Wales v. Republic of Ireland - Monday, 9th October 2017 - World Cup 2018 Qualifier

[shakermaker1982]

Duffy and Meyler were immense. The whole back 4 and keeper were quality.

Please tell me Dunphy is squirming the scutter. Bet he had pages of script to tear into MO’N and Keane. Another quality away win vs a top seed.

[NeverFeltBetter]

I defy anyone to bemoan residents of the north declaring for us and see McClean's reaction at full time.

Very good defensively, not so great going forward. One moment of sublime footballing magic from Hendrick, Arter and McClean was all it took. And he ****ing stuck that good and proper.

Thought Hamilton had it right in the second half when he noted how much pressure the Welsh were under from elements of their media and supporters. They were woeful enough in the attacking third, save on a few moments.

Need to be careful not to overblow this result, but tonight, who cares: we're still in it.

[NeverFeltBetter]

Oh, and yeah, we just beat the #13th ranked team in the world. Away. That'll do the coefficient no harm.

[shakermaker1982]

Hopefully the gaffa gets some credit now for how he set them up tonight. This nonsense about no plan, identity etc from the press/pundits is way off. The guys knew their jobs, when to press and when to get back into position.

Of course we can improve but let’s think about that tomorrow!!!!!

[samhaydenjr]

Duffy and Meyler were immense. The whole back 4 and keeper were quality.

Please tell me Dunphy is squirming the scutter. Bet he had pages of script to tear into MO’N and Keane. Another quality away win vs a top seed.

No, when this happens he praises the players for their commitment and hard work, saying that Irish players always give it everything, tells us all that we've nothing to fear in football or in life and then tells us we'll get thrashed by any of the other teams in the play-offs because of the way we play

[Olé Olé]

Ampadu was the only Welsh player brought out for the warm down. Wonder is his pop at home wishing he could be part of this.

[mark12345]

Duffy and Meyler were immense. The whole back 4 and keeper were quality.

Please tell me Dunphy is squirming the scutter. Bet he had pages of script to tear into MO’N and Keane. Another quality away win vs a top seed.

In all fairness - he should tare into Martin O'Neill. The players got the result tonight inspite of their manager. Another woeful performance by O'Neill. No Wes Hoolahan - why we will never know.
And then he brings on his star man Glen Whelan with 15 minutes left? Incredible.
Murphy should have been withdrawn at half time as every ball which went his way he lost. It required a pacy player like McGeady, Maguire, Hogan to pose a threat to Wales on the counter.
Bottom line we won this game by playing a bit of football, and quality football at that. Why are we so afraid to play that way from the off?

[mark12345]

Well now indeed. Vindication for not bothering with this whole passing the ball business ?

Tony, I know you're kidding? You have to be. How did we score the goal, by actually playing some quality football.

[backstothewall]

No, when this happens he praises the players for their commitment and hard work, saying that Irish players always give it everything, tells us all that we've nothing to fear in football or in life and then tells us we'll get thrashed by any of the other teams in the play-offs because of the way we play

Almost word for word! Only thing you missed is how Tony Pulis has been so good for McClean.

[Treaty Gooner]

You think we have that in us for 90minutes?

[NeverFeltBetter]

Yeah, Dunphy is just holding his fire until we get knocked out by Portugal or whoever. Or until we go out in the group stages. Or until we go out in the knockouts. Or until we lose in the final. Or until we just lose another game.

[passinginterest]

When's the playoff draw?

[jbyrne]

In all fairness - he should tare into Martin O'Neill. The players got the result tonight inspite of their manager. Another woeful performance by O'Neill.

please please stop. three wins and two draws away from home. when have we ever done that in qualifying?

we didnt beat any of our direct opponents away in 30 yrs yet oneill has seen us do it twice in the one campaign.

your post is pure tripe

[jbyrne]

When's the playoff draw?

next week.

World cup playoff seedings: Portugal/Switzerland, Italy, Croatia, Denmark Unseeded: Sweden (TBC), N Ireland, Rep Ireland, Greece/Bosnia

[tetsujin1979]

Martin O'Neill is the first Ireland manager to win two away qualifiers against higher ranked opposition: Austria(30) & Wales(13)

[mark12345]

Hopefully the gaffa gets some credit now for how he set them up tonight. This nonsense about no plan, identity etc from the press/pundits is way off. The guys knew their jobs, when to press and when to get back into position.

Of course we can improve but let’s think about that tomorrow!!!!!

"Of course we can improve." Ya think?
We created two chances in the game and took one of them.
Martin O'Neill deserves no credit for tonight. Let me get this straight. We all wondered aloud after the Georgia game if the manager told his players to hoof the ball long all night?
Many of us, including me, could not fathom that a manager would tell his players to sit back and invite the opposition upon them as we did that night.
Well we got our answer tonight. He gave them a similar sort of game plan. Admittedly he deserves credit for our lads closing them down in their half in the first half (if indeed that's what he told his players).
But there was no plan to attack them. There was just a "let's keep it scoreless to halftime and see how it goes from there" attitude.
And as for the last 20 minutes, we didn't even bother trying to get out of our own half. How is that for a plan?
A couple of speedy counterattacking players would have killed off Wales tonight.
I probably am an insatiable pessimist, but all I'm saying is there are far better ways to do it than this.

[TonyD]

Tony, I know you're kidding? You have to be. How did we score the goal, by actually playing some quality football.

As I said in my previous post my tongue was firmly in my cheek there. We had one moment of quality football as you say. That and lots of effort. Doesn't change my view in the slightest. No reason we can't at least try to pass the ball as well. Hypocrisy in the extreme from Brady and especially Dunphy, I'd have more respect if they stuck to their guns. (Love the way Brady is talking about Robson Canoe though ;)

[samhaydenjr]

I just used FIFA's ranking points predictor: http://www.fifa.com/fifa-world-ranking/ranking-tools/prognosis.html . So it's Italy, Portugal, Croatia or Denmark...ouch

[nigel-harps1954]

next week.

World cup playoff seedings: Portugal/Switzerland, Italy, Croatia, Denmark Unseeded: Sweden (TBC), N Ireland, Rep Ireland, Greece/Bosnia

Sweden ranked higher than Denmark no??

[jbyrne]

Sweden ranked higher than Denmark no??

the prov seedings are what the bbc are saying anyway

[nigel-harps1954]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/staticarchive/94d13c3944c263fd4a5a66bc6bccd4ef3563858d.jpg

[mark12345]

the prov seedings are what the bbc are saying anyway

When's the draw, Friday?

[tetsujin1979]

When's the draw, Friday?
tomorrow week, the 17th

[Closed Account]

Sweden ranked higher than Denmark no??
Seeded:


Portugal/Switzerland
Italy
Croatia
Denmark (or France if they drop into play-offs)

Unseeded:


Sweden (or Denmark if France drop into play-offs, or Netherlands if they beat Sweden by at least 7)
Northern Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Greece unless they don't beat Gibraltar and Bosnia and Herzegovina win, then it will be Slovakia

[backstothewall]

I'd fancy us against any of Denmark, Sweden or Switzerland

[Bottle of Tonic]

Brilliant night. I feel for Wales, seeing those wee boys bawling in the crowd. We've had manys the good day since Irish soccer arrived under Jack. When you look at it objectively we are a serious consistent overachiever in the last 30 years. Was said in commentary we have only twice in that time not been in the mix on the final day of qualifying.

[liamoo11]

I just used FIFA's ranking points predictor: http://www.fifa.com/fifa-world-ranking/ranking-tools/prognosis.html . So it's Italy, Portugal, Croatia or Denmark...ouch

Thank you. So will it be the north Switzerland Italy and Croatia seeded?

[tricky_colour]

What would have happened if the result had been a draw?


Would Wales have qualified?

I think we had a certain advantage knowing it was win or bust.

[jbyrne]

What would have happened if the result had been a draw?


Would Wales have qualified?

I think we had a certain advantage knowing it was win or bust.

i think croatias win against ukraine meant a draw was no good to wales

[jbyrne]

think our home play off will have to be thurs or fri as the rugby team are at home on the sat

[mark12345]

Thank you. So will it be the north Switzerland Italy and Croatia seeded?

So we could get the North?

[mark12345]

I'd fancy us against any of Denmark, Sweden or Switzerland

Maybe against Denmark, not against the free scoring Swedes or Swiss.
I also feel Wales would have stood a better chance of qualifying.
Our 'invite them on us and bar the door for 90 minutes' approach has had its nine lives.

[mark12345]

Brilliant night. I feel for Wales, seeing those wee boys bawling in the crowd. We've had manys the good day since Irish soccer arrived under Jack. When you look at it objectively we are a serious consistent overachiever in the last 30 years. Was said in commentary we have only twice in that time not been in the mix on the final day of qualifying.

Feel for the Welsh too. Would have liked to see them qualify along with us at the expense of Serbia.
At the end of the day we can learn lessons from them in how to possess the football.

[zero]

Maybe against Denmark, not against the free scoring Swedes or Swiss.
I also feel Wales would have stood a better chance of qualifying.
Our 'invite them on us and bar the door for 90 minutes' approach has had its nine lives.

evidently not.

[jbyrne]

At the end of the day we can learn lessons from them in how to possess the football.

yes. particularly from the build up to our goal

[Olé Olé]

Shane Duffy. No more words needed.

[backstothewall]

Maybe against Denmark, not against the free scoring Swedes or Swiss.
I also feel Wales would have stood a better chance of qualifying.
Our 'invite them on us and bar the door for 90 minutes' approach has had its nine lives.

Have you considered that if you can't find happiness tonight, then maybe this whole football thing isn't for you? There are all sorts of other sports and activities out there. Why not have a go at your local Archery Club or a try your hand at a Bridge society? Or even a bit of gardening or something!

Perhaps with your quest for ideological purity you would fit in with one of the revolutionary socialist political parties.

[DannyInvincible]

What an effort. So good. The defending was brilliant. The football was woeful, but we got the result, so credit where it's due. We got one chance and we took it. My nerves were wrecked.

Shane was a colossus for us at the back. Heroic defending. Meyler gave it his all too.

The goal was superb. Fantastic tenacity from Hendrick, great dummy from Arter (he knew James was waiting for it as he had taken a glance back as Hendrick raced down the line before crossing it) and a sublime finish by James on his weaker foot. Delighted for him. Fair play to Murphy too for managing to get out of the way!

I thought Randolph was very composed in goals too and pulled off an amazing save from Robson-Kanu's header.

I was nearly tearing my hair out when O'Neill brought Whelan on as I thought we needed someone on who could relieve pressure in our half by taking play into their half (i.e. Wes). The introduction of Whelan was only going to invite further Welsh pressure upon us. Still, we managed to cling on.

There were 58 aerial battles in the game, according to the BBC. That's the highest number in any UEFA qualifying game for this World Cup. I guess it emphasises just how awful the football was for a neutral, ha.

Joe Allen was a big loss for Wales.

The ref was abysmal - for both teams - and where on earth over five minutes of stoppage time came from, I don't know. :confused:

Anyway, what a night! Bring on the play-offs!


Duffy and Meyler were immense. The whole back 4 and keeper were quality.

Please tell me Dunphy is squirming the scutter. Bet he had pages of script to tear into MO’N and Keane. Another quality away win vs a top seed.

He threw a pre-written obituary for O'Neill in the bin: http://www.the42.ie/dunphy-martin-oneill-obituary-3637948-Oct2017/

[mark12345]

yes. particularly from the build up to our goal

The build up to our goal was excellent, no doubt about it. But it was one of only two strikes on target all night.
You just can't keep playing football that way and hope to get away with it. At the very least Murphy should have been replaced by McGeady or Maguire/Hogan for the last half hour to give the lads at the back an outlet pass.

[mark12345]

Have you considered that if you can't find happiness tonight, then maybe this whole football thing isn't for you? There are all sorts of other sports and activities out there. Why not have a go at your local Archery Club or a try your hand at a Bridge society? Or even a bit of gardening or something!

Perhaps with your quest for ideological purity you would fit in with one of the revolutionary socialist political parties.

Look, I don't diagree with your sentiment about not being able to find hapiness on a night like tonight. You are 100 per cent correct, I should be happier than I am.
I am in fact happy for the lads. Great night and great memory. It's just that we seem to come across these results by chance rather than design. The lack of attacking ideas is a big concern.
I am, I suppose, thinking ahead to the playoffis when we meet the likes of Italy or Croatia. But for the moment we (I) should it enjoy the party.
But

[Real ale Madrid]

Win or Bust tonight and well we didn't bust. The asthetics are irrelevant. A massive boost. As long as we avoid Italy we have a punchers chance against the others. Croatia were good tonight but dropped the ball a bit over the last few months, lost to Turkey only beat Kosovo 1-0 and were held at home by Finland. Swiss had a pi$$ easy group - Latvia / Andorra / Faroes so hard to know how good they are and we know all about Sweden who might have improved since the euros.

No one will fancy playing us. You have to beat us physically before your superior technique comes into it and it's starting to become an issue for teams. We have a string of impressive results which can't be dismissed as luck any longer.

Wrote us off this afternoon, thought we had too many injuries. You'd be a fool to write this team off under MON any longer.

COYBIG

[DannyInvincible]

Nine of our twelve goals in qualifying came from players who came through the League of Ireland.

[backstothewall]

Look, I don't diagree with your sentiment about not being able to find hapiness on a night like tonight. You are 100 per cent correct, I should be happier than I am.
I am in fact happy for the lads. Great night and great memory. It's just that we seem to come across these results by chance rather than design. The lack of attacking ideas is a big concern.
I am, I suppose, thinking ahead to the playoffis when we meet the likes of Italy or Croatia. But for the moment we (I) should it enjoy the party.
But

I'm sorry, but this isn't chance. It's possible to fluke one or 2 wins but we've now had wins against Germany, Italy, Austria (away), Wales (away), drew in Belgrade, won a playoff against Bosnia over 2 legs and gave France a hell of a fright in the Euros. These are all teams with better players than us on paper but esprit de corps counts for a lot in international football and that is what have in spades.

I enjoy a crisp passing move as much as the next man, but it's only one way to win a game of football. There are other ways and it's legitimate to pursue them if the manager feels it's the most likely approach to deliver success with the players available to him.

The harsh reality is that the group of players we have aren't going to win the World Cup, but O'Neills tactics have achieved as much as could have realistically been hoped for over 2 campaigns now. There have been ups and downs for sure but could we have achieved more with a different tactical approach? I'd suggest we probably couldn't have done much better, but we might have done an awful lot worse. Wes Hoolahan is a fine player, but it's not like he is someone like David Silva or Philippe Coutinho who can have a team built around him. He's a 35 year old who is usually on the bench for Norwich. The 2 guys who played in midfield tonight are starting regularly in the Premier League so clearly it isn't just Martin O'Neill who rates them highly.

If we draw Italy or Croatia it's probably going to be tough but if we get Denmark, Sweden or Switzerland we can do our thing and see what happens.

[Comic Book Guy]

Feel sorry for Wales, thought Chris Coleman was gracious in defeat. Outstanding performance tonight, not pretty but job done.
A bit off topic I know and I shouldn't have done so but couldn't resist going on to the Jocks "pie and Bovril" page. **** but their bitterness is off the charts. If I could bottle their bile I'd have the most corrosive substance known to man. Anyway our away record in recent years is something to be proud of.

[DannyInvincible]

If we draw Italy or Croatia it's probably going to be tough but if we get Denmark, Sweden or Switzerland we can do our thing and see what happens.

A 0-0 and a 1-1 will do the job nicely. :cool:

[geysir]

A perfect 10/10 for O'Neill, unprecedented for us to win such a crunch game against better seeded and hyped up to the gills opponents on their own turf. O'Neill had that team perfectly prepared for the 90 minutes of what could be described as a duel, not a football game as such.
Not a game for Wes. After the last game, Wales needed to be kicked and shouldered about with some verve.
Coleman was moaning about that we only had one chance and scored, afaics they only had one chance and Randolph saved it with panache. This game was about winning and what it takes to win such a game.

[tricky_colour]

I though we did a pretty good job, particularly defensively, which is the bedrock of any team, I feel quite positive, a good team performance.
We dealt with everything Wales threw at us quite comfortably.

Wales have not lost in a competitive match at home since 2013 ie in 4 years!

[shakermaker1982]

Still BUZZING.

I wouldn’t want to play Croatia but the away trip with their fans would be brilliant. They were a great laugh in Paris last year.

Sweden would be the most winnable out of the 4 but still a tough ask.

Then again you cannot write us off anybody and the 4 seeded teams definitely won’t want to be paired with us. We are a horrible team to have to play against.

[bennocelt]

Maybe against Denmark, not against the free scoring Swedes or Swiss.
I also feel Wales would have stood a better chance of qualifying.
Our 'invite them on us and bar the door for 90 minutes' approach has had its nine lives.

Regarding the Swiss, i think theyd be the best team to get, good at crosses and can string the ball around, but rely to much on shaqiri, and dont like it up them...........very brittle team. But arent they our bogey team?

[swinfordfc]

Swedan will be unseeded like us! ... Its Italy, Portugal (they wont win tonight), Croatia or Denmark! ..... Take your pick. I would want Denamrk!