Greek tragedy may help Ireland’s fate in play-off seeding

LATVIA’S visit to Greece next weekend could yet transform the Republic of Ireland into top seeds for the World Cup play-offs in November.

The Group Two clash in Athens on Saturday week has emerged as a key piece in the moving jigsaw that is the Europe Zone qualifying competition, following FIFA’s decision on Tuesday to seed the eight best runners-up according to their Official World Ranking for the play-off draw on October 19.

Ireland’s sudden interest in the Greece v Latvia match is easily explained. The teams are level, three points behind leaders Switzerland with two matches to play. Greece are ahead on goal difference.