All Things Football #6

Posted by Frankie Lally on October 12, 2009 | No Comments

What a week of football, eh?

On Saturday night I watched Argentina’s crucial World Cup qualifier against Peru in Buenos Aires. After a dull first half the game exploded into life in the second half as Argentina took the lead after just three minutes.

However, just when it looked like Argentina had secured the vital three points, disaster struck. As the rain poured down it looked as if it was going to wash away Argentina’s World Cup dream as Peru equalised in the 90th minute. Amazingly though, the man Diego Maradona has described as a ‘miracle maker’ came up trumps as he tapped home at the far post in driving rain to send his coach diving across the sodden turf in celebration.

Despite the win Argentina aren’t safe yet. They travel to Uruguay on Wednesday night and only a win would guarantee a place in the play-offs.

Meanwhile, on the same night, I was one of the 70,640 spectators at Croke Park to watch Giovanni Trapatonni’s Republic of Ireland come so agonisingly close to defeating world champions Italy. Despite taking the lead twice Ireland succumbed to a late equaliser by substitute Alberto Gilardino. Before the game Ireland were guaranteed at least a play-off place thanks to Cyprus, of all teams, beating Bulgaria 4-1. Ireland will be left to ponder what might have been if they could have just held out for another few minutes.

Ireland’s play-off opponents, in all probability, will be Russia, France, Greece or Portugal, and none are known for their forgiving natures. Despite this I would still fancy Ireland’s chance against any of those teams bar Russia, who also came quite close to topping their group but fell short at the hands of the Germans.

Wednesday sees the resumption and conclusion of the qualifying for next summer’s World Cup in South Africa. With so many teams already qualified or in the play-off there is plenty of meaningless games but in some cases there is certainly still a lot to play for. Unsurprisingly, the game not to miss during the week is Diego Maradona’s penultimate match in charge of the Argentinians as they look to secure at least a play-off spot in Uruguay.

What do you think? Comments below please.

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