By the "Home Nations" i refer to the ROI,Scotland,Wales and Northern Ireland.
The ROI by qualifying for the WC Finals in 2002 were the last of these teams to actually play in the finals of a major tournament.
Next is Scotland who last got to the finals of a tournament (WCup) in 1998.
Its even worse for the North and Wales. 1986 for NIreland and all the way back to 1958 for Wales.
Why is this?? Its not like Football is no longer a popular sport in these islands.
And already with a few matches left to still be played the ROI are the only side who have a realistic chance of actually qualifying for EURO 2012. That said if we lose tomorrow and Slovakia win its going to be some ask to even make the play offs!!!!
Scotland , NIreland and Wales are all out of the picture in terms of even making the play-offs already!! Sad state of affairs for all Football lovers in Ireland and Britain.
"Home Nations" Qualifying records
posted on 5/9/11
The good news is UEFA have increased the format to 24 teams at the finals, if Scot/ROI still fails to qualify then I'd be speechless. Wales and NI can be excused for their smaller populations.
Scotland's qualifying record is shocking for a nation of 5m+.
posted on 5/9/11
The North are still in with a shout of qualifying. The reason is that none of us are producing enough technially gifted players. Also our manager is not helping us with his bizzare team selections and tactics.
posted on 5/9/11
"Scotland's qualifying record is shocking for a nation of 5m+."
We qualified for 8 of the first 12 world cups we entered. That's a very good record for a nation of 5million. Our recent record is very poor.
posted on 5/9/11
For Ireland to qualify for any major tournament is brillant considering soccer is only the third most played sport on the island.
posted on 6/9/11
Yeah all the nations have a poor record and realistically only Scotland and Ireland will ever have a chance of qualifying for any tournament!
posted on 6/9/11
Agree 100% . That said the Welsh seem to be improving but they are a long way off being good enough to qualify