AFTER BELGIUM’S 4-3 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina 4-3 in their penultimate World Cup qualifier earlier, all focus turned to Cyprus and Greece.
If Greece failed to win, then Ireland’s fate would have been in their own hands when they face Wales on Monday.
That’s not the case however as Greece moved into second place in Group H with a come-from-behind 2-1 victory in Cyprus.
FC Copenhagen striker Pieros Sotiriou put Cyprus ahead early on — and had Ireland fans cheering — as they looked for a win to maintain hopes of a play-off place, but two goals in three first-half minutes from Kostas Mitroglou and Alexandros Tziolis sent Greece two points clear of Bosnia.
Michael Skibbe’s side are almost certain to finish second as they host pointless Gibraltar in their last game on Tuesday, although they could still miss out on the play-offs as the worst second-placed team.
So what now?
If Ireland beat Wales on Monday, and Greece beat Gibraltar the next day, both sides finish on 13 points. Greece however, will likely have a superior goal difference.
Elsewhere, a win or a draw for Slovenia against Scotland tomorrow would see the Martin O’Neill’s side get a play-off position– so all eyes turn to that.
A draw between Ukraine and Croatia, along with a win over Wales would also see play-offs reached.
- Additional reporting from AFP
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