Here it is the culmination of a qualifying campaign, what do you think will happen? Ireland sneak top spot? Grab a deserved play off place? All go to pot and the minnows Armenia pip us to 2nd?
I think we need to focus on tomorrow before looking forward to Armenia. I remember Mick McCarthy saying that no one ever wins these games. Andorra will look to frustrate us. The pitch will be awful and the stadium cramped. Many people will expect Ireland to win by a hatful of goals, but if you look at Andorra's home record they rarely lose by more than two goals. Have a feeling that we could be biting our nails at 0-0 with 65 mins gone tomorrow night. But I still think that Ireland should be good enough to win the match. Republic of Ireland XI: Shay Given, John O'Shea, Sean St. Ledger, Darren O'Dea, Stephen Ward, Aiden McGeady, Glenn Whelan, Keith Andrews, Damien Duff, Kevin Doyle, Robbie Keane. Conservative?
Well hopefully if it's still 0-0 at the 65 minute mark, Trappatoni has the right mind to make the changes early enough, we have some young, highly energetic players on the bench who could be the difference in the end. McCarthy, Hunt, Long. Trappatoni, I'm sure, will come good. Fingers crossed I agree, this won't be an easy game. Definetly Conservative.
Should be? If Ireland can't beat a team that has only won 3 and drawn 8 games ever out of 100 played with a goal difference of -246, then they should hang up their boots.
Well, Russia should be good enough for Andorra at home, so you're probably right about the playoffs. Apparently Russia worth the win against Slovakia, but the Slovaks should have tied it up late on. Shame, but there you go.
Great win against the might of Andorra ! Surely that would have been a game to forget about the two destroyers in midfield and try another formation with a ball player like McCarthy or Coleman in there.
How unbelievably lucky have Russia been this campaign and to be top after it all, 3 poor goals against us, then held on for a 3-2 win, drew with Armenia, were 1-0 down against them in the other game until about the 65th min when Pavleychenko scored a hatrick, Macedonia should of had a penalty against them, wasn't given went down the other end and scored, then scrapaed a 1-0 win. And when we played them in Russia fair enough they should of won but if we'd of attacked them they'd of folded like a cheap suit
I sincerely hope you guys qualify for 2012, since France stole your 2010WC spot last time. Good luck.
With tomorrow's game being so huge, what is your guys' take on it? Keane out according to many reports but do you think that could be a chess game move?
If we win tomorrow and Sweden lose, both teams would have 21 points, the highest of all the 2nd placed teams. Is it possible Ireland could be the best runner-up and qualify automatically?
There're more teams than Sweden involved. Bosnia-Herzegovina 19 (away to France) Croatia 19 (home to Latvia) A win for either makes Ireland's result against Armenia inconsequential for best second place. Plus Sweden's goal difference is +19, whereas Ireland's is +7.
Ireland vs Aremenia is the game to watch tonight so will be joining u guys. Ireland clear favorites but Armenia are in form and Ireland need to be aware of that and their underdog tag - should be interesting.. must admit I know nothing about Armenia's football team. Here was my dream last nigt... I reckon Ireland will win and make the playoffs. Bosnia will win in France and then Ireland and France to meet in the playoffs, after a goalless draw in Paris, Thierry Henry will attempt to pull a 'Zidane' and come out of retirement to help his country qualify for a major tournament. The game goes to extra time and in the dying moments, a Keane shot rebounds off the bar and back onto Henry's hand and into the net to send Ireland through! Would love to see the crowd's reaction lol!
So Armenia's down to 10 men with a backup goalie and just scored an own goal on themselves at the 42 minute mark. Somebody cue the Benny Hill theme.
http://www.firstrowsports.tv/watch/85364/2/watch-ireland-vs-armenia-[uefa-euro-champ-qualifiers].html
Looks like the French escaped a re-match with a second half equalizer. http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro2012/standings/index.html So it's: Ireland Turkey Estonia Bosnia Croatia Montenegro Portugal Czech Republic Perhaps Ireland can manage a seed which would avoid Portugal (and 2 other tough ones) and get the return fixture at the Aviva. Turkey or any of those Balkan countries would be tough.
We're one of the 4 top seeds, so we'll get either Turkey, Czech, Montenegro or Estonia. I'll take any.
Don't know if there's seeding this time. Assuming not, Ireland's playoff opponents will be one of Turkey, Estonia, Bosnia, Croatia, Montenegro, Portugal or the Czech Republic. I think I'd want one of Estonia, Montenegro or Czech Republic. I'd want to avoid Portugal and would see Turkey, Bosnia and Croatia as tough but possible.
