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Both teams look good going forward. But like both teams first games in this group they find it hard to stick the ball in the net. No way will Trap allow either team the number of chances they have got in this first half against us.. It will be interesting to see how they do when they are working off scraps. 48 mins Russia havejust had a well worked goal disallowed (rightly for offside)
Or facing Paul McShane or presented with a Richard Dunne special :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Noelys Guitar
What are we looking for here? A draw?
I'd say a draw is the best result. If Slovakia win, then we'll want to win in Russia as well to keep pace... no easy task.
At the same time, a Slovakia win might not be the worst result? Perhaps Armenia can take some points from them at home.. and we'll be gunning for 4 points from them.
if russia do lose, we have an opportunity to mess them up in a serious way by beating them in dublin.
a long way to go yet though. i think a late russia leveller would be best.
Draw would probably suit more
Pav coming on for Russia.
I tell ye what lads it's some game, absolutely frantic end-to-end stuff. Fair play to Slovakia, they arn't looking to sit and instead keep playing quick and direct to hit Russia on the break. Crazy that it's still 1-0. 20 mins to go.
It really depends on whether we are aiming to win the group or come second. If we want to win the group then 1-0 to Slovakia is the result we want.
True but it just makes the margins so much smaller. A close three horse race means the price of failure is elimination rather than a play-off.
How do you figure that?Quote:
Originally Posted by eekers
A Slovakia win will make that injury time winner v. Macedonia all the more sickening. Feck!
Lads a russian loss would be bad news from our point of view.
Have to figure a Russia loss will see them guns a-blazing v. us in October.
Probably a draw, but if Russia are the better side it might be better if they lose, a Russia win would beQuote:
Originally Posted by Brendan 82
the worst possible outcome I would say.
I think Russia will steamroller the group. The football they have been playing today is outstanding. They could easily be 4 goals up, but have been unbelievably unlucky.Quote:
Originally Posted by Brendan 82
That is what I thought. Slovakia won their last European qualifying group to secure automatic qualification. They then performed well in the World Cup. Now they are winning in Russia. Are they not the best team in the group? Surely we want a Russian equalizer to stop the Slovaks from running away with the group?Quote:
Originally Posted by elroy
I'd fancy us more to get a result in Slovakia than Moscow. And I don't think anyone's underestimating Slovakia rather than just believing we're more likely to take points from them.Quote:
Originally Posted by Brendan 82
But I agree, I'd rather a draw or even a Russian win to maintain the status quo. This result really ups the ante for everyone.
Also - watching the match both teams have actually been very good. As said before, if Russia lose this they will be fuming and they will come at us with their considerable attacking talent next month. Although they do look likely to concede goals.
From the point of view of winning the group it already will make things difficult, from the point of view of attaining second it would be a good result. But I dont think any of us want to be aiming for second this time around.
Of course they're the best team in the group. Can't believe so many think otherwise. We're getting all English and basis our predictions based on GDP size. Slovakia are the momentum team. Draw best result - no brainer in my mind.Quote:
Originally Posted by Brendan 82
Thanks. I thought I was going crazyQuote:
Originally Posted by Stuttgart88
yes, but as someone mentioned earlier, russia have been very unlucky. looks like even making the playoffs is going to be a substantial achievement.
Full time Russia 0-1 Slovakia
It's not the only thing to base it on though. Pedigree is important, and Russia have it throughout their side. Plenty of these guys were at Euro 08. Plus a lot of smaller teams often come off a successful major tournament only to have a stinking qualifying campaign (such as us 02-03). Although they do appear to be curiously underrated I still fancy our chances against them more than the Russians.Quote:
Originally Posted by Stuttgart88
We could deliver a hammer blow to Russia now by beating them in Dublin
Dick out of a job tomorrow? Should really be 2-0 to the Slovaks. Slovakia have had two great chances in the last few mins. Russia huffing and puffing and never really look like scoring. For all their flair going forward they still have too many mediocre players along with their couple of great players. Apart from one free kick and one cross field ball the Slovak keeper has not had a save to make. Best team won IMO. And both defences are going to have a real problem dealing with Kevin Doyle. Sort out our left back problem and we can win this group
So Slovakia win then. Russia will be doubly determined in Dublin in October.
If Trap really was a lucky manager (take note David Kelly) other results would go his way. They didn't last time and they haven't done so yet in the group.
Russia looks like a work-in-progress to me - ie still adjusting to life under Dick Advocaat. I think we have a good chance of getting the better of them.
Slovakia are functional. No great shakes but they won't be easily beaten. But nothing to fear either.
Slovakia have had the breaks in this group so far. But we should be leading the group come 5pm. We can kill off Russia in October and our record against them down the years has been good. Should be a great match with them now having to win the game. I would have prefered a draw in the game today but who knows what the result of todays game will mean come the end of the group.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Brendan 82
Lol I expect a hammer blow will be dealt one way or another, I just hope we are on the right end of the hammer :D
Will it be an inflatable hammer?
it will be interesting to see how Armenia do against Macedonia. I thought Macedonia were very unlucky to lose against Slovakia on Friday (sending off changed the game completely).
This could either be a very good result for us or a very bad one.
All depends on the results we get really. First or third for us.
A win next month, won't kill off the Russians. Too early in the group for that, and they have 4 of their last 6 games at home.
Ideally we would like to see Armenia get a result of some kind showing they are a decent side.Quote:
Originally Posted by Noelys Guitar
If they get thrashed it won't look too good for us. A Draw would be OK.
In a sense it means beating Slovakia now will be more important that beating Russia. I always wouldve fancied our chances of beating the Slovaks in comparison to beating Russia. Anyways lets do our own job first, off to the game now. 3-0 win.
An absolutely dreadful result for Russia. Slovakia will be flying high after 6 points from two of their three most difficult away games. Lets hope they don't make it three out of three! Its still very, very early in the group but I suspect anything but a win for Ireland against them might see us scrapping it out with Arshavin and Co for second place. Then again, we still have to be quietly confident of getting four points from Slovakia.
Its gonna be a long few weeks till October 8th!
Their win against Macedonia was in Slovakia mate! Russia was their first away fixture. So they still have to travel to Macedonia, Armenia, and Dublin.Quote:
Originally Posted by Scooby Doo
Is 4 points against both teams good for us, or does it hand first place to Slovakia? Me brain no like maths
Cheers for the correction. :)Quote:
Originally Posted by boysingreen