World Cup Qualifying Group 8

**Noelys Guitar** · 07/09/2009, 11:07 AM

Every Qualifying campaign one of the so called major world powers fails to qualify. Bulgaria have to go for broke on Wednesday. Berbatov had an excellent game on Saturday according to reports. Italy have not looked good in any game I have seen them play recently. I can see the Bulgarian's winning this match. The scenario of a team led by Trap knocking out Trap's World Champions home country might yet happen.

**DeLorean** · 07/09/2009, 11:13 AM

Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

Any suspicion of Italy based Kaladze being bribed?

Stranger things have happened. They would have probably just asked for one o.g though as two would be too obvious!!

Topping the group is a possibility but there's not much point in speculating too much til we see how the Italy Bulgaria game goes Wednesday night. A draw would be super.

**elroy** · 07/09/2009, 11:35 AM

Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

Look, I know we were (are) crap, but by all accounts Italy were awful on Saturday, as they have been all year. I hear Buffon made a great save just before Gerorgia scored their first OG. We can beat Italy and Italy and Bulgaria drawing ain't beyond fantasy either. Come on...

(Any suspicion of Italy based Kaladze being bribed?

They showed the highlights on rte after, was a fantastic low down to his right. Quality. I think the score was one-nil at that stage but could be wrong.

He apparently was unreal when they were away to Cyprus earlier in the campaign as well.

**Duggie** · 07/09/2009, 11:47 AM

lads this is a very VERY average italian side. there struggling big time upfront. iaquinta and quigleirri(sorry bout spelling) i think played sat. rossi is probably there best forward now. cassano is our andy reid, totti retired, del piero not considered. i cant see where they can score in games at the minute.

**Montenegrin** · 07/09/2009, 3:39 PM

Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

Look, I know we were (are) crap, but by all accounts Italy were awful on Saturday, as they have been all year. I hear Buffon made a great save just before Gerorgia scored their first OG. We can beat Italy and Italy and Bulgaria drawing ain't beyond fantasy either. Come on...

(Any suspicion of Italy based Kaladze being bribed?

Italy-Georgia.Must see!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0IRgx...layer_embedded

Is this possible?

**pineapple stu** · 07/09/2009, 3:55 PM

Two quality finishes, in fairness.

Italy even tried to make it 2-1 towards the end; that was nice of them.

**TheBoss** · 07/09/2009, 4:05 PM

They do look a bit odd. he is not that type of defender, more a tackler than clearing balls out of the box or for corners, I would be suspicious.

**Stuttgart88** · 07/09/2009, 4:49 PM

That's a classic match summary! Great save by Buffon just before first goal, but Georgian striker looked a mile offside.

**Montenegrin** · 07/09/2009, 4:53 PM

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

Two quality finishes, in fairness.

Italy even tried to make it 2-1 towards the end; that was nice of them.

LOL

It is becoming boring that Italy always win matches in which they were not better team,to say at least.

**paul_oshea** · 07/09/2009, 5:36 PM

those goals are awful dodgy they aint just simple tap ins on clearances, he was being unmarked and in no pressure on the first one for definite, even the second one he had loads of time but he rattled it into the corner. The way he was over-doing the thing as well.....and it is the italians after all

**eaststand85** · 09/09/2009, 11:52 AM

Originally Posted by Montenegrin

LOL

It is becoming boring that Italy always win matches in which they were not better team,to say at least.

Presume the rest of Group 8 saying the same about us!

**shakermaker1982** · 09/09/2009, 12:40 PM

what the hell was he trying to do for the second goal?!

**Wolfie** · 09/09/2009, 12:54 PM

Originally Posted by shakermaker1982

what the hell was he trying to do for the second goal?!

Fulfill the terms and conditions of the bribe...................

**Pauro 76** · 09/09/2009, 1:15 PM

I'd be gutted if I was a Georgia fan. Is this being looked into?

**tricky_colour** · 09/09/2009, 1:41 PM

1 Italy ............. 7 5 2 0 11 3 +8 17
2 Rep of Ireland. 8 4 4 0 10 6 +4 16
3 Bulgaria .........7 2 5 0 10 5 +5 11
4 Cyprus .......... 7 1 2 4 7 11 -4 _5
5 Montenegro.... 7 0 4 3 6 12 -6 _4
6 Georgia ......... 8 0 3 5 4 11 -7 _3

09/09/09 Montenegro Cyprus
09/09/09 Italy - Bulgaria
10/10/09 Montenegro - Georgia Georgia
10/10/09 Cyprus - Bulgaria
10/10/09 Republic of Ireland - Italy
14/10/09 Republic of Ireland - Montenegro
14/10/09 Italy - Cyprus
14/10/09 Bulgaria - Georgia

Is a draw the best outcome of this match?
Certainly seems to be, an Italy win mean we have no chance of toping the group and a Bulgaria win means we could end up third and is no better than a draw regards to our chance of winning the group.

**Stuttgart88** · 09/09/2009, 2:03 PM

This is how I'm looking at it:

1. Italy win and they win the group in reality. Bulgaria max points 17. We'll only need 2 more to beat them into second.
2. Italy draw and then 6 points in our last 2 games win us the group. Bulgaria max points 18. 3 points in last 2 games will guarantee us second.
3. Bulgaria win and then we may need 6 points just to secure second; anything less and we're looking at third. Bulgaria max points 20. If we only get 4 more points we'll face off against Bulgaria on GD and they're 1 ahead. We'll need to find goals because they'll be at least 3 ahead if we assume any wins for either of us are by 1 goal.

I'm all for thinking let's get 6 points and not worry about anyone else, but let's face it, option 2 is by far the best outcome for us.

In a way Italy drawing will give us a license to go all out for the win knowing even if we lose, a win over Monty (not easy) will still get us something.