Permutations for European qualifying that I posted in the Wales/Ireland thread...
Five teams are guaranteed play-off spots:
Italy, Denmark, Croatia, Northern Ireland and Rep. Ireland...
One spot will be given to the runners up of Group A: France and Sweden need to decide who will finish first and second in their group (the Netherlands are effectively eliminated). France play at home to Belarus and Sweden play away at the Netherlands. France are one point ahead of Sweden with a worse goal difference.
One spot will be given to the runners up of Group B: Switzerland and Portugal also need to decide who will first and second in their group. Switzerland travel to Portugal for the last game. Only a win for Portugal is enough to qualify. Switzerland are three points ahead of Portugal with a worse goal difference.
The last spot will be filled by Greece or Slovakia. If Greece finish second in their group, they will qualify for the play-offs. If Bosnia finish second ahead of Greece then Slovakia will beat Bosnia to the last play-off place based on results against teams who didn't finish sixth. Greece are at home to Gibraltar and Bosnia are away at Estonia. Greece are two points ahead of Bosnia with a worse goal difference.
Well done. Although it’s become a lot easier as the days have gone on, you have done a good job explaining.
Essentially we know that Slovakia won’t make it as Greece will win against Gibraltar. Which also means that should results go as we expect, (France beating Belarus, therefore topping the group and Sweden coming second) it’ll be the game of Portugal v Switzerland to find out who the last play-off team will be.
The draw for the play-offs will be made after the next set of released FIFA rankings, which come out on 16th October.
However, if we were to assume that there wasn’t much change at all and we went with the current rankings, the four seeded teams would be: Portugal/Switzerland, Italy, Croatia, and Northern Ireland. Therefore the unseeded being: Sweden, Denmark, Ireland, and Greece.
Meaning that unless Northern Ireland falls in their rankings (Sweden could overtake them in next week’s new list) they could well face the Republic of Ireland in the play-off.
Definitely going to be interesting, and personally I’m looking forward to how it plays out.
Costa Rica Poland (first time since 2006) Egypt (first time since 1990)
Fifteen spots taken, seventeen more left to fill.
I seem to recall Egypt being in the same group at England back in 1990. Think we drew 1-1.
We beat them 1 0 with a Mark Wright goal. It followed a 1 1 with Eire and a 0 0 with Holland. I think if we hadn't scored and the Dutch and Irish also drew 0 0 then they'd have had to draw lots for who went through as all four teams would have had identical records. That would have trumped any penalty shootout agonies we've experienced as a way to be eliminated.
Didn't Ireland and Holland have to draw lots for 2nd and 3rd (both qualified) to determine who they faced in next round ?
Full Time - Australia win 2-1; Shame that the Syrian dream is over but continue like this and they'll stand a good chance either in 2022 for Qatar or an even better chance when the World Cup gets expanded to 48-teams in 2026
Portugal v Switzerland is a good one tonight. Portugal need a win, while a draw is enough for Switzerland.
Imagine it was Charlton at the end of the season.... 2nd against 3rd on the last day, one automatic promotion place available. Would you rather be the home team needing a win, or the away team needing a point?
Portugal v Switzerland is a good one tonight. Portugal need a win, while a draw is enough for Switzerland.
Imagine it was Charlton at the end of the season.... 2nd against 3rd on the last day, one automatic promotion place available. Would you rather be the home team needing a win, or the away team needing a point?
I'd rather be the away team needing a point...probably!
Portugal, currently 2nd, have more points than Iceland who won their group!
Comments
Essentially we know that Slovakia won’t make it as Greece will win against Gibraltar. Which also means that should results go as we expect, (France beating Belarus, therefore topping the group and Sweden coming second) it’ll be the game of Portugal v Switzerland to find out who the last play-off team will be.
The draw for the play-offs will be made after the next set of released FIFA rankings, which come out on 16th October.
However, if we were to assume that there wasn’t much change at all and we went with the current rankings, the four seeded teams would be:
Portugal/Switzerland, Italy, Croatia, and Northern Ireland.
Therefore the unseeded being: Sweden, Denmark, Ireland, and Greece.
Meaning that unless Northern Ireland falls in their rankings (Sweden could overtake them in next week’s new list) they could well face the Republic of Ireland in the play-off.
Definitely going to be interesting, and personally I’m looking forward to how it plays out.
Away Goals apparently count so Syria do need to score.
Syria (75) v Panama (60) or Honduras (73) would be very tight to call
Should Syria get an equaliser though they'll win on away goals
Portugal need a win, while a draw is enough for Switzerland.
Imagine it was Charlton at the end of the season....
2nd against 3rd on the last day, one automatic promotion place available.
Would you rather be the home team needing a win, or the away team needing a point?
Portugal, currently 2nd, have more points than Iceland who won their group!
Which player has appeared at three World Cups for three different national teams?
France 2-0 up and surely now group winners as Sweden are losing 2-0. Holland only need another 5 goals!