In Monday’s World Cup Play-Off draw, the Republic of Ireland have been pitted against top seeds France in their quest to make it to South Africa. The direct two-legged tie in November means that the winner will make it to the finals, and the loser will go home.
There was much controversy about the draw, which saw a late change (around 2 weeks beforehand), removing the teams from an ‘open pot’ style draw, and instead seeding nations based on their World Ranking, meaning that despite their unbeaten run in Group 8 (which contained champions Italy), the Irish still would have to get past one of Europe’s leading lights to book their passage. But despite the fact that they are up against the 2006 runners-up, a French team in a state of decline may prove to be a favourable draw compared to Russia, Portugal, or even Greece, who got Slovenia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Ukraine, respectivley.
The draw in full (games to be played on 14/11 & 18/11, 1st Leg shown in list):
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND v FRANCE
PORTUGAL v BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA
GREECE v UKRAINE
RUSSIA v SLOVENIA
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