Outcome of the group

[richieos]

Where do people think Ireland will finish in the group, do people think were going to qualify?

Could we maybe get a poll started?

[sligofan4ever]

I reckon we'll finish second if we pick up points (even if its all draws) in the remaining games.

[billybunter]

I reckon we'll finish second if we pick up points (even if its all draws) in the remaining games.
all draws may well keep us second, but wont be enough to finish as a best runner up second place team imo. we'll need at least 19 - 20 points

[Junior]

dont need to be best runner up, just not the worst!!

A win today could see us push on for top spot, more likely secure 2nd a playoff and Ill be happy.

[the-blue-harp]

i think we can beat italy at croke park and win the group.

[Umberside]

A win today and we'll pretty much cut off from the other teams. We'd be eight points ahead though Bulgaria have a game in hand. Not sure how many games left but a win against Montenegro at home and something from another game would be enough should we win today.

We'll also go top if we win today.

[elroy]

Worth keeping an eye for how the second placed teams in other group do this weekend, that could yet prove to be crucial.

[stojkovic]

It wont be all doom and gloom if we lose tonight. Bulgaria's game in hand is away to Italy.

[DeLorean]

It wont be all doom and gloom if we lose tonight. Bulgaria's game in hand is away to Italy.

I see what you mean when you say this but it's not really the way I would look at it. Technically it is their game in hand in that that's when they are playing and we're not. However the way I would look at it would be that their main game in hand is Georgia (h). When you look at our remaining fixtures they are almost identical, the only difference being we have Italy at home whereas they have them away. Therefore they have 3 points waiting for them in a game where we do not. If we lose tonight that could be crucial.

5 Sept. Bulgaria v Montenegro / Cyprus v R. Ireland

9 Sept. Italy v Bulgaria

10 Oct. Cyprus v Bulgaria / R. Ireland v Italy

14 Oct. Bulgaria v Georgia / R. Ireland v Montenegro


Back on topic I think we will finish runner-up in the group and get a playoff spot. Not sitting on the fence but there's not much point in predicting whether or not we'll win that without knowing the opposition!

[elroy]

Second place table as it currently stands, tonights results has seen us move up a little bit, in particular the 2-2 draw in Croatia was helpful

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010_FIFA_World_Cup_qualification_(UEFA)#Ranking_o f_second-placed_teams


Grp Team v • d • e Pld W D L GF GA GD AG Pts Notes
7 France 5 3 1 1 7 6 +1 4 10 a,b
5 Bosnia and Herzegovina 5 3 0 2 14 6 +8 5 9 a,b
4 Russia 4 3 0 1 8 3 +5 1 9 a,b
1 Hungary 4 2 1 1 4 2 +2 2 7 a,b
2 Switzerland 5 2 1 2 7 6 +1 5 7 a,b
8 Republic of Ireland 5 1 4 0 4 3 +1 3 7 a,b
3 Northern Ireland 6 2 2 2 5 6 -1 1 7 a,b
9 Scotland 5 2 1 2 4 6 −2 2 7 a
6 Croatia 4 1 2 1 6 6 0 4 5 a,b

Key to notes

a - Team is not guaranteed second place in their group
b - Sixth-placed team in group may change (so ranking of second-placed team may improve or worsen even if they do not play

[MeathDrog]

A win in Cyprus will see off Bulgaria as a threat. Here's hoping.

[fionnsci]

Bit of a kick Montenegro getting a point tonight. Better for us if they finish last rather than Georgia (if so we lose just 4 points max rather than 6 in the second place table).

[Montenegrin]

Bit of a kick Montenegro getting a point tonight. Better for us if they finish last rather than Georgia (if so we lose just 4 points max rather than 6 in the second place table).


Maybe 4,maybe 2,maybe 1:D.
Seriously-I dont see how we can lose against either Cyprus or Georgia in Podgorica.