Could we have reached the semi's like Uruguay?

[geysir]

Also it should be noted in context, a Ghanian player blatantly dived to gain the free kick which led up to and caused the mayhem, without that blatant cheating, the ball was going out for a throw in to Uruguay.

[ramondo]

I'm almost certain we would have got out of Group 1. Our starting 11 against Uruguay would almost certainly have been Westwood, Kilbane, Dunne, St Ledger, O'Shea, Duff, Andrews, Whelan, Lawerence, Doyle and Keane. My guess is 0-0 v Uruguay. 1-1 Mexico. 2-0 win against South Africa. Probably second place to Uruguay and next up Argentina. I honestly believe we might have beaten them. We would have been their first "real" game. We are much stronger physically thean Mexico. And I feel we might have just shaded it. Then onto Germany....If only

To get back to the original point...

You seem like a nice guy Noely, but you don't half come out with some sh*te.

[Closed Account 2]

I think we would have been hard to beat (like NZ) but with injuries to Given etc, Robbie Keane switching clubs and Duff having had a long season with Fulham, we wouldnt have been at our best.

I would have been impressed had we made the second round (assuming we were in the French group). Getting out of that group would have been tough, Uruguay were very well drilled, the Mexicans are a talented quick side who could have caused problems with counter attacks (but they have a very weak keeper), and South Africa - as hosts - would have been very difficult to beat.

To get far at a world cup you normally have to win the group, Uruguay won that group and it gave them an easier route to the semis (Korea, Ghana, instead of Argentina, Germany).