Two more international days in March took the world closer
to the Brazil 2014 World Cup. The Czech Republic suffered a demoralising 3-0
defeat at home to Denmark, but bounced back with 3 goals in Armenia 4 days
later while the Danes were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Bulgaria. Norway were
stunned by a single Albanian goal in Oslo while Slovenia lost 2-1 at home to
Iceland and Ukraine triumphed 3-1 in Poland. The Republic of Ireland earned a goalless
draw in Sweden but dropped points when they shared 4 goals with Austria in
Dublin while Northern Ireland succumbed to a late Israeli double in Belfast and
Wales conquered Scotland 2-1 at Hampden Park. Finland shocked European and
world champions Spain with a 1-1 draw in Gijon, while South American champions
Uruguay fell 2-0 in Chile having earlier dropped points in a 1-1 home draw
against Paraguay to continue their fall in the Ziaian rankings and Asian
champions Japan lost 2-1 away to Jordan. Newly crowned African champions
Nigeria could only manage a 1-1 draw against their visitors from Kenya while
Morocco were brushed aside 3-1 in Tanzania and Uganda lost 2-0 in Liberia. A
single goal in Venezuela gave the hosts victory over Colombia and Argentina could
only draw 1-1 in Bolivia. Bosnia & Herzegovina continued their good run
with a 3-1 win over the visiting Greek and Lithuania drew 1-1 in Slovakia while
the Dutch demolished Romania 4-0 in Amsterdam and Switzerland fired blanks in
Cyprus.
Thailand were crushed 5-2 in Lebanon and Yemen lost 2-1 in
Malaysia while Hong Kong beat Vietnam 1-0 and Oman earned a 2-2 draw away to
Australia.
After their recent heroics in the Africa Cup of Nations,
Cape Verde lost by an odd goal in 7 away to Equatorial Guinea and Togo were
beaten 2-1 in Cameroon while Zambia drew 1-1 in Lesotho and there were 1-0 wins
for Congo over Gabon and Malawi in Namibia. In North America Honduras lost 2-0
in Panama and Mexico were held at home to a goalless draw by the Americans.
Earlier in friendly matches Gambia suffered a surprising 2-0
loss at home to Mauritania before enjoying a 3-1 win in Niger while in the AFC
Challenge Cup qualifiers in Myanmar the most surprising result was Guam's 3-0
victory over Taiwan.