05/12/2003

Northern Ireland await World Cup qualifying fate

Manager-less Northern Ireland were waiting with bated breath on Friday as the draw for the qualifying series of the 2006 World Cup in Germany was set to take place.

Without a win or goal during their entire Euro 2004 qualifiers, the men in green know that no matter what draw they get from Frankfurt's Festhalle on Friday, it's going to be an uphill struggle to qualify.

However, for IFA President Jim Boyce the chance of an all British and Irish group would be welcome. Northern Ireland are in pot 5 while England, Scotland and Wales are in groups 1,3 and 4 respectively. The Republic of Ireland could be another addition as they await their fate in pot 2.

Today's draw, which will be made by six-time Formula One world champion Michael Schumacher and Italian referee Pierluigi Collina, who was in charge of the 2002 World Cup final, commences at 4pm GMT.

A total of 198 countries from across the world will compete for the right to be one of the 32 teams taking part in the World Cup finals in June and July 2006.

(MB)

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