Standings Update: October 12th, 2011

Standings have been updated through yesterday's games. 1 game still to play in October goes on Saturday in CONCACAF Group 5. When I do the monthly recap for that group, I'll have the updated standings for that group.

ASIA-Round 3

Group 1



All teams still in contention to advance although Singapore needs to get things going. A November game between Iraq and China could decide which 2 teams will advance.

Group 2



Kuwait and Lebanon look poised to challenge each other for the 2nd advancement spot from this group. They tied 2-2 this month with a return date in November.

Group 3



A pair of timely victories over North Korea have provided Japan and Uzbekistan with a 4-point edge heading in to the second half of qualifying. Both teams will have a shot to clinch advancement on the next matchday.

Group 4



Australia is head and shoulders above the rest of the group, coasting to a perfect record through 3 games. Who will join them in the next round is far from determined. None of the trailing teams have made a definitive move to secure second-place in the group.

Group 5



3-team race for 2 spots with Iran holding a slight edge at the moment. Still very up in the air in this group; any of the top 3 teams in the group could advance at this point.

NORTH AMERICA-Round 2

Group 1



Only El Salvador or Suriname can advance from this group at this point. Down 5 points, Suriname must win both November games against El Salvador if they want to feature in Round 3.

Group 2



Only Guyana or Trinidad can advance and they'll face each other twice in November. Both teams missed an opportunity to widen the gap at the top this month. Guyana tied Bermuda 4 days after Trinidad was upset by Bermuda.

Group 3



Partly as a result of being in a smaller group, Panama is the first team in this round to clinch advancement to Round 3. Panama has a game against Dominica remaining but can now look forward to a Round 3 group with Cuba, Honduras and the Group 4 Winner.

Group 4



Canada won't be happy with a draw against Puerto Rico but the rest of the group failed to take advantage of that lapse. Canada and Saint Kitts are the only teams that can advance and Saint Kitts must win both games against Canada next month to do so.

Group 5



As of now, everyone but Belize can advance. One way or another that will change on Saturday depending on the Grenada-St.Vincent result. If either team loses, they'll be eliminated, and the winner will need to win both November games while needing Guatemala to lose both November games (Guatemala's November games are both against Grenada). If the 2 teams tie on Saturday, both will be eliminated and Guatemala will advance.

Group 6



Gap continues to grow in the most lopsided group of the round. A surprise tie with Curacao could come back to haunt Haiti. Haiti and Antigua/Barbuda will meet twice in November to determine who will advance to Round 3.

SOUTH AMERICA-Round 1



As expected, with the first 2 matchdays came a heap of confusion in the CONMEBOL standings. Biggest surprises though: Paraguay with just 1 point and Venezuela beating Argentina for the 1st time. EVER.