Ireland v. Cyprus

[waider]

Ireland 1, Cyprus 0, but we so didn't deserve it. A few suggestions for the Irish team for the match against Switzerland on Wednesday night:

• When you've beaten all of their defence with a quick break, do something with the ball. Don't pass it back up the field or play with it until they've managed to get their defence in place.
• You've practiced set pieces like corners in training. Why not use those set pieces in the game?
• Don't send a high ball to a guy who's too short to reach it.
• Don't pass the ball back just because you're faced with opposition players. Having possession is fine, but not much use at the wrong end of the pitch.
• Try looking before kicking. Especially when attempting clearances. It's not a clearance if you drop the ball right on the opposing striker's feet.

I've low expectations for the Swiss match, since we looked like the lesser team tonight against a side that's not exactly highly ranked. Mostly I'll be surprised if we're even in with a chance at the play-offs, never mind actually getting through them.

Comments

[eejitalmuppet.livejournal.com]

At least they won, which is more than can be said for Scotland. Curse you, Walter Smith: it isn't the disappointment, but the hope that hurts. When that Kartoffelkopf Vogts was Scotland manager, there was no danger of hope rearing its ugly head. Now they have someone competent in charge, and this is the first time the team has really let him down. Feh.

Oh, and good luck for Wednesday.

[eejitalmuppet.livejournal.com]

And just to cheer you up, the BBC is now saying that Damien Duff is out of Wednesday's match.

[socmot.livejournal.com]

It really was schoolboy stuff. We don't deserve to make it to the play-offs!

[ronebofh.livejournal.com]

Ecuador tied Uruguay 0-0 at home, what they needed to get in. I feared that they'd just hung back to get only the result they needed, but reports indicate that they were all over the damn place and just had crappy luck.

I think Ireland will beat Switzerland, then will draw Norway in the playoff, and defeat them to make the Cup.

[ronebofh.livejournal.com]

Ugh, now Duff is out. But i'm sticking by my prediction, dammit!