2022 World Cup Qualifiers Group A

I see Luxembourg's Seb Thill scored again for Sheriff vs Inter in the CL last night. Cracking free kick. Regardless of your thoughts on Lux's overall strength and I'm not going back over that argument, he certainly looks a decent player.

Healy52003 wrote: Fifa will be nervy enough if Portugal end up drawing/losing to us (clutching at many straws here) and possibly could have to take part in the playoffs for a place in the finals. If its a case of Serbia only needing a draw the last day to qualify for the finals they will park the bus against Portugal

Bit tin hat there Healy

Luis Amor Rodriguez wrote: Not really.   Ronaldo is probably FIFA's biggest playing asset - sells the most shirts, brings the most glamour and prestige to the competition.  FIFA definitely want him and his illustrious team-mates there.  FIFA demonstrated their intentions in this regard a few years back when Germany, France, Portugal and, maybe, the Netherlands ended up in the play-offs.  They didn't expect this and didn't want the big teams to go out - hence they belatedly announced the play-offs would be seeded.  So no big/successful country would knock out the other.   Essentially, they changed the rules of the competition half-way through the competition with a view to favouring the bigger countries.   And it worked - I think 3 of the 4 play-offs were won by the higher seeded team.

irishmufc wrote: I don't see us getting a result against Portugal but the important thing is Luxembourg drop points in Baku before our match. In the unlikely event we that we draw with Portugal and Luxembourg lost, would a draw in the last game be enough for 3rd spot given our superior goal difference with Luxembourg or would they still be ahead of us given the head to head?

Says on the wiki for WC qualification that it will be goal difference if teams are level on points.

There's no doubt fifa want Portugal there. There's a reason we didn't get awarded a penalty to put us 2 up the last day. The changing of rules mid tournament says it all. Didn't they consider rule changes for the euro play offs to give all countries hosting matches a better chance to qualify. Don't think they went ahead with in the end. Probably because the big teams were already safe. 

eireland wrote: There's no doubt fifa want Portugal there. There's a reason we didn't get awarded a penalty to put us 2 up the last day. The changing of rules mid tournament says it all. Didn't they consider rule changes for the euro play offs to give all countries hosting matches a better chance to qualify. Don't think they went ahead with in the end. Probably because the big teams were already safe.

Luxembourg have beaten Azerbaijan so if we lose tonight 3rd place is gone

Serbia to upset Portugal tonight and top the group.

zizu Kilbane wrote: Maccatacca wrote: Serbia to upset Portugal tonight and top the group. The ref will be under orders to ensure Ronaldo makes it to Qatar, by hook or by crook