The Republic of Ireland's final qualifying game in Group Eight against Macedonia at Skopje has been brought forward 24 hours to Saturday, October 9th. The decision by UEFA was not unexpected, as is ensures that all the matches which have a bearing on the final qualifying table are played simultaneously.
This is particularly relevant in establishing the best second-placed team which will gain automatic entry to the finals. Other countries who finish as runners-up in their groups will go into the four, home-and-away play-offs.
The game was one of only a handful around Europe scheduled for October 10th, so it was always likely to be rescheduled after last Wednesday's results had invested it with additional importance. It will start at the same time, 7.30 p.m. (local), as the other game in the group which pits Croatia against Yugoslavia at Zagreb. A Yugoslav victory would see them qualify as group winners. Anything less would leave Ireland topping the table - if they win in Skopje. The more surprising part of yesterday's UEFA statement was that the game in Skopje would have an evening kick-off. In the past, all competitive international games in Macedonia were staged in the afternoon because the floodlighting systems at the major grounds did not meet the requirements for international television coverage.
The Maksimir Stadium in Zagreb, currently being reconstructed, complies with those standards, and rather than victimise the Croatians by insisting on an afternoon start, UEFA have, it seems, chosen to turn a blind eye to the limitations of the national stadium in Skopje.
"UEFA have just completed an inspection of the ground in Skopje and have deemed that the floodlights are now up to the required standard," said Bernard O'Byrne, the FAI chief executive.
"We had no particular preferences as to the day or the time of the game. Our concern was that it should be played simultaneously with the one between Croatia and Yugoslavia in Belgrade."
The switch averts a television clash for the Irish sporting public. A Sunday afternoon game would have clashed with the Ireland-Australia World Cup rugby game at Lansdowne Road.
