Community Hoddle of Coffee for Wednesday, September 6

Hello, all. Apologies for the late Hoddle.

The international break has finally ended and players are now either back at their clubs or on their way back for training ahead of this weekend’s Premier League matches. After yesterday’s matches, eight teams have now qualified for Russia 2018:

• Russia (hosts)
• Brazil
• Iran
• Japan
• Mexico
• Belgium
• South Korea
• Saudi Arabia

USA is not among them though they kept their hopes alive of qualifying directly without means of a playoff after a hilariously inept 1-1 draw against Honduras in San Pedro Sula last night. As of now USA are now in fourth place in the Hex, ahead of Honduras by goal differential. If the qualification ended today they’d need to beat the winner of Syra & Australia in a playoff in order to advance. Thankfully, they still have two more matches to sneak into third: at home to Panama and at Trinidad & Tobago.

The best news: no Spurs players appear to have gotten injured on international duty. Are you ready for club football to return?