Euro Qualifying Summary - Rounds 2&3

Another handful of matches have been played now and things are looking relatively rosy for the Home Nations. 

Starting with England, they picked up 2 wins from the the games they played over the international break, albeit against exceedingly weak opposition. Having defeated minnows San Marino last Wednesday by five goals, fans on Sports Yapper were still critical over the performance. Captain Wayne Rooney moved 6 goals behind Sir Bobby Charlton's record of 49 international goals, and with the group that England have, I reckon it will be beaten within the remaining matches. The matches against Estonia and San Marino have proved that England don't need to play at their best to succeed in this group. Having not conceded a goal with three games down, a clean sheet at the conclusion of the tournament will certainly be on the mind of Roy Hodgson.

The Republic of Ireland's matches both entailed two very different challenges - whether you can call the home match against Gibraltar a challenge is a different argument altogether. Robbie Keane netted an 18 minute hat trick in a compelling 7-0 victory over the minnows. What was most notable about the week's fixtures for the Republic was the last minute equaliser from a new centurian in John O'Shea. Having been a rock in the Irish defence for the last thirteen years, it was fitting that he should be the hero on his 100th cap. Toni Kroos opened the scoring in the second half with a shot that deflected of the post and into the net, before O'Shea tied the game with minutes left on the clock. The Republic of Ireland are sitting pretty in second position behind Poland. With Germany firing blanks, the momentum is currently with the Irish side.

Scotland got their qualifying campaign up and running last Saturday with a less than emphatic victory over Georgia at Ibrox. Throughout the game, the Scots dominated in every facet of the game. The home side had 63% possession and recorded 5/17 shots on target, but it took an own goal from Akaki Khubutia on 28 minutes to separate the sides. The 3 points would stand Gordon Strachan's side in good stead as they travelled to Warsaw on Tuesday to face a side who had beaten the World Champions last time out. Scotland came away from the Polish capital with a well earned point after Arkadiusz Milik levelled for the home side on 76 minutes. After going 1-0 down to a Krzysztof Maczynski finish on 11 minutes, Shaun Maloney equalised before an adroit finish from Steven Naismith put them in the lead. Strachan will be pleased with the points picked up and will look to catch the Ireland, whom they entertain next month.

 

Friday night saw Wales take on a useful Bosnian outfit and where able to come out with a draw which saw them stay at the top of the table, even if it was only for a short time. Each side began the first half with a tentative approach, while the second half was set alight with an onslaught of chances at each end, but neither were able to break the deadlock. Moving onto the game on Monday night where Wales hosted Cyprus, a win would cement them on top of the table ahead of Belgium, and Chris Coleman's boys delivered. This game should have been a lot more comfortable than suggested, particularly as Wales raced into a 2-0 lead inside the opening 25 minutes. Cyprus were able to half the deficit 10 minutes before the break, which gave them optimism for the second period. Midfielder Andy King, received his marching orders after a reckless tackle minutes into the second half, but his side were able to hold onto the three points. 

 

Northern Irish fans have been living in paradise for the last week, with more than convincing victories over the Faroe Islands and Greece. What was particularly impressive about these performances, was the management skills of Michael O'Neill, particularly as he was able to change the tactics up to suit the challenges posed by each nation. Two heartening matches from Kyle Lafferty ensured that he took his goal tally to 3 goals this campaign and was a handful for each set of centre backs. Northern Ireland piled more misery on Greece, a side ranked 57 places higher than their opposition, and some may argue that 2-0 was flattering on the former European Champions. O'Neill has his side well drilled and playing nice football so confidence will not be lacking when they take the trip to Bucharest next month.

I don't know about you, but I'm quite looking forward to the next international break in November, and it throws up some mouth-watering encounters. Northern Ireland travel to Bucharest to take on second placed Romania, while Scotland and Ireland lock horns at Celtic Park. England welcome Slovenia to Wembley and Wales travel to meet Belgium.