IN RECENT DAYS, both Robbie Keane and Giovanni Trapattoni have played down the significance of the team’s 6-1 thrashing by Germany, arguing that Ireland’s primary target has always been to finish second in the group.
However, this is a dangerous policy to adopt for two reasons – namely, as Sweden showed last night, Germany are by no means the indestructible force that many people assumed them to be after the Ireland result, and secondly, because finishing second could mean automatic elimination from the competition.
To break it down into simple terms, there are 13 qualification places up for grabs out of the 53 European teams competing for a place in Rio.
Of the nine groups, the winners qualify automatically, while the eight best runners-up contest the playoffs, with four more places up for grabs.
So since there are only eight places available, only eight of the nine teams who finish second can qualify for a playoff spot.
How the team who misses out is determined is as follows: in order to accommodate Group I, which features a total of five teams, the results of the sides in question against the teams finishing in sixth place in the group are discounted. So in other words, should Ireland finish second, their results against the Faroe Islands most likely won’t be taken into account in ascertaining their eligibility for a playoff spot.
Moreover, the following criteria, as outlined by FIFA, are subsequently measured to determine the eight best runners-up.
1. Highest number of points
2. Goal difference
3. Highest number of goals scored
So should Ireland finish second, their 6-1 hammering by Germany could conceivably cost them a place in the playoffs, as it didn’t do their goal difference any favours.
Come on Cork, sent the Bitter boys home empty handed
@Andrew Cosgrave: How’s that big Cork bandwagon going for ya?
@John McNamara: Anyone but the Bitter boys John
@Andrew Cosgrave: ye were bitter in 2013 buddy and havent been heard since, then ye come out of the woodwork when ye win a few games
@John McNamara: I’m a Limerick man John, plenty of rivalry there between Clare and us.
@Andrew Cosgrave: haha Limerick hurling??? Laughable!
@John McNamara: Ye, ye, ye, ye and ducking ye.
@John McNamara: I would say enjoy it John but you lot were soundly beaten today. All talk of big balls with no substance. Maybe poor auld Davey wasn’t holding back these players after all, maybe they just ain’t good enough to consistently contest. Clare’s Munster record is atrocious in fairness, even ‘laughable’ Limerick have a way richer recent Munster history than the world beating Bitter boys.
@Andrew Cosgrave: no doubt Cork were the better team and they deserved it, Clare had too many individuals…..but do not ever praise Davy, that man was a drain on the entire county, nobody realises what he is like until he is over the county team. Clare players are more than good enough to contest, they just need to be let play with their instincts. Limerick on the other hand, I’d say an u8 team would beat that gaggle of geese
Following the live blog in Romania. Rebels Abu
@Anthony P: multmesc
Poor quality game but Cork are slightly better team so far and the defence are holding up ok.Ref has given clare one or two really handy ones and very little in the peanlty could possibly be a free out for overplaying.RTE panelists are a joke its all what Clare can do to win, two teams their lads.
I hope clare lose this and wexford draw them in 1/4 final.
@David Higginbotham: my bad don’t think losers of munster and leinster can meet at that stage .
Poor match so far
Every game I watched in the Munster championship has been enthralling. Outstanding hurling, especially from Cork. Why are there no black or Muslin hurling players?
Is Nash knackered?
Now Kevin, call it as it is ör we will…..l am Sirian sorry serious…
Clare are woeful