(Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)
The Republic of Ireland will face France for a place at the World Cup in South Africa next year after Giovanni Trapattoni’s team were paired with the 2006 runners-up in the playoff draw in Zurich this afternoon.
The two nations have faced each other on ten occasions previously in World Cup Qualifying with France winning five to the Republic of Ireland’s three, with two matches being drawn.
The most recent meeting was in 2005 when Thierry Henry scored the only goal at Landsdowne Road.
The Republic of Ireland’s last win over France came in 1981 when they triumphed 3-2 over a French side which included Michel Platini.
Elsewhere Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal will face Bosnia-Herzegovina, a surprise second-place finisher above Turkey and Belgium and the only team in the draw never to have before qualified for the World Cup.
Euro 2004 Champions Greece were paired with Ukraine, runners-up in England’s qualifying group, whilst Russia were drawn against Slovenia.
France, Portugal, Greece and Russia were all seeded due to their superior FIFA World Ranking in a controversial late decision from FIFA and consequently could not be drawn against one another.
The teams will play each other home and away other two legs, with away goals counting double if the scores are level on aggregate.
The four winners will progress to the final tournament in South Africa, for which the draw is made on 4 December.
Play-offs, First Leg – Saturday 14 November 2009
Republic of Ireland vs. France
Portugal vs. Bosnia-Herzegovina
Greece vs. Ukraine
Russia vs. Slovenia
Play-offs, Second Leg – Wednesday 19 November 2009
France vs. Republic of Ireland
Bosnia-Herzegovina vs. Portugal
Ukraine vs. Greece
Slovenia vs. Russia
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