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World Cup 2018: Northern Ireland to face Switzerland, Republic draw Denmark

James McClean’s goal against Wales earned Ireland their place in the play-offs
James McClean’s goal against Wales earned Ireland their place in the play-offs

World Cup Play-off draw at 1pm

Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland avoided Italy in the World Cup play-offs.

Michael O’Neill’s side were drawn against Switzerland in Zurich, with Martin O’Neill’s Republic having to face Denmark for a place in Russia next year.

Draw in full

Northern Ireland v Switzerland

Denmark v Republic of Ireland

Croatia v Greece

Sweden v Italy

The reactions are trickling in.

Republic of Ireland manager Martin O’Neill: ‘Naturally, we’re just pleased to be in the draw. Being unseeded means it was always going to be a difficult tie. We’re delighted to be in it.

‘I know the Denmark manager, we used to play together. It will be an interesting confrontation.

‘If you ask most coaches, you want the second game at home. But with the rules like extra time, it gives the away team that chance to score in 120 minutes.

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‘We have momentum and that’s important. We won last two games to get here. I’m now concerned with the next couple of weeks and making sure my players don’t get injuries at club level.’

Northern Ireland boss Michael O’Neill: “It was interesting to be the first team out. We knew it was going to be difficult. They’ve had a good campaign, but we have a big opportunity to get to Russia.

‘We know we’ll have to be at our best but we believe we’re good enough to do that.

‘The most important thing is we don’t concede an away goal. We’ll be prepared for Belfast. We’ve only lost one game there in four years.’

Tough

Sweden coach Janne Andersson said ‘It’s two tough games but it would have been the same with other countries. I’m happy we know now. Now we can start work.

‘I haven’t thought so much about Italy. I haven’t put too much energy in to it. Their history is good, they’ve got good experience. We will go for it.’

Greece coach Michael Skibbe:We are happy to reach these matches. Now we are looking to Croatia. They are a tough team who are doing well. They are offensive but we are good defensively.’

Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic: ‘I have a big respect for our opponent. It will be a difficult job. I trust my team and I hope we do a good job. We have enough time to prepare. I hope everyone will be ready and healthy. It’s a big game but I’m optimistic.

‘For me, I have the best team. Now we can fight for the World Cup.’

The draw as it unfolds…

First team out:

Northern Ireland v Switzerland

Next…

Croatia v Greece

Next…

Denmark v Republic of Ireland

Finally…

Sweden v Italy

1.05pm: Former Spain skipper Fernando Hierro steps up to start the draw…

There are three pots… the seeded teams (1), remaining teams (2) and another one for some reason. Confusing.

1.03pm: A collage of the eight teams involved in underway. It doesn’t involve some big countries like Holland, and both Scotland and Wales fell short.

1pm: There is activity in Zurich… the proceedings are underway.

Vanessa Huppenkothen is the draw host
Vanessa Huppenkothen is the draw host

12.59pm: Italy are the strongest country at this stage having actually won the World Cup four times. In fact, they are the only previous winners in the play-offs, although Sweden did reach the 1958 final – in their own country.

There are nine place left to complete the the full complement of 32.

Four from Europe, three from Africa, plus two there’s two pan-continental play-offs: Australia v Honduras and New Zealand v Peru.

12.45pm: Mexican presenter Vanessa Huppenkothen will host the event, with Fernando Hierro carrying out the draw itself. Four two-legged ties will be played, with the first leg taking place between 9 and 11 November and the return between 12 and 14 of the same month.

12.30pm: So the waiting is almost over – the last eight teams in Europe with a chance of qualifying for next year’s World Cup finals in Russia will know their fates.

The draw for the ‘loser’s finals’ as they are known in Germany will kick-off at 1pm in Zurich, Switzerland.

There are four seeded teams – Denmark, Switzerland, Croatia and Italy – and four unseeded teams in Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland, Sweden and Greece.

So we cannot get an all-Ireland play-off – but on the plus, both COULD still qualify.

The first team drawn for each of the ties will be at home first.

Simple…