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The Czech Republic and the Netherlands figure
to be the two teams vying for the European Zone’s
Group 1 top spot and direct qualification for the
2006 FIFA World Cup Germany. These two sides have
already locked horns in the EURO 2004 qualifying
rounds, where the Czechs ended up as eventual group
winners.
The Netherlands finished in second place before
putting paid to Scotland’s hopes in the play-offs,
defeating them 6-1 aggregate. Since both teams failed
to qualify for the last FIFA World Cup in Korea
and Japan, both storied football teams are even
more intent on ensuring that they make it to Germany
‘06.
The other teams in the group will have to raise
their games significantly to have any chance of
qualifying. Romania narrowly missed out on a place
in the last European Championship but also failed
to qualify for Asia’s first finals. Finland have
yet to make it to a FIFA World Cup and on this occasion
too it would seem an unlikely achievement, despite
an impressive performance in the 2002 qualifying
rounds.
They are still likely to be tough opponents, while
nothing short of a miracle is needed by Armenia,
Macedonia and the tiny state of Andorra, who have
yet to make their mark on the international football
scene.
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