HellasLEAF

Very tough draw. I hope they show well and they are all beatable, but my money is on Europa birth at best.

Yup. The last time around our high seed drew a favourable opponent and we went through. So difficult to make world cup out of Europe. All this hoping to grab second and we will have to get lucky in the draw to avoid big nations should we get the spot. Looking forward to the expanding of the tournament, it's long overdue for European countries.

Belgium without KDB and Hazard were toothless, did not impress at all really. Thought we contained them handily actually. I really think this is a winnable game the NT have their confidence again to play well in tough matches.

Home to Estonia is the perfect match to give Donis a start. I think he gives us something in attack we are sorely lacking right now even though he is very young. May as well get on board now and get him some experience he is part of the future. Mantalos or Bakasetas take a seat.

Completely agree about Zeca and Staf. Staf has really turned himself into an impressive player. Dominant really on the left side. Zeca impressed. Full of energy and good decision making. Back line was solid. Mantalos looked disinterested from first kick of the ball. Talented player but only suited for central role. Fortounis also did not impress at all. Mitro made good touches with his limited action.

Big result from us. Greece mostly contained them. A couple scattered chances. Truth is the Mantalos miss and the cross from Mitro to I'm not sure who were the biggest chances! Could have walked away with the 3 points here real shame...

Shocking by Mantalos. Very poor. Major moment that one too bad wasn't Mitro shooting would have for sure scored.

Fortounis wasting 3 straight corner ffs. Amateur stuff

Not impressed by Bosnia. Only a mistake will undue us. Two by Tziolara already. Really wish it was Taxi in that position.

Not sure what to make of this match. Before Belgium I'd have assumed a 1 or 2 goal loss. But this group played Belgium pretty tough away and was impressed (at least defensively). They have some of their backbone again. Hoping for a draw myself. 1 - 1 is my prediction.

Please. This was the best, most even ref I have ever seen. This guy was Greek today. Seriously. Bailed us out time and again.

This will be our toughest match of the season. And very key losses from our team for me important players, advantage a bit to Bosnia playing at home in hostile atmosphere. In truth Greece will be mild mannered compared imo but we'll see. Regardless. Even if we lose that one. Keep it a close score and realistically will be a coin flip from there who qualifies. We can beat Belgium at home I am not impressed by them.

Taxi was a beast today. He should be nailed on to the endekada my goodness. Skibbe definitely got the right team today. My criticism of him is a couple of guys on yellows, should have subbed sooner they were always likely to foul again. That cost us the win we had them pretty much completely contained. Looked toothless without KDB and Haz. Was not impressed by them. Should have won the game actually. Great strike by Mitroglou and they barely had any real chances at home. Either very poor or well contained. Seriously. Kapino made a couple saves. That was it, D and defensive D for me was very good considering. Well done Ellathara, criminal not to come away with the 3 points. Should have really anticipated that fault to Skibbe.

The ref never should have given second yellow for that dive. But still he did very well today called a pretty even match.

Fantastic result considering. The team showed up to play today.

They should sub Mitro out he has done his job. Put in another mid

Damn. Will be missing key players for Bosnia

How can you expect good officiating with all this diving. Guys flopping all over the place. Was not a yellow. Pathetic.

We are playing them tough. Bravo Boys!!

Should be yellow for simulation.

Honestly so far so good.

So this game is finally about here. I have to say I have never been optimistic about it. For me this was always the sure loss on the schedule. The team's performance has been up and down, despite place in the standings, not filling me with much confidence. Don't think we lose big but they will do enough at home to beat us imo. I hope play tough and make a solid goal diff and who knows maybe even miracle out a draw.

What does that matter now. Those were different teams and different times. It's irrelevant. If you watched the game they were clearly the more polished team all around, and that was with us playing at home. Will be more difficult there. Still, we could have won the game, because we are hard to breakdown. And can score unpredictably. But, there is definitely a quality missing in the midfield at the moment and it will be out undoing in the end, despite 90+ minute heroics. Skibbe needs to figure this out and hopefully a healthy Manolas next time.

I've shortened the reply. Solid review I agree with much of what was said. The basic issue being the inability to connect to and hold the midfield, our biggest weakness. But a weakness of our own doing. Defensively, guild-edge chances they had few. A few changes and the team can be much better. Bosnia looked like a strong team, tough to break down. We got swallowed up in the midfield and beaten repeatedly in the air. Our defenders could win headers, but no one else. Once the ball went into the midfield was all so predictable and touches so poor they would immediately apply pressure and cough up the ball in short order either right away or after one-two passes, which were also under big pressure. In truth, their control touch and ball movement was far superior. Much more together like a team. Once we gave the ball up, it was a struggle to even get it back. And we gave it away all too easily. This team will surely lose in Bosnia I fear. Skibbe tactics and selection has gotten us this far, but it will not be enough in the long run in the tougher matches to come. Best case is a draw if they really park the bus.

By goodness the doom and gloom in this thread. Some of it justified, but who cares about the Belarus game it was not even the real starting team. We don't have the depth to do that and expect victory. I am honestly not certain either way about the Bosnia game but I DO know they will show up ready to play and have a more serious mentality.