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unusual facts about 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification – UEFA Group A


Josip Radošević

In August 2012, Radošević was called up to the national team by manager Igor Štimac for the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification matches against Macedonia and Belgium as an alternative for the defensive midfielder Ognjen Vukojević.


Aleksei Ionov

He played his first competitive national team game in the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Luxembourg on 6 September 2013.

Ali Bahjat

In 11 September 2012 Bahjat made his debut against Japan in Saitama Stadium 2002, Saitama, Japan in the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification, which it was ended 0-1 loss.

Chhin Chhoeun

He was called to Cambodia national under-23 football team at 2011 SEA Games, Cambodia national football team at 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification.

Danny Collins

His first call-up as a Forest player was in the squad to face Belgium and Serbia in the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

Emir Spahić

He headed a ball into the box and assisted Ermin Bičakčić who scored a crucial equalizer versus Slovakia in Žilina during 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

Fa'afafine

Jaiyah Saelua of American Samoa made history in November 2011 as the first transgender person to compete in a FIFA-sanctioned event, during World Cup Oceania qualifiers.

Felix Zwayer

On October 15, 2013, Zwayer has refereed 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification match between Lithuania and Bosnia and Herzegovina national football team in Kaunas.

Georgi Milanov

On 7 September 2012, Milanov scored his first international goal in a 2–2 home draw against Italy during 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying.

Joseph Di Chiara

Not having played any matches for the Canadian men's national youth soccer teams after travelling under the radar for many years, Joseph was called up to the Canadian senior team on September 26, 2011, for Canada's upcoming games in the second round of CONCACAF 2014 World Cup Qualification.

Josué Pesqueira

In the second leg of the play-offs against Sweden on 19 November, Josué (who was not used in the game) extended his middle finger towards the opposing fans, while celebrating his country's qualification to the World Cup after the final whistle.

Leighton Baines

In September 2012, he scored his first international goal against Moldova in a 2014 World Cup Qualification match, a deflected free kick which was the last of England's goals in a 5–0 win.

Luis Amaranto Perea

He was named national team captain before the 2014 World Cup qualifier against Bolivia in La Paz, in a first-ever win in that country (2–1).

Mohamad Atwi

Atwi made his debut for the Lebanese national team on 11 June 2013, coming off the bench to replace Mahmoud Kojok in the 67th minute of a 4-0 loss to Iran in a 2014 World Cup qualifier.

Mohammad Mustafa

His first international game with the Jordan national team was between Jordan and Nepal in a 2014 WC qualifying game in Kathmandu on July 28, 2011 when he entered as a substitute for his teammate Suleiman Al-Salman.

Nabeel Sabah

In November 14, 2012 Nabeel Sabah made his International debut against Jordan in the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification, which was ended 1-0 win for Iraq.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

On 15 June 2013, Aubameyang scored a hat-trick of penalty kicks in Gabon's 4–1 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying win over Niger.

Taylor Benjamin

On November 11, 2011, Benjamin was called up to Guyana for their 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Trinidad & Tobago.

Valentin Kovalenko

He refereed at the 2011 AFC Asian Cup, 2012 AFC Cup Final and 2014 World Cup qualifiers, beginning with the preliminary-round match between Iraq and Yemen.


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