2005-10-08 - 2006 World Cup Qualifying - European Playoff Situation
Following tonight's matches England or
Poland have guaranteed one of the two automatic places available to the
two best runners-up. The remaining place is now between whoever
finishes second in group 8 (either Sweden or Croatia) and the Czech
Republic. The Czechs need to win by a huge margin and hoep that Sweden
lose at home to Iceland in their final game. Croatia are assured on the
final automatic spot even if they lose their last away game on
Wednesday. They have therefore already qualified for the finals.
The teams still in the running for the playoffs are:
- Group
1: Czech Republic or Romania. The Czechs will guarantee their playoff
place with a win in Finland on Wednesday. If they draw or lose Romania
will take their place.
- Group 2: Turkey, Denmark or Greece. Turkey should guarantee their playoff place if they win away to Albania on Wednesday.
- Group
3: Russia or Slovakia. With the two meeting on Wednesday, Slovakia will
guarantee their playoff place if they avoid defeat. Russia will need to
win in Slovakia.
- Group 4: Switzerland, France, Israel
or Ireland. There are too many permutations to consider but it looks
extremely unlikely that Israel will get the playoff place due to their
goal difference.
- Group 5: Norway (guaranteed due to their head-to-head record against Slovenia).
- Group
7: Serbia and Montenegro, Spain or Bosnia and Herzegovina. Spain will
guarantee at least a playoff place if they win at home to San Marino in
their final match. Bosnia and Herzegovina can yet spoil Serbia and
Montenegro's World Cup chance if they beat their neighbours away on
Wednesday.
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Post A Comment!
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2005-10-09 - Group 4 runner-up |
| Posted by Anonymous |
Yes it's a bit unlikely Israël going to play-offs : in fact Israël needs either a win from Cyprus in France or two draws wednesday evening
the latter giving the table :
1. SWI 18 pts - 4 pts vs FRA&ISR - 4 goals vs FRA&ISR - +11
2. ISR 18 pts - 4 pts vs SWI&FRA - 4 goals vs SWI&FRA - +5
3. FRA 18 pts - 4 pts vs SWI&ISR - 2 goals vs SWI& ISR
Ireland is runner-up if Ireland and France win
France is runner-up if France and Switzerland win (althought there is a slight chance for France being 1st) or if France draws and there is no draw in Dublin
in the latter, France overcomes Israël due to higher general goal difference
Switzerland is runner-up if France wins and Switzerland draws, overcoming Israël due to higher general goal difference |
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2005-10-09 - Untitled Comment |
| Posted by svsvsv |
| oops, I forgot to sign-up my message above ! |
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2005-10-09 - Group 4 |
| Posted by Theo |
Goal difference don't play a role. When two or more teams have equal points it's the head to head results that count and since France beat Switzerland (0-0 at home, 1-1 away) the French will be group winner if they beat Cyprus, even if the Swiss win in Dublin.
So, if France beats Cyprus, France is winner and the runner-up will be Ireland or Switzerland. If France doesn't win, Ireland or Switzerland will win the group and France or Israel will be runner-up, and yes, Israel needs a Cyprus win or a draw in both matches to qualify as runner-up. |
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2005-10-10 - @ Theo |
| Posted by svsvsv |
| sorry Theo but away goals doesn't count this time ... |
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2005-10-13 - Away goals |
| Posted by Theo |
| You're right, I didn't check the official FIFA rules. And because the away goals rule is in effect in knock-out matches, I assumed this would also be the case in the decision makers to determine the final ranking in the groups. |
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