World Cup - Qualification Intercontinental Play-offs
DR Congo has never been to the World Cup under this name. It has only participated once in 1974, when it was Zaire. However, the progress in recent years is a fact. Along the way, other top African teams like Cameroon and Nigeria have been eliminated. They were very narrowly knocked out after extra time and a 0:1 loss to Algeria in the Africa Cup in January, while last week they warmed up with a routine friendly and a 2:0 victory over Bermuda. Under 2.5 goals have been scored in 9 of DR Congo's last 10 matches in regular time.
Jamaica has only one World Cup appearance – in 1998, and now dreams of a second. The team finished behind Curaçao in the World Cup qualifiers and had to eliminate New Caledonia in another playoff last Friday. They did so with a 1:0 victory, and now another decisive playoff awaits on neutral ground. Jamaica has not conceded a goal in four consecutive matches, and the last five matches of the team, which was recently led by English coach Steve McClaren, have seen under 2.5 goals. However, after the qualifiers, his position was taken by Rudolf Speid.
Prediction: under 2.5 goalsI think DR Congo will qualify, but above all, I do not see any conditions for many goals. The two teams have not been involved in high-scoring matches lately and find it difficult to concede goals. In this decisive match, I expect it to be the same, and I do not rule out extra time.
This text is an AI-assisted translation in English. Link to the original source in Bulgarian ➔
