The 2nd place qualifying table

**geysir** · 10/09/2009, 3:13 PM

I have some pre draw confidence, just as long as Noely doesn't come on and say we are sure fired certainties for South Africa.

**geysir** · 10/09/2009, 3:16 PM

Originally Posted by Montenegrin

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.

Do they watch the Ireland games?
not that watching the games under Trap would seriously challenge a prejudice

**cavan_fan** · 10/09/2009, 3:41 PM

Originally Posted by Montenegrin

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.

Yea the Croatians ability against English based players is a real worry!
As to how we would be seen, if we were looking in we'd say here's a team who are unbeaten in a tough group and whose players all play at a tough standard I see someone referred to hiddinks Russia. I think we'd be trapatonnis Ireland and that would worry them.

Still see the problem being gettig a win. Would like to be away first.

**Murfinator** · 10/09/2009, 3:41 PM

Sweden more likely to get playoffs in my opinion. I think a draw and a win would guarantee them 2nd place with the tiebreaker rules regardless of what Portugal do.

**Murfinator** · 10/09/2009, 3:44 PM

And whatever about fans I think no manager will want to be drawing us in the play-offs. We're unbeaten competitively after all.

**kennedmc** · 10/09/2009, 4:09 PM

Originally Posted by Montenegrin

British style(long balls,poor technical abilities...) and they are pretty sure that they would beat you..

That's only natural especially the way we are playing at the moment just about every team would want to get us in the play-offs.

Youngirish summed it up very accurately in his post.

Also cavan fan there is a bit of a difference between England and us at the moment. The only Irish player that would make their starting X1 is Given.

**Dun Laoire** · 10/09/2009, 4:54 PM

Originally Posted by cavan_fan

Yea the Croatians ability against English based players is a real worry!
As to how we would be seen, if we were looking in we'd say here's a team who are unbeaten in a tough group and whose players all play at a tough standard I see someone referred to hiddinks Russia. I think we'd be trapatonnis Ireland and that would worry them.

Still see the problem being gettig a win. Would like to be away first.

I hope the gods are on our side and at least give us the away game first. Could be the difference. This is of course, we do get second place!

**jackaroo** · 10/09/2009, 6:32 PM

Any dates set for the play offs.

**TerryPhelan** · 10/09/2009, 6:40 PM

Sorry if this has already been asked, but does anyone know yet how the playoffs will be fixed as regards who gets drawn against who? I had presumed that it would be on merit, i.e. the top side gets the bottom side, second gets second-bottom etc. but heard recently that it might be at random. Not sure which would favour us more, but if anyone has heard one way or another I'd be grateful to hear.

**Stuttgart88** · 10/09/2009, 6:43 PM

I think FIFA meet in private and decide who they think they'd like to qualify. Then they pretend that there's a draw.

Whoever said above that the FAI should contact FIFA now in getting them to clarify their process is bang on the money in my opinion.

**geysir** · 10/09/2009, 6:47 PM

Originally Posted by Murfinator

Sweden more likely to get playoffs in my opinion. I think a draw and a win would guarantee them 2nd place with the tiebreaker rules regardless of what Portugal do.

The first tiebreaker rule is goal difference.
Presuming you mean Sweden draw with Denmark, that leaves a turkey shoot with Portugal V Malta and Sweden V Albania on the last day.
Sweden have had good fortune in their last 2 games with last minute winners incl. an og against Malta.

I had presumed Sweden would have scored a hatful against Malta. Realistically they need to beat Denmark to get through. Portugal are edging it now

**Stuttgart88** · 10/09/2009, 7:16 PM

Originally Posted by geysir

Sweden have had good fortune in their last 2 games with last minute winners incl. an og against Malta.

I noticed that. Ibrahimovic got the goal in 93 mins at the w/e. Is he the Swede's Robbie Keane?

Still, 6 points on the road is a handy haul against tricky opposition. Their away record is quite impressive over the years I think.

**Irish_Praha** · 10/09/2009, 7:18 PM

I can't say that I have been keeping up-to-date on Greece and their recent style of play. However, if they are still playing a similar system to when they won the Euros it would be some boring play-off against this Irish team.
Maybe two 0-0 draws.

**geysir** · 10/09/2009, 7:57 PM

Our midfield staring at their midfield,

**eirebhoy** · 10/09/2009, 8:03 PM

Group 1 is interesting. A win for Sweden against Denmark means if they both win their last game in the group (both at home) then Portugal will finish 3rd. A draw between Denmark and Sweden could bring it down to goal difference which Portugal would be favourites for since they have Malta at home.

**EastTerracer** · 10/09/2009, 8:11 PM

Originally Posted by jackaroo

Any dates set for the play offs.

http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/prelimi...condplace.html
The play-offs will be played over two legs on 14 and 18 November 2009. The draw for these matches will be conducted on Monday 19 October 2009 in the Home of FIFA in Zurich.

**SUB of the day** · 10/09/2009, 8:21 PM

PORTUGAL, GREECE,CZECH REPUBLIC,RUSSIA, BOSNIA-HERZ,CROATIA, FRANCE.Having studied the remaining fixtures, these are the seven teams I expect to join us in the "draw".No easy games, but no world beaters either.If we can draw away to Italy and Bulgaria, I'm sure we could achieve similiar results in Athens Lisbon or Paris etc.Having the 2nd leg in Croker may give us an edge in such circumstances.

**geysir** · 10/09/2009, 8:37 PM

Ukraine need a win at home to England.
They blew a good chance last night.

**Stuttgart88** · 10/09/2009, 9:43 PM

I think YI's analysis was well presented and well considered but I think he was paying a bit too much historical respect to some of the teams. Who knows? I think we've some good players, some gaping holes but a wily old fox of a manager who will make it hard for anyone to beat us. All I wanted 18 months ago was for Ireland to be competitive again and to take our chances from there, I think I've got my wish.