For us to go out to that penalty... boy it's hard to take. Yes, there was wasteful finishing from their no 9 but they was little between the teams over 180 minutes. Bar two horrendous decisions in the first leg, we were more than a match for them. It's worth bearing in mind that our squad is made up mostly from Championship, League one and SPL players against guys from Milan, Schalke, Arsenal etc. The fact that we had them sweating until the 94th minute of the second leg is testament to what Michael O'Neill has done was a very average squad on paper. I'm proud of the fight of every NI player but devastated that we lose out on Russia due to what seems to be one of the worst decisions I've witnessed at Windsor Park.
The Football.....
- Thread starter Spartak
- Start date
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AndyRM
XOXO
- Location
- North Shields
At least Norn Iron actually decided to play football in the second leg. Watched the highlights of the first and Josh was so far back he was pretty much an extra right back.
Should be a cracker tonight between Italy and Sweden.
Should be a cracker tonight between Italy and Sweden.
Of course they are the better team, they were 7th in the world a few weeks ago. We were 124th a few years ago. In football though, the best team doesn't always win and that's the beauty of the game. They were 2nd seeds in their group and finished 2nd. We were 4th seeds in ours and finished 2nd. We were then unseeded against a seeded team, drawing the highest seeded team out of all 8 play off teams. They then get the second leg at home. Then win by a goal by a laughable decision. You're right, altogether football can be cruel.
- Location
- Somewhere wet & hilly in NW England.
Italy out of World Cup - bit of a shocker!
AndyRM
XOXO
- Location
- North Shields
A sad end for Gigi's international career. One of my favourite keepers.
Most of us cynics were sure they would have been helped out by a penalty / red card decision.
Accy cyclist
Legendary Member
- Location
- The hills of Accrington
It must be Italian football's worst moment since losing their semi final on home soll in 1990. Sad as Italy could've won next year's World Cup. Now a country that's happy to make the last 16 is going instead. Sweden will just be more cannon fodder for Brazil,Germany and Argentina
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LarryDuff
Guru
- Location
- Hillsborough Co Down
First time in my lifetime.
So if they scraped past Sweden they could've won the world cup? Not a chance they would've been anywhere near the semis as they've been underperforming for years now. They always make hard work of qualifying, and from memory they struggled to make Euro 2016 and then were eliminated by the Republic.
cisamcgu
Legendary Member
- Location
- Merseyside-ish
of San Marino ?
AndyRM
XOXO
- Location
- North Shields
Weimar?
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Pro Tour Punditry
Guru
The last 5 European WC play-off matches have resulted in the grand total of 1 goal. Exciting times.
Joey Shabadoo
My pronouns are "He", "Him" and "buggerlugs"
Glad we boycotted them.
Accy cyclist
Legendary Member
- Location
- The hills of Accrington
Banana?
