World Cup Playoffs.

[salty]

Today is the day the draw for the playoffs will be made. Ireland are facing either Russia, France, Portugal or Greece. The general feeling here is in order of preference 1 Greece 2/3 France, Portugal 4 Russia.

The thought of playing in Moscow in mid November is not an appealing one against a team with decent players and a top class coach in Guus Hiddink. Greece are far from the team who won Euro 2004. French forward line frightens me to death but team spirit seems poor under Domenech. Portugal have been poor also under Quiroga but Ronaldo will probably be back by then.

Given the blatant favouritism shown by FIFA I hope whoever we draw will not benefit by any dodgy decisions by referees who might have been "influenced" by the suits.

[salty]

For the 15 guys so far who have viewed my original postings we have drawn France with 1st leg at home. Good/bad news hard to tell. Hopefully the French will not suddenly get their act together under Domenech.

I have a feeling Sakorzy will be among the attendance at the 2nd leg in Stade de France. Maybe he might bring Carla along with him.

[MSingh]

A Paddy Free WC me thinks but the French are nowhere near the Team they have been over the past decade & stranger things have happened..

[salty]

Hopefully things will not go as planned and Paddy can give the finger to Blatter and Platini.

Thanks for reply. I thought I was talking to myself.

[spongeman]

Hopefully things will not go as planned and Paddy can give the finger to Blatter and Platini.

Thanks for reply. I thought I was talking to myself.

Yeah there was Blatter all smug and Houiller with that stupid smile.

2-0 to the Irish in Croker and scoreless away in Paris.

Au revoir to Les Bleus.........

[Mossfinn]

A Paddy Free WC me thinks

Lucky that you are not known for your thinking then

Hopefully things will not go as planned and Paddy can give the finger to Blatter and Platini.

Thanks for reply. I thought I was talking to myself.

Nope I was watching the website to see who we got and then got called into a meeting, not a bad draw, Spongemans shout isn't far off I'd say, except I think it will be the odd goal in it.

[Jimjim]

It'd be lovely if Ireland can advance. Looks like their manager/coach can get the job done but it'll be tough. Should be tight affairs.

[StevieH]

notwithstanding that fifa's seeding this draw was a disgrace, i think there's still a real chance of portugal, france and greece not being at the world cup. russia was the one to avoid for ireland, moscow in november and a hiddink team not nice. france are beatable though if trappo'toni keeps them organised, 'cos domenech is a moron.

[Macclad]

Personally I think the Irish have a fair chance of overcoming a fading French team.

Better them than drawing Russia or Portugal,although Greece would have been the ideal draw.

[StevieH]

don't know about that, greece is still a tricky place to go away and their fans are fervent. if france aren't performing in paris then there's every chance their crowd could turn on the muppet domenech.

[Jimjim]

Man it'd be wonderful to see France lose out considering they probably loved the seeding process.

[Jockstar]

Would love all the seeded teams not to advance. Good luck to the Irish.

[spongeman]

Would love all the seeded teams not to advance. Good luck to the Irish.

Of all the seeds Russia got the plum draw. No problems there.

Greece vs Ukraine - toss a coin.

Bosnia vs Portugal - Bosnia are playing great football. Portugal will have to play miles better than they are now.

[salty]

Would love all the seeded teams not to advance. Good luck to the Irish.

Of all the seeds Russia got the plum draw. No problems there.

Greece vs Ukraine - toss a coin.

Bosnia vs Portugal - Bosnia are playing great football. Portugal will have to play miles better than they are now.

spongeman,

You have to stop sitting on the fence as regards the outcome of the 4 playoffs.

[spongeman]

Would love all the seeded teams not to advance. Good luck to the Irish.

Of all the seeds Russia got the plum draw. No problems there.

Greece vs Ukraine - toss a coin.

Bosnia vs Portugal - Bosnia are playing great football. Portugal will have to play miles better than they are now.

spongeman,

You have to stop sitting on the fence as regards the outcome of the 4 playoffs.

Ok then my Salty Friend :

Russia

Ireland

Bosnia

Ukraine.

Eat that Mr.Blatter !!!!!!!! We will envelop France in a cocoon of horror !!!!!!!!!!!!!