FIFA World Cup 2018 Qualification - UEFA Play-Offs (9-11th and 12-14th November 2017)

**elroy** · 12/10/2017, 9:45 PM

Originally Posted by Real ale Madrid

Here is a history of us in Playoff Draws:

In 2016 Euro P/O we were UNSEEDED and drew the 1. Seed in the Seeded Pot - Bosnia. (1-1, 2-0)
In 2012 Euro P/O we were SEEDED and drew the 4. Seed in the Unseeded Pot - Estonia. (4-0, 1-1)
In 2010 WC P/O we were UNSEEDED and drew the 1. Seed in the Seeded Pot - France. (0-1, 1-1)
In 2002 WC P/O we, as top 2nd placed team in Europe were sent on a EUR/ASIA world cup playoff v Iran. (2-0, 0-1)
In 2000 Euro P/O all 8 teams were drawn at random, no seeding - we drew Turkey. (1-1, 0-0)
In 1998 WC P/O we were SEEDED, and drew the 3. Seed Belgium (1-1, 1-2)
In 1966 WC P/O we were involved in a Play-off with Spain after finishing level in Group 9. The playoff was held in Paris and we lost 1-0 by a goal from the hilariously named Ufarte.

Whether in our favour or not, seeding a playoff is a joke/disgrace.

Or at worst if seeding it should be done by reference to where you finished on the second place table......would see us get Switzerland!

**backstothewall** · 13/10/2017, 12:28 AM

This period between the end of the group and the playoff is purgatory. Qualified for nothing and only a 50/50 chance of qualifying for anything but the mind can't help wandering forward to the possibility of a World Cup next summer.

Can't wait to get the draw done and at least have a better idea what our chances are.

**DannyInvincible** · 13/10/2017, 3:32 PM

Originally Posted by elroy

Whether in our favour or not, seeding a playoff is a joke/disgrace.

Seeding it does seem unfair and disproportionate as it has a sort of double-whammy negative effect for the "weaker" sides, who, just like the "stronger" sides, have qualified for the play-offs on merit, having come through the same already-seeded pathway. For example, we already had to overcome being fourth seeds in the group draw to finish second but now we're unseeded again for the play-off draw. Instead of being treated equally with the seven other teams who finished second and made the play-offs (in spite of or with the assistance of their group-draw seeding), never mind being rewarded, we're actually punished along with three other teams. The play-off draw should be an open draw.

**DeLorean** · 13/10/2017, 4:58 PM

There really can only be one reason for seeding it? - To ensure the top nations don't draw each other.

As it has turned out, the four seeded teams were also the four best teams in terms of the runners-up table, sort of coincidentally. Maybe that would be a fairer way of seeding it, ensuring, say, Switzerland were rewarded some little bit for winning 9/10 matches (I know they're seeded anyway as it turned out). In fact, you could do away with the draw, just have 1 v 8, 2 v 7, etc. and give the higher placed team home advantage for the 2nd leg. The pairings would have been as follows:

Rep of Ireland v Switzerland
Greece v Italy
Northern Ireland v Denmark
Sweden v Croatia

**KrisLetang** · 13/10/2017, 5:45 PM

I've had these overwhelming feelings/visions/dreams that we are going to play Denmark. Maybe I just like danish, but usually my ESP is pretty accurate. I've already began scouting them and forwarding any relevant information to the FAI. They seem to have a lot of fast young players in their early or mid 20s, mixed with some veteran leadership. Just some examples:

Simon Kjaer is on a yellow. Though we are still not sure of those rules. Kjaer is the kind of guy who can sink our hopes.
Kasper Dolberg is a 20 year old aryan looking lad who could cause us absolute fits with his athleticism.
Lasse Schone, named after the famed Collie Lassie of early TV fame, is a fiery competitor but calming presence who has the ears of his teammates. (But hopefully doesn't lick them.)
Lukas Lerager is a young ace playing for Bordeaux who can't even crack the lineup most days but would easily be a starter for Ireland.
Viktor Fischer is a 23 year old attacking midfielder, Pescatarian, and late substitution threat that could have the Irish Defense in shambles.

I'm very nervous about this. Also if I was wrong (first time for everything I guess) and we got Italy do you think they would ever put the game in Bari? POSH had to clean up after a lot of Irish fans there last time and it might be frustrating to him.

**DannyInvincible** · 13/10/2017, 6:40 PM

The Danes also have a nominal Irishman in their ranks in the form of Thomas Joseph Delaney.

**KrisLetang** · 13/10/2017, 7:40 PM

Only serial killers use all three names.

**tetsujin1979** · 13/10/2017, 8:24 PM

Billy Ray Cyrus

**osarusan** · 13/10/2017, 8:56 PM

Dozens of songs brutally murdered.

**backstothewall** · 13/10/2017, 8:57 PM

Originally Posted by tetsujin1979

Billy Ray Cyrus

How do we know he isn't? Would it be that hard to imagine that he is?

**mark12345** · 13/10/2017, 11:45 PM

Originally Posted by Fixer82

Lee Carsley handling that ball on the ground was a killer

Remember it like it was yesterday. Will never forgive him for that. All the hard work that went into that performance and we would have taken a 1-0 lead to Bursa for the return.
However the referee who gave the penalty against Carsley (and correctly so) was also the one who spotted the violent tug on Niall Quinn's shirt (in a crowd of players) when Ireland were trailing to Spain in 2002 World Cup. Robbie Keane stepped up to convert the resultant penalty.