World Cup - Ireland face France in play-off

Eurosport - Mon, 19 Oct 13:52:00 2009

The Republic of Ireland have been drawn against 1998 champions and 2006 finalists France in their World Cup play-off.

2009 Republic of Ireland Sean St Ledger - 0

Giovanni Trapattoni's side play the first leg in Dublin at Croke Park on 14 November, before travelling to Paris for the second leg at the Stade de France four days later.

Ireland finished second in Group 8 behind Italy with an unbeaten record, but controversially were unseeded for the draw as seeding was based on FIFA World Ranking. Raymond Domenech's France side had a comparatively poor campaign, finishing behind Serbia in Group 7.

"We wanted to avoid Ukraine," French Football Federation technical director Gerard Houllier told France Info radio. "Ireland are competitive and tricky to play but we must not overrate them.

"It's a slight advantage to play the return leg at home but the first leg is often the most important one because it either gives you confidence or ruins your hopes."

FFF vice-president Noel Le Graet said: "France, with the quality of their football, must qualify.

"We made life difficult for ourselves but now we must make sure we are competitive."

Portugal, who scraped into the playoffs by winning their last three Group 1 fixtures to seal runners-up spot, face Bosnia, Euro 2004 champions Greece tackle Ukraine and Russia will play Slovenia.

Bosnia, runners-up to Spain in their qualifying group, are attempting to reach their first major finals while Slovenia are looking to repeat their feat of reaching Euro 2000.

Portugal, Greece and Russia, the other seeded nations in a draw performed at FIFA headquarters in Zurich by midfielder Steven Pienaar of World Cup hosts South Africa, will have to play the second legs away.

"Russia are clear favourites in our two matches and I am worried about the conditions we will have in Russia," said Slovenia coach Matjaz Kek.

"But mainly I hope my players will be well prepared in the middle of November because this time the matches are decisive."

WORLD CUP EUROPEAN PLAY-OFFS

Republic of Ireland v France

Portugal v Bosnia-Herzegovina

Greece v Ukraine

Russia v Slovenia

First legs to be played 14 November, second legs on 18 November

Reuters / Eurosport

Comment 633 - 652 of 652

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  1. Best Wishes for France , Portugal and Russia .
    These­ Trio must go .
    Between Greece and Ukraine chances are­ 50-50 and my vote will be for Ukraine .

    From bibhas_sinha, on Thu 5 Nov 10:54AM

  2. come on ireland
    come on robbie keane

    come on russia­
    come on pavluchenko

    From girish_terrorist, on Wed 21 Oct 6:57PM

  3. 652

    get over it ya ra c**nt

    il drop a rgb at your­ village u west brit

    From Dan, on Wed 21 Oct 6:14AM

  4. I'm sorry to see that France will have to­ eliminated Ireland. I come from Brittany, the celtic­ part of France and I would have preferred to see Irish­ sent off English to their doubt for example like­ Crotian did by the past.
    But what can Ireland do in­ front of so many talents : Henry, Anelka, Ribery,­ Gourcuff, Benzema ?? certainly nothing.
    Ireland 0-1­ France
    France 3-1 Ireland

    Even if Ireland is­ wonderful...

    From Rig, on Wed 21 Oct 6:11AM

  5. Ireland,ireland,is there any white men left in­ france,hah

    From kieran l, on Wed 21 Oct 5:21AM

  6. eire abú (:

    From Martha, on Wed 21 Oct 1:08AM

  7. When I think of France I see .. Men wearing thights and­ hats, Onion Breath, Frogs, Africanos and Women with­ Hairy armpits.. Ireland to win 1-0 in Dublin and 0-0 in­ Paris...

    From paoconnell1, on Wed 21 Oct 1:07AM

  8. chucky ar la

    From 322, on Wed 21 Oct 12:04AM
  9. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    WATCH ALL MATCHES ON INTERNET: PREMIER LEAGUE, FA CUP, ­ CHAMPIONSHIP, CARLING CUP, LIGA, SERIE A, BUNDESLIGA,­ LIGUE 1, CHAMPIONS LEAGUE, EUROPA LEAGUE,­ QUALIFICATION WORLD CUP 2010, BRASILERAO, EREDIVISIE­ AND MUCH MORE

    From WWW.PREMIERSHIP.ALTERVISTA.ORG, on Tue 20 Oct 7:16PM

  10. 652, France cannot play portugal simply because it­ would be unfair. We dont want a see another match like­ the last WC where the french were awarded that an­ controvercial penalty in the semi.

    Feel sorry for­ Ireland...buy hey ireland have what it takes to beat­ France

    From rui, on Tue 20 Oct 6:43PM

  11. I only have one question.................why cant­ France play Portugal in the play offs?? ......this is a­ farce why should there be a seeding when France and­ Portugal with supposedly some of the BEST players in­ the world which played second fiddle to Serbia and­ Denmarrk get preferential treatment in the play­ offs??...........well, i guess this is what the­ sycophants want......always want the top teams to­ win........good job that

    From victorcud, on Tue 20 Oct 6:09PM

  12. FIFA should change the rule such that managers can only­ manage their OWN nation - if managers are not­ important to the COMPETITION, then why are foreign­ managers employed?!

    From David Franks: Walkabouts Verse, on Tue 20 Oct 5:22PM

  13. 525 wasent it 6-0

    From dontpanicblink, on Tue 20 Oct 4:33PM
  14. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    France to the world cup!!!!!!!!!

    From Tham, on Tue 20 Oct 4:14PM
  15. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    I saw France have more quality to South­ Africa.Sorry­­­­ Ireland,I fear you will miss next year­ World Cup.

    From Tham, on Tue 20 Oct 4:13PM

  16. Portugal have got back into form late at the crucial­ moment. Just like all the big teams do. They are now­ playing like portugal. Attacking football. They will­ beat bosnia on both games and qualify.

    From rui, on Tue 20 Oct 3:18PM

  17. bosina can beat portugal

    From scuthbert86, on Tue 20 Oct 2:48PM
  18. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    I STOWL A LOADA FIRWARKS OOT AV A SUPARMARCHE IN PARAS­ 1 TEEM OND STUFED THAM DOON ME F OCKIN TROOSARS.

    From Donney, on Tue 20 Oct 2:34PM

  19. A HOPE IRELUND WIN DA METCH. A HOPE FRANCE LOSS DA­ METCH. A ALWAYS HOPE FRANCE LOSS DA METCHAZ.

    From Donney, on Tue 20 Oct 2:28PM

  20. if you want to wipe your a** on your rivals google­ footballtoiletpaper, you can get Celtic, Rangers, Man­ U, Liverpool, Arsenal, Spurs, Sunderland, Newcastle,­ Birmingham and Villa toilet paper

    From markpeterduffy, on Tue 20 Oct 2:27PM
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