Fans preview playoffs, YBIG's Ryan O'Hanlon handles chore on behalf of Irish faithful.
https://www.theguardian.com/football...-offs-previews
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Fans preview playoffs, YBIG's Ryan O'Hanlon handles chore on behalf of Irish faithful.
https://www.theguardian.com/football...-offs-previews
I would have a different opinion about these play offs if I hadn't witnessed that superb performance v Wales. Apart from the obvious in that game, it was also team who just won't surrender their world cup place. I just imagine that at this moment that you just can't measure the desire of O'Neill and Keane to get to Russia, that the squad will be suitably influenced that this is our calling, this is our world cup place. We will reduce the winning of the tie down to the factors that are in our favour.
if Denmark are to win they will have to play at a level of intensity they haven't yet achieved against a team like ours.
Stop it geysir. That's just too much positivity.Quote:
Originally Posted by geysir
COYBIG!!!
POSH, in ya come to temper this Nordic exuberance!
We're ****, how about that Bonnie?
Much better. Was worried for a sec.
The full Republic of Ireland squad took part in training on Thursday, November 9 at FAI National Training Centre.
Both Stephen Ward and Jeff Hendrick, who had undergone specialised training sessions with FAI medical staff in previous days, came through the session without any problems.
Captain Seamus Coleman and forward Jonathan Walters linked up with the squad in a supporting role ahead of the departure to Copenhagen, while goalkeeper Colin Doyle has returned to his club.
Republic of Ireland MNT Squad
Goalkeepers: Darren Randolph, Keiren Westwood, Rob Elliot
Defenders: Cyrus Christie, Matt Doherty, Paul McShane, Shane Duffy, Ciaran Clark, John O'Shea, Kevin Long, Stephen Ward
Midfielders: Aiden McGeady, Jeff Hendrick, Robbie Brady, Glenn Whelan, Conor Hourihane, Harry Arter, David Meyler, Eunan O'Kane, Wes Hoolahan, Callum O'Dowda, James McClean
Forwards: Shane Long, Daryl Murphy, Scott Hogan, Aiden O'Brien
Source: http://www.fai.ie/ireland/news/squad...-off-first-leg
Sorry if I ramble...
Was thinking about putting the significance of this game in context to wife, and got stuck on this question.
I wanted to say: "This is our most important game since... 2002."
Then I remembered France '16. "Most important game since last summer" doesn't have the same ring to it.
But then I started asking myself if I would rather play in the round of 32 at the Euros or be one game away from the World Cup?
Which is the more significant game in Irish football history? This or France '16?
It's this IMO. Not close to me. I always feel like the Euro's are anti climactic. By the time they come around its like who cares.
I suppose the Euros getting watered down in its latest incarnation may make this easier? But it's still huge to be in the knockouts of a major tournament vs the risk of not qualifying that comes with being in a WC playoff.
Good question. The World Cup is the 'big one' but had we beaten France, we could very well have made a semi final (Geysir might disagree :)). We could beat the Danes and have a nightmare at the tournament itself, similar to 2012. Although that's unlikely as we we won't have nearly as tough a group, but basically I'm just saying it's probably impossible to answer without knowing what it will ultimately lead to.Quote:
Originally Posted by boysingreen
On a similar note, after we beat Wales I noticed a few begrudging comments from their supporters on social media, saying we could only dream about getting to the semi final of a major tournament like they did in France. Obviously we never have, although we were within eight minutes of doing so in 1988 and could easily have done so in 2002 with a small bit of luck. We did get to a World Cup quarter final in 1990 of course, is this a better or lesser achievement than a semi final appearance at the Euros? Wales contested a World Cup quarter final in 1958 too, but I'm just wondering what people would consider the bigger achievement? I'd probably side with a semi final appearance myself to be fair, regardless of which competition it is.
I'm not allowing myself to get too excited but it's tough. This would be a massive achievement.
Surely achievements go up in how impressive they are the further back in time you go - due to the ever increasing number of places available at these tournaments. You could say that qualifying for 1990 would be equivalent of making it out of the groups at next year's world cup.
Good news for those going with their girlfriends! :pQuote:
Originally Posted by geysir
Another thing is the possibility of playing a non Euro team in a competitive match. Look at some of the teams who have already qualified who we could play. Uruguay, Mexico, Saudi's, Japan, Nigeria, Costa Rica. Just something different. We were in that boring cycle of the Faroes, etc for a while, now it seems like the Georgia's of the world. It's like eating the same food over and over.
How the heck is Paul McShane anywhere near the squad???
Training well at least.Quote:
Originally Posted by Colbert Report
http://www.punditarena.com/football/...land-training/
Just watched N. Ireland get robbed against Switzerland at Windsor Park. In truth the Swiss were on top for long long periods of the game and the North dodged the proverbial bullet on a number of occassions (created very little themselves at the other end). It brought home to me the importance of possessing the football in Copenhagen on Saturday night, and to that end Wes Hoolahan will be critical for Ireland. Hope Martin sees it that way also.Quote:
Originally Posted by KrisLetang
Quote:
Originally Posted by mark12345
Just looked up the statistics out of interest.
It is not the end of the world for NI, if they can get a goal in the second leg they are right back in it.Quote:
Team Stats
Northern Ireland Team Switzerland 0 Goals 1 0 Shots On Target 2 4 Shots Off Target 9 1 Blocked Shots 5 64.6 Passing Accuracy 82.4 280 Total Passes 527 181 Completed Passes 434 1 Corners Won 4 0 Offsides 3 3 Total Tackles 11 3 Tackles Won 6 13 Interceptions 6 1 Saves By Goalkeeper 0 14 Fouls Won 16 17 Fouls Conceded 15 1 Yellow Cards 1 0 Red Cards 0
The Swiss should have won. But the referee was a sham. Some of the decisions had "bought off" written all over them tbh.
Was never a penalty.
Has a bit of Thierry Henry about it as regards a wrong handball decision in reverse circumstances.