GIMH
Norwood's on Fire
Nope, there's a worst runner-up that goes out, or so I'm toldIsn't there a best runner up that goes through automatically?
Nope, there's a worst runner-up that goes out, or so I'm toldIsn't there a best runner up that goes through automatically?
Well, the first match isn't even a recognised international date, and the English and German league have matches either side of that game. Could be tricky to get any players released.Talk is that they are going to play pretty much all A-League side at home and 2nd string European sides away in the first group phase. Then bring the big boys back for the 2nd group phase. If thats not asking to get knocked out in the first round, then I don't know what is.
out of 9 runner-ups the worst one go out...Isn't there a best runner up that goes through automatically?
Kazakhstan was part of AFC...they changed i think only recentlyIt's former USSR. Pretty much all those countries are still counted as European by FIFA.
They eliminate results against the bottom team in each groupout of 9 runner-ups the worst one go out...
but i dont know how they do that with one group (9) having one less team
for the other eight group rite ????They eliminate results against the bottom team in each group
Nope was at the 2 All-Ireland's this year but not seen any "foreign" sports there yet. Would love to go see Ireland v Brazil there in February and obviously would of loved to have gone to either of the rugby games played there earlier this year.Indeed.
Have you been to see the RoI play footy at Croker yet or do you just restrict yourself to an annual GAA pilgrimage?
It's certainly the toughest group in Asia imo, but I still think we have what it takes to make it through even if we can't play full strength for a number of matches. Wish the FFA would just hurry up and sign a new coach though.Australia to get knocked out after playing too matches with all A-League sides at home or 2nd string European sides away. Even with Aloisi, Thompson, Moore, Tiatto, Milligan, Burns etc I reckon China and Iraq at full strength will beat an all A-League side. Away from home in Iraq and Qatar you need full strength sides. When our players legs are gone after 60 minutes, a touch of class is what will win matches.
Talk is that they are going to play pretty much all A-League side at home and 2nd string European sides away in the first group phase. Then bring the big boys back for the 2nd group phase. If thats not asking to get knocked out in the first round, then I don't know what is.
Hopefully they go the current Olyroos approach and play everyone possible and rotate the main players if required. They are going to go no where if they play three different sides, as they have bee talking about doing.
Will Australia actually go to Iraq? I mean it is pretty obvious that player's safety would be a massive concern. I can just see the match played at a neutral ground.Australia to get knocked out after playing too matches with all A-League sides at home or 2nd string European sides away. Even with Aloisi, Thompson, Moore, Tiatto, Milligan, Burns etc I reckon China and Iraq at full strength will beat an all A-League side. Away from home in Iraq and Qatar you need full strength sides. When our players legs are gone after 60 minutes, a touch of class is what will win matches.
Talk is that they are going to play pretty much all A-League side at home and 2nd string European sides away in the first group phase. Then bring the big boys back for the 2nd group phase. If thats not asking to get knocked out in the first round, then I don't know what is.
Hopefully they go the current Olyroos approach and play everyone possible and rotate the main players if required. They are going to go no where if they play three different sides, as they have bee talking about doing.
Its not that easy when you consider a lot of countries are looking for new coaches, as well as many clubs. Should have signed Neekens(sp) when we had a chance though. The guy still wants to coach us and we keep trying to look for a 'better' coach.It's certainly the toughest group in Asia imo, but I still think we have what it takes to make it through even if we can't play full strength for a number of matches. Wish the FFA would just hurry up and sign a new coach though.
TBH, when I first saw Group 2 I thought you'd missed the "big" team and started from the second seed down. Then I realised you hadn't.From the BBC.
Group 1 Portugal, Sweden, Denmark, Hungary, Albania, Malta
Group 2 Greece, Israel, Switzerland, Moldova, Latvia, Luxembourg
Group 3 Czech Republic, Poland, NORTHERN IRELAND, Slovakia, Slovenia, San Marino
Group 4 Germany, Russia, Finland, WALES, Azerbaijan, Liechtenstein
Group 5 Spain, Turkey, Belgium, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Armenia, Estonia
Group 6 Croatia, ENGLAND, Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Andorra
Group 7 France, Romania, Serbia, Lithuania, Austria, Faroe Islands
Group 8 Italy, Bulgaria, Republic of Ireland, Cyprus, Georgia, Montenegro
Group 9 Holland, SCOTLAND, Norway, FYR Macedonia, Iceland
Bloody Croatia again! Could've been worse, I suppose, but could've been lot better too.
Viduka will be playing a lone role up front...the rest of the team will be knocking long balls in from Iran.Will Australia actually go to Iraq? I mean it is pretty obvious that player's safety would be a massive concern. I can just see the match played at a neutral ground.
It's certainly the toughest group in Asia imo, but I still think we have what it takes to make it through even if we can't play full strength for a number of matches. Wish the FFA would just hurry up and sign a new coach though.
AWTA on both counts. Could have done without both China and Iraq but I honest believe that a full strength Australian side is good enough to make it, and even a not-quite-full strength team should be able to win at home.Its not that easy when you consider a lot of countries are looking for new coaches, as well as many clubs. Should have signed Neekens(sp) when we had a chance though. The guy still wants to coach us and we keep trying to look for a 'better' coach.
AFC need to get there act sorted out and fixture these matches during international friendly dates like South America, Africa and Europe do. Mind you China have the same problem, but they never seem to like picking their European players, as none get game time at most of their clubs.Well, the first match isn't even a recognised international date, and the English and German league have matches either side of that game. Could be tricky to get any players released.
Why the bitterness, Neil? We're hardly a threat to you (the pleasurable yet essentially meaningless friendly win a few years ago notwithstanding) so I wouldn't have thought it would matter.I can't decide whether I'm looking forward to the resumption of hosilities between the two Koreas, or Australia crashing out without a stream of excuses about referees and anti-Oceanian bias. The only thing that would make it better would be New Zealand winning the OFC/AFC playoff, but that's probably pushing it.