Funny enough, I think we'd have a much better chance against Germany than Russia. Even when Germany have had the best team in the world, Ireland have always given them a game. Our style seems to be able to match their style okay. Would be really worried about Russia.Originally Posted by shakermaker1982
If these teams were seeded according to the world rankings, we'd get:
6 Russia
9 Croatia
10 France
12 Greece
38 Ireland
41 Sweden
43 Norway
45 Slovenia
46 Bosnia and Herzegovina
So we're currently unseeded. Greece could be overtaken by Latvia, I suppose, who are at #58, and that would get us seeded. However Portugal (17), Czech Republic (18) and Turkey (27) are all higher-ranked and could still get in from their respective groups.
portugal and france would be 2 no no's. could see us been done badly in lisbon. if henry, benzema and ribery had a good night either it would be bye bye SA.
Portugal have been very poor so far in the qualifiers. Similar to South Africa against us actually - lots of possession but nobody to score the goals.
Like Norway, NI have no chance of making it.
Somehow I think Germany will manage to do what they have to and Russia will be in the play offs.
Slovenia next have to play Slovakia away who will want to secure top spot. To me it looks like the Czech Rep will nip in there.
Russia is the only team that would be strong favourites (based on form) against us.
For the rest, we have slightly better or slightly worse than a 50/50 chance of getting through..
Coming from 1 down in Serbia with only 10 men was pretty commendable though.
I can see Ireland boring anyone into submission over two games in a few days.
you only need a bit of magic from Henry/Ribery and it's game over. The last time we played France at home being a prime example. Domenech should have gone after Euro 2008 and his tactics IMO do weaken them as a team but they have enough individual quality to punish us if our back four switches off (which is not beyond the realms of possibility). I'd hope we kept well away of France but saying that Paris would be a good away trip......
Norway will be the worst second place team so they're out - right?
We'd want to avoid France and Hiidinck's Russia. Like to avoid Greece too. Otherwise the rest look emminently beatable.
If Portugal manage to rescue themselves and get drawn against us then we simply have to draft Bermingham in from the U21s as he's got a proven track record of marking Ronando out of a game.
Together with all our hearts.
greece would be beatable. hardly going to tear us apart. i cant believe people would think portugal wouldnt be a disaster. mightn be 100% right now but i cud see us getting beaten well out there. them and france. everyone else is a lottery. dont think russia are world beaters.
I agree, Portugal would tear us apart. Ronaldo vs. Kilbane. Enough said.
I wonder what fans of those countries involved are thinking about us, I mean some people say France would be the best option, they probably agree for themselves that WE are the best option for them...
I wonder if there are fans on foreign shores saying: "Lets talk about dis second place ting. Me no want any part of Robbie Keane or Duff or Liam Miller. Duff used to play with the Newcastles. That world class team and tasty beer.
This chap Steven Reid could be back and health. He many cagey international. And manager is old Italian very set in ways. He have quick talking point and like very much this Paul McShane who is very cagey International also. Kevin Kilbane no quick anymore but maybe Stephen Kelly take place. Kelly very pretty boy. Plus Andy Reid lose 2 stone and Hunt have very wild hair. Me no want Ireland Greenies to play us. They also travel the fans which is annoying."
No Somos muchos pero estamos locos.
if slovenia end up 2nd there prob the weakest.
Funnybut it would be interesting to see if any of the second placed teams would fear us, from a fans perspective that is.
Couple of reasons, first of all we would stand a fair chance of qualifying.Unlike Germany for instance, there would be no guessing game for host city.Ryanair provide cheap and easy access from Ireland.Their fans are up there with the Dutch for noise and colour,security here or in Sweden wouldn't be an issue, similiar beer culture to ourselves.......fingers crossed IRLAND REPUBLIC V LA SWEDE!!
My assessment of likely opponents if we make the play-offs which now looks likely after last nights result.
Group 1:
Denmark or Sweden likely to be first place. Portugal look likely to claim second if they win their last 2 home games against Hungary and Malta. Portugal will almost certainly beat us, off form or not, over 2 legs.
Group 2:
Switzerland should get first. Latvia or Greece should take second. I'd fancy our chances gainst Latvia. Greece I would think might just have a slight edge over us but still one of the easier teams and we certainly would have a chance of progressing though I think we'd be slight underdogs.
Group 3:
Still open. Slovakia should win the group. Slovenia or Czech Republic in the play-offs. I'd fancy us (just) against the Slovenes while the Czechs would most likely beat us over 2 legs even if their form as with Portugal hasn't been great.
Group 4:
Russia or Germany second. Germany definitely would beat us over 2 legs. We would have a slightly better chance against the Russians but I would still back them to have too much ability for our hoofball game and we'd be huge underdogs to progress.
Group 5:
Looks like Bosnia here. Talented team from the Balkans. I think they would edge it slightly but it would be a very close contest and again one of the easier play-offs.
Group 6:
Croatia or Ukraine. Both should beat us even if Croatia have been poor lately.
Group 7:
France would comfortably beat us. Possibly the most difficult team in the play-offs if Germany qualify automatically.
Group 9:
Norway. I'd fancy us just to edge the game.
So to sum up.
Easiest Opponents:
Latvia, Norway, Slovenia
Winnable:
Greece, Bosnia
Still in There but Just:
Croatia, Ukraine
Don't book any flights:
Russians, Czechs
Roll on Brazil 2014:
Portugal, Germany, France
Last edited by youngirish; 10/09/2009 at 8:27 PM.
jeez youngirish by your reckoning we havent much hopeif italy were in another group we would be saying we wouldnt want them in a play off. games dont always pan out the way we think.
True but while the big teams often stutter in one-off games throughout the qualification process they nearly always will come out on top when it matters such as in a 2 leg play-off. Still we could shock one of the bigger boys but the way we're playing I seriously doubt we would have enough over 2 legs to beat one of the better European teams.jeez youngirish by your reckoning we havent much hope
On the basis of last night in Cardiff, Ireland should have little to fear against the Russians. The 3-1 scoreline flattered them massively, and I'm not saying that out of bitterness at all. A draw would have been a fair result, in all honesty. They were very clinical though.
"Life is like a hair on a toilet seat. Sooner or later you are bound to get pi$$ed off."
"In this league, a draw is sometimes as good as a win" - Steve Morison
The difference between very good teams and decent ones.
Well,I can tell you for Bosnians and Croats.They consider you as one of the better choices,as they think that you play British style(long balls,poor technical abilities...) and they are pretty sure that they would beat you.They too consider France,Germany/Russia,Portugal/Sweden... as toughest opponents.
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