Most of the world’s major leagues are off this weekend to accommodate this weekend’s, er, interesting schedule of international matches. Every confederation, except, apparently, OFC, has World Cup qualifiers this weekend. Some of the more interesting matches are previewed below: 

Saturday: 

UEFA World Cup Qualifying:

Turkey at Armenia. Saturday marks the first time a president of Turkey has ever visited Armenia, and the fact that the Armenian government even extended an invitation is big news. Basically, it boils down to three simple factors 1: Turks were responsible for a wee bit of genocide against the Armenians during World War I (although Kurds did much of the dirty work). 2: They never said: “sorry.” 3: Saying “sorry” is actually illegal in Turkey. There’s also a problem with access to Mt. Ararat, but to make a long story short, these countries don’t like each other. At all. Or at least the Armenians don’t like Turkey. Turkey’s a bit consumed with Kurd-hatred to worry about Armenia. Still, give thanks that the magical UEFA scheduling computer which gave us Poland-Germany in the Euros continues to provide us (and by “us,” I mean history majors) with fun-filled matchups.    

As for the game itself, it should be a blowout. This guy is Armenia’s best ever football player, and I don’t think he plays striker.

 Of course, he didn’t play quarterback either.     

CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying   

United States at Cuba. More on this in the next post.   

AFC World Cup Qualifying

Iran at Saudi Arabia. Pick your poison. Do you prefer your autocracy theocratic, Shiite and north of the Persian Gulf or plutocratic (not that Saudi Arabia is a hotbed of religious tolerance), Sunni and south of the Persian Gulf?  Either way, both approve of judicial amputation, hate Jews and oppress women!  So there’s really no wrong answer. Of interest is how exactly the Iranian team will be received. See, Shiites in Saudi Arabia aren’t really allowed to build mosques or celebrate religious holidays, or work in government. They’re almost certainly not allowed on the national team. As you might imagine, relations between the two nations are, uh, chilly. 

As far as the soccer goes, these teams are very similar. Both are what pass for major powers in the AFC and both stand a good chance of making the Cup and getting blown out in the group stage. On this occasion, you’ve got to give the edge to the Saudis, if only because they’re playing at home. 

Sunday 

CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifying

Brazil at Chile. Normally Brazil qualify for the World Cup with ease. CONMEBOL has 4.5 slots for qualification, and it is rare for Brazil to slip below 2nd. Apparently, this cycle is abnormal. CONMEBOL has a simple double round-robin league table format for qualification and after six matches, Brazil sits in 5th place with 9 points (2W-3D-1L).  By and large, Brazil has accumulated this less than stellar record against teams they normally crush: draws against Columbia and Peru, a loss to Paraguay. Brazil has generally looked toothless under manager Dunga’s bold strategy of “not using good players.” Dani Alves may be the best fullback in the world, but on Planet Dunga, he hardly merits a regular place in the squad. Of course, if Brazil’s form continues, Planet Dunga will be in a galaxy far, far away from the Seleção.

Their opponents are a stronger-than-usual Chile squad. Football Manager 2008 addicts players are familiar with the Villarreal Christ child, Matias Fernandez, but this team also boasts striker Humberto Suazo and Real Betis midfielder Mark Gonzalez. In other words, Chile can give Brazil one hell of a game, especially at home. The defense is not the world’s best, but then again, under Dunga, Brazil’s offense isn’t the world’s best either. 

NFL

Cardinals at 49ers.  Who’s pumped for the dawn of the J.T. O’Sullivan era? I know I am!