Remaining fixtures:
Germany v Georgia
Gibraltar v Scotland
Poland v Ireland
THE PICTURE IN Group D is much clearer following last night’s results.
One point now separates the top three sides while Scotland can no longer qualify.
Despite losing, Germany need just a point against Georgia to confirm their automatic qualification, while three points would guarantee them first spot.
Consequently, the second-place automatic qualifying spot is likely to be between Poland and Ireland, who meet in the final group game on Sunday.
Poland’s late equaliser against Scotland means they are in pole position (no pun intended) to take second spot in the group.
A win or a low-scoring draw would be good enough for the Poles to progress at Ireland’s expense.
With head-to-head coming into play and Ireland drawing the home encounter 1-1, it’s effectively an away goals-type scenario. So if Ireland get a high-scoring draw in Warsaw (e.g. 2-2 or higher), they will qualify automatically.
Of course, Ireland could also qualify with a low-scoring draw in the unthinkable scenario of Georgia winning in Germany. It’s highly unlikely, but after tonight’s action, anything seems possible.
