The Official 16/17 Various National Soccer Team News Thread

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When is the playoff draw?

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by Resurrection

When is the playoff draw?

Tuesday the 17th after the FIFA Rankings come out

[Bagor]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

Is Ireland vs N. Ireland even allowed?

I lived in Belfast when it last happened in 1993. Off the Lisburn Road in a student area right on the edge of let's just say an area I wouldn't venture into aoout 4 streets from Windsor Park.

I was working at a hospital at the time in West Belfast and finished my shift and cycled home across the roundabout at the bottom of the M1, up Tates Avenue and home.

There was a heavy military presence the whole way home. Probably one of the most visibly heaviest I can recall there blocking the roads. I was allowed through on my bicycle. I could see Windsor Park from the top of Tates Avenue. I recall a FIFA, Northern Ireland, and Turkish flag (referee) flying from the top of the stand but no Irish Tricolour. It was one tense night.

I got home around 8:15pm watched the end of the first half then got a cab to a pub to meet friends for the second half at a "good" pub. Half the city was supporting the North, the other the South.

Anyways, my memories is Big Jack wanting to slap Billy Bingham for being an antagonising prick, Ireland qualifiying and an absolutely fantastic piece in the Irish Independent called "in the belly of the beast" where the journalist has swapped his press box pass with a fella and sat in the main stands with the Northern Ireland supporters (No ROI supporters allowed at the game as they could't guarantee safety) to experience the atmosphere. Remember this is the team whose own captain had to withdraw before a game as they police couldn't guarantee his safety having received bullets in the post by his own supporters.

His piece talked about the level of hate and bigotry and how by the end he feared for his safety and that someone would talk to him.

Thankfully things have got a LOT better. I'd like to think that if they were drawn together maybe they could guarantee safety although James McLean would definitely be a worry. It's weird. Things weren't always like that. Remember Martin O'Neill played for them with no issues but shortly thereafter it became a very sectarian atmosphere.

Definitely a different night.

[Bagor]

If the draw were conducted based on the current rankings.
Portugal, Italy, Croatia and Northern Ireland would be seeded.
Sweden, Denmark, Republic of Ireland and Greece would not be seeded.

[FireGilbert]

The Aussies are still alive! Tim Cahill was the hero again with 2 goals including his 50th international goal as the game winner in extra time. The Socceroos will play the 4th place CONCACAF team.

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by FireGilbert

The Aussies are still alive! Tim Cahill was the hero again with 2 goals including his 50th international goal as the game winner in extra time. The Socceroos will play the 4th place CONCACAF team.

that close, that close

[GirlySports]

The Swiss are useless.

The Dutch need 5 more goals.

[Reneeee]

wikipedia has a good breakdown on how playoffs shakedown

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2018_F...fication_(UEFA)

Pot 1 will be

Switzerland
Italy
Croatia
Denmark

Vs Pot 2

Northern Ireland
Sweden
Republic of Ireland
Greece

Slovakia doesn't make the cut.

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by Reneeee

wikipedia has a good breakdown on how playoffs shakedown

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2018_F...fication_(UEFA)

Pot 1 will be

Switzerland
Italy
Croatia
Denmark

Vs Pot 2

Northern Ireland
Sweden
Republic of Ireland
Greece

Slovakia doesn't make the cut.

yup
http://www.espnfc.com/world-cup-qual...g-playoff-draw

N. Ireland lost both of their games this week and i think that cost them.

[Locke]

Arjen Robben retires from International Duty.

No surprises. The Dutch are a hot mess.

[SuperMatt18]

If Argentina does not qualify for the WC I think that puts a hole in any Messi claim as the best ever - just wouldn't have the International resume and likely closes the window on a WC win for him in his prime.

Pele: World Cup x 3 - 43 Goals in 41 Appearances
Maradona: World Cup x 1 - 34 goals in 91 Appearances
Ronaldo: Euro Cup x 1, 64 goals in 103 games (Competitive - Non Friendly)
Messi: Olympic Gold Medal & WC Runner Up, 31 goals in 80 games (Competitive - Non Friendly)
Zidane: World Cup + Euro Cup, 31 goals in 108 appearances

Brilliant player, one of the best ever, but I do think that his greatness might be slightly overstated by the fact that he played with what may be core of what was one of the most dominant international teams of all time (Spanish National Team Midfield).

Those dominant Spain teams were pretty much Barcelona without Messi, and they won two Euro cups and a world cup over that same time frame.

[FireGilbert]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

that close, that close

It wasn't that close. I think the goalie had the net covered.

It definitely would have been heartbreaking though to give up a late goal and be eliminated on away goals.

[GirlySports]

Argentina down already. 6 minutes

[Senator Clay Davis]

Messi must have seen Matt's post because he scored twice in eight minutes to give Argentina the lead.

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

Messi must have seen Matt's post because he scored twice in eight minutes to give Argentina the lead.

Was just thinking the same thiNg lol.

Let’s see if this works ... “Troy Brouwer needs to actually play the physical brand of hockey that got him his contract if he doesn’t want to go down as the worst UFA signing in Flames history”

[Senator Clay Davis]

While we're all rightfully focused on CONMEBOL, Murica is flirting with having to go to the playoff, or missing the World Cup altogether. Be interesting to see if Mexico gets in at halftime, sees the score and then tanks the second half to gift the final auto spot to Honduras.

[Senator Clay Davis]

Well Chile appear to be done, two quick goals for Brazil and now they need Colombia to win to get to the playoff.

Edit: Literally five seconds after posting this, Colombia do score. Peru need to find a goal.

Double edit: Messi gets his hat trick, because of course. Looks like we're down to Chile or Peru.

Triple edit: What a tasty goal it was too

https://twitter.com/Barzaboy/status/917916323023384576

[FireGilbert]

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

While we're all rightfully focused on CONMEBOL, Murica is flirting with having to go to the playoff, or missing the World Cup altogether. Be interesting to see if Mexico gets in at halftime, sees the score and then tanks the second half to gift the final auto spot to Honduras.

It would be hilarious if the American's failed to qualify. Yeah, hopefully Mexico and Costa Rica decide to tank the second half.

[FireGilbert]

Peru has tied the game. Chile is in big trouble.

[Senator Clay Davis]

Chile need at least a goal, that puts them level on GD with Peru. Not sure what the tiebreaker is after that.