FAI...New Manager is Heimir Hallgrimsson

[Pub Bore]

The best possible draw. It was important to avoid Italy. Poor OWC.
Evan Ferguson will be back. Imagine him and Parrott together.

Ferguson is vastly overrated and injury prone.

[Blowitupref]

Czech and Denmark

https://www.fifa.com/fr/watch/3ire66dHM55qFv00E5gnDu

The Czech home form.




More than likely Denmark at home if beat the Czechs,  Denmarks away form

[johnnycool]

These are one game shoot outs, not over two legs then I presume?

[Pub Bore]

These are one game shoot outs, not over two legs then I presume?

Yep.

[Onthe40]

its a decent draw but still not an easy one
Czechs won't be easy beat over there
get through that and Denmark always have that bit of quality to get them over the line...they made a serious mess of their group

[seafoid]

The best possible draw. It was important to avoid Italy. Poor OWC.
Evan Ferguson will be back. Imagine him and Parrott together.

Ferguson is vastly overrated and injury prone.

He is worth 25 million on Transfermarkt
https://www.transfermarkt.de/evan-ferguson/profil/spieler/648046

[Baile Brigín 2]

The best possible draw. It was important to avoid Italy. Poor OWC.
Evan Ferguson will be back. Imagine him and Parrott together.

Ferguson is vastly overrated and injury prone.

He is worth 25 million on Transfermarkt
https://www.transfermarkt.de/evan-ferguson/profil/spieler/648046

You might as well be referencing Championship Manager

[seafoid]

Odds up already

Czech evens, Ireland 11/4

https://www.oddschecker.com/football/world-cup-european-qualifiers/czech-republic-v-republic-of-ireland/winner

[seafoid]

https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/2025/11/20/czech-republics-ongoing-crisis-could-offer-ireland-opportunity-in-playoff-semi-final/

The Czechs are in crisis mode. Hallelujah. Pavel Nedved, their blonde-maned, swashbuckling midfielder throughout the 1990s and early 2000s is overseeing a recruitment process as the federation's sporting director.

Nedved has a decision to make before hosting the Republic of Ireland in the World Cup playoff semi-final on March 26th.

Stick or twist – keep interim manager Jaroslav Köstl or go to market, where Turkish coach Fatih Terim is reportedly a candidate to replace Ivan Hašek.

Hašek was sacked in October following the 2-1 defeat to the Faroe Islands.

Köstl is only 35 and comes with no managerial experience having been assistant coach at Slavia Prague for six seasons before being appointed Hašek's number two.

"We lost in Armenia and almost fired the coach," noted the Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrímsson. "It is a similar situation."

There is one obvious difference: the FAI held their nerve after defeat in Yerevan.

Köstl has somewhat steadied the ship. Last Monday, the Czechs beat Gibraltar 6-0 in Olomouc to secure the runners-up spot in Group L behind Croatia.

The players reaction to victory was to leave the pitch. Failure to recognise the fans, however, led to the federation stripping Tomás Soucek of the captaincy and withholding match bonuses for the entire squad.

"The FAČR executive committee is disappointed with the players' behaviour after yesterday's match against Gibraltar and apologises to the fans," read an official statement.

"Unfortunately, the players' attitude completely overshadowed the performance on the pitch and the positive fact of the national team's advancement to the playoffs for the 2026 World Cup.

"None of the players stand above the country they have the honour of representing, and none of the players are more than a fan who dedicates their resources, time, and energy to supporting the Czech national team."

Oh dear.

[seafoid]

https://m.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/international/roy-keane-responds-as-wayne-rooney-accuses-ireland-of-over-celebrating-hungary-win/a782806065.html

I think it was a little bit over the top," declared Wayne Rooney, as he looked back on Ireland's celebrations following the win Hungary. "I get it, but it was a bit over the top. It was like they qualified."
Roy Keane was quick to hit back, as he insisted years of disappointment for Ireland meant the outpouring of delight following Parrott's hat-trick was understandable.
"The only thing I would say about that is for Ireland, it's been so bad for them over the last few years," he began.
"To get the win the Hungary, last kick of the game. Look, a lot of work to be done to qualify, obviously, but I wouldn't begrudge them that moment.
"For these teams that have been struggling for so many years, to get a bit of a lift for the country. To get two back-to-back big wins.
"To beat Portugal was huge and then to go and beat Hungary, knock then out and get into play-offs with last kick off the game.
"For the Irish fans, the players and the management, I wouldn't begrudge them, honestly, enjoy that moment."
Keane went on to suggest the success enjoyed by the Ireland team in recent days has been long overdue, as he suggested the current crop of heroes have waited long enough to enjoy their moment in the spotlight.

"You look at the Irish lads, a lot of them are doing well in the game, but they are not stars anywhere," he added.
"A lot of them are making a living in the Premier League and they would have grown up watching Ireland, growing up watching a bit of success and this is their moment. I was delighted for them.
"In Ireland, there is so much competition for sport. The rugby has done really well, so the soccer has fallen way behind.
"There are a lot of problems financially, loads of issues going on. At least we can enjoy it for a few months now."

[Dag Dog]

The best possible draw. It was important to avoid Italy. Poor OWC.
Evan Ferguson will be back. Imagine him and Parrott together.

Ferguson is vastly overrated and injury prone.

Usually overweight as well.

[lurganblue]

https://m.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/international/roy-keane-responds-as-wayne-rooney-accuses-ireland-of-over-celebrating-hungary-win/a782806065.html

I think it was a little bit over the top," declared Wayne Rooney, as he looked back on Ireland's celebrations following the win Hungary. "I get it, but it was a bit over the top. It was like they qualified."
Roy Keane was quick to hit back, as he insisted years of disappointment for Ireland meant the outpouring of delight following Parrott's hat-trick was understandable.
"The only thing I would say about that is for Ireland, it's been so bad for them over the last few years," he began.
"To get the win the Hungary, last kick of the game. Look, a lot of work to be done to qualify, obviously, but I wouldn't begrudge them that moment.
"For these teams that have been struggling for so many years, to get a bit of a lift for the country. To get two back-to-back big wins.
"To beat Portugal was huge and then to go and beat Hungary, knock then out and get into play-offs with last kick off the game.
"For the Irish fans, the players and the management, I wouldn't begrudge them, honestly, enjoy that moment."
Keane went on to suggest the success enjoyed by the Ireland team in recent days has been long overdue, as he suggested the current crop of heroes have waited long enough to enjoy their moment in the spotlight.

"You look at the Irish lads, a lot of them are doing well in the game, but they are not stars anywhere," he added.
"A lot of them are making a living in the Premier League and they would have grown up watching Ireland, growing up watching a bit of success and this is their moment. I was delighted for them.
"In Ireland, there is so much competition for sport. The rugby has done really well, so the soccer has fallen way behind.
"There are a lot of problems financially, loads of issues going on. At least we can enjoy it for a few months now."

Contrast that with Keane's comments about Villa players celebrating staying in the PL on the last day in 2020. "Imagine if they ever win anything" with a big sour bake on him.