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After Tonight's Results, Here's How Ireland Can Still Finish Top Of Group D

Arthur James O'Dea
By Arthur James O'Dea
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Although it seemed like Ireland needed (or wanted, anyway) a positive result for Georgia against Wales in this evening's early kick-off, it didn't truly matter.

With both sides picking up unnecessarily nervy wins ahead of Monday night's decider in Cardiff, it was Austria's result at home to Serbia that has really livened things up.

Having taken an early lead through Luka Milivojevic, Serbia looked set to extend Austria's disastrous qualifying campaign.

Yet, yet, after equalising through Guido Burgstaller shortly after, Austria then took the lead - Marko Arnautovic putting them ahead in Vienna.

Just when people began to get excited however, the inevitable happened.

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At 2-1, the top 3 of Group D (Serbia, Wales & Ireland) would only have been separated by 2 points. Theoretically, Ireland could, could still have topped the group and qualify automatically for the World Cup.

All that went up in smoke however when Serbia's Nemanja Matic grabbed an equaliser for the visitors 7 minutes later.

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Barring a Serbia loss on Monday and an absolute hammering of Wales by Ireland, top spot was off the table once more.

Yet, yet (again), on the 89th minute, Rapid Vienna's Louis Schaub popped up with a winner for the hosts.

If Serbia somehow manage to lose at home to Georgia on Monday, and Ireland overcome the Welsh in Cardiff, qualification for Russia 2018 will be automatic.

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How Martin O'Neill would have loved that extra caveat while justifying his continued presence yesterday evening.

See Also: Watch: Ronnie Whelan Nicely Sums Up The Aviva's Rousing Tribute To Jimmy Magee

 

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