What does the result leave the Republic of Ireland needing to do in order to qualify for World Cup 2018?
How does qualifying work?
The winners of the nine groups will automatically qualify for Russia. The eight best second-placed teams will be drawn into four two-legged playoffs. The winners of those will join the group winners on the plane to Russia. The ranking of the second-placed teams is made by, in order, highest number of points, goal difference and highest number of goals scored. Results against the last-placed team in the group are also not being counted, so as things stand it doesn't matter if the Republic beat Moldova 25-0 at home on 6th October.
As it stands
What are Ireland's remaining fixtures?
Republic of Ireland vs Austria (11th June)
Georgia vs Republic of Ireland (2nd September)
Republic of Ireland vs Serbia (5th September)
Republic of Ireland v Moldova (6th October)
Wales v Republic of Ireland (9th October)
What Do Ireland Need To Do To Qualify? How Many Points Do We Need?
To win the group
If Serbia win all their remaining games (unlikely), they will be on 26 points. Looking at qualifying for the 2014 World Cup, 22 points was the lowest teams needed to qualify in first place (Spain, who achieved 20 points, were in a group with only five sides). In 2010, 21 points was the lowest tally required for qualification.
To make the play-off
The Republic of Ireland are unlikely to finish ninth out of the qualifiers, so finish second in the group and a play-off spot will probably be theirs. In 2010, 18 points overall saw Ireland just scrape into the qualifying round, in 2014, 17 overall got teams into the second qualifying round.
