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Editors Roundtable: Which Playoff Teams Will Qualify For The World Cup?
The three associate editors -- Allen Ramsey, Shane Evans, and Zac Lee Rigg -- duke it out over which teams will qualify for the World Cup through playoffs. 12 squads are vying for six open slots.
Nov 17, 2009 11:14:55 PM
Zac Lee Rigg: Anyone think Costa Rica can reverse the deficit away at Uruguay?
Shane Evans: I don't think so, no.
Allen Ramsey: Probably not. I think they're a bit overmatched and playing in South America is always a tough task for any team. It'll take something amazing for them to pull that tie out.
Evans: That's a tough place to play and a tougher opponent.
Rigg: Yeah, I'm not big on their chances either.
Evans: I do think Ireland can overcome France though. The French arrogance in this tie is just a bit sickening, and it's fueling Ireland.
Rigg: Really? I've got France going through. Simple away win already, now they just need to hold on at home.
Ramsey: I have to agree with Zac, it looks like the French are in.
Evans: I think France will most likely win, too, but I've got to hand it to Ireland. I think they'll put in a real classy match. Push les Blues far.
Ramsey: Ireland will give it a go for sure. But France is too good a side to not be in the World Cup. I find it funny, for so long we were debating who would be the big team that got left out, and in the long run the field for the World Cup is shaping out almost like you would've picked it heading into qualification.
Rigg: I honestly think France has one of the best starting XIs in the world. Their problem is a clueless coach.
Evans: Seconded. One who makes references to suicide so freely. Good timing, Raymond.
Ramsey: I'm very interested to see who comes out on top in the Ukraine - Greece tie. I'd love to see the Greeks in South Africa.
Rigg: That one's maybe the closest.
Evans: Greece are like Turkey from the Euros. Under the radar team that will come out and surprise people.
Rigg: The upset I'd love to see is Bosnia over Portugal. The amount of hysterics we'd see over Ronaldo missing the WC would make me intensely pleased. Portugal take a slender 1-0 lead into Bosnia. Any luck I'll spend the next few months proudly reading about Ronaldo missing out?
Evans: Doubtful, even without Ronnie. I would like to see Dzeko knock in a pair to make things interesting.
Ramsey: You never know. Bosnia could pull one out. Like Shane, I kind of doubt it, but anything is possible.
Rigg: I suppose the hottest pair is Algeria and Egypt. I have no idea which team goes through there, I just hope there's no more violence.
Ramsey: That was a sad situation.
Rigg: Last one, Russia have a 2-1 lead over Slovenia. Can't see them dropping that, can you?
Ramsey: Too much Arshavin.
Evans: That away goal was key for Slovenia, but Hiddink is too good of a coach. He'll have this one game-planned for days. Not a chance they slip up.
Rigg: I think Russia is everyone's second team after their Euro heroics. Great goalkeeper and you've got your marquee player in Arshavin. Really solid, well coached side.
Evans: And they have the Pav. (That rhymed.)
Rigg: Ha, I'm not a big fan of the Pav.
Evans: Me neither, but he can score when he doesn't complain.
Ramsey: Doesn't matter, he can score goals. Like him or not.
Rigg: Either way, I expect he'll be in the World Cup come June.
Evans: Yeah, provided he's not playing for Spurs.
The Editors' Roundtable runs every week on Goal.com
Discuss all the latest in the Goal.com Forums.
Shane Evans: I don't think so, no.
Allen Ramsey: Probably not. I think they're a bit overmatched and playing in South America is always a tough task for any team. It'll take something amazing for them to pull that tie out.
Evans: That's a tough place to play and a tougher opponent.
Rigg: Yeah, I'm not big on their chances either.
Evans: I do think Ireland can overcome France though. The French arrogance in this tie is just a bit sickening, and it's fueling Ireland.
Rigg: Really? I've got France going through. Simple away win already, now they just need to hold on at home.
Ramsey: I have to agree with Zac, it looks like the French are in.
Evans: I think France will most likely win, too, but I've got to hand it to Ireland. I think they'll put in a real classy match. Push les Blues far.
Ramsey: Ireland will give it a go for sure. But France is too good a side to not be in the World Cup. I find it funny, for so long we were debating who would be the big team that got left out, and in the long run the field for the World Cup is shaping out almost like you would've picked it heading into qualification.
 |
Evans: Seconded. One who makes references to suicide so freely. Good timing, Raymond.
Ramsey: I'm very interested to see who comes out on top in the Ukraine - Greece tie. I'd love to see the Greeks in South Africa.
Rigg: That one's maybe the closest.
Evans: Greece are like Turkey from the Euros. Under the radar team that will come out and surprise people.
 |
Evans: Doubtful, even without Ronnie. I would like to see Dzeko knock in a pair to make things interesting.
Ramsey: You never know. Bosnia could pull one out. Like Shane, I kind of doubt it, but anything is possible.
Rigg: I suppose the hottest pair is Algeria and Egypt. I have no idea which team goes through there, I just hope there's no more violence.
Ramsey: That was a sad situation.
Rigg: Last one, Russia have a 2-1 lead over Slovenia. Can't see them dropping that, can you?
Ramsey: Too much Arshavin.
Evans: That away goal was key for Slovenia, but Hiddink is too good of a coach. He'll have this one game-planned for days. Not a chance they slip up.
Rigg: I think Russia is everyone's second team after their Euro heroics. Great goalkeeper and you've got your marquee player in Arshavin. Really solid, well coached side.
 |
Evans: And they have the Pav. (That rhymed.)
Rigg: Ha, I'm not a big fan of the Pav.
Evans: Me neither, but he can score when he doesn't complain.
Ramsey: Doesn't matter, he can score goals. Like him or not.
Rigg: Either way, I expect he'll be in the World Cup come June.
Evans: Yeah, provided he's not playing for Spurs.
The Editors' Roundtable runs every week on Goal.com
Discuss all the latest in the Goal.com Forums.
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