The 2nd place qualifying table

[gspain]

Denmark Sweden would be worth watching from an Irish pov as we want the swedes to finish second in that group and beneath us in the seedings.... we will prob need a draw in that game, with the swedes hammering albania in a shoot-out against the portuguese, who are at home to hungary saturday and Malta wednesday... portugal currently two points down, 10 5, GD +5, Sweden 9 3, GD +6

We need a Sweden win. Albania are decent now and much much better than Malta. Portugal will score what they need if it comes to a shootout.

[DeLorean]

We'll only get the see the first half of the Sweden match at most really. Delighted the Russian match is on earlier. Nobody seems to be covering Cyprus v Bulgaria, pity RTE didn't go for it.

[Arnold Layne]

Nobody seems to be covering Cyprus v Bulgaria, pity RTE didn't go for it.

It's a non event really. Bulgaria have as much chance of getting second as we have of getting top, it's not going to happen.

[SuperDave]

We need a Sweden win. Albania are decent now and much much better than Malta. Portugal will score what they need if it comes to a shootout.

mmm maybe....

what we want to happen is this

group 1

who we want: sweden, not portugal

what we need: sweden win (or draw possibly, then sweden to win wednesday's shootout as outlined above) v denmark away on saturday, or alternatively portugal failing to beat hungary at home

likely outcome: clearer after saturday, probaby 50/50

group 2

who we want: latvia, not greece

greece latvia draw (then a wednesday shootout, with latvia finishing second on GD)

likely outcome: greece, though not by much

group 3

who we want: slovenia, not n ireland or czech rep

what we need: slovenia probably need a point away to slovakia (who themselves only need 1 point to qualify) on saturday then a truckload against san marino away on wednesday.... currently 2 points above Czech Republic, who are at home to N Ireland and Poland, with the same GD and above N Ireland on GD only

likely outcome: clearer after saturday, probaby 50/50 slovenia / czech rep (NI nowhere, as slovenia will win in san marino)

group 4: either germany or russia, either way top seeds

group 5

who we want: bosnia, not turkey

what we need: bosnia four points clear, GD 10 better, home to spain, away to estonia, who they beat 7-0 at home.... 2 points should be enough, though none might do it should turkey fail to beat belgium away on saturday.... little chance of turkey finishing second

likely outcome: bosnia

group 6

who we want: ukraine, not croatia

what we need: ukraine to beat england and go one point above croatia, then ukraine to win in andorra, assuming croatia win in kazakhstan

likely outcome: clearer after saturday, probablt slightly in croatia's favour, also likely ukraine will not fall beneath us in the rankings should they beat england and we don't beat italy

group 7

who we want: austria, not france

almost certainly france, barring a draw with the faroes at home and a defeat to austria at home, with austria also having to beat lithuania at home

likely outcome: france, also note austria could go above us in the rankings with a win in france

group 8

our group!

group 9

likely outcome: norway to finish bottom of second placed teams group. only teams who could conceivably finish lower are the group one teams and bosnia, though either of these outcomes is most unlikely.

hope that is clear!

[Arnold Layne]

likely outcome: norway to finish bottom of second placed teams group. only teams who could conceivably finish lower are the group one teams and bosnia, though either of these outcomes is most unlikely.

Two defeats for Ireland and we could finish bottom of the 2nd place group, although if that happens Bulgaria would probably over take us.

[Montenegrin]

Two defeats for Ireland and we could finish bottom of the 2nd place group, although if that happens Bulgaria would probably over take us.


Dont worry,you will beat us;).
Vucinic will not play against you,if that helps somehow.

[gspain]

Dont worry,you will beat us;).
Vucinic will not play against you,if that helps somehow.

That does help. Is he injured?

Any chance Jovetic could pick up a yellow card too on saturday? I think he needs to rest himself for some important champions league games coming up.

[lionelhutz]

Thanks for the summary SuperDave. So realistically, we hope for Sweden, Latvia, Slovenia and Bosnia to come second in their respective groups. If this happens and we finish second, does that mean we'll be one of the top four seeds in the play-offs?

[carloz]

Thanks for the summary SuperDave. So realistically, we hope for Sweden, Latvia, Slovenia and Bosnia to come second in their respective groups. If this happens and we finish second, does that mean we'll be one of the top four seeds in the play-offs?

Yes, assuming Sweden don't pass us in the rankings....which is unlikely, especially if we beat Italy. Could be a big ask for Latvia though, need them to win in Greece on Saturday. They lost in Riga to them 2-0. If Greece finish second in that group then they will certainly be the top ranked team that we will want from the draw

[gspain]

Yes, assuming Sweden don't pass us in the rankings....which is unlikely, especially if we beat Italy. Could be a big ask for Latvia though, need them to win in Greece on Saturday. They lost in Riga to them 2-0. If Greece finish second in that group then they will certainly be the top ranked team that we will want from the draw

No I doubt it - the top ranked teams are likely to be Russia, France, Portugal and Croatia.

Our chances of top seeding are pretty remote really as we cannot overtake any of the above.

The real concern should we get France or Portugal is the pressure on the referee knowing who FIFA want in the finals. They won't try and influence him but he will know and will be loathe to make a key decision against them unless absolutely sure.

[youngirish]

Maybe FIFA don't even want to risk France having to go through the play-offs:

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12098_5616979,00.html

[lionelhutz]

No I doubt it - the top ranked teams are likely to be Russia, France, Portugal and Croatia.

Our chances of top seeding are pretty remote really as we cannot overtake any of the above.

The real concern should we get France or Portugal is the pressure on the referee knowing who FIFA want in the finals. They won't try and influence him but he will know and will be loathe to make a key decision against them unless absolutely sure.

A number of people have said Portugal are likely to be in the play-offs. Sweden are two points ahead of them and I think Portugal will struggle against Hungary considering Hungary are still in with a slight chance of making the play-offs. There is enormous pressure on Portugal now and Queiroz is looking like a dead man walking.

Also, the Denmark-Sweden game is pretty much 50-50 so there is a chance Sweden will win that which would make Portugals results meaningless anyway.

So to say with any certainty that Portugal are in the play offs is way off the mark.

[paul_oshea]

How many of fergies number 2s have proved to be just that?! When given the chance to be no1 they have failed, mostly terribly.

[Tipp Townie]

Maybe FIFA don't even want to risk France having to go through the play-offs:

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12098_5616979,00.html

Possibly the correct reaction to the problems with the violence, but horribly convenient nonetheless!

[gspain]

A number of people have said Portugal are likely to be in the play-offs. Sweden are two points ahead of them and I think Portugal will struggle against Hungary considering Hungary are still in with a slight chance of making the play-offs. There is enormous pressure on Portugal now and Queiroz is looking like a dead man walking.

Also, the Denmark-Sweden game is pretty much 50-50 so there is a chance Sweden will win that which would make Portugals results meaningless anyway.

So to say with any certainty that Portugal are in the play offs is way off the mark.

I said likely not certain. Sweden are by no means 50-50 to win in Copenhagen. I expect Portugal to come through but hope I'm wrong.

[Arnold Layne]

Greece are ranked higher then Portugal.

The likely posts are;

Pot 1, Russia, Croatia, France, Greece
Pot 2, Portugal, Ireland, Bosnia, Slovenia

[SamDellandBolla]

That does help. Is he injured?

Any chance Jovetic could pick up a yellow card too on saturday? I think he needs to rest himself for some important champions league games coming up.
ya he looks a real good player

[geysir]

I think the FIFA Ranking predictive table has Portugal well ahead of Greece after these 2 games.

[mypost]

This all reminds me of that time we were studying the Asian qualifiers for getting to the WC. ;)

It's too hard to call who we'll get, there's about 16 options. Ideally we'll get someone beatable and for travelling, where it's not freezing in November. Slovenia and Bosnia fits the category.

Alternatively, we could get Russia, which would be the worst of both worlds.

[noddy102]

I'd take France, Croatia or Greece.
I would not like to be up against Russia/Germany.

[carloz]

How many of fergies number 2s have proved to be just that?! When given the chance to be no1 they have failed, mostly terribly.

McClaren may have been a disaster with England, but he has done wonders with a nothing Middlesborough team, taking them to the UEFA cup final, and is doing a great job with FC Twente now

[carloz]

Greece are ranked higher then Portugal.

The likely posts are;

Pot 1, Russia, Croatia, France, Greece
Pot 2, Portugal, Ireland, Bosnia, Slovenia

I know Sweden and Denmark are playing each other this weekend, but its still very much in their hands to finish in the top 2. Id give Portugal a less than 50% chance of making it

[Noelys Guitar]

Watching Russia v Germany. Glad the Germans will now qualify and leave the Russians in second. The Russians are good but by no means great. Spoke too soon. Stonewall peno for Russia not given. Germany win 1-0.

[Crosby87]

Ukraine could jump us in rankings if they beat England I think...

[Brendan 82]

anyone have a stream for the cyprus bulgaria match? its on now right... no dice on iraq goals

[geysir]

Cyprus 2 nil up Charalambidis scores both
Ukraine 1 up
Bosnia 2 up and look secure for 2nd spot

Could be interesting.

[geysir]

Ukraine beat England

[SkStu]

is that Croatia out (pretty much)?

[Closed Account 2]

The Croatians will need to win in Kazakhstan and hope the Ukraine to drop points in Andorra.

[irishfan86]

The commentator on Sky said that we've clinched a playoff spot as a result of the Cyprus win- is this correct?

[christo]

The commentator on Sky said that we've clinched a playoff spot as a result of the Cyprus win- is this correct?

We need a point from the next two games I think

[Closed Account 2]

Serbia are winning 3-0 vs Romania and France are 3-0 against Brian Kerr's Faeroe Islands, so that means Serbia are at the World Cup and France are in the playoffs, unless Platini does his mooted point deduction.

[Closed Account 2]

Well we ARE in the playoffs now:

Here is the latest line up, barring a massive turnaround in Lisbon in the next 30 mins these are the teams in the play-offs:

Russia
Ukraine/Croatia
Bosnia
Greece/Swiss/Israel
France
Slovenia/Slovakia
Portugal*

*Almost certainly it will be them ahead of Norway, unless Hungary can do something in the next 30 mins.


Anyway with France, Russia, Portugal and Ukraine/Croatia in we will be in the bottom half and face one of them. Not mission impossible but we would want to avoid Russia. The good news is we wont face Bosnia (who will be lower seeds like ourselves) as they would be a massive threat.

[Hibs4Ever]

Well we ARE in the playoffs now:

Here is the latest line up, barring a massive turnaround in Lisbon in the next 30 mins these are the teams in the play-offs:

Russia
Ukraine/Croatia
Bosnia
Greece/Swiss/Israel
France
Slovenia/Slovakia
Portugal*




Will almost certainly be Ukraine. their final game aganst Andorra

[Noelys Guitar]

watched the Russia v Germany game earlier and again was not overly impressed with the Russians. They have some excellent players but some very, very poor players as well. they created lots of chances against Germany but never really looked like scoring. I would fear Portugal and France more than the Russians. But none of them were good enough to qualify outright so who is to say plaing France is harder than Bosnia? I always prefer to play big named teams in decline rather than unkowns on the rise.

[A face]

We are fawked !! :eek:

The play off are a disaster for us. I head is saying we aint gonna get there, the heart is all we have to go on.

[Straightstory]

So... what dates are the play-offs?

[Deckydee]

So... what dates are the play-offs?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010_FIFA_World_Cup_qualification_-_UEFA_Second_Round

[foureyes]

watched the Russia v Germany game earlier and again was not overly impressed with the Russians. They have some excellent players but some very, very poor players as well. they created lots of chances against Germany but never really looked like scoring. I would fear Portugal and France more than the Russians. But none of them were good enough to qualify outright so who is to say plaing France is harder than Bosnia? I always prefer to play big named teams in decline rather than unkowns on the rise.

bull****.

russia or greece we have a chance. maybe a glimmer against portugal.

i would say 100/1 against france.

[noddy102]

So, we're either playing Russia, Greece, Portugal or France?

Edit: Would it be fair to say that the English are ******* for losing tonight, and thus promoting Portugal to the seeded teams (or am I wrong)????

[Closed Account 2]

I think we would beat the French, they are in a real state under Domonech. Goalkeeper is a joke for them, Llloris or Manadana, neither are up to much. I would rather play France than Russia, Russia away in the Luzhniki is one of the hardest fixtures in international football.

But I think we have a reasonable chance, 50-50, as long as we are away in the first leg Trap will keep it tight and we could sneak it.

[Closed Account 2]

I've updated the table with current FIFA rankings:

Russia (6)
France (10)
*Greece (12) / Swiss (15)
Portugal (17)
----------------
Ukraine (25)
IRELAND (38)
Bosnia (46)
** Slovenia (54) / Slovakia (44)


*Even assuming Greece beat Luxemburg in Athens, Switerland only need a point home Israel to win group 2.
** Slovenia are away to San Marino, so Slovakia will have to win in Poland to maintain top spot in grp 3

I know technically not all of those teams I've listed on their own are confirmed runners up, but Russia, France, Bosnia, and ourselves are. Portugal only need to win vs Malta (home) and Ukraine only need to win vs Andorra (away).

Basically we will face one of Russia, France, Greece/Swiss or Portugal. It's difficult but not impossible against any of those teams. I would love to see us face the Swiss as I dont like them one bit and revenge for Euro 2008 and WC2006 would be nice (the latter could also apply to France) - but we would need to be ware as UEFA/FIFA tend to give a hidden helping hand to the Swiss and I could see a sloppy ref being picked in that one, and they will probably pick up a point home to Israel anyway.

[noddy102]

I want Portugal. Seeing Ronaldo cry would make my day when we knock them out.

[irishultra]

I hope we get France. Imagine Paris for the away leg!!!!!! Would be amazing.

[Closed Account 2]

So, we're either playing Russia, Greece, Portugal or France?

Edit: Would it be fair to say that the English are ******* for losing tonight, and thus promoting Portugal to the seeded teams (or am I wrong)????

Well had England not lost to Ukraine, Croatia would be in the playoff driving seat, they are 9th so would have bumped Portugal down to the second set of seeds. I dont think there is much between Portugal or Croatia, both would be tricky matches.

[Closed Account 2]

I hope we get France. Imagine Paris for the away leg!!!!!! Would be amazing.


I do too, but mainly because they are the weakest seeded team in that list apart from maybe Greece/Swiss.

[Stuttgart88]

I want Greece, then France / Poprtugal. I want to avoid Russia most.

[Wolfie]

Certainly the least contentious approach.

If we get that far - we're going to draw France regardless.

I hate when I guess right - even before FIFA landed seedings on us!!!

[BonnieShels]

I hope we get France. Imagine Paris for the away leg!!!!!! Would be amazing.

Not that I want to bump a 8 year old thread but I happened across this earlier looking for something else and I just screamed internally seeing this post from irishultra.

:(

Now let's never speak of it again.