Playoff Opponents

[finlma]

If we do happen to beat the Swiss on Wednesday the following are our probable opponents in the playoffs.

Czech (If they don't beat Finland away it will be Romania)
Turkey (need to beat Albania away)
Slovakia(play Russia in Slovakia - whoever wins goes through. A draw will do for Slovakia too)
Norway
Spain (If Serbia slip up at home to Bosnia then Spain will go through automatically when they beat San Marino. A Bosnia win will put them 2nd.)
Sweden

One of these will go through with England as best 2nd places. Not sure who this will be.

Out of all those teams I'd most like to play Norway. Still, its a huge ask to beat Switzerland the way we're playing.

[Krstic]

Does it have to be another European team????

Last time it was Iran.:ball:

[elroy]

Yes it def is against a European team this time around.
Never know lads, we're due luck...heres praying for an Ireland win and a draw in paris....then we top the group :D
now theres optimism for ya.

[finlma]

Definitely a European team. The winner of Bahrain v Uzbekistan is playing the 4th place Amerian team in a playoff. Probably Trinidad & Tabago.

[deadman]

A draw at home for Sweden against Iceland will be enough for them to guarantee the other best 2nd automatic qualification place ... or if they overhaul Croatia... then the Croat's get it

[thejollyrodger]

can someone please update who is in the playoffs now after the results on saturday.. and do the same again wednesday night (not that it will be of relevance to ireland)

[keenanboy]

The words chicken, hatch, and count spring to mind

[Rory H]

dont catch your chickens till you count dracula

[shakermaker1982]

if we somehow get 2nd then we'll end up with Spain (assuming Serbia beat Bosnia), Czech Rep or Denmark/Turkey.

[as_i_say]

wouldnt mind getting the czechs-we've beaten them twice in recent years

[shakermaker1982]

if the Czechs somehow lose to Finland then we'd end up with Romania. We would then be in the top seeds and could play Norway, Russia/Slovakia and Romania. Bit complicated....... and a long way to go. The Swiss would definitely be in the crap pot and have to play some of the big boys.

[finlma]

Is the playoff draw seeded? I though it was an open draw with the 6 teams. It seems unfair to seed considering the groups.

[tetsujin1979]

No, it's an open draw, Spain could end up playing the Czechs!

[finlma]

No, it's an open draw, Spain could end up playing the Czechs!

So shakermaker is just talking rubbish. If we get in then Norway would definitely be the best draw. If Scotland can beat them away.....

[eirebhoy]

The draw is seeded based on FIFA rankings which means we won't be seeded.

[finlma]

The draw is seeded based on FIFA rankings which means we won't be seeded.

There's conflicting reports here. Anyone have a link to back-up what they're saying.
Even if we do beat Switzerland we won't have a hope against Czech, Turkey or Spain. The only hope would be to get drawn against Norway or Slovakia / Russia

[eirebhoy]

http://uk.sports.yahoo.com/051007/2/e5jr.html

[finlma]

That sucks - even if we beat Switzerland we don't have a hope of qualifying.

[Armando]

If Spain top their group then we'd be seeded if we make the play offs. The Serbia - Bosnia game is as big as our game on Wednesday with both teams still alive in the group and neither can afford to lose . The big teams always seem to end up topping groups no matter how erratic their form is, so I fully expect Spain to end up as no.1 in that group.

[shakermaker1982]

I've read it's seeded, I posted a link up on this earlier this week. I don't spout rubbish!!!

[finlma]

I've read it's seeded, I posted a link up on this earlier this week. I don't spout rubbish!!!

I stand corrected ShakerMaker.

Here's hoping for a Serbia Bosnia draw then.

[shakermaker1982]

I stand corrected ShakerMaker.

Here's hoping for a Serbia Bosnia draw then.

if we get 2nd place I'd take any team, as crazy as that sounds I think with Roy Keane and Duffer back we would do ok.

[eirebhoy]

We would be seeded if Spain win their group or the Czechs fail to get 2nd. What that would take is Spain beating San Marino and Serbia failing to beat Bosnia or the Czech Republic failing to beat Finland. The only group that are guaranteed to be ahead of us in the playoff seedings is Group 2 with Turkey, Denmark and Greece in with a chance of 2nd place. Anyway, lets get there first.

My prediction for the playoffs:

Seeded:
Spain
Denmark
Ireland

unseeded:
Romania
Slovakia
Norway

Please God!

[eirebhoy]

Kerr will have scouts at 5 of tomorrow's qualifiers.

[dublinred]

Assuming we beat the clockmakers and reach the playoffs , will the Nov 12th first leg will be an early kick off, assuming we are at home first as usual Croke park has no floodlights , can't see cardiff , merseyside or strathclyde police allowing an evening kick off with 50,00 paddies on the lash in their towns.

[thejollyrodger]

will he need them :p