2010 World Cup Qualifiers - Ajarn Forum

LeedsLeedsLeeds · 11th September 2008, 10:44

It's been a mixed start for the Home Nations so far Scotland got off to the worst possible start by losing 1-0 in Macedonia but redeemed themselves with a convincing 2-1 in Iceland. A debut goal from full-back Kirk Broadfoot and a second-half James McFadden goal seemed to ensure a Scottish victory but as usual there was late drama with the 76th minute dismissal of skipper Stephen McManus for handball with Eidur Gudjonson converting the resultant penalty. Next up Norway at home and a win is vital.

Northern Ireland drew 0-0 at home to the Czech Republic, which is not a bad result at all but after losing 2-1 in Slovakia at the weekend the pressure is on.

The Republic of Ireland have made a fairly solid start under new coach Giovanni Trappatoni with a 2-1 win in Georgia followed by a 0-0 draw away to a talented Montenegran team keen to cause a few upsets in their own right after finally separating from Serbia.

The Welsh team, blighted by injuries, got off to a poor start with an unconvincing 1-0 win at home to Azerbaijan but got some pride back with a battling performance away to Russia, only losing 2-1 after decisive a late goal.

England also got off to a poor start with an equally unconvincing performance as they beat Andorra 2-0 in Barcelona. However the 4-1 demolition of Croatia (including a Theo Walcott hat-trick) should give the English fans some hope for the future.

On the continent Lithuania have surprised many with a blistering start to their qualifying campaign by thrashing Romania 3-0 away before beating Austria 2-0 at home.

As for shocks Luxemburg recorded a 2-1 victory in Switzerland, Bosnia battered Estonia 7-0, Denmark completed a stunning late comeback to win 3-2 in Portugal and France continued their downward spiral with a 3-1 defeat in Austria.

The next rounds of games take place on Saturday 11th October and then on Wednesday 15th October.

kiwiling · 11th September 2008, 11:37

The English press seem over the moon with their new manager...who got them to beat a small country...I remember a dude called SG Erikson who even beat Germany in similar circumstances...and then got them into the last 8??? at the World Cup...this guy has a long way to go to match that methinks...but good luck to him so far...especially against a bunch of thugs in their own bear pit.

Cream · 11th September 2008, 13:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by kiwiling

who got them to beat a small country

Who are ranked as the 5th best team in the world at the moment

crew · 11th September 2008, 14:13

Is this a strictly Euro qualification thread?

Guatemala - US (0-1)
Cuba - US (0-1)
US - TT (3-0)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cream

Who are ranked as the 5th best team in the world at the moment

FIFA rankings are crap. Except when the US is ranked above Engerland.

discus2000 · 11th September 2008, 15:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeedsLeedsLeeds

France continued their downward spiral with a 3-1 defeat in Austria.

que? france won at home, 2-1 against Serbia, while Austria in fact lost 2-0 away against Lithuania (which you say in the sentence above)...
It is, however, true that DENMARK won 3-2 in Portugal thanks to a couple of very late goals

yippeee! Good match it was, not just beacuse we won, but because Portugal played some exceptional football while Denmark (just) showed great will...

LeedsLeedsLeeds · 11th September 2008, 19:41

Just in case you hadn't noticed, I was covering the games from both Saturday and Wednesday and I merely picked out a few of the highlights in that sentence. Bloody Danes, give you credit for an outstanding result and you still find something to moan about!

discus2000 · 11th September 2008, 20:31

just confused... sorry... had to go look up the result as I was sure France had won (and thus NOT continued their downward spiral)... :moan:

Joliet · 12th September 2008, 08:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by kiwiling

I remember a dude called SG Erikson who even beat Germany

Gott in Himmell!

Inserts image of Jens Lehmann shaking his fist

kiwiling · 12th September 2008, 16:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joliet

Gott in Himmell!

British sports fans are the best on the planet...their press are the worst.

Joliet · 13th September 2008, 16:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by kiwiling

British sports fans are the best on the planet...

The English

The Scots.

The Welsh

Cream · 13th September 2008, 17:14

The welsh

Robin Friday · 13th September 2008, 17:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joliet

The English

The Scots.

The Welsh

I don't understand.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cream

The welsh

I do understand

Sheep jokes are so....err......1981?

LeedsLeedsLeeds · 12th October 2008, 00:51

The qualifiers are back once again and we kick off with a disappointing 0-0 draw between Scotland and Norway at Hampden Park. Both teams had the chances to win this tight game but the best went Scotland's way with debutant Chris Iwelumo somehow missing an open goal from two or three yards after some good work by Gary Naysmith down the left flank. A great Kirk Broadfoot cross from the right then eluded both Iwelumo and Stephen Fletcher in the six-yard box. Scotland now top the group but the Netherlands should leapfrog them after their game against Iceland later this evening.