Argentina, Ecuador and Colombia have emerged
as the winners in the South American World Cup qualifiers so far,
while Uruguay are the evident losers.
The qualifiers are more than half-way as they enter a long break
until March, and those who ended this first portion of the contest on
a high note are likely to find it easier than others to stay focused
and motivated.
Argentina remain top of the standings with 20 points from nine
matches, well clear of Ecuador who are on 17. Colombia have 16 points
and a game in hand, while Uruguay, Chile - also with a game in hand -
and Venezuela all have 12 points. Bolivia and Peru are on eight
points while Paraguay have seven.
The South American qualifiers grant four World Cup berths
directly, plus the chance to earn a fifth in a play-off, and teams
have to play 16 matches each. Brazil are qualified directly as 2014
tournament hosts.
Qualification so far has shown Argentina with captain Lionel Messi
in command.
The superstar striker, arguably the world's best player, had
conspicuously failed in the past to put on with the national team the
kinds of impressive performances he is known for at Barcelona, but
that seems to have changed. Messi has shown himself as a world-class
player in the qualifiers so far, and Argentina are somewhat relieved.
While the Argentine defence still looks far from solid, an
attacking line-up with Messi supported by Gonzalo Higuain, Sergio
Aguero and Angel Di Maria has amply proved it can make up for any
mistakes at the back.
Ecuador have appeared very solid, particularly by winning their
five qualifying matches at home so far. There remains a long road
ahead, but they are very well-placed to return to a World Cup after
missing South Africa 2010.
Colombia have surprised many with their performances, mainly by
capitalizing on the outstanding form of striker Radamel Falcao. They
too appear on track to return to a World Cup they have not played
since 1998.
Beyond these, there are many doubts, although at least three other
teams have good chances of making it to Brazil 2014 if they manage to
redress their recent course.
Venezuela - the only country in South America where football is
not the most popular sport and actually ranks far behind baseball
among others - are fourth and hold hopes of getting to play the first
World Cup in their history. But they have appeared unsteady on the
pitch.
Uruguay, who came fourth in the 2010 World Cup and won last year's
Copa America, are in an outright crisis. They seemed to be cruising
towards Brazil 2014 not so long ago, but after picking up only one of
the last 12 points at stake for them they are certainly not looking
good.
The side led on the pitch by captain Diego Lugano and star
strikers Diego Forlan and Luis Suarez is clearly far from its best
form. Fans are getting nervous, and calls are emerging for renovating
the team.
Chile were also doing fairly well until they picked up three
losses in a row, with coach Claudio Borghi now under fire.
Bolivia, Peru and, most surprisingly Paraguay - who have played
the last four World Cups - appear by now to have very few chances of
making it to Brazil 2014.
However, even last-placed Paraguay are only five points down from
fourth-placed Venezuela. As Uruguay and Chile have shown conversely,
a good run of results over the seven matches most teams are yet to
play could potentially work wonders, and all teams will need to stay
motivated and keep working hard.
The South American qualifiers are set to return in March, with the
fixtures Argentina-Venezuela, Uruguay-Paraguay, Peru-Chile and
Colombia-Bolivia.
