No surprises in the qualification play-offs!
By rappeter13
@rappeter13 (8608)
Romania
November 15, 2011 5:00pm CST
I was speculating on Montenegro and Bosnia to make a surprise and to knock out Czech Republic and Portugal, but my expectations where not materialized.
Croatia and Turkey have played a 0-0 draw, so Croatia qualified with 3-0 on aggregate and one of my favorite players, Ivica Olic will be there at the European Championship.
Ireland and Estonia ended in a 1-1 draw, so Ireland made a comfortable 5-1 on aggregate and assured the ticket to the final competition.
Montenegro has lost at home with 1-0 to Czech Republic, so the dream has been over for them, Czech Republic will try to repeat the performance from '96, when they reached the final of the competition, although this will be almost impossible.
As for Bosnia, they were thrashed with 6-2, although they were better than the score reflects. I have watched around 70 percent from the game and I think without the sent off of Lulic things could have been better for them, even qualification was in.
What are your views on this? Have you been disappointed by one of the team in this play-offs?
2 people like this
4 responses
@ram_cv (16513)
• India
16 Nov 11
I think with the first round of playoffs, I was pretty reasonably sure of Ireland, Croatia and Czech Republic. So all three of them qualified as expected for me. I was in a bit of doubt for Portugal, though they had the home advantage in the return leg. They cashed in on it and beat 10 man Bosnia by 6-2. Finally Ronaldo had a good game for the national side scoring two goals including a thundering free kick as the first goal!!
Cheers!
Ram
@rappeter13 (8608)
• Romania
16 Nov 11
I am sorry for Bosnia, as I believe that without Lulic's sent off things would be different. After they conceded the 4th goal, they couldn't fight anymore and that is why the difference got so big.
As for the other games, I was expecting these results, even if I thought Montenegro will put more problems.
1 person likes this
@rappeter13 (8608)
• Romania
17 Nov 11
This is a major reason why football is so unpredictable and very exciting. A stupid mistake from a player, from the referee can influence the outcome a lot.
I guess Portugal has the same problems as Holland seem to have, they have a very unstable defense and that can be costly at a final tournament.
1 person likes this
@Sanitary (3968)
• Singapore
18 Nov 11
Teams i was expecting to go through did went go. However the scoreline in the 2nd leg did not fully justify their capabilities. Teams are expected to win end up losing or drawing, while underdogs are clearly the biggest winners in the playoffs. Portugal was lucky to scrap through because of their home advantage with the 13th man. As for croatia, i was expecting them to add further salt to the wounded turks, but they failed and it was disappointing. NOt forgetting Ireland, having played well away, but they struggled at home, goes to show why they are being booted by the hands of Henry for the world cup.
@rappeter13 (8608)
• Romania
18 Nov 11
I guess it was not important for Croatia or Ireland to force themselves, because it was practically impossible to lose the tickets to the Euro 2012. I can understand them, as the majority of the players are involved in club competitions, and they need their strengths there.
As for the other two, the favorites on paper did qualify, but Portugal did qualify more harder than the score shows. I was hoping for Bosnia to go through, even if I knew that it will be very very hard.
1 person likes this
@adhyz82 (36248)
• Indonesia
16 Nov 11
i think Croatia is better than Turkey now..it`s dissapointed for me , because Turkey actually deserve for qualifying too, but the drawing make they must play against Croatia...
i think Czech is better than Montenegro, no doubt...i don`t think that Czech had quality like euro cup`96...
@rappeter13 (8608)
• Romania
16 Nov 11
The results show that Croatia was better than Turkey at this moment. I would have liked both team to qualify, but this is football, the draw brought them together, so only one of them could go through.
Maybe this Czech team has a good quality, but I guess there are a few teams which are way better than them, but we may never know, as many players can suffer injuries till the Euro 2012.
What are your views on the other clashes? Did you expect Ireland and Portugal to qualify?
@rappeter13 (8608)
• Romania
16 Nov 11
Bosnia fought as hard as they could, but after being a man down, it was very difficult and finally they got a huge defeat. I hate the fact that I will see Ronaldo and Nani at the Euros, but I will concentrate only on Germany doing well.
