Martin O'Neill's Ireland team earned themselves a place in next week's draw for the World Cup Play-offs after a dramatic second half goal from West Bromwich Albion winger James McClean helped the visitors to all three points.
Jeff Hendrick harried captain Ashley Williams into a mistake and delivered the ball to McClean who finished in the 57th minute. The result in Serbia meant that Wales had to finish the game with a win as the Serbs narrowly inched passed Georgia at home, Chris Coleman's Wales suddenly and urgently needed to score two goals but their assault on the Irish defence lacked the required amount of conviction.
O'Neill had Daryl Murphy alone in attack in the first period but that was a tactic that hardly delivered, in the end the 4,000+ Irish fans can make the short journey home knowing that their team still stands a chance for Russia 2018.
In tomorrow's games three points will be enough for Greece to make the playoffs as they host Gibraltar in Group H's final round of games whereas Bosnia who travel to Estonia will need a win and expect Greece to slip up against Gibraltar - isn't that unlikely?
Group A
In Group A 1998 winners France will need a win against Belarus to seal automatic qualification, a draw will do if Sweden draw at Holland and a loss will do if Sweden lose at Holland. Sweden have their work cut out for them, a draw against Holland will guarantee at least a play-off spot, but if Belarus pull of the unthinkable and beat France a draw will see Sweden win the group on goal difference. Holland also have a very straightforward path to Russia but they will have to beat Sweden by seven clear goals.
Group B
In Group B the only teams still in the race for Russia 2018 are Portugal and Switzerland. They play each other tomorrow in Portugal in a winner takes all affair. Portugal need a win and nothing less but a draw will do for Xhedran Shaqiri and co.
0 comments:
Post a Comment