© EuroFootball.com
During the 2006 World Cup qualifying matches on Saturday, European and other continental teams played knockout matches. The important victories and steps towards next year's tournament in Germany were achieved by the Czech Republic, Switzerland, Spain, and Uruguay teams, while the match between Trinidad and Tobago and Bahrain ended in a draw.
In the first matches of the European zone, Norway played against the Czech Republic at the poorly conditioned Oslo stadium. Midfielder Pavel Nedved, one of the team leaders, returned to the Czech lineup after deciding to retire from the national team.
The visitors started the match more successfully and took the lead in the 32nd minute with V. Smicer's goal. The Czech Republic gained an important advantage with this win in their away match before the return leg.
Switzerland performed better in front of their home crowd, dominating the match against Turkey. They took the lead at the end of the first half with a goal from P. Senderos. Despite some chances for both teams in the second half, it was V. Behrami who doubled the Swiss lead and secured their trip to Turkey with a two-goal advantage.
In the other European zone matches, Spain faced Slovakia in Madrid. L. Garcia scored twice in the first half to give Spain a comfortable lead. Although Slovakia pulled one back in the second half, Spain secured a 5-1 victory with goals from Torres, Garcia, and Morientes.
In South America and Oceania, Uruguay defeated Australia 1-0, while Bahrain and Trinidad and Tobago tied 1-1 in the contest between Asian and American teams.
All the second-leg knockout matches will be played next Wednesday, and the remaining five participants of the 2006 World Cup finals in Germany, totaling 32 teams, will be determined then.
Results of Saturday's knockout matches:
Norway 0 - 1 Czech Republic
32' [1 - 0] Vladimir Smicer
Switzerland 2 - 0 Turkey
41' [1 - 0] Philippe Senderos
86' [2 - 0] Valon Behrami
Spain 5 - 1 Slovakia
10' [1 - 0] Luis Garcia
18' [2 - 0] Luis Garcia
48' [2 - 1] Szilard Nemeth
65' [3 - 1] Fernando Torres (pen.)
74' [4 - 1] Luis Garcia
79' [5 - 1] Fernando Morientes
64' Marian Had (Slovakia) sent off
Uruguay 1 - 0 Australia
37' [1 - 0] Dario Rodriguez
Trinidad and Tobago 1 - 1 Bahrain
72' [0 - 1] Husein Salman
77' [1 - 1] Christopher Birchall
