24 December 2015

Fighting spirit from CONCACAF countries

North, Central America and Caribbean football, or shortly known as CONCACAF confederation, I watch it with great pleasure. I am simply amazed how small and tiny nations play against stronger teams. With good fighting spirit they simply just leave their hearts on the pitch just to get to the next round and prove themselves big time.
In total, there are 5 rounds from this zone. After that fifth round, CONCACAF gives 3 direct spots to 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. However, fourth placed team will have to play one more additional match from fourth round Asia winner in its single, home-and-away, intercontinental play-off.
After 3 knock-out rounds at the CONCACAF zone we are now in a group stage for the very first time in this qualifier campaign. From 35 nations, just 12 compete in the fourth and penultimate round which will last until September. Three countries from North America, 5 from Central and 4 Caribbean states are divided into 3 groups with 4 teams each. Matches resume in March:

25 March, leg 3 in group A: Canada - Mexico and El Salvador - Honduras.
25 March, leg 3 in group B: Jamaica - Costa Rica and Haiti- Panama.
25 March, leg 3 in group C: St. Vincent and the Grenadines - Trinidad and Tobago and Guatemala - USA.

29 March, leg 4 in group A: Honduras - El Salvador and Mexico - Canada.
29 March, leg 4 in group B: Panama - Haiti and Costa Rica - Jamaica.
29 March, leg 4 in group C: USA - Guatemala and Trinidad and Tobago - St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Overview in 2015 and expectations in 2016: Much strongest teams from this zone United States of America and Mexico, without doubt, I expect to qualify directly to Russia as they earn it with their play and good tactics. So far, only Mexico from group A and Costa Rica from group B have maximum points from 2 games played. But there is no doubt that remaining countries will give everything in their power and will try everything to entertain us with not giving up in their intentions to secure at least a spot in one of the greatest and biggest sporting event in the world.

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