Rep of Ireland vs Switzerland

[Dan Druff]

4pm Saturday 11th October.

So its do or die. They must win this game..its a hard one to call. I believe they can win it, without a doubt. But some of their performances have been less than inspiring..at least they have a full strength squad for this match. They play better coming from behind :norty: but can't afford to let the Swiss score on this occasion. Obviously its different situation to last years disastrous home match under Mick mcCarthy, but it'll be very difficult from them to emerge with a win IMHO.

2-2, with Switzerland scoring the equalizer in the 93rd minute.
:cry:

[ryonhilluk]

How does this group work out then?

Can Ireland still win the group or are they playing for second place?

I think Ireland can win, as long as the likes of Duff, O'Shea and Keane are on form. I can't really name any Swiss players bar him at Liverpool and Niemi.

[Dan Druff]

Well, if Ireland draw and Russia lose their match, Ireland go into the play-offs. They can top the group in the very unlikely event that Russia lose at home to Georgia, and of course Ireland win away in Switzerland.

Tables here (http://soccernet.espn.go.com/tables?league=UEFA.EUROQ&cc=5739).

[jayok]

Anyone know if this is being broadcast in the UK?

[spider]

Originally posted by Dan Druff
They can top the group in the very unlikely event that Russia lose at home to Georgia, and of course Ireland win away in Switzerland.

Or top in the less unlikely event of Russia drawing and Ireland winning (Georgia did after all beat Russia at home). Can't really see Russia doing anything other than winning though. :(

jayok: http://www.setanta.com/tv/switz_v_ireland.html :thumbs:

[Pisces Iscariot]

IMO it's looking good for the Irish as Switzerland have had a few injury problems (Hakin Yakin is doubtful while Cabanas and Magnin are definietly out) and there was a disupte between Murat Yakin and Henchoz which can't do much for morale that will have already been low after getting a beating in Russia.

[slow joe]

Victory over Switzerland will guarantee Brian Kerr's side at least a play-off place - although if Russia draw or lose at home to Georgia then the Republic would be on the plane to Portugal.

Should the Republic and Russia both draw, they would each end on 12 points.

However, the Russians would claim the play-off spot having recorded a draw and a win against the Republic during earlier qualifiers.

A win away to Switzerland is, ultimately, what the men in green are searching for.

Its on Setanta Sport 1 which your local irish pub should have.

[jayok]

:mad:

2-0 to the Swiss

[Kronik]

What a disaster for your lot then...

[HBK757]

Yah that's a disaster. What a shame the Irish won't be part of Euro 2004 :(

[Francis]

Few players seemed to go AWOL, and didn't look like their heart was in it at all :brickwall
Losing points at Lansdowne to the Swiss right back at the start of the qualifiers was when the damage was done in my opinion :(

[horseflesh]

1 point from 12 against our two main rivals in the group tells the tale.........

[RasTa]

Gutted :cry:
Ah well i dont rate the euro finals anyway, its allways the World Cup we quaify for

[Dan Druff]

Originally posted by Francis
Losing points at Lansdowne to the Swiss right back at the start of the qualifiers was when the damage was done in my opinion

Damage was done then, yes. But they knew what they had to do on Saturday, beat a very average side. They couldn't even do that. They are a load of rubbish defensively and in mid-field. Painful to watch. Consider the fact that the qualified for World Cup 2002 out of a group which included Portugal and Holland *cough*Roy Keane*cough*, and can't now even get out of a group with the likes of Russia and Switzerland.
Not qualifying will cost the FAI €4,000,000.

[madstu]

Originally posted by RasTa
Gutted :cry:
Ah well i dont rate the euro finals anyway

hmmm your not bitter:help:

[Dan Druff]

Lucky they didn't get through they would have been torn apart in the finals anyway.