“Home” Nations Switcheroo

What a turnaround for the UK and Ireland teams in last night’s World Cup qualifiers. They all kicked off at various times between 7.30pm and 8pm but at 8.45 all was looking good the scores were

Serbia 0 Scotland 0
Northern Ireland 0 Israel 0
Wales 1 Croatia 0
Republic of Ireland 2 Austria 1
Montenegro 0 England 1
So up in 3 and drawing in 2 a pretty good show all round but an hour later at 9.45 it had all gone pear shaped and the scores were

Serbia 2 Scotland 0
Northern Ireland 0 Israel 2
Wales 1 Croatia 2
Republic of Ireland 2 Austria 2
Montenegro 1 England 1

So from winning 3 drawing 2 it had turned into losing 3 drawing 2.

How come well the simple answer is none of the 5 UK and Ireland teams scored in the second half and that is going to hurt. Scotland cannot now qualify and realistically only England can now win their group all the others have to hope for a playoff spot. It’s a shame because what a World Cup to go to. England may be the home of football but Brazil must be its holiday home and it would have been great to see more of our teams there. The more the merrier as far as us bookies go because turnover will be up the more of our “home” nations qualify.