Originally Posted by
the other bob wilson
I can remember having to listen a game between Yugoslavia v Bulgaria in 1983 where the winner would qualify for the 84 Euros, while Wales would go through if it was a draw. It was 2-2 in added time, but, even then, I wasn't getting too excited because it was pretty obvious that someone was going to score because the game had become like basketball as it swung from end to end with a couple more attackers than defenders each time. In the end, it was Yugoslavia who scored and Wales had yet another of those close misses that we specialised in for nearly sixty years - in many ways, it was the closest we got to qualifying for a Finals tournament between 1958 to 2016, but all logic told you it wasn't going to happen.
Normally I'd say there was a good chance of tonight's game finishing 0-0, because we're talking about two well matched teams who aren't exactly free scoring, but the Republic are in the sort of position where a score that they'd normally be quite pleased with does them no good at all. If they get a corner in added time with the game all square, I can see their keeper coming up for it and so there'd be a great chance for Wales to break and score if they dealtwith the corner.
Wales are in a slightly different position because a draw might be enough for them under some circumstances, but it would be a very dangerous policy for them to play for a draw based on news that the latest score between Ukraine and Croatia in Kiev was 0-0, because that match would then become like that one in Yugoslavia thirty four years ago - I'll be very surprised if either game finishes 0-0, in fact, I'd say it's unlikely either of them will end in a draw.
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