Soccer: Ireland kept waiting on play-off opponents
The postponement of two Asian Federation qualifying matches has added more uncertainty over the identity of the Republic of Ireland's opponents for their World Cup play-off next month.
Mick McCarthy's team are due to take on the winners of a clash between the runners-up from the two Asian groups in a two-legged meeting.
Iran's 2-1 win against Iraq last weekend makes them strong favourites to win Asian Group A, leaving Saudi Arabia as the most likely runners-up in that section.
And Uzbekistan's 4-2 defeat against Oman means the United Arab Emirates are virtually certain to be the other runners-up behind China.
Now Fifa have ordered postponements of the final Group A matches between Bahrain and Iran, and Saudi Arabia and Thailand until Sunday.
Barring some shock results in the final round of qualifiers - UAE finish Group B against Oman while Uzbekistan face unbeaten China - the most likely scenario now is that Ireland will face the winners of a two-legged clash between Saudi Arabia and UAE.
Those decisive matches are set for October 25 and 31, with McCarthy planning to watch both legs provided there is no deterioration in the crisis in Afghanistan.
The Republic manager has said he will not undertake the trips if safety issues deteriorate in the next few weeks.
The FAI are currently surveying the reaction of the Premiership and Nationwide League clubs, who provide Ireland with their players, and so far the response is said to be favourable provided insurance cover can be settled.
