So you think the Irish soccer team can't qualify for the European championship because they are 4th in their group, 6 points off 2nd place with 1 match left.
Think again...
There are play off spots reserved based on League of Nations rankings.
Ireland is ranked ahead of Greece but behind the Netherlands.
If Greece finish 2nd, Netherlands get the playoff spot ahead of us.
If Netherlands finish 2nd, Ireland gets the playoff spot ahead of Greece.
So this presents a doubt for the Irish team... they don't really want to win v the Dutch. A Dutch win that gives them 2nd place is more likely to put Ireland into the playoffs. So... do they play to win* or lose?
* A remote possibility even if we did try
Think again...
There are play off spots reserved based on League of Nations rankings.
Ireland is ranked ahead of Greece but behind the Netherlands.
If Greece finish 2nd, Netherlands get the playoff spot ahead of us.
If Netherlands finish 2nd, Ireland gets the playoff spot ahead of Greece.
So this presents a doubt for the Irish team... they don't really want to win v the Dutch. A Dutch win that gives them 2nd place is more likely to put Ireland into the playoffs. So... do they play to win* or lose?
* A remote possibility even if we did try