SoccerBlogs

World Cup Qualifiers: England drew as Wales, Scotland & N. Ireland lose - originally posted on Soccerlens.com

It was a sad Monday night for the British nations at the World Cup qualifiers. England were held to a 1-1 draw by Montenegro despite taking the lead while Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland all suffered defeats at the hands of Croatia, Israel and Serbia respectively.

There are many things you expect to find on the shelves of charity shops in Berkshire. A postcard depicting a mid 70s Coleraine side is perhaps not one of them. However, I stumbled across this beauty over the weekend. (I should add that I did pass up the opportunity to purchase England's World Cup 82 theme: This Time (we'll do it right!

By Alan Duffy

Norn Iron fans haven't had much to cheer about in recent years, with a constant stream of young talent heading south to represent the Republic and results not getting any better. However, faced with a bloody difficult away tie against the mighty Portugal, Cristiano Ronaldo and all, the Irish almost secured an incredible win.

Below are predictions for all the UEFA World Cup Qualifying matches on September 11, 2012.

1-1 draw

Russia wins 2-1

Romania wins 3-0

Spain wins 4-1

Bulgaria wins 2-0

Turkey wins 3-0

2-2 draw

Bosnia wins 5-0

Slovakia wins 2-0

Serbia wins 1-0

Sweden wins 3-0

Switzerland wins 4-0

2-2 draw

Germany wins 4-2

Belgium wins 3-2

Italy wins 2-0

Northern Ireland wins 3-1

Greece wins 1-0

Poland wins 2-1

Scotland wins 2-0

England wins 1-0

France wins 2-0

Portugal wins 6-0

Follow @jonfeyerherm

The U.S. Men's National Team's 2014 FIFA World Cup Qualifier match against Jamaica on Tuesday, Sept. 11, at Columbus Crew Stadium in Columbus, Ohio, has sold out. Nearly 24,000 spectators will be on hand to watch the U.S. at the home of Major League Soccer's Columbus Crew, marking the fifth sellout for MNT matches played at the stadium.

Russia, England, Belgium, Ireland, Bosnia, Hungary, Netherlands, France, Germany, and Portugal all won in UEFA World Cup Qualifying on September 7, 2012.

Russia cruised to a home victory to move on top of Group F.

Azerbaijan fought back from an 0-1 deficit to earn a draw at home.

By Alan Duffy

That's some divot

Both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland produced poor performances on Friday night in their opening World Cup qualifiers of the new campaign.

The North travelled to Moscow to face Fabio Capello's Russia.

Below are predictions for all the UEFA World Cup Qualifying matches on September 7, 2012.

Russia wins 2-0

Israel wins 1-0/em>

Ireland wins 2-0

Bosnia wins 4-0

1-1 Draw

0-0 Draw

Romania wins 1-0

Croatia wins 4-1

Slovakia wins 3-1

1-1 Draw

Netherlands wins 3-0

3-3 Draw

Slovenia wins 2-1

Greece wins 1-0

1-1 Draw

France wins 3-1

2-2 Draw

Italy wins 2-1

Germany wins 6-0

Norway wins 1-0

Portugal wins 5-0

England wins 2-0

Follow @jonfeyerherm

By Chris Wright

Not that they matter one iota, but England have moved up into third place in FIFA's World Rankings an all-time high despite not playing a single competitive game in the month of July.

Yep. Due to whatever ridiculous algorithms FIFA use to construct their pointless dung heap, now only Germany and all-conquering reigning World and double European champions Spain are above Roy Hodgson's boys in the standings.

By Chris Wright

Having scoured the globe for the best club badges on offer in Asia, South America, Australia and The States, we reckon it's about time to come back home and have a root around. As such, here's 22 of our favourite football logos from all around the other home nations and Eire.

After failing to make it out of the easiest group at Euro 2012 under Dick Advocaat, Russia now lead their World Cup qualifying group under Fabio Capello with four wins in as many matches and no goals allowed. Now they prepare to take on Northern Ireland and they will once again be without 31-year-old Andrei Arshavin, who captained the Euro 2012 squad.

There was no shortage of surprises across Europe on Tuesday and World Cup qualifying continued. Spain were held to a 1-1 draw at home by France, while Germany threw away a four goal lead and had to settle for a 4-4 draw with Sweden. There was frustration forPortugalalso, as they has to score late to get a 1-1 result againstNorthern Ireland.

By Henry Cooke

The World Cup, the Euros, the African Cup of Nations, the Copa América...the Olympics. Finishing in a disappointing fifth, the world's oldest sporting competition neither wants, nor tries to compete with the greatest names in tournament football.

Team GB manager Stuart Pearce has named Ryan Giggs as captain of Team GB for this Summer's much anticipated London Olympics.

And it's quite fitting the 38 year old will captain the team at his spiritual home Old Trafford in their opening group match against Senegal on July 26.

Despite the Scottish and Northern Ireland FA's boycotting the tournament excitement is still high amongst the Brits with the hope of a medal quite high.

Oldham Athletic celebrate following their 3-2 success over Liverpool on Sunday

It had already been a fantastic week for cup shocks in England, with Bradford City and Swansea City both reaching the League Cup final, but this weekend saw the FA Cup provide further upsets for some of football's big names.