Who can we
meet in the World Cup 2010 Play-offs?
14 Oct 2009
After some uncompromising comments from some of the Irish squad we
can be quite sure that they are no fans of FIFA especially after their
decision to seed the play-offs for the European qualification group.
This decision comes at the end of a qualification campaign and is seen
as a 'nod and a wink' at the nations they would like to see competing in
South Africa next year.
When the decision was made Germany were in danger of
being in the playoffs but they have since secured their
place in the finals by beating Russia. Other nations of note
that look like finishing in second place in their groups are
France and Portugal - would FIFA be happy with losing
Ronaldo and the huge advertising revenue he could attract.
So, at the moment it looks like Ireland will be in the
second group of nations for the play-off draw next Monday.
The first seeds at the moment would contain France,
Portugal, Greece and Russia. The obvious preference would be
Greece but France in current form would not hold the fear
for the Irish team that they once would have.
We'll have a definite picture of the playoff proposition
tonight.