Ammon News - THE PROVINCE - The final few matches of World Cup qualifying are happening over the next few days, as the countdown to Brazil 2014 gathers momentum.

The showdown getting the most attention is the home-and-away playoff between Portugal and Sweden, which kicks off today in Lisbon. Both sides have plenty of international pedigree, but the real focus is on superstars Cristiano Ronaldo and Zlatan Ibrahimovic. With Lionel Messi injured, Ronaldo and Ibrahimovic are the two most in-form players in the world right now, and one of them won't be going to the World Cup, which is a shame. They are both coming off hat tricks for their club sides, and both are poised to become the all-time international scoring leader for their respective nation. The second leg is Tuesday in Sweden. The other European playoff matches today have Croatia visiting Iceland, Greece hosting Romania, while France will have a frosty time of it away at Ukraine.

Out of Africa

All five of the African qualifiers will be decided, as their two-game playoffs conclude. The first leg matches were held last month, and featured Ghana destroying Egypt 6-1, leaving little hope for the Egyptians for Tuesday's return match in Cairo.

The closest of the ties is between Cameroon and Tunisia, who played to a 0-0 draw in the first leg. Tunisia is coached by former Dutch international and Whitecaps sweeper Rudi Krol, who has been coaching various club sides in Africa for the past six years. He landed the Tunisia job on a temporary basis.

The other matches have Nigeria holding a 2-1 advantage as it hosts Ethiopia, Senegal needing a big home win against Ivory Coast to overcome a 3-1 deficit, and Algeria hosting Burkina Faso down 3-2, but at least with two away goals under their belts.

Long distance

In theory FIFA's intercontinental playoffs are one of the most intriguing aspects of the qualifiers, but this time around they've proven to be very one-sided affairs. This past

Wednesday, Uruguay obliterated Jordan 5-0 on their home turf, shattering the dreams of the Jordanian fans and players. Jordan still has to travel to Uruguay for the return match next Wednesday. Hopefully Louis Suarez and company will go easy on them.

New Zealand didn't do much better in its visit to Mexico, losing 5-1, as the Kiwis wilted in the altitude and smog of Mexico City. Mexico is now on its fourth coach in two months, with Miguel Herrera, but seem to have finally found its scoring boots. Hired only for these two games, Herrera opted for a squad of all domestic players, drawing largely from Mexican club America where he is the coach. That series concludes Wednesday in Wellington.

Disco fever

Borussia Dortmund is one of Europe's most attractive and celebrated sides, so it's no wonder fans flock to the Westfalenstadion, with the huge crowds creating some of the best match atmosphere in Germany.

Unfortunately, fans are not the only ones flocking to the stadium, which has developed a severe pigeon problem. With scores of pigeons settling in every corner of the stadium's roof, bird droppings are making a mess of the field, the seats, and the fans, while even coaches and players aren't safe.

The problem is so bad that Dortmund have now shelled out for a high-tech "pigeon defence" system.

The best part is that it uses disco balls, which I think is great because I love disco. Okay, they're not exactly disco balls, in fact they're shaped like pyramids, but it's the same basic idea with bright lights being reflected in all directions by mirrors. Twenty of these are being mounted above the stadium. The dazzling lights, which can't be seen from below, are supposed to drive off birds because of their keen eyesight.

Hopefully this peaceful non-violent form of pest control will work, with all of the pigeons "Stayin' Alive."