[UEFA] Play-offs

I want to see this Bosnia-Portugal...mostly so that I could put money on it. The odds would be largely in favor of Portugal, but I think Bosnia would walk through Portugal...

 

Thanks to you guys who are supporting Bosnia. We finished it off quiet nicely today with almost a perfect game. We looked quiet good. (I know its Estonia but nobody can be taken lightly today)

Really, no matter who we face, it will be an uphill battle. But I am somewhat comforted by the fact that we only lost 1-0 to Spain away...who I see as the best nation in Europe.

But yes, offense is our game. And I think it would be even more so at the WC. We play offensive so all many of these key players get to play together.

Dzeko (Wolfsburg) - has 8 goals in WCQ (one behind Rooney at 9) Had 26 goals last year in Bundesliga.
Misimovic (Wolfsburg) - led the Bundesliga in assists - 20. (set a record)
Ibisevic (Hoffenheim) - last year was the leading goal scorer in Bundesliga halfway through before his season ending injury.
Salihovic (Hoffenheim) - one of the best free-kick tackers in Bundesliga. Awesome crossers/shots as well.
Pjanic (Lyon) - Key player on Lyon, creative attacking midfielder, who is also lethal on set-pieces. Only 19yrs old. 2G 2A so far in CL.
Ibricic (Hajduk) - Maybe our 2nd most valuable behind Misimovic..should be at a better club but loves it there.
Bajramovic (Frankfurt) - Too many injury issues so hasn't played as much as he should. But always a key player for us. Was given up by Shalke couple years ago only do to major injury problems.

Aside from Bajramovic, this is a very young group, 26yrs old and under.

 

Unless you plan on being a spectator at either of the legs of this tie, why should temperature matter? Both teams know this weather well. Shouldn't be a problem for either.

 

Bosnia is underrated but Im actually more scared of Rep. Ireland.

 

I don't think the post you're responding to was suggesting that it would be a factor if Russia played Ukraine (though it could certainly still be a factor as some teams adapt better than others) but that whoever draws Russia or Ukraine might find it difficult - Portugal, for instance, wouldn't want to go to Ukraine.

In saying that, I've been to Bosnia in winter and it can get exceptionally cold there as well.

 

Portuguese being benefited?! It's about time

 

Considering that Slovenia is playing away @ San Marino & Slovakia have to travel to Poland for the final game, it might turn out that way indeed.

 

Remember Euro2000? Ukraine were considered the best play-off team. They drew what everyone thought was the weakest play-off team, Slovenia. And lost to them 1-2, 1-1.

 

Bosnia vs Portugal or France, would love it if Bosnia took one of them out.

 

None of the "seeded teams" will want to draw Ireland....and here's betting the Irish make it to 2010 regardless of who they play.

 

After the way the players and coach complained about the decision of FIFA to use the Rankings and seed teams, I wouldn't be surprised they go into the games with a defeated attitude if they draw any of the seeded teams but Greece.

 

You don't know the Irish very well....personaly I'd bet on them against ANY of the remaining teams over two legs.

 

Y'see, this is why I've been arguing elswhere against the decision to seed.

I've seen a lot of both Russia and Ukraine in recent years and I have to say that both are decent outfits.

Ireland are a tough prospect.

Boznia have some great players. Ditto Portugal. Both have the ability to do serious damage on their day.

France are kinda transitional right now. Haven't looked that great in a while.

I know the rationale behind seeding but I honestly think it should have been an open draw. They should have at least made it clear from the start.

But no mind. Can't wait to see who get's there. I'm half English (grew up there), half Irish (N. Ireland on Mum's side), live in the states and most of my local soccer-watching friends are Mexican. I'll be routing for England but would like to see all four have good tournaments. (If the Republic get there)

 

While I don't like the idea of seeding the teams based on overall FIFA rankings, I don't think open draw would be any fairer. The most logical and fairest way would be to seed them based on their qualification performance, in which case Ireland would still come out on the losing end, in theory at least, as they're standing last among the qualified number 2s (with 1 game to go).

I believe Ireland can beat any of the teams currently in the pool, that's why I'm surprised they're complaining about the seeding. It's not like with open draw they would be guaranteed a weak team. Beside, at this stage I think they should consider every single of these teams dangerous. So one would underestimate the likes of Slovenia (or Slovakia) and Bosnia at one's own peril.

 

When is the draw?

 

The 19th

 

Monday, October 19th at 14:00 CET, on FIFA.com.