We can’t wait to see how this plays out. Fingers crossed for two draws
So much happened in Italia ’90 that the fact we had to draw lots to see who finished second and who finished third in our group has almost fallen by the wayside. Let’s face it, nothing is going to beat Kevin Sheedy’s goal or THAT penalty shoot out in our collective memories, so a sprightly and youthful Sepp Blatter pulling our name from a bowl never stood a chance.
Ireland were in Group F with, of course, England, Holland and Egypt in Italy that magic summer. After two rounds of games, all the teams had identical records , right down to goals scored, conceded, points. In the final game, Ireland drew again, this time with Holland. England’s win over Egypt put them top of the group and Ireland and Holland were tied on every available metric.
Both teams had progressed so a draw had to be made to see who finished where and who would play who. Here it is, hosted by Blatter with George Hamilton on commentary. By the standards of modern football draws, it is a very speedy affair.
Anyway, fast forward almost a quarter of a century (gulp) and a major tournament is facing the same dilemma.
The 2015 Africa Cup of Nations has featured quite a few draws in the group stages but Group D takes the biscuit. Mali, Ivory Coast, Guinea and Cameroon have all played two, drawn two, scored two and conceded two and sit on two points each. The group is a joy to behold.
The final round is tonight (kick-off is at 6pm Irish time) and if the final games, between Mali and Guinea and Ivory Coast and Cameroon, both end in the exact same score, then lots will have to be drawn again to decide all the final placings.
Based on what we have seen so far, this looks highly likely but even if Mali do beat Guinea, as the bookies expect, a draw in the other game would see Ivory Coast and Cameroon having to go to the luck of the draw to decide who goes through.
If a draw does have to take place, it will happen in the post-match press conference and that might just be the most gripping bit of sporting TV all year. Don’t miss it.
