World Cup Round-up

Last updated : 12 October 2005 By Keith Allman
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Zvonimir Vukic - Played just over an hour for Serbia as they beat Bosnia 1-0. That result is enough to see his team qualify for next year's World Cup finals, so well done to all concerned (Vukic especially for his cheeky goal at the weekend).

Andy O'Brien - One man who won't be going to Germany. His team were relying on other results that didn't go their way and, what's more, his Ireland side could only draw 0-0 with Switzerland. Andy was consigned to the bench for the entire evening so no doubt if he had played he would've stuck in a match-winning hat trick.

Brian Priske - Played the entire game for Denmark in their 2-1 win away in Kazakhstan. Sadly it wasn't enough to see the Danes through as they finished 3rd in their group.

Richard Duffy - Booked as Wales overcame Azerbaijan 2-0.

Alexsander Rodic - Booked and later substituted in Slovenia's disappointing 3-0 defeat at home to Scotland. He also faced up to former Pompey player Nigel Quashie.

Kostas Chalkias - Entirely dropped from the Greek squad for their 1-0 win over Georgia. Whoops!

John Viafara - Expected to make the bench at best for Colombia in Paraguay.

Dario Silva - Pencilled in to start up front against Argentina for Uruguay. Unfortunately this could cause all kinds of trouble since he's unlikely to get back into training until Friday before Saturday's meeting with Boro.

Elsewhere former Pompey players Peter Crouch and Alexei Smertin both represented their countries - England and Russia respectively - whilst the Greek squad was bulging with supposed former transfer targets. Gary O'Neil also bagged an assist for England U21's yesterday evening. Closer to home the reserves overcame Norwich 1-0 thanks to a Toddy penalty. Cissé and Primus took steps closer to recovering from injury whilst Mbesuma continued his quest for fitness in an otherwise youthful squad.