FAI are confident of being top seeds

THE FAI last night expressed confidence the Republic ofIreland will be among the top seeds designated by UEFA today for the Euro 2012 play-off draw in Krakow tomorrow.

The FAI tweeted that Portugal, Croatia and the Czech Republic would join Ireland in the top pot, with Bosnia and Herzegovina,Estonia, Montenegro and Turkey as second seeds.

If the FAI is proved correct, it will open up a possible first-ever meeting with Bosnia andHerzegovina, who nearly snatched an automatic qualifying place from France in Paris last night.

Estonia, who finished second in Group C despite losing to the Faroe Islands, have been beaten twice by Ireland (a pair of 2-0defeats in the 2002 World Cup qualifying campaign).

The current team, managed by Tarmo Ruutli, lost twice against Italy but won 3-1 away to Serbia and took six points against Northern Ireland.

Montenegro, who held Ireland to two 0-0 draws in the 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign, held off Switzerland in Group G to finish runners-up to England. Turkey, coached by Dutch master Guus Hiddink, beat Ireland in a Euro 2000 play-off.

But the Turks have only scored one win in 12 matches against the Irish, who have five victories and six draws to their credit.

The draw will take place at noon tomorrow, with Polishlegend Zibigniew Boniek among those taking part. It remains to be decided whether the top seeds will have home advantage for the second leg matches.