Vela, Tevez, crucial qualifiers headline 2014's last international window

Author:
Jonathan Wilson
Publish date:
Nov 11, 2014

The final international fixture window of 2014 features the long-awaited international return of some household names, crucial qualifiers on multiple continents and handfuls of intriguing friendlies.

Here are 10 things to watch over the next week:

Netherlands vs. Mexico, friendly in Amsterdam

It’s a repeat of the round-of-16 meeting between the sides at the World Cup in Brazil, in which the Dutch came from behind to win thanks to a highly debatable penalty after Arjen Robben tumbled over Rafa Marquez. Mexico’s desire for revenge, though, has been relegated to the level of subplot.

For Mexico, the Real Socieded forward Carlos Vela returns after a three-year self-imposed absence from the national team, after talks with the manager Miguel Herrera. He was initially suspended for six months in September 2010 after throwing a party in Monterrey, and his return, his relationship with the then-coach Jose Manuel de la Torre and the Mexican authorities soon became unworkable.

• MORE: Vela cements long-awaited return to Mexico national team

Herrera is the third coach Mexico has had since De la Torre, though, and after some impressive displays at the World Cup, there is perhaps a sense of Mexico building something of substance.

For the Dutch, the game is vital as a build-up to Saturday’s Euro 2016 qualifier against Latvia. For all the talk of Euro qualification being rendered a procession by the expansion of the tournament, the Netherlands suddenly is in trouble, with defeats to the Czech Republic and Iceland having left it six points off automatic qualification. It’s still in a playoff slot, and there are seven games remaining, but so negative is the mood that Guus Hiddink has vowed to quit as coach if the Dutch lose. He has Luuk De Jong back after a three-year international exile.

Croatia vs. Argentina, friendly in London

Also back after a three-year absence from international football is another influential Carlos – Tevez – who likely to start for Argentina against Croatia at Upton Park on Wednesday.

Watch: Juventus' Carlos Tevez scores wonder goal in dazzling half-field run

A string of disappointing performances at the Copa America in 2011 suggested he and Lionel Messi struggle to play in the same side, and Alejandro Sabella, who became national coach after that tournament, never selected Tevez. He’s been in sensational form recently for Juventus, though, and current Albiceleste manager Gerardo Martino has restored him to the squad.

Croatia coach Niko Kovac has already indicated that he will rest his biggest stars – Luka Modric, Ivan Rakitic and Mario Mandzukic – to keep them fresh for the Euro qualifier against Italy that will follow.

Scotland vs. Ireland, Euro 2016 qualifier in Glasgow

Scotland and Ireland have never both qualified for the same international tournament, but there’s a real prospect it could happen this time, and their meeting at Celtic Park is the most eagerly anticipated qualifier in Britain since Scotland was defeated by Italy in November 2007.

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With Germany, despite recent stutters, surely going to top the group, it's realistically one of Ireland, Scotland and Poland for the other automatic slot and one for the playoff, with all three showing recent signs of resurgence. Among the many intriguing subplots is the meeting of the Sunderland duo of Steven Fletcher, likely to lead the line for Scotland, and John O’Shea, the heart of the Irish defense and the unlikely scorer of Ireland’s late equalizer against Germany last month.

“We go at each other week in, week out in training, so it should be good,” said Fletcher. “He doesn’t kick me, he can’t get near me! I told him to stay away from my ankles last week. That goal he scored against Germany was a bit of a sickener for us. I did congratulate him the next day. Through gritted teeth.”

England vs. Slovenia, Euro 2016 qualifier in London

England, so far, has made Euro qualifying look fairly simple, three largely uninspiring wins leaving it comfortably top of the group. In that regard, Saturday’s match at Wembley is rather more about Slovenia, which, after four straight defeats, has suddenly awoken with a home victory over Switzerland and a win in Lithuania.

Ahead of international break, capriciousness reigns supreme in EPL

Srecko Katanec, who led Slovenia to qualify for the Euros in 2000 and the World Cup in 2002 before falling out with Zlatko Zahovic, the team’s volatile star, took charge again in January last year, and history seems to be repeating.

He dropped Fiorentina midfielder Josip Ilicic, a gifted but inconsistent player who was probably the highest-profile outfielder in the squad, for those last two games, hoping, he says, to provoke a reaction. He achieved that, put perhaps not in the way he intended, with Ilicic deciding last week to stay away from international football so long as Katanec remains as Slovenia coach. Still, with Switzerland struggling, an unexpected qualification remains possible.

Romania vs. Northern Ireland, Euro 2016 qualifier in Bucharest

Northern Ireland hasn’t been at a major tournament since 1986, but after three straight wins at the start of qualifying – including away to Greece – there’s suddenly a real possibility that skid will end. In fact, with England, Scotland and Wales all starting well, the possibility exists that all four British nations could be at a tournament for only the second time (after the 1958 World Cup).

If Michael O’Neill’s side can come away from Bucharest with a point, it will probably have played its three toughest away games and would be well set for at worst a playoff slot. Northern Ireland could, though, be without its captain Steven Davis, after the Southampton midfielder strained a hamstring in Saturday’s win over Hull City.

Congo vs. Nigeria, 2015 AFCON qualifier in Ponte-Noire

The Cup of Nations will not go ahead in Morocco in January as scheduled, but whether it happens elsewhere at the same time, or is postponed for a year is still unclear. What is obvious, though, is that if Nigeria, the defending champion, is going to qualify, it needs at the very least to avoid defeat away to Congo on Saturday, and it probably needs to win.

Stephen Keshi is back as coach, although still working without a contract, despite having been sacked following the win over Sudan last month. The performance in that game raises some hope after an awful start to the campaign, but Nigeria trails Congo by three points and South Africa by four – with two to qualify automatically – with two games remaining.

• MORE: Bierhoff says Germany will play USA in June friendly

Sierra Leone vs. Ivory Coast, 2015 AFCON qualifier in Abidjan

With the threat of Ebola making it impossible to play matches in Sierra Leone, Saturday’s qualifier has been switched to Abidjan, giving a distinct advantage to Ivory Coast. The Elephants need it. After four of the six qualifying games, they sit outside the two automatic qualification slots on goal difference.

Coach Herve Renard, has persuaded Didier Zokora out of retirement to take his place alongside Kolo Toure in an aging defense, and he also wants Didier Drogba back. That hasn’t happened yet, and so, with Seydou Doumbia injured and Wilfried Bony suspended, Salomon Kalou will lead the attack.

Austria vs. Russia, Euro 2016 qualifier in Vienna

It’s first against second in the group (one in which the presence of Sweden complicates automatic qualification), but it’s also a contest between an Austria team that is on the rise after four decades out of the spotlight and a Russia side that desperately needs to find a spark as it prepares to host the World Cup.

Best soccer tifos from around the world

Emrah Yorulmaz/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images

Galatasaray fans display a sensational "Rocky" tifo ahead of their clash against rival Fenerbahce. It didn't inspire a victory, though. The Turkish rivals played to a 0-0 draw.

Borussia Dortmund fans channel their 1963 cup triumph over Benfica ahead of the teams' second leg in the Champions League round of 16 at Signal Iduna Park.

Hapoel Be'er Sheva fans turn to Moses for tifo inspiration, with his splitting the Red Sea illustrating how "impossible is nothing" in their Europa League series against Besiktas.

Fans of Tunisia's Club Africain display this pointed tifo at a friendly against PSG, whose Qatari owners have pumped millions and millions into the club.

U.S. fans in Columbus, Ohio, make a "One Nation, One Team" statement ahead of the USMNT's World Cup qualifying match against Mexico on November 11, 2016.

Germany fans display their heart for the team colors ahead of a World Cup qualifier against Czech Republic in October 2016.

Italy fans spell out their support for the Azzurri ahead of a massive World Cup qualifier vs. Spain in October 2018.

Iceland fans keep up their world-famous passion for the national team during a World Cup qualifier against Turkey in October 2016.

Fans in the United Arab Emirates set their sights on reaching the 2018 World Cup in Russia during a qualifying match vs. Australia in September 2016.

Colombia fans send a massive jersey around the stadium during a World Cup qualifier vs. Venezuela in September 2016.

Seattle Sounders fans turn to Game Of Thrones for inspiration in a game against the Cascadia rival Vancouver Whitecaps in September 2016.

Djurgardens fans go all out in Sweden for a match against AIK in September 2016.

Zulte Waregem fans prepare Kortrijk for the absolute worst in this Belgian top-flight match in September 2016.

Seattle Sounders fans turn their pop culture reference to Poltergeist in March 2016 ahead of the season home opener against Sporting Kansas City.

The Timbers Army doubles down on their Eastbound and Down theme, adding another wrinkle during the club's MLS Western Conference final first leg vs. FC Dallas on November 22, 2015 at Providence Park.

Fans make a French flag tifo at Wembley Stadium during the singing of Le Marseillaise ahead of England's friendly vs. France, which took place days after the terrorist attacks in Paris.

The Timbers Army referenced Eastbound & Down's Kenny Powers with their "Cup Bound and Down" tifo for the Portland Timbers' MLS playoff elimination game against Sporting Kansas City on October 29, 2015.

Lars Ronbog/FrontZoneSport via Getty Images

Brondby IF fans display a gladiator holding up a lion's head during the team's Danish Alka Superliga match against FC Copenhagen, whose logo is a lion's head, on September 27, 2015.

New England Revolution fans equate Jermaine Jones to Indiana Jones on their quest to capture the 2015 MLS Cup on September 26, 2015.

New England Revolution fans display a Lion King theme in honor of Orlando City FC's first visit to Gillette Stadium on September 5, 2015.

Red Bulls fans take a shot at NYCFC's two summer arrivals, 37-year-old Frank Lampard and 36-year-old Andrea Pirlo, ahead of their third MLS meeting of 2015.

Alexander Hassenstein/Bongarts/Getty Images

Germany fans in Cologne salute their World Cup champions ahead of a friendly against the United States in June, 2015.

Real Madrid fans went all out prior to the second leg of the 2014-15 Champions League semifinal vs. Juventus.

Lazio fans display a stunning eagle tifo ahead of the Rome derby against AS Roma in their penultimate Serie A match of the 2014-15 season.

Barcelona fans bid farewell to veteran midfielder Xavi with this banner at his last league game at Camp Nou before he departs for Qatari club Al Sadd.

Fans at Anfield pay tribute to Steven Gerrard in his final home match as a Liverpool player in May 2015.

Juventus fans state their case to beat Real Madrid in the 2014-15 Champions League semifinals and reach the final in Berlin.

Fans at Benfica's Estadio da Luz remind rival Porto who the Primeira Liga reigning champion is during an April 2015 match in Portugal.

New York Red Bulls fans send a pointed message to their NYCFC counterparts prior to the teams' first MLS meeting in May, 2015.

Inter Milan's Curva Nord announces its presence ahead of the April 2015 Derby della Madonnina–the annual clashes between city rivals Inter and AC Milan.

Bayern Munich fans implore their club to (translated) "Never give up" in the Champions League quarterfinal second leg vs. Porto. Bayern then turned a 3-1 first-leg deficit into a 7-4 aggregate win and a place in the semifinals.

dortmund-tifo-juventus — Patrik Stollarz/AFP/Getty Images

Dortmund fans commemorate their 1997 Champions League trophy in the club's clash vs. Juventus–the opponent on the wrong side of that title bout.

Portland Timbers fans speak out against homophobia with this tifo in a 2013 match against Chivas USA

Atletico's supporters display a banner reading "Atleti crushes" before the Spanish league match between Atletico Madrid and FC Barcelona at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid,

Borussia Dortmund fans put on a remarkable display ahead of a UEFA Champions League quarterfinal second leg match.

Brondby IF fans unveil a tifo ahead of a match in Denmark against Randers FC.

FC Barcelona fans display a huge banner in memory of former head coach Tito Vilanova.

Burak Akbulut/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images

Galatasaray fans support their team during the UEFA Champions League Group D match between Borussia Dortmund and Galatasaray at the Turk Telekom Arena in Istanbul.

The American Outlaws unveil a huge tifo ahead of a 2014 World Cup send-off match between the USA and Turkey at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, N.J.

Marseille's supporters use paper sheets to create an "OM" (Olympique de Marseille) tifo at the beginning of the French L1 football match between Marseille and Genoble.

Seattle Sounders fans display their tifo that shows coach Sigi Schmid playing cards and holding a Royal Flush before a match against the Portland Timbers.

Panathinaikos Athens fans display a banner during the UEFA Europa League match against Dynamo Moscow.

Fans of the Saudi Al-Hilal team celebrate after the scoring of a goal against Uzbekistan's Bunyodkor.

Seattle Sounders fans unveil a tifo inspired from the “Build a Bonfire” chant, featuring Sounder players holding torches on horseback ahead of a game against the Portland Timbers.

Jan-Philipp Burmann/City-Press via Getty images

Fans of Hertha BSC before the Bundesliga match between Hertha BSC and Werder Bremen in Berlin.

Sporting-KC-tifo-rsl — Andy Mead/YCJ/Icon SMI

Sporting Kansas City fans channel their inner Mario ahead of the 2013 MLS Cup final vs. Real Salt Lake.

Brondby IF fans.

barcelona-tifo — Manuel Blondeau/AOP Press/DPPI/Icon Sportswire

Thousands of Barcelona fans hold up cards to spell out "Barca! Orgull," which translates to "Barcelona pride" ahead of a Champions League clash with Bayern Munich at Camp Nou.

Fans raise a tifo celebrating “Community, Club and Country” ahead of a CONCACAF Gold Cup match between the USA and Belize in Portland, Oregon.

Vitesse fans unfurl a massive Eagle banner at the Dutch Eredivisie match against Ajax at the GelreDome.

valencia-tifo — Manuel Queimadelos Alonso/Getty Images

Valencia fans drape a banner featuring a king for a Copa del Rey ("The King's Cup) match against Atletico Madrid.

juventus-tifo — Jonathan Moscrop/LaPresse/Icon Sportswire

Juventus fans make a statement in Turin in a match vs. Inter Milan.

dortmund-tifo — Matthias Hangst/Getty Images

Dortmund fans put on another strong display at a Bundesliga match against Mainz 05.

germany-tifo — John MacDougall/AFP/Getty Images

German fans boast the newest star earned by the national team, symbolizing its 2014 World Cup triumph, at a Euro 2016 qualifying match in Dortmund.

real-madrid-tifo — Pedro Castillo/Real Madrid/Getty Images

Real Madrid fans make a point to display the club's 10 European championships ahead of the October 2014 clash against rival Barcelona at the Bernabeu.

san-jose-earthquakes-tifo — John Hefti/Icon SMI

San Jose Earthquakes fans unleash a massive tifo to mark the opening of Avaya Stadium, MLS's newest soccer-specific venue, in March 2015.

barcelona-fans-tifo — Anadolu Agency/Getty Images

Barcelona fans show all who the real 12th man is ahead of the March 2015 Clásico vs. Real Madrid.

Ivan Villa/STR/LatinContent/Getty Images

Ahead of a clash with Mexican foe Monterrey, Tigres players are treated by this message by its fervent supporters.

Steven-Defour-Tifo — Yorick Jansens/AFP/Getty Images

Standard Liege fans have a pointed message for Steven Defour, who departed the club for Belgian rival Anderlecht.

orlando-city-tifo — Alex Menendez/Getty Images

Orlando City fans mark their club's inaugural MLS game vs. fellow expansion side New York City FC with a statement that the Lions' "reign begins now."

Real Madrid fans salute Ballon d'Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo after he captured the most prestigious individual prize in world soccer again.

Vitesse fans pay homage to Operation Market Garden ahead of an Eredivisie match against SC Heerenveen.

Sevilla's fans deploy a giant banner in the stands before the UEFA Europa league final match between Benfica and Sevilla.

Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images

Fans in Liverpool’s Kop End at Anfield commemorate those lost in the Hillsborough disaster.

Lyon fans during a game against Saint Etienne.

In the early 1930s, Austria had a good claim to be the best side in the world, and it remained competitive until the early 80s, after which its fall has been precipitous, but, led by Bayern Munich's David Alaba, the present crop has a good chance of qualifying for (as opposed to hosting) a tournament for the first time since the 1998 World Cup. Unfortunately for Austria, Alaba is out for the time being with a partial MCL tear.

Russia’s long-term plan of appointing Fabio Capello for 2018, already called into question by a poor World Cup in Brazil, could collapse completely should Russia miss out on Euro 2016.

Switzerland vs Lithuania, Euro 2016 qualifier in St. Gallen

Vladimir Petrovic hasn’t had an easy start to life as Switzerland manager. A defeat at home to England and away to Slovenia – followed by a victory away to San Marino – has placed what should have been a cakewalk to qualification in peril, and already the Swiss are in the position of not being able to afford any slip-ups if they’re to take one of the two automatic qualifying slots.

As Slovenia showed last month, if you can stop Lithuania’s wingers playing, it’s a fairly limited side, but the pressure is on. That said, if Switzerland wins and Slovenia loses to England, it’s tied for second in the group with its two main rivals and six games remaining.

Czech Republic vs Iceland, Euro 2016 qualifier in Prague

Iceland’s rise is one of the great stories of international football. After missing out on the World Cup in a playoff, the nation with a population of 323,000 has started Euro qualifying in extraordinary fashion, beating Turkey and the Netherlands at home and winning in Latvia.

Gylfi Sigurdsson, the creative heart of the team, has been in fine form since his return to Swansea City in the summer, scoring twice and setting up seven goals in the Premier league already this season, a run of form he continued with the winner on Sunday with the winner against Arsenal.

The Czechs also have three wins out of three, so this, although it wouldn’t have seemed likely at the start of the campaign, is probably Iceland’s biggest test so far. Whichever side wins is almost guaranteed at least a playoff slot.