LONDON, 6 September 2005 — The log jam in Group Four of European qualifying for the 2006 World Cup could be eased tomorrow when Ireland face France in one of the juiciest of the night’s 24 games.
The 1998 world and 2000 European champions are involved in a four-way battle of attrition with the Irish, Switzerland and Israel, where every game between the four has been drawn.
The result is that with seven games gone - eight for Israel - only one point divides the four with Switzerland, Ireland and France on 13 and Israel on 12.
France have steadied their ship in recent games, helped enormously by the return from retirement of Zinedine Zidane, and warmed up for tomorrow with a 3-0 home win over the Faroe Islands.
Coach Raymond Domenech said he began shuffling his team midway through the Faroes game with an eye on Dublin, including taking off Zidane, and remains wary of the Irish, who he says can now play a more patient, continental style.
France have not lost an away World Cup or European championship qualifier for 13 years, a run of 20 games, and will need to keep that form up not only in Dublin but in their next game against the Swiss, who play Cyprus on tomorrow.
Israel, seeking their second appearance in the finals after their sole showing in 1970, have two games left, both against the Faroe Islands, and can put themselves in a strong position with two wins, starting in Torshavn on tomorrow.
The night’s other stand-out clash takes place in Madrid where Spain take on Group Seven leaders Serbia & Montenegro.
The Balkan side lead the way with 15 points from their seven games in which they have yet to concede a goal, with Spain second on 13.
A draw would suit the visitors, who can then win the group with victories over Lithuania and Bosnia, while Spain are likely to need victory to avoid having to face the playoffs.
Ukraine are the only European team to qualify so far, joining Germany as hosts, so they can sit back and enjoy their home Group Two game against Turkey.
Turkey conceded a last-minute equalizer to Denmark on Saturday for a 2-2 draw that sent Ukraine through and moved qualification out of their own hands.
The Danes, at home to Georgia and European champions Greece, away to Kazakhstan, are still in the hunt for second place with the Denmark v Greece game next month likely to be decisive.
The Netherlands are assured of at least second and a place in the playoffs from Group One and will strengthen their position at home to Andorra on tomorrow.
Romania’s 2-0 win over the Czech Republic has opened things up behind them but the Czechs should get back on track at home to Armenia and remain the likely runners-up.
Poland and England also look well set for the finals, with both fancying their chances of at least securing one of the two best runners-up berths that earns an automatic slot.
Poland lead the way on 21 points from eight Group Six games and will move to 24 if they beat Wales in Warsaw.
The best runners-up places are determined by results against teams finishing first, third, fourth and fifth in the group.
England will stay two points behind with a game in hand if they beat neighbors Northern Ireland in Belfast and a win against Austria next month would have them home and dry even before the final showdown with Poland.
The same situation applies in Group Eight where Croatia and Sweden have strong records against the teams that matter and could both advance, whatever happens when they meet next month
