Originally posted by Fire
Belgium lost its third qualifier yesterday from Serbia (at home ffs) with 0 to 2 they played their worst game so far (can't believe I paid to go and see them suck so hard) we have 1 out of 9 points and we have scored 1 goal out of 3 games, game over.
I'm genuinely surprised at how *down-market* Belgium have become. In the past they've always made a damn good stab at qualifying and, considering they're such a small country like ourselves, have always made a good impression of themselves on the WORLD STAGE when they got there.
Still, every country goes through transition. Another four years and with a different manager and different personnel, they'll probably bounce back. Just don't go losing the seeding status. A team ranked third or less always finds it difficult to get out of a group. Thankfully, when WE were seeded 3rd for WC 2002, WE caught the Dutch with their knickers down and eliminated them. But it was hard going...
US easily qualified for the final group.
The only team that is in the same class as the US in CONCACAF is Mexico, and the US is looking strong now. With Donovon emerging as a top flight player, McBride being the solid up front presence as always and the new young star in Eddie Johnson...the US is looking good. If Reyna is healthy and can manage the center of the field alongside Mastroeni, with Pope anchoring the defense and Beasely and Donovon on the wings...the US looks to be much better than last world cup.
This day four weeks sees the European Zone resuming with a glut of WC qualifiers. Like Kenny Cunningham said, ISRAEL hold the key to our group and a win in Tel-Aviv would set things up nicely for us to make an appearence in Germany next year.
I just hope Kerr dosen't go out there happy to get a draw. Not with FRANCE and SWITZERLAND breathing down our necks! A win or nothing Brian old boy.
I hear there are the guts of 5000 Irish fans making the trip. The Israeli travel bureau said that they get about 4000 Irish tourists in ISRAEL every year. I venture that'll be their lot for the next tweleve months!!!
Right! A couple of days left to kick-off so here, for what it's worth, are a few match predictions on the so-called home games. Along with a forecast for a very important game in our group...
England 1 N Ireland 0
Wales 2 Austria 1
Italy 2 Scotland 0
France 1 Switzerland 1
I haven't forgotten The Republic BTW! It's just that I never make a prediction on our results. Superstition you may call it. I'm just hoping for a win, of course!
Originally posted by Smasandian
England 1-0 to N Ireland.
I think it will be higher considering Canada beat N Ireland.
Yeah but N Ireland always up the ante when they play England! As do Scotland, Wales and of course The Republic. It's a pride thing, so to speak! N Ireland will go all out to stop England one way or another. I expect at least one red card!