March to Rio

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.

Nigeria soar in Africa

Central American Cup hosts Cost Rica may have been the first to be crowned in 2013, but it was Africa Cup of Nations finalists Nigeria and Burkina Faso who rose most in the early Ziaian rankings. Costa Rica won the Central American Cup with a single goal in the final against defending champions Honduras who had been held to a 1-1 draw by El Salvador and only progressed from their group on goals scored. The Costa Ricans faired slightly better in their group but were disappointing having struggled to beat Belize 1-0 and drawn 1-1 against Guatemala who had earlier been held to a 1-1 draw by Nicaragua. Belize impressed with a goalless draw against Guatemala and a 2-1 win over Nicaragua ending up in 4th place.

The Gulf Cup was won by the United Arab Emirates who defeated Iraq 2-1 in extra time by the result of the tournament was Kuwait's 6-1battering of hosts Bahrain in the 3rd place match.

The Africa Cup of Nations began with debutants Cape Verde holding hosts South Africa to a goalless draw. South Africa made amends with a 2-0 win over Angola and made it to the next round together with Cape Verde despite sharing 4 goals with Morocco in their last group match. DR Congo came from 2 down to draw with Ghana who defeated Mali 1-0 to top their group but after losing to Burkina Faso on penalties were swept aside 3-1 by Mali in the 3rd place playoff match. Algeria failed miserably losing 1-0 to Tunisia and 2-0 to Togo before salvaging some pride with a 2-2 draw against Ivory Coast who had already eased 3-0 past Tunisia. Burkina Faso topped their group ahead of Nigeria on goal difference thanks to a 4 goal routing against Ethiopia, but Nigeria knocked pre-tournament favourites Ivory Coast out 2-1 before thumping Mali 4-1 to reach the final where they defeated the Burkinabe one nil.

Among World Cup qualifiers the Americans were beaten 2-1 away to Honduras while Mexico fired blanks against their visitors from Jamaica.

In the Asian Cup qualifiers Hong Kong celebrated a goalless draw in Uzbekistan and China lost 2-1 away to Saudi Arabia while Kuwait prevailed 3-1 in Thailand and Lebanon were hammered 5-0 in Iran.

Among friendly matches Kenya defeated Libya 3-0 in Tunis and Denmark lost 3-0 away to Macedonia.