Football United

Europe becomes the final continent to commence qualification for the 2006 FIFA World Cup tonight as two of the eight groups get under way.

Early start
The first full programme of fixtures is on 4 September with most teams in friendly action this evening, but eight sides who missed out on the 2002 finals start their campaigns. The pool winners and two best runners-up qualify for Germany, with the six other second-placed teams facing play-offs.

Romanian record
Seven-time finalists Romania, the only nation involved tonight with genuine World Cup experience, welcome Group 1 rivals Finland to Bucharest. Romania met Finland in qualifying for the 1974 and 1986 tournaments - both times winning at home and drawing away but failing to progress.

Iordanescu vow
A number of Romania players are out of their country's 75th World Cup qualifier, with left-back Cristian Dancia withdrawing on Sunday to join Cristian Chivu, Nicolae Mitea, Ciprian Marica and Ioan Ganea on the sidelines. Midfielder Daniel Pancu is a major doubt with strained leg muscles, but coach Anghel Iordanescu, said: "Of course it is difficult, but we must not complain. I have to field the best eleven players from those who are fit and we have to beat Finland."

Finland concerns
Finland coach Antti Muurinen also has selection problems, with defender Teemu Tainio and midfielder Hannu Tihinen ruled out. Muurinen said: "We will not have time or space in Bucharest. The defensive play of the whole team is one of the major worries."

Skopje encounter
Elsewhere in the section, F.Y.R. Macedonia play Armenia in Skopje with both sides hoping to build on encouraging results in UEFA EURO 2004™ qualifying. However, they will need a good start in a pool completed by the Czech Republic, the Netherlands and Andorra.

Tough group
With EURO 2004™ contenders Portugal, Russia and Latvia all in Group 3, the remaining four teams will want to begin well tonight. Liechtenstein and Luxembourg, though, are more concerned with breaking ducks than getting a head start on the group favourites.

Liechtenstein run
Liechtenstein have lost all their previous 20 World Cup qualifiers. They aim to end that run when Estonia visit Vaduz, but injuries deprive them of goalkeeper Peter Jehle – meaning a recall for 34-year-old Martin Heeb - and midfielder Franz Burgmeier.

Unchanged team
However, forward Thomas Beck has recovered from a foot problem, and coach Martin Andermatt has promised "continuity" from the friendlies in June when his side only lost 2-0 to eventual EURO 2004™ winners Greece and 1-0 to Switzerland.

Estonia opener
Estonia goalkeeper Mart Poom has a back complaint, and with his understudy Martin Kaalma suffering from a shin injury, coach Arno Pijpers has called up Artur Kotenko and Rene Kaas. Striker Andres Oper is suspended and fellow forward Indrek Zelinski injured, so only captain Martin Reim survives from the lineup that won 2-0 in Liechtenstein on 26 October 1993, the nations' only previous meeting.

Luxembourg hope
Luxembourg travel to Slovakia with only one draw to show for their 55 away fixtures in World Cup qualifying. Coach Allan Simonsen, who can call on VfL Borussia Mönchengladbach's Jeff Strasser, said: "We have just one professional player and are well aware of Slovakia's strength. The hosts are clear favourites, but we hope to do our best - and maybe achieve an unexpected result."

Full-strength Slovakia
Slovakia coach Dušan Galis has a full-strength squad available as his country seek finally to achieve qualification in their third World Cup campaign since the split from the Czech Republic.

Source: Uefa.com