Oh dear. England and Scotland both beaten well east of Germany on a dismal European Cup qualifying night . It doesn't bode well for British and Irish football and there's every prospect of of the 2008 European Cup finals being played without any representation from these islands.
In Group D, the Republic of Ireland and Wales are already out. The Irish have gone out a respectable third to Germany and the Czech Republic but they have rallied in recent games. The Welsh, however, are staggering about punch-drunk and you feel it'll take a knock-out blow and some time on the canvass before they have any chance of long-term recovery. John Toshack was considering his options after the Cyprus game and it was hard to escape the conclusion that he feels he has been unable to influence his players and that he has little prospect of improving the situation. Incredibly frustrating for a man with superb playing record and an under-rated manageral career.
In Group F, Northern Ireland can at least hold their heads high after fighting all the way. Along with Denmark, they are likely to lose out to Sweden and Spain who only need one win from two reamining games each to qualify.
England's defeat in Moscow hands the Russians the initiative and they know that a win in Israel against a side who are now out of contention, would leave them needing a victory against no-hopers Andorra to clinch their place. Croatia only need a point from their two remaining games to qualify and one of those is a must win game for England at Wembley. The anti-McLaren brigade will be smelling blood and England do not need the added pressure that the press will now heap upon them.
Scotland meanwhile, were beaten by two good goals in Georgia. This after a great run of results which had put them top of their group containing the World Cup finalists. Their remaining match against Italy at Hampden on 17th November is now a straight qualifier and they must win if their failure to qualify for a major competition is not to be extended to 12 years at least.
Let's all hope that England and/or Scotland can yet make it because next years finals won't be the same without someone to cheer on.
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