It was defenitly a night of ups and downs for the home nations in qualifiying. The Republic of Ireland took an early lead against Bulgaria threw Richard Dunne in the first minute but honurs were evan at Crooke park after Kevin Kilbane put threw his own net
The three poins would of seen Ireland level on points with World champions Italy, Ireland travel to Trappertoni’s home land on wednesday looking for anything but a defeat as Bulgaria face Cyprus at home. The Republic look set to be in a healthy position halfway through Group 8. Cyprus beat Georgia at home to see them go level with Bulgaria which leaves Georgia bottom with two points. Italy extended their lead at the top with a 2-0 victory over Montenegro with a Pirlo penalty and Pazzinion the score sheet.
Portugal diddnt take their chance to close the gap in group 1 with a 0-0 draw with Sweeden at home. Portugal now trail Hungary by four points. Torghelle gave Hungary all three points against Albania who now are level on points with Denmark having played a game more. Hungary looking to emulate the wunder team of the 50′s. Denmark strolled to a 3-0 victory in malta with two goals from Larsen. Portugal might start to be getting a little worried seeing as their next came comes in June against Albania. The top two will look to extend their lead on April 1′st with games against Albania and Malta respectivly.
Still all to play for in Group 2, Greece lead the wy as things stand only by goal difference who were held by Israil to a 1-1 draw. Switzerland closing the gap with a 2-0 win over Moldova. Latvia crused to a 4-0 win away to Luxemburg. Greece – Israil being the pick of the games on wed only a point in it in a first v third clash.
Result of the weekend goes to Nothern Ireland beating Poland 3-2 at Windsor park. Take nothing away from Nigel Worrthington’s men they played extremly well but the cause has to be said was helped by some woeful Polish defending. Feeney gave Northern Ireland the lead in just ten mins, Zewlakow putting threw his own net to make it 3-1 after the hour a Polish fight back came to late in stoppage time for any hope of shared points. Northern Ireland go top having played two more games than Slovakia but having seen the Slovak’s against England a dream may at one stage become a reality at Windsor park. Slovenia are the visitors on wed for Nigel Worthington’s side. Czech rep. were held 0-0 at Slovenia.
Germany ere two up inside eight minutes with a wonder strike from Michael Ballack, the German’s finished up 4-0 victors over Liechtenstein the other goals courtesy of Jansen, Schwinstegier and Podolski. The Germans look set for another World cup qualifacation they travel to Cardiff on wednesday to face Wales. Woeful was Craig Bellamy’s words to sum up Wales 2-0 defeat to Finland, it was a must win for the welsh who now trail Russia by 3 points having played a game more. Goal’s came from Johanssen and Kuqi who was only on the pitch for a minute. Guus Hiddink continues to multi task well, a 2-0 victory over Azerbajian, Pavlyuchenko and Zyrainov were the goalscores.
Spain continue to dominate group 5, 15 points looking worthey of their best team in Europe crown. A single goal on the hour from Gerrard Pique against Turkey was the deciding factor, Pique understanding his fellow country men more than sir Alex Fergerson. Bosnia moved ahead of Turkey with a 4-2 win over Belgium Wesley Sonck giving the home team a little more pride with an 89 min penalty. The corresponding fixtures for wednesday are reversed from this weekend. Spain will look not to be intimidated in Turkey.
England and Fabio Cappello will look to retain their 100 percent record at wembly against Ukraine England already having won 4 from 4. David Beckham looks for cap 110 but an issue of injured strikers will surely play on cappellos mind. Croatia face Andora and Belarus host Kazakhstan.
France’s 1-0 victory over Lithuana was more than needed Frank Ribery got the goal for Les Blues, they can overtake Lithuana with another win on wednesday they are currently seperated by two points, Lithuana having played a game more. Serbia extended their lead at the top with a 3-2 victory in Romania Stoica being the unlucky victim putting threw his own net for the Romanian’s. Stocia later spared his own blushes by putting threw the right net his goal comming to late to spark Romania back in to life. Austria face Romania in a must win for either side to stay in touch.
It looks to be fight for second place in group 9. The Dutch look unstopable with four wins out of four. They put the scottish to the sword with a 3-0 win at home. Hunteller, Van persie and Dirk Kuyt from the spot gave Holland all three poins. The closeest challenger is Iceland in second on goal difference a massive eight poins behind already a healthy gap made by the Duthch even at this stage. Holland will surley extend their lead against Macedonia on Wednesday. Scotland face a must win against Iceland at Hampden anything else will surley leave George Burley planning for Euro 2012.
