MX23RW : Saturday, October 5 12:06:59| >> :600:331141:331141:

Martin O'Neill: World Cup qualifying draw "could have been worse"

Republic of Ireland boss Martin O'Neill admits that his side's draw in Group D for their 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign was "okay".

Republic of Ireland boss Martin O'Neill has revealed that he was satisfied with his side's draw for their 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign.

O'Neill's men will face Wales, Serbia, Austria - who were all seeded higher in the draw - in Group D along with Moldova and Georgia, leaving them with a tough challenge to finish in the top two to secure a place in the competition in Russia.

However, the 63-year-old has conceded that the draw could have been worse for his team

"I must admit, I was a wee bit concerned when Serbia came out after us," O'Neill told Sky Sports News. "I thought that would leave the top two teams pretty difficult.

"Austria are on a very good run at this moment, and obviously Wales have propelled themselves forward brilliantly recently.

"But overall, it's a draw we think is okay. It could have been worse, it could have been a lot better."

Ireland last qualified for the World Cup in 2002.

ID:235450: cacheID:235450:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:1947:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Republic of Ireland's striker Robbie Keane celebrates after scoring his team's second goal during a UEFA 2016 European Championship qualifing football match against Gibraltar on October 11, 2014
Read Next:
Aldridge fears for ageing Ireland
>
Read more about Martin O'Neill Football
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool65011221015
2Manchester CityMan City6420146814
3Arsenal6420125714
4Chelsea6411157813
5Aston Villa6411129313
6Fulham632185311
7Newcastle UnitedNewcastle632187111
8Tottenham HotspurSpurs6312125710
9Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton623110829
10Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest62316519
11Bournemouth622289-18
12Brentford6213810-27
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd621358-37
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham6123610-45
15Ipswich TownIpswich6042510-54
16Everton6114715-84
17Leicester CityLeicester6033812-43
18Crystal Palace603359-43
19Southampton6015312-91
20Wolverhampton WanderersWolves6015616-101


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!