61.  In Europe, for instance, there would be nine qualifying groups, from which the group winner and the five best second-placed teams would qualify.

62.  Inzaghi and Del Piero will hope to do better at the World Cup where Italy takes on Chile, Cameroon and Austria in qualifying group B.

63.  Ireland will play the third-place team from the Asian qualifying group in the playoffs.

64.  Ireland defied expectations in its qualifying group by knocking out the Netherlands and finishing level with Portugal, which won the group because of a superior goal difference.

65.  Ireland finished second in its European qualifying group behind Portugal, eliminating the powerhouse Dutch team in the process.

66.  Ireland went undefeated in its World Cup qualifying group, when it finished in second place alongside Portugal and knocked out talent-laden Netherlands.

67.  It currently lies second in its European championship qualifying group, two points behind the Eastern European side.

68.  Ireland, which leads the qualifying group, needs only a draw to guarantee a place in the November playoffs.

69.  It won a tough qualifying group that included Egypt, Namibia and Liberia.

70.  It went undefeated in its qualifying group, finishing second to Portugal and ahead of the much-favored Netherlands.