World Football Community Writers Predict UEFA Qualifying

With the nine automatic World Cup spots out of UEFA clinched by Denmark, Switzerland, Slovakia, Germany, Spain, England, Serbia, Italy and the Netherlands, it is now time for the remaining eight of the nine runners-up to play a two-legged playoff to qualify for next year's World Cup.

In the playoff, the following teams will play each other with the winner of each playoff advancing to South Africa next year.

The matchups are as follows: Russia-Slovenia, Greece-Ukraine, Portugal-Bosnia and Ireland-France.

Five writers in the World Football Community have given their input on the UEFA playoff: Keith Griffin (KG), Salomon Gonzales (SG), Matt S (MS), Salaar Shamsi (SS) and Sergey Zikov (SZ).

As moderator, I (AJ) asked the following questions to each of the participants.

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(AJ) Okay, the first question for the roundtable: Which playoff matchup intrigues you the most and why?

(KG) The matchup that intrigues me the most will be Ireland vs. France. Not only because they [Ireland] are my country, but also it will be interesting to see how the refereeing is performed. Let's see if there is any bias/corruption/pressure that will result in Ireland going out unfairly.

I almost guarantee that there will be.

Don't mind the Irish going out if we are beaten fairly, but the pressure on refs from that toad [current manager and UEFA president Michel] Platini is so great, I can see the French getting a penalty because Kevin Doyle had spuds for dinner…or something along those lines.

(SG) The playoff that intrigues me the most is the French vs the Irish. Quite simply because either one is strong enough to beat the other, and both countries possess enough quality to [do] some damage at the World Cup.

(MS) France is becoming more and more of an enigma, and Ireland obviously generates a lot of attention in the British press, but I’m going to go for Portugal-Bosnia. Portugal are favorites and dug itself out of a hole to beat Sweden to the playoff place behind Denmark but with Cristiano Ronaldo set to be ruled out, they will be missing their captain and you feel they could struggle, as most teams would without the FIFA World Player of the Year.

Bosnia was smashed by Spain last time out, losing 5-2 at home in a result which flattered them as they scored both of their goals in injury time. However, Portugal is a million miles away [in team ability] from their Iberian neighbors, and Bosnia will hope not to encounter such clinical finishing as Portugal certainly [doesn’t] have a David Villa or Fernando Torres. Bosnia will play to its strengths and attack, but you feel that this might just be playing into Portugal’s hands as they do struggle to break teams down when they defend deep and in numbers, so an open game might help them in creating clearer chances.

(SS) France vs Republic of Ireland is set to be the most intriguing contest. I can see France going through, but the Irish are set to give them a hard time.

Giovanni Trapattoni’s men have been in fine form of late and have showed the kind of determination needed to go to South Africa, and let's not forget they have Shay Given in goal.

(SZ) For me, my bias would push towards Russia and Slovenia. But here, it is Portugal vs. Bosnia & Herzegovina. The Bosnians have never qualified for the World Cup, while Portugal has qualified several times this decade. Both teams pride themselves on their different styles. Talented individuals and excellent team play. And possibly the most difficult playoff to pick. 

 

(AJ) Okay, who do you have winning in the Russia v Slovenia matchup and who are the key players in this matchup?

(KG) Of the four contests taking place in the World Cup Qualifiers, the first team that looks most likely to progress to the finals is most definitely Russia. Guus Hiddink is running a tight ship, and they are almost mechanical in their destruction of teams. Andrei Arshavin is finding great form in the Premier League, and I'm sure he will continue this rich vein of form against Slovenia. Unlikely to make much of an impact in the actual World Cup, but they will dispose of the Slovenians who lack real quality.

The key player will be Andrei Arshavin, he could score goals, make goals, pull stupid faces and use the same old celebrations.

(SG) I picked Russia simply because I just don't see where Slovenia would get past them. I expect a spanking in Russia followed by a close win or a draw in Slovenia.

The key player will be Andrei Arshavin. ’Nuff said…

(MS) Slovenia took four points off Russia when they both qualified for the 2002 World Cup, but Russia has come on a lot since then. They also have a great coach in Hiddink, and I can’t see him or Russia slipping up in this one. They reached the semi-finals of Euro 2008 and assuming they overcome this test I can see them being a dark horse contender in South Africa next summer.

I’m going to go with a manager here on the key player: Guus Hiddink. Russia couldn’t really ask for a better manager in this kind of situation. The Dutchman has so much experience and got Australia through a tougher playoff assignment against Uruguay in qualifying for 2006. Russia has the edge both on and off the pitch, and I don’t see them slipping up.

(SS) Guus Hiddink’s Russia should cruise over Slovenia for me; they just appear to be too strong.

The likes of Arshavin will too much too handle for the Slovenians.

(SZ) Despite Russia being my home nation, I will try not to be biased. However, Russia will advance to the World Cup. There is no doubt that Slovenia has utterly suffocated their opponents, allowing a minuscule four goals in their 10 qualifying matches. But they are also quietly efficient offensively, as 10 different players have scored goals. However, they have not seen a team with the talent and drive as Russia. It could be argued that Guus Hiddink's men even outplayed Germany at home, but were unlucky to not emerge with at least a draw. While other "powerhouse nations" have struggled in qualifying, Russia has not, only suffering setbacks against the three-time World Cup winners. With a healthy roster, Hiddink's depth is too much to not advance.

In this playoff, home-field advantage will be the major key for the Russians. No team in Europe has a home-field advantage like Russia. Luzhniki Stadium has claimed many proud opponents in the past, as Russia has only lost once at home in the past 12 years. Coupled with the passionate crowd of 85,000 and freezing November conditions, it is an atmosphere that the Slovenians have never seen.

 

(AJ) In the next playoff matchup, we have Greece and Ukraine facing off against each other. In this playoff, which country do you see advancing to the World Cup, and who will be the reason in that country advancing?

(KG) Greece and Ukraine is not the most exciting match of the playoffs, but it is a hard one to call. I’ll stick my neck out and say Ukraine, who looked a decent side against England in the recent qualifier and with the home leg—the second leg of the matchup—for the Ukrainians, the odds look favorable for Andrei Shevchenko and Co.

The reason why I have Ukraine going through is that Ukraine has much more quality, and Greece lacks the ability to score the goals needed to put these games to bed.

If by some chance Slovenia does beat Russia, and we don't have Arshavin at the WC, I’ll personally start a hate campaign against them.

(SG) Ukraine vs Greece could go either way and I'm simply just picking one for the sake of it. Both countries have [done] reasonably well in the Qualifying rounds with extremely average players. I'm picking Ukraine simply because they came out of a slightly harder group… And they beat England ;)

The key player will be Andrei Shevchenko for Ukraine, and he will lead them to the World Cup.

(MS) Greece is the seeded team in their matchup with Ukraine, but in reality I don’t see too much between the two sides and, in fact, they are only six places apart in the FIFA World Rankings that they used to decide the seedings for the playoff draw (Greece, 16th and Ukraine, 22nd). Therefore, this should perhaps be the closest of the four ties.

Ukraine was the only team to beat England during qualifying and gave Fabio Capello’s side their toughest two games in qualification by some distance. I was particularly impressed when I saw them at Wembley, and England was fortunate to grab a late winner even though they enjoyed the majority of the possession. So I’m going for Ukraine in this one, but it should be close.

The reason why Ukraine will go to the World Cup is that Shevchenko seems rejuvenated having finally ended his Chelsea nightmare, and Gekas shouldn’t be overlooked after finishing as top scorer in European qualifying for Greece with ten goals. However, both sides are strong from set pieces, and I would pinpoint these as the key to the tie – whoever comes out on top in these battles should book their tickets to South Africa.

(SS) Greece and Ukraine together might provide us with the most competitive playoff match.

The teams are relatively balanced, but Ukraine’s goal scoring abilities are slightly better than the Euro 2004 Champions, and hence, I’m backing them to get to South Africa.

(SZ) I see Ukraine advancing past Greece. Andriy Pyatov is one of the most efficient national team keepers in Europe and with his Shakhtar Donetsk teammates in front of him, they play at a very high defensive level. The midfield, patrolled by Bayern Munich defensive specialist Anatoliy Tymoschuk, is also a respectable unit. On the other side, the Greeks have not been able to conjure the same magic as they did in Euro 2004. While many players are aging, the Ukraine also has two gaping holes up front that could slow them down—Liverpool's Andriy Voronin was omitted from the squad and second-leading scorer in qualification Serhiy Nazarenko is injured.

A matchup to look out for will be Shevchenko vs. Gekas. The two veterans have been the focal point of their respective nations on offense. Theofanis Gekas has 10 goals, Andriy Shevchenko has 6. Whoever has a greater impact should lead their country to South Africa.

 

(AJ) Okay, in the next matchup, we have Bosnia squaring off against Portugal. Gentlemen, who do you see advancing on to the World Cup, and what will be the deciding factor here?

(KG)  Portugal’s hopes hang in the balance and with the loss of Cristiano Ronaldo with an ankle injury, their real goalscoring bite is missing. Nani and the rest lack any real threat and for that matter, any brains also. Carlos Queiroz continues to show that he can't enjoy much success out of Alex Ferguson’s shadow, and against a tough side like Bosnia, led by the lethal Edin Dzeko and Prajnic, things look like they could get a whole lot worse for the Portuguese. I'm backing Bosnia to snatch it.

For Bosnia, the key players will be Edin Dzeko and Prajnic: Scorer and playmaker.

(SG) I think anybody who picks Bosnia to beat Portugal over two legs is a fool. Despite struggling through the Qualifying rounds, they have way too much quality and experience to let this one go. Of all the playoffs being played, this one is the most clear cut.

The key player will be Cristiano Ronaldo, as he alone is the most important player in this matchup.

(MS) With or without Cristiano Ronaldo I think Portugal should edge out Bosnia, although they could prove to be a dark horse. Bosnia seems to be a bit top-heavy insomuch as their attack is a lot stronger than their defence so we could see a high-scoring tie here as I’d be surprised if they reigned in their attacking style too much seeing as it has brought them this far.

Portugal seems to have, by hook or by crook, finally found themselves a striker in Liédson who can finish the chances that their talented midfield creates. He scored the crucial equalizer in Copenhagen, and I can see him propelling his adopted nation towards South Africa in this tie.

(SS) Bosnia has done exceptionally well to get to the playoffs, but here’s where they hit a dead end, Ronaldo or no Ronaldo, Portugal should pick up comfortable victories in both legs.

The major key here will be how effective Ronaldo will be due to his injured ankle.

(SZ) Portugal, despite a moderately disappointing qualification, should advance to South Africa. Although Carlos Queiroz may not get much out of Cristiano Ronaldo, the Portuguese have many other high caliber offensively-skilled players. They have also been finding their fire in the last few matches of the qualifying campaign. Both teams can certainly score nearly at will, and this may very well end up as a "last shot wins it" playoff. Edin Dzeko can certainly fill the net, but the Portuguese simply have more depth.

In this matchup, defense will be the major key to victory. Both of these teams are going to score. The question is who can slow the other down first? While the multitude of star strikers will take all the headlines, defense will win the day.

 

(AJ) And now we are onto the final playoff. Who will advance onto the World Cup: Ireland or France?

(KG) This match up between Ireland and France is of course of special interest to me, being Irish. Lots has been made of Giovanni Trapatonni’s selections, but I think the only one that riled me was the exclusion of Steven Reid who I felt could easily added that bit more to our midfield, without sacrificing work rate. No matter who the French are missing, they stil look as if they could rip the Irish apart. Karim Benzema, Theirry Henry, Sidney Govou and Yohann Gourcoff would make any defense tremble, but when your defense includes a stalwart such as Kevin Kilbane, you just know it could be time to put on your green jersey and tell Trap that you can do better than the English-born journey man.

Here, France to go through…easily, mainly due to the fact that France contains too much quality to not unlock Ireland's concentration-lacking defence.

Also, Sidney Govou, Karim Benzema and of course, Theirry Henry. Score a goal or two, and Irish heads will drop. If I was Domenech, I'd be putting the Irish to the sword as soon as the whistle blows to start the game.

(SG) Picking France over Ireland was hard, but I see the French just about shading this one. I could be wrong and Ireland may well come out of this, but my head just tells me France possesses too much firepower up front.

The reason why France will advance will be due to that French strike force.

(MS) On paper France has far too much talent for the Republic of Ireland but have been stuttering under Domenech for about five years now, even though they did of course get within a penalty kick or two of winning the World Cup last time out.

Trappatoni will have his side well drilled, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him settle for a scoreless first leg in Dublin and then look to take his chances with an away-goal in the return leg in Paris. However, even without Franck Ribéry, who’s out with injury, they have enough up front to trouble the Irish—and crucially—have finally started scoring again. Their options up front are plentiful with Henry, Anelka, Benzema and Gignac, not to mention Yoann Gourcuff pulling the strings in behind them.

In this matchup, I’m tempted to go for Shay Given as Ireland’s best player will almost certainly need to be on top form over the two legs if they are to progress. However, I’m going to go for our old friend Raymond Domenech. His defensive tendencies of forever operating with two holding midfielders will be matched or outdone by Trappatoni so it will be key to see who he names in attack.

Andre-Pierre Gignac of Toulouse came up with the goals late in the campaign, but it will be interesting to see if he keeps his place in the team as well as Henry and Anelka or whether Domenech opts for the big name in Karim Benzema, who himself has something of a point to prove having been recently outspoken about his lack of effort and desire when representing the national side.

(SS) France has immense quality and even though they are quite shaky in defense of late, I’d back them to get the better of Ireland.

More importantly, with the second leg at home, Les Blues shouldn’t have too much to worry about.

(SZ) No matchup has been more discussed than Ireland vs. France. The Irish hate the thought of a seeded playoff. The French can't put it together, and a number of players are out (Clichy, Viera, Ribery, and Nasri). But on paper, there is no doubt that France is the superior team. Raymond Domench just has so many options to choose from up front. But on the opposite side of the French, the Irish play incredible football as a unit and have not lost in qualifying. And as we've all seen in the Champions League, an inspired defense can stifle a potent offense. The Irish advance.

A failure to reach the World Cup could be the final knockout punch in Raymond Domench's tenure as manager. As the runner-up from 2006, the expectations on the French is astronomical. And if the team is not playing up to its potential, the home crowd will not hesitate to let Domench hear about it. 

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I would like to thank all five of our writers, who have taken the time to help contribute to this roundtable, as I deeply appreciate what they have done.

Now that you have heard what these writers have predicted, what do you, the reader, think about these predictions? Please do not hesitate to comment on what you think will happen.

And finally, let the playoffs begin!