Today we have the ninth round of the eighteenth Dugout-Online World Cup Qualification cycle. All the matches kick-off at 18:00 GMT.
World Cup Qualifying:
Group A
Positions: 1
st -
Netherlands (18 points), 2
nd - Romania (11 points), 3
rd - Portugal (7 points), 4
th -
Uruguay (6 points), 5
th -
Albania (2 points)
Netherlands qualified for the World Cup, and will remain first. We could have the second qualifier from this group today - Romania need a point, to stay ahead of Portugal 'till the end. Uruguay, and Albania played seven matches already, and have no chance of catching the top two.
Netherlands vs. Albania 
Portugal vs. Romania 
Group B
Positions: 1st - Finland (13 points), 2nd - Moldova (12 points), 3rd - Germany (10 points), 4th - Brazil (9 points), 5th - Australia (3 points)
Brazil need a win today, as this is their last qualification match. Though, even with a win, chances are slim they could get the second place. Finland skip this round - in the last round, they'll play against Australia.
Australia vs. Germany 
Moldova vs. Brazil 
Group C
Positions: 1st - Algeria (12 points), 2nd - India (10 points), 3rd - Bosnia and Herzegovina (9 point), 4th - Colombia (6 points), 5th - Spain (5 points)
We have an interesting situation in Group C. The two leaders, Algeria, and India, already played seven matches, and have only one left.
Spain vs. India 
Colombia vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina 
Group D
Positions: 1
st -
Austria (13 points), 2
nd -
Slovakia (9 points), 3
rd -
Scotland (4 points), 4
th -
South Korea (3 points)
It's all over in Group D. Austria already qualified, and Slovakia joined them in the fifth round.
Group E
Positions: 1
st -
United States of America (17 points), 2
nd - Lithuania (10 points), 3
rd - Bulgaria (6 points), 4
th -
Mexico (6 points), 5
th -
Chile (4 points)
United States of America will play in the 18
th World Cup. And chances are good Lithuania will be the oens to join them - a win today is all they need. USA, and Mexico have only one match left.
Chile vs. Lithuania 
Bulgaria vs. United States of America 
Group F
Positions: 1st - Denmark (12 points), 2nd - Turkey (10 points), 3rd - Italy (10 points), 4th - Venezuela (7 points), 5th - Rep. of Montenegro (5 points)
Denmark need a win today. This is their last match, and a loss would mean that Turkey, Italy, and Venezuela can overtake them (the three still have two games left to play).
Turkey vs. Italy 
Venezuela vs. Denmark 
Group G
Positions: 1st - Estonia (13 points), 2nd - Croatia (13 points), 3rd - New Zealand (9 points), 4th - Latvia (8 points), 5th - Japan (3 points)
Estonia need to win their last qualification match today - if they don't, it's quite possible that Latvia will overtake them.
Croatia vs. Estonia 
Latvia vs. Japan 
Group H
Positions: 1
st -
France (16 points), 2
nd - China (11 points), 3
rd - Canada (9 point), 4
th -
Argentina (4 points), 5
th -
Israel (4 points)
France will play in the 18
th World Cup. But the second place is still not decided. If China win today, they will join France. If they draw, Canada will need to win by more than two goals. And if China lose today, Canada need only to win in their last match.
Argentina vs. China 
France vs. Israel 
Group I
Positions: 1
st -
Serbia (15 points), 2
nd - Bangladesh (11 points), 3
rd - South Africa (8 points), 4
th - Switzerland (7 points), 5
th -
Sweden (3 points)
With their away win (against Bangladesh) in the eighth round, Serbia ensured they will participate in the 18
th World Cup. Bangladesh could be in trouble now. Today is their last qualification match, and even with a win they will not be secure in the second place. Though, if South Africa lose today, a win will be plenty enough.
Serbia vs. South Africa 
Switzerland vs. Bangladesh 
Group J
Positions: 1st - England (11 points), 2nd - Belgium (10 points), 3rd - Czech republic (9 point), 4th - Iceland (8 points), 5th - Norway (5 points)
England just moved to the top of the table, but since this is their last qualification match, that could change quickly in this group.
Czech republic vs. Belgium 
Iceland vs. England 
Group K
Positions: 1
st -
Peru (18 points), 2
nd - Poland (13 points), 3
rd - Greece (11 points), 4
th -
Malta (4 points), 5
th -
Thailand (0 points)
Peru won in the eight round, and secured their participation in the World Cup. The second place is still up for grabs - though with Greece playing against Peru today, maybe that won't be the case after this round.
Thailand vs. Poland 
Greece vs. Peru 
Group L
Positions: 1
st -
Slovenia (16 points), 2
nd - Ireland (13 points), 3
rd - Russia (8 points), 4
th -
Bolivia (5 points), 5
th -
Hungary (2 point)
Slovenia already qualified for the World Cup. Ireland have the last qualification game today, but, since they play against Russia, a draw is enough for them to stay second.
Bolivia vs. Hungary 
Russia vs. Ireland 
World Cup Under-21 Qualifying:
Group A
Positions: 1
st -
France (19 points), 2
nd -
Bosnia and Herzegovina (13 points), 3
rd -
Scotland (7 points), 4
th -
India (3 points), 5
th -
Chile (2 points)
Bosnia and Herzegovina join France as the second team to qualify for the U21 World Cup from Group A.
Chile vs. France
India vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina
Group B
Positions: 1
st -
Norway (17 points), 2
nd - Bolivia (10 points), 3
rd - New Zealand (10 points), 4
th - Canada (4 points), 5
th - Argentina (4 points)
Norway already qualified for the U21 World Cup. But the second place is still up for grabs - though, Bolivia are in a far better position. Bolivia still have both games to play (New Zealand skip this round), and their goal difference is excellent (+7, compared to -5 New Zealand have). Technically, Canada, and Argentina could also move up to second, but chances of that happening are pretty slim.
New Zealand vs. Argentina
Canada vs. Bolivia
Group C
Positions: 1st - Rep.of Montenegro (12 points), 2nd - Iceland (11 points), 3rd - Czech republic (10 points), 4th - Malta (6 points), 5th - Ireland (5 points)
Republic of Montenegro, and Czech republic are in an interesting situation - they each have only one match left to play. Iceland need one win (out of the two matches left) and they will qualify.
Ireland vs. Ireland
Malta vs. Rep. of Montenegro 
Group D
Positions: 1
st -
Moldova (15 points), 2
nd - Algeria (14 points), 3
rd - Australia (8 points), 4
th -
Greece (4 points), 5
th -
Lithuania (3 points)
With their win in the eighth round Moldova qualified for the U21 World Cup. Algeria need a point today to ensure they will be the second team to go to the U21 World Cup. Both, Moldova, and Algeria already played seven matches.
Australia vs. Algeria 
Greece vs. Lithuania
Group E
Positions: 1
st -
Poland (17 points), 2
nd - Brazil (8 points), 3
rd - United States of America (8 points), 4
th - Slovakia (7 points), 5
th - Germany (4 points)
With their latest win (against USA) Poland secured their place in the U21 World Cup. Slovakia are in an interesting situation. This is their last qualification match, and even a win most probably won't be enough.
Brazil vs. United States of America
Germany vs. Slovakia 
Group F
Positions: 1
st -
Romania (14 points), 2
nd - Denmark (10 points), 3
rd - Thailand (9 points), 4
th - Estonia (6 points), 5
th - Albania (4 points)
Romania qualified for the U21 World Cup - they could still drop to second, but not lower than that. Romania, and Thailand have only one match left to play.
Denmark vs. Albania
Estonia vs. Romania
Group G
Positions: 1
st -
South Korea (15 points), 2
nd - Austria (10 points), 3
rd - Sweden (9 points), 4
th - Russia (7 points), 5
th - Bulgaria (5 points)
South Korea already qualified for the U21 World Cup. The second place is still up for grabs - Austria, and Sweden have only one match left (Sweden today, Austria in the last round).
South Korea vs. Russia
Bulgaria vs. Sweden 
Group H
Positions: 1st - Spain (15 points), 2nd - Serbia (12 points), 3rd - Latvia (9 points), 4th - Venezuela (7 points), 5th - China (1 point)
To ensure they will go to the U21 World Cup, Spain need at least a draw today. This will be Spain's last qualification match this season. Serbia skip this round, and are in danger of losing their position.
China vs. Spain
Venezuela vs. Latvia
Group I
Positions: 1
st -
Finland (12 points), 2
nd -
Switzerland (10 points), 3
rd -
South Africa (4 points), 4
th -
Japan (2 points)
All is decided in Group I - Finland, and Switzerland are the two that will go to the U21 World Cup.
Group J
Positions: 1st - England (14 points), 2nd - Netherlands (13 points), 3rd - Peru (8 points), 4th - Bangladesh (5 points), 5th - Hungary (3 points)
England, and Hungary are the two that played seven matches and have only one left. Peru need to win today if they wish to have a chance of catching Netherlands (or maybe even England). Since they play against Netherlands in the last round, overtaking them is a real possibility.
England vs. Bangladesh
Peru vs. Netherlands
Group K
Positions: 1
st -
Slovenia (15 points), 2
nd -
Croatia (13 points), 3
rd -
Portugal (7 points), 4
th -
Israel (6 points), 5
th -
Colombia (5 points)
With two rounds left to play, Slovenia, and Croatia qualified for the U21 World Cup.
Slovenia vs. Colombia
Israel vs. Croatia
Group L
Positions: 1st - Belgium (16 points), 2nd - Italy (14 points), 3rd - Turkey (10 points), 4th - Uruguay (4 points), 5th - Mexico (1 point)
Belgium need just a point to ensure they will go to the U21 World Cup - Italy need a win.
Belgium vs. Italy
Turkey vs. Mexico 
World Cup Under-19 Qualifying:
Group A
Positions: 1st - Croatia (13 points), 2nd - Brazil (11 points), 3rd - Thailand (9 points), 4th - Canada (7 points), 5th - Finland (2 points)
Croatians need just a point from the next two matches to secure their participation in the U19 World Cup. Thailand skip this round and need to hope that Croatia, and Brazil do badly this round. Canada need to win today, if they wish to go to the U19 World Cup.
Brazil vs. Finland 
Canada vs. Croatia
Group B
Positions: 1
st -
Bosnia and Herzegovina (14 points), 2
nd - New Zealand (10 points), 3
rd - Sweden (8 points), 4
th - Switzerland (6 points), 5
th -
Rep. of Montenegro (5 points)
Bosnia and Herzegovina drew in the eighth round, but it was enough for them to qualify. The draw for Sweden meant they went from second to third. Since they skip this round, they need to hope New Zealand will do badly today.
New Zealand vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina
Switzerland vs. Rep. of Montenegro
Group C
Positions: 1
st -
Netherlands (19 points), 2
nd - Japan (11 points), 3
rd - Slovakia (10 points), 4
th - Estonia (6 points), 5
th -
Russia (0 points)
Netherlands already qualified for the U19 World Cup, but the second place is still open. Slovakia need to win. This is their last match, while Japan still have two.
Estonia vs. Russia
Japan vs. Slovakia
Group D
Positions: 1st - France (12 points), 2nd - Spain (10 points), 3rd - United States of America (8 points), 4th - Venezuela (7 points), 5th - China (7 points)
This is still fairly open group. China have only theoretical chances of moving to second. For that to happen, Spain needs to lose (both matches), and China needs to win in the last round, by a lot (more than 9 goals). USA are also in a bad position. Their last match is today - even a win might not be enough.
France vs. United States of America
Venezuela vs. Spain
Group E
Positions: 1
st -
England (18 points), 2
nd - Serbia (14 points), 3
rd - Denmark (8 points), 4
th -
Chile (2 points), 5
th -
Colombia (2 points)
England won in the eighth round, and secured their place in the U19 World Cup. Serbia will almost certainly take the second place. To ensure they will be the second team to go to the U19 World Cup, they need a point. But even if they lose their last match, Denmark need to score about 14 goals (or more) in two games left - a tall order for a team that only scored six in the past six games.
Denmark vs. Chile
Serbia vs. Colombia
Group F
Positions: 1
st -
Slovenia (15 points), 2
nd - Argentina (8 points), 3
rd - Mexico (8 points), 4
th - Latvia (8 points), 5
th -
Lithuania (5 points)
Slovenia already qualified for the U19 World Cup. Of the three teams fighting for the U19 WOrld Cup, Mexico are in the worst position. Not only do they have only one match left, their last match is against Slovenia.
Argentina vs. Latvia
Slovenia vs. Mexico
Group G
Positions: 1
st -
Romania (12 points), 2
nd - Hungary (10 points), 3
rd - Peru (7 points), 4
th -
Moldova (0 points)
The win against Moldova ensured that Romania will play in the U19 World Cup.
Group H
Positions: 1st - Norway (15 points), 2nd - Turkey (15 points), 3rd - Bolivia (10 points), 4th - Czech republic (6 points), 5th - India (1 point)
Norway, and Turkey each need a win to secure their participation in the U19 World Cup. Although, if Norway defeat Bolivia today, Turkey don't need a win in the last round.
Bolivia vs. Norway 
India vs. Czech republic
Group I
Positions: 1
st -
Poland (18 points), 2
nd - Israel (15 points), 3
rd - Iceland (9 points), 4
th -
Belgium (6 points), 5
th -
Ireland (0 points)
Poland won in the eighth round, and secured their participation in the U19 World Cup. The second match was won by Iceland. Their win against Israel means they technically still have a chance of moving to second. Though it's a long shot. They need to win both matches (and today they play against the yet undefeated, Poland), and they need to hope that Israel lose their last round.
Belgium vs. Ireland
Poland vs. Iceland
Group J
Positions: 1st - Portugal (14 points), 2nd - Greece (10 points), 3rd - Bangladesh (9 points), 4th - Austria (9 points), 5th - Malta (1 point)
Portugal are well on their way to the U19 World Cup - a win today would ensure no one can catch them. Greece is another matter, they skip this round, and their last round is against Bangladesh. Of the three fighting for the second place, Austria have the easiest schedule. Though they play against Bangladesh today, their last match is against Malta - so if they win today, they have the best chance of going forward. Another option would be if the two today drew. We'd have three teams with 10 points for the last round.
Bangladesh vs. Austria 
Malta vs. Portugal
Group K
Positions: 1
st -
Italy (19 points), 2
nd - Algeria (12 points), 3
rd - Germany (10 points), 4
th -
Uruguay (3 points), 5
th -
South Korea (3 points)
Italy defeated Algeria in the eighth round and secured their participation in the U19 World Cup. Their win allowed Germany to catch up a little.
Uruguay vs. South Korea
Germany vs. Algeria
Group L
Positions: 1
st -
Bulgaria (15 points), 2
nd - Scotland (14 points), 3
rd - Australia (8 points), 4
th -
South Africa (4 points), 5
th -
Albania (3 points)
Bulgaria's win against Albania in the eight round ensured they will go to the 18th World Cup. Scotland is also well on their way - just a point in the next two matches will be enough.
Scotland vs. Albania
Australia vs. South Africa
World Cup Under-17 Qualifying:
Group A
Positions: 1
st -
England (18 points), 2
nd - Australia (15 points), 3
rd - Bangladesh (9 points), 4
th -
Greece (6 points), 5
th -
Russia (0 points)
England's victory against Australia in the eighth round ensured they will go to the U17 World Cup. Australia are also well on the way - they need just one point in the next two matches.
Australia vs. Greece
Bangladesh vs. England
Group B
Positions: 1
st -
Bosnia and Herzegovina (16 points), 2
nd - Brazil (13 points), 3
rd - Germany (7 points), 4
th -
Lithuania (5 points), 5
th -
Uruguay (3 points)
Bosnia and Herzegovina already qualified for the U17 World Cup, and Brazil are well on their way as well. They just need a point from today's match, and they are safe.
Bosnia and Herzegovina vs. Brazil
Lithuania vs. Germany
Group C
Positions: 1
st -
Turkey (18 points), 2
nd - Algeria (12 points), 3
rd - Ireland (12 points), 4
th - Bolivia (6 points), 5
th -
Venezuela (0 points)
Turkey defeated Algeria in the eighth round. With that win, they secured their participation in the U17 World Cup. There are technically three teams fighting for the second place, though in reality, Bolivia's chances are minuscule at best. Algeria, and Ireland each have only one match left to play.
Venezuela vs. Ireland
Bolivia vs. Turkey
Group D
Positions: 1
st -
Netherlands (15 points), 2
nd - Austria (6 points), 3
rd - South Korea (6 points), 4
th - Scotland (3 points)
Netherlands qualified for the U17 World Cup. But the second place is still wide open.
Group E
Positions: 1st - Belgium (15 points), 2nd - Canada(15 points), 3rd - Italy (12 points), 4th - China (4 points), 5th - South Africa (1 point)
We have three teams fighting for the two qualification places, though two of them have only one match left to play - Canada, and Italy.
China vs. Italy
South Africa vs. Belgium
Group F
Positions: 1
st -
Portugal (16 points), 2
nd -
Latvia (16 points), 3
rd -
Albania (6 points), 4
th -
Bulgaria (6 points), 5
th -
Israel (0 points)
Portugal, and Latvia are the two teams that will go to the U17 World Cup from Group F.
Latvia vs. Israel
Bulgaria vs. Portugal
Group G
Positions: 1
st -
Switzerland (15 points), 2
nd -
Norway (14 points), 3
rd -
France (9 points), 4
th -
Hungary (4 points), 5
th -
Chile (3 points)
Switzerland, and Norway will go to the U17 World Cup from Group G.
Norway vs. Switzerland
Hungary vs. Chile
Group H
Positions: 1st - Romania (15 points), 2nd - Denmark (10 points), 3rd - Spain (10 points), 4th - Japan (9 points), 5th - Czech republic (3 points)
Technically, there are still four teams vying for the two qualification positions. Romania are obviously in the best position, even though they have only one match left their lead should be sufficient for at least the second place. Denmark are in a pretty bad position, since this is their last match (though they do have the easiest of opponents) - even if they win, it might not be enough. Japan could be in a good position, provided they can get a positive result today (their last match is against Czech republic). Spain's faith is pretty much in their own hands (or legs) - if they win both matches they will go to the U17 World Cup.
Spain vs. Japan
Czech republic vs. Denmark
Group I
Positions: 1
st -
Argentina (18 points), 2
nd - Croatia (10 points), 3
rd - Rep. of Montenegro (8 points), 4
th - Colombia (5 points), 5
th -
Sweden (4 points)
Argentina defeated Republic of Montenegro, and with the win, they secured their participation in the U17 World Cup.
Croatia vs. Argentina
Rep. of Montenegro vs. Colombia
Group J
Positions: 1
st -
Slovenia (19 points), 2
nd - Poland (12 points), 3
rd - Serbia (10 points), 4
th -
Slovakia (4 points), 5
th -
India (1 point)
Slovenia's latest win ensured they will go to the U17 World Cup and remain first in Group J. Poland, and Serbia are still fighting for the second place - we'll see if Serbia can be the first team to defeat Slovenia this qualification cycle.
Serbia vs. Slovenia
India vs. Poland
Group K
Positions: 1
st -
Moldova (18 points), 2
nd -
Peru (15 point), 3
rd -
Estonia (7 point), 4
th -
New Zealand (5 point), 5
th -
Mexico (1 point)
Peru join Moldova as the second team that qualified from qualification Group K.
Estonia vs. Peru
Moldova vs. New Zealand
Group L
Positions: 1
st -
Finland (16 points), 2
nd - United States of America (14 points), 3
rd - Thailand (8 points), 4
th -
Iceland (4 points), 5
th -
Malta (3 points)
Finland already qualified for the U17 World Cup. Chances are that United States of America will join them after this round.
United States of America vs. Thailand
Iceland vs. Finland 