As it stands, we'll be the last unlucky team to miss out on pot 3 of World Cup draw, and end up in pot 4 instead....barring one of the following scenarios.
1: GREECE qualifies for the World Cup:
- First, Greece will need to reach the play-offs. For them, not to finish as the worst runner-up team we'll need ONE OF THE FOLLOWING to happen:
---> Scotland NOT to win in Slovenia tomorrow (A draw, or Slovakia winning and finishing 2nd, means Greece WILL NOT be the worst runner up)
---> Ukraine-Croatia to end in a draw (that will mean Croatia will have less points than Greece and hence gives Greece a play-off chance)
---> Wales-Ireland to end in a draw (again, similar situation to Ukraine-Croatia)
---> Norway beating Northern Ireland by more than one goal (It'll mean Greece >> Northern Ireland)
***As you can see, there are a lot of ifs/buts in here. Because even if Greece do make it to the play-offs, they won't be seeded and most likely brushed aside by likes of Italy/Portugal/etc...but at least it's something
2. EGYPT do not qualify for the World Cup TOMORROW
It's very simple. Egypt have the chance to seal qualification to the World Cup tomorrow. If they beat Congo in Cairo, they will leapfrog us in FIFA rankings (even if we beat Russia)....but if they DRAW (they will still remain in driving seat, but it will impact the decisive October rankings), and we beat Russia, we will have more points than them and will be higher ranked going to the WC draw.
Congo is quiet poor, but they lost the home game to Egypt narrowly only 1-2...it's a long-shot, but come on !
3. Senegal do not qualify for the World Cup
Senegal will play South Africa twice next month (a match replayed due to corrupt referee). If they lose both times (very unlikely), South Africa will instead qualify and we are better than them in the rankings
4. Tunisia do not qualify for the World Cup
Again a long-shot. for it to happen, Tunisians will have to LOSE at home to Libya, and DR Congo to beat Guniea next month. Very unlikely.
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For scenarios 3 and 4, we will have to wait a month. but for first two scenario, we will know a bit in the next 24 hours. Number 2 is the most straight-forward.
SO, COME ON CONGO YOU SUB-SAHARAN BEAUTIES !! DON'T LOSE
1: GREECE qualifies for the World Cup:
- First, Greece will need to reach the play-offs. For them, not to finish as the worst runner-up team we'll need ONE OF THE FOLLOWING to happen:
---> Scotland NOT to win in Slovenia tomorrow (A draw, or Slovakia winning and finishing 2nd, means Greece WILL NOT be the worst runner up)
---> Ukraine-Croatia to end in a draw (that will mean Croatia will have less points than Greece and hence gives Greece a play-off chance)
---> Wales-Ireland to end in a draw (again, similar situation to Ukraine-Croatia)
---> Norway beating Northern Ireland by more than one goal (It'll mean Greece >> Northern Ireland)
***As you can see, there are a lot of ifs/buts in here. Because even if Greece do make it to the play-offs, they won't be seeded and most likely brushed aside by likes of Italy/Portugal/etc...but at least it's something
2. EGYPT do not qualify for the World Cup TOMORROW
It's very simple. Egypt have the chance to seal qualification to the World Cup tomorrow. If they beat Congo in Cairo, they will leapfrog us in FIFA rankings (even if we beat Russia)....but if they DRAW (they will still remain in driving seat, but it will impact the decisive October rankings), and we beat Russia, we will have more points than them and will be higher ranked going to the WC draw.
Congo is quiet poor, but they lost the home game to Egypt narrowly only 1-2...it's a long-shot, but come on !
3. Senegal do not qualify for the World Cup
Senegal will play South Africa twice next month (a match replayed due to corrupt referee). If they lose both times (very unlikely), South Africa will instead qualify and we are better than them in the rankings
4. Tunisia do not qualify for the World Cup
Again a long-shot. for it to happen, Tunisians will have to LOSE at home to Libya, and DR Congo to beat Guniea next month. Very unlikely.
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For scenarios 3 and 4, we will have to wait a month. but for first two scenario, we will know a bit in the next 24 hours. Number 2 is the most straight-forward.
SO, COME ON CONGO YOU SUB-SAHARAN BEAUTIES !! DON'T LOSE
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