By Chris O'Brien
June 9 2005

Six United stars have been in action across the world as the race for World Cup qualification hots up. Gabriel Heinze's Argentina booked their ticket to Germany with a superb 3-1 drubbing of World Champions Brazil, whilst the Scots and Irish have been in action on the continent.

Manchester United players have been in World Cup qualifying action for their respective countries, and it's been a successful week for those on international duty. Darren Fletcher, Roy Keane, Edwin Van Der Sar, Ruud Van Nistelrooy, Cristiano Ronaldo and Gabriel Heinze have all been pulling on their country's colours and jetting off around the world as the race to qualify for World Cup in 2006 hots up.

Belarus 0-0 Scotland

Most Old Trafford eyes were on Darren Fletcher's Scotland as they travelled to Belarus for a crucial World Cup qualifier. It's perhaps a sad indictment of the state of Scottish football that the Tartan Army travelled to Eastern Europe as underdogs for a game they couldn't afford to lose as their unlikely quest for a place in Germany 2006 continued.

Former Manchester United assistant boss Walter Smith will be disappointed that his side were only able to pick up a goalless draw having dominated the game for long periods. Fletcher was impressive in the midfield and created numerous opportunities for the visitors, but the Jocks couldn't turn pressure into goals and were left frustrated with a blank scorecard. The result leaves Scotland in fifth spot in the box, three points behind the second spot and need to pick-up form if they are to challenge Italy, Norway and Slovenia at the top end of the group.

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Faroe Islands 0-2 Republic of Ireland

The argument that minnows of world football are becoming stronger was evident in the Faroe Islands, with the Republic of Ireland making a real meal of their narrow 2-0 victory. United skipper Roy Keane was in action with a spot-kick from Ian Harte and a Kevin Kilbane strike putting the Irish in pole position in their qualifying group. Brian Kerr's side were discouraged with the scores at 0-0 at the interval, but picked up the pace in the second-half and secured a crucial three points.

In an incredibly tight Group D, Ireland sit top but are only one point ahead of Switzerland who have a game in hand. Meanwhile, Israel and France sit in third and fourth spot respectively, though all teams in the top four are unbeaten and the group looks like going to the wire for both the automatic and play-off spots.

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Finland 0-4 Netherlands

Edwin Van Der Sar kept a clean sheet in his first competitive football match since moving to the Red Devils. The Netherlands put in a superb performance in Helsinki to secure a huge 4-0 victory, with Ruud Van Nistelrooy amongst the scorers. The United forward opened the scoring for the travelling Dutch to keep them top of Group A to the Czech Republic, the nation would caused their downfall in last year's European Championship finals.

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Estonia 0-1 Portugal

Cristiano Ronaldo scored again for his country as Portugal won 1-0 in Estonia. The versatile winger helped his country take a huge stride towards World Cup qualification as they remain top of Group C. However, Slovakia are only three points behind the Portuguese, whilst Russia, who drew in Germany in a friendly match this week, are 6 points behind the leaders with a must-win game in hand.

For a more in-depth report of this match, please visit our friends at Portugoal.net

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Argentina 3-1 Brazil

Argentina totally outclassed Brazil to join South Korea in the 2006 finals. Gabriel Heinze was in action as the hosts raced into a three-goal lead before the interval with Hernan Crespo netting a brace to maintain his excellent run of form. Brazil came back stronger in the second-half, and Robert Carlos gave the men in gold a glimmer of hope with 18 minutes remaining, but his strike proved only consolation for the World Champions.

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Kuwait 0-4 South Korea

Meanwhile, MUFC transfer target Park Ji Sung put himself in the shop window with the final goal as South Korea won 4-0 against a mediocre Kuwait side. The away win secured the Koreans will be in Germany in 2006. South Korea have really proved themselves as a strong footballing force in recent years, with their 2002 World Cup semi-final achievement perhaps their greatest success. Ji Sung's move to United will become a little clearer in the next few days.

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