Group C : Germany, Czech Republic, Northern Ireland, Norway, Azerbaijan, San Marino
Group D : Wales, Austria, Serbia, Republic of Ireland, Moldova, Georgia
Group F : England, Slovakia, Scotland, Slovenia, Lithuania, Malta
14 European qualifiers : hosts Russia, 9 group winners and 4 from play-offs involving the best 8 runners-up.
Seems a long way off considering that we're still in Euro 2016 qualifiers, but anyway England vs Scotland ( I'm with you, Andy ) and Wales vs the Republic of Ireland to look forward to.
PS : I'm with Andy in clearly wanting Scotland to beat England ( twice ! ) and win the group, but I don't mind England coming through the play-offs to join us in Russia.
-- Edited by indiana on Saturday 25th of July 2015 06:07:39 PM
Indy that's big of you, be careful word will get round and you will be marched to the border. This is the type of generosity expected of an Englishman.
More than happy to hammer you twice yet see you qualify, although since Aljaz came on board might support Slovenia over Scotland in return for their contribution to GB tennis.
What a catastrophe for the Scots what were they doing? Salmon pink is the preserve of the mighty Hamlet of Dulwich and Pompey away.
Essential that they bring in Stella McCartney who I understand was raised on a Scottish Isle to restore such a proud nations sartorial elegance.
From a football perspective how were Scotland ever going to compensate for the retirement of the football legend that is Alan Hutton who obviously has a greater calling!
Meantime Scotland move up to second by means of a late cunningly worked own goal and with a final win in Slovenia would finish second and probably into the play-offs where we might face such lightweights as Italy or Portugal.
Yes, well done Scotland and I guess England after the worst game of football I think I've seen in recent years for England.. Sterling is totally crap, he should never be allowed to play centrally again, utterly useless with his back to play and simply can't use his left foot. ÙWhat the he'll is Gareth doing with Sterling in that position! As soon as he came off we instantly played better. Walker at wingback works, what a cross.. England must play wingbacks, we haven't enough quality to play 442 and it supplies Cane better.
Iceland have virtually qualified for the finals after winning 3-0 in Turkey. Great team Certainly there if they beat the might of Kosovo in their final match at home. Seriously, it's impressive stuff.
Meanwhile in South America last night, Argentina and Colombia attempted not to qualify. Argentina drew 0-0 at home to Peru and with a match to go ( away at altitude in Ecuador ) have dropped to 6th, even out of the play-off position. Seemed they missed a load of chances while Aguero sat at home having been driven into an Amsterdam lamppost. Colombia were virtually qualified, 1-0 up at home to Paraguay and preceded to lose two late goals for a 2-1 loss to leave them 4th and facing a final trip to Peru. Sure the Colombian fans happy not!
In South America, with one match to go for all the teams ( next Tuesday ) only Brazil have qualified and 6 teams are contesting the remaining 3 automatic and one play-off place. Uruguay have at least a play-off place ( which would be vs New Zealand ). Should be a jolly final day.
Meanwhile, meanwhile, Australia having upped sticks some time ago from the Oceania Conference to the Asia conference, apparently largely to avoid the scenario that the new Oceania supremos. New Zealand, find themselves in, are themselves trying hard not to qualify. They are in a play-off with Syria ( 1-1 in the away first leg ) just to get into a final play-off with a Concacaf ( North & Central America ) team.
Good luck to Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales tonight and tomorrow. Scotland and Wales need to win to get second in their groups also to avoid being worst 2nd placed team for the playoffs. N Ireland should be safe but a draw would be good. Fingers crossed for all 3 of them.
-- Edited by JonH on Sunday 8th of October 2017 02:54:18 PM
Tottenham take the lead against Lithuania! Seriously though, England look much improved today with a 3-4-3 and wingbacks for width to supply our main man, Cane. Our best striker since Shearer.. And Scotland take the lead I hear.. Excellent news.
Shame for the Scotland team, but only themselves to blame. N.Ireland are in the play offs although would have been nice to have got a result in one of those two matches this weekend rather than two losses.
Wales up tonight - a win would see Wales safe (indeed they could even qualify directly if Serbia mess up against Georgia and dont win); I think the permutations are as below!
Wales and Croatia win - both into playoffs, Slovakia out
Wales and Ukraine win - ditto
(same goes for Ireland win over Wales)
A Wales win could see them get through directly to the Finals IF Serbia dont beat Georgia
Wales/Ireland draw - winner of Croatia and Ukraine into play offs and Wales/Ireland out , Slovakia survive
Wales / Ireland draw and Croatia/Ukraine draw - Wales survive , Ireland out and Croatia/Ukraine also out, Slovakia survive.