Germany, Poland head to Euro 2016

Only a superior goal difference saw Portugal top their qualifying group ahead of Ireland, who were plunged into the play-offs again despite taking four points off Holland.

Poland’s team celebrate after they won the Euro 2016 Group D qualifying soccer match between Pol …

Only the Hoolahan and Martin O’Neill can be sure of the circumstances surrounding his omission from the starting line-up in Warsaw but it was hardly surprising Ireland lacked creativity and inventiveness with the Norwich man sitting on the bench.

Ireland must hope for more forgiving opponents in Sunday’s play-off draw.

Poland were all over Ireland to begin the second half, and the Irish seemed ill-equipped to deal with the pressure, sending a number of poor passes out of bounds. It was a carrot dangling in front of them that was worth the risk of over-extending themselves.

For O’Neill, next month’s play-off lottery will determine his legacy as he seeks to follow Jack Charlton, Mick McCarthy and Giovanni Trapattoni and lead Ireland to a major final.

Because if they are going to show the whole world their moves, then they better be at least quite good at it.

Poland still continued to look the more direct team after the break with Ireland giving the ball away cheaply which limited any attacking opportunities. He brings out the best in other players around him, but the midfield as a whole really didn’t function well enough to play to his strengths. It sprinkled magic on the previously mundane and had raised expectations levels accordingly.

After wasting a host of early chances, Joachim Low’s side were becoming frustrated after Jaba Kankava cancelled out a Thomas Muller penalty with a stunning strike. Randolph did not even see it until it was in the bottom corner. Michal Pazdan went in high on Long, and the official didn’t hesitate for one second, pointing directly for the penalty spot.

Whether the foul was just inside, or outside, the area was debatable, but Jonathan Walters’ spot kick was decisive, slotted beyond Lukasz Fabianski’s dive.

It is understood funding will reflect the overall increase in revenue and there has been speculation that the basic participation fee could rise by as much as €4 million. Ireland were pushed deeper and deeper.

“And the competition will grow from 16 teams to 24 teams, which means the competition becomes interesting and relevant in eight additional markets”.

Robert Lewandowski bulleted home a header three minutes before half-time – his 15 goal in six games – and the visitors could not find the equaliser that would have sent them to France. In-form striker Lewandowski was watched closely, and the Irish defence wasn’t afraid to get physical with the Bayern Munich star in order to limit his space.

After Ireland’s win over Germany last Thursday, the German boss Joachim Low made references to the Ireland’s long ball game.