunning “great escape” five months after taking charge. 

Viktor Gyokeres struck two minutes from time to complete a 3-2 win in Stockholm after Poland had twice equalised via Nicola Zalewski and Karol Swiderski. The Swedes went ahead first thanks to Anthony Elanga and then regained the lead via Gustaf Lagerbielke.

“It’s the best night of my life and I’ve had some wonderful nights... with (Swedish club) Ostersund and European adventures and Champions League, Premier League wins, but this just feels like more,” said Englishman Potter. AFP, REUTERS