World Cup: 2018 WC Qualifiers Part II

[HajdukSplit]

Corner kick off the training ground gives Austria the lead in Dublin, nice finish by Hinteregger

 

[Power Man]

Not WC, but AFCON qualifiers, 2 surprises :
Ivory Coast losing at home to Guinea and Nigeria losing at home to South Africa

 

[HajdukSplit]

typical Irish goal...long ball to Walters who was too strong for Dragovic, deserved equalizer but Austria just moments before could have made it 2:0. Austria just haven't done enough to kill the game

 

[Live in the Now]

Referee disallowed a second Ireland goal on a bogus foul. At least in my opinion bogus.

 

[Milos Krasic]

Ukraine survives in Finland 2-1

 

[HajdukSplit]

Ukraine survives in Finland 2-1

Group will be very interesting if Croatia don't win in Iceland, one of the few, if not only groups with 4 teams fighting for first

 

[Cory Trevor]

Pulisic with one, 2-1 US tonight.

 

[TheMoreYouKnow]

typical Irish goal...long ball to Walters who was too strong for Dragovic, deserved equalizer but Austria just moments before could have made it 2:0. Austria just haven't done enough to kill the game

That goal was predictable as the lumbering Dragovic was constantly threatened by the Irish long balls. No idea why Austria kept playing such a high line even with the lead and knowing that their defenders struggled with it.

That said, the way the Irish team played was a bit embarrassing. Even a team like Austria, hardly a power and a team with a lot of quite pedestrian footballers, looked to be 20 years ahead of Ireland as far as their approach and concept were concerned.

Ireland's energy and aggression make them a threat on any night and no team should ever expect an 'easy' match vs Ireland, but it's just so very limited and archaic that it's difficult to see Ireland ever achieve anything beyond occasional qualification and 'valiant' failing efforts in tournaments.

 

[Deficient Mode]

Croatia's midfield is lovely as always

 

[spintheblackcircle]

Wales scores on a PK to give them a 1-0 lead at Serbia, would be a huge win.

 

[HajdukSplit]

Iceland-Croatia is largely a snooze fest, Iceland however very aggressive and dangerous on set pieces. Croatia have done little, too many invisible players

 

[Live in the Now]

If Italy make the WC and play this front four...should be a fun prospect that.

 

[Deficient Mode]

Iceland-Croatia is largely a snooze fest, Iceland however very aggressive and dangerous on set pieces. Croatia have done little, too many invisible players

Their midfield is very inept given the quality of players they have there. Kovacic really needs to learn to support his teammates with his positioning in possession if he is going to reach his immense potential. The forwards are often not ready or well positioned to receive passes when the midfield does get them the ball.

If Italy make the WC and play this front four...should be a fun prospect that.

If they keep starting Immobile tho...

 

[Deficient Mode]

Really nice third goal from Italy. Predictably amateur defending on Eder though.

 

[HajdukSplit]

Iceland score in the last minute, they almost scored the moment before but scored on the header from the corner

 

[Deficient Mode]

90th minute goal from Iceland on a corner kick. Big implications for the group as they're now level with Croatia on points if this result holds.

 

[Live in the Now]

So two teams in that group with 13 points and two with 11. Fun.

 

[joe89]

I thought this qualifier was gonna be a hangover for Iceland but I guess not. They're in it now. Still think Croatia will win the group though.

 

[Live in the Now]

Croatia has to go to Turkey and Ukraine. Two fixtures I would very much not want to have. Ukraine has to play all three other contenders.

 

[HajdukSplit]

Iceland have the easiest fixtures on paper, Croatia have two 'easy' home games to improve the GD but they still go to Turkey/Ukraine.

Group D
All three matches end in a draw; the home teams Ireland and Serbia needed late goals to rescue the point. Not much changes, both Serbia and Ireland on top with 12 points, Austria/Wales each four points behind. Wales-Austria is next round so who loses that one is pretty much out. Serbia have the tougher fixtures on paper still having to go to Dublin and Vienna

Group G
Spain hang on to win against Macedonia while Italy easily beat Liechtenstein. Albania with a nice 3:0 win in Israel but its largely meaningless when it comes to the top two. Spain and Italy each on 16 points and they both play each other next round

Group I
The most wild group; Iceland continue their fairytale and beat Croatia 1:0 with a final minute goal which sees them equal on points (13), but Croatia have a much better GD. Turkey and Ukraine both won and each on 11 points. Iceland of the top four have the easiest fixtures on paper with Turkey away being their toughest match. Croatia still go to TUR and UKR. Next round its Turkey-Ukraine and the loser is likely out of serious contention

 

[Rob]

Felt so bad for Scotland. They aren't going to make the World Cup but what a glorious moment it would have been to finally beat England at home for the first time in three decades.

 

[Milos Krasic]

Group will be very interesting if Croatia don't win in Iceland, one of the few, if not only groups with 4 teams fighting for first

I think Besyedin will replace Seleznyov as the striker. He scored the critical winner today - his first NT goal. Seleznyov just has no pace and is wasteful with opportunities.

 

[Power Man]

Iran is going to the WC

 

[HajdukSplit]

First time ever they qualified for back to back World Cups, they have yet to concede a goal as well but only have scored 8 goals in as many matches

Even if South Korea win tomorrow they must wait at least one more round to confirm their World Cup spot

 

[Deficient Mode]

Iran is going to the WC

Gonna be fun times when they make the 2022 World Cup too.