Soccer: Ireland play Asian winners in qualifiers

Ireland will face the winner of the Asian Football Confederation play-off should they reach the World Cup qualifying play-offs.

There are currently eight possible candidates, the strongest of whom would be Saudi Arabia and Iran.

2002 FIFA World Cup in Korea and Japan, result of draw for play-offs in preliminary competition:

Play-offs in Europe:

2nd placed Group 6 v 2nd placed Group 3

2nd placed Group 5 v 2nd placed Group 9

2nd placed Group 7 v 2nd placed Group 4

2nd placed Group 1 v 2nd placed Group 8

The first-named team will play the first leg at home.

Dates: First leg: 10/11 November 2001, second leg: 14 November 2001

Play-offs UEFA/Asia

2nd placed UEFA Group 2 v 3rd placed AFC

The first-named team will play the first leg at home.

Dates: First leg: 10 November 2001, second leg: 15 November 2001

Play-offs South America/Oceania

Australia (winner Oceania) v. 5th placed South America

The first-named team will play the first leg at home.

Dates: to be determined.

The play-offs must take place before 25 November 2001, according to article 6.3 of the FIFA Regulations.