And the bulk of their qualifying performances, called norms, have been at home.
Jamaica wins it, 2-1, and takes all three points to move ahead of the United States in Group A of their qualifying group.
They have been champions of the continent before, and all three are on top of their qualifying groups after winning on Tuesday.
Missing were several key components of their qualifying campaign; regular goalkeeper Keylor Navas, prolific MLS striker Alvaro Saborio and, most notably, the metronomic Fulham midfielder Bryan Ruiz.
Like Newcastle, AZ finished top of their qualifying group - undefeated - and won at the Uefa Cup holders, Seville, in the process.
Sri Lanka are in England's group, and their second opponents next Thursday in Chittagong – where Farbrace's team, who recently won the Asia Cup in Bangladesh, will play all four of their qualifying games.
Students deemed "economically disadvantaged" -- by virtue of their qualifying for a free lunch -- actually did slightly better on both the English and math tests than those students who were not from low-income families.
Chelsea look down from the top of their qualifying group having reverted to victorious ways after the trauma of Wigan, though that is not to suggest all is once again rosy with Chelsea.
It is not uncommon for women here to take a year off to care for their children after birth, receiving 80percentt of their (qualifying) income for the first 390 days.
A jittery 2-1 home defeat to Ghana - a team they had already beaten 3-1 away from home - put Nigeria in charge of their qualifying group going into the final round of games.
There was a confidence about the hosts in possession and, in keeping with the foundations of their qualifying campaign for the Euros, a relentless work ethic and disciplined shape.
