September 7th, 2006
Poor San Marino, Ireland take heed
Oh dear. Poor San Marino have been hockeyed 13-0 by Germany in their Euro 2008 qualifier. Podolski, one half of their World Cup scoring duo (with Klose), knocked in four. In one way, the result makes Ireland’s 1-0 loss last Saturday seem very dignified; in another it puts the fear of God in me about the home game while giving me hope that Ireland can actually score more than three goals in the same game against SM . (Imagine an Irish goalfest? I’ve never seen one). Still, it must leave San Marino - an enclave totally surrounded by the country that won this year’s World Cup - wishing that some of the footballing adroitness of their neighbours had rubbed off on them.
September 7th, 2006 at 10:01 am
I might be wrong but I think Podolski actually got FIVE! Italy’s fortunes haven’t been in great stock either, France were magnifique last night in their 3-1 revenge over the World Champions. Ireland can’t be excused of having a World Cup hangover like Italy however, let’s hope they put things right in Cyprus.
September 7th, 2006 at 11:12 am
thank god goal difference against the bottom team in the group won’t count in the event of ties on points etc. we’ll still only beat them 1-0