March 27 – Bolivia and Jamaica have kept their World Cup dreams alive following narrow wins against Suriname and New Caledonia to progress in the intercontinental playoffs.
The Bolivians overcame Suriname 2-1 after falling behind to a goal from defender Liam van Gelderen who was quickest to the rebound, but second-half goals from Moisés Paniagua and Miguel Terceros turned the result around.
The South Americans will face Iraq in the intercontinental playoff final in a winner-takes-it-all match. The victors will be drawn into a group alongside France, Senegal and Norway. Bolivia’s only previous World Cup appearance came in 1994.
Iraq featured in their only World Cup finals in 1986, but the US-led war against Iran complicated the team’s travel to Mexico for the playoff. Players and staff based in Baghdad were forced to travel overland to Jordan before flying out from Amman. Previously Iraq manager Graham Arnold had called on the playoff to be postponed.
Jamaica can also dream of returning to the World Cup for the first time since 1998 when they debuted. The Jamaicans edged past a spirited New Caledonia 1-0 with a strike from Wrexham striker Bailey Cadamarteri in the 17th minute. They were led by interim manager Rudolph Seid, but struggled at times against the island nation. The OFC nation rallied but failed to find an equaliser.
The Reggae Boyz will play DR Congo for a ticket to the World Cup. The winners will be rewarded with a spot in Group K alongside Colombia, Portugal and Uzbekistan and a curtain raiser against Cristiano Ronaldo and his team.
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