Matt Holland and Amir Karic face play-offs if their sides are to make the World Cup next summer. Holland's Ireland beat Cyprus 4-0 yesterday with Matt setting up Roy Keane for the fourth.

The Irish were second in their group on goal difference behind Portugal but with a record which would have won any other group. They will face a Middle Eastern or Asian side in their play-off.

Amir's Slovenians beat the Faroe Islands 3-0 but with Russia also winning they finished second and now have a tricky play-off with Rumania.

Elsewhere Hermann's Icelanders were hammered 6-0 in Denmark as the Danes continued a winning weekend. On Friday Thomas Gaardsøe's U21s won 4-0.

Jim Magilton won his fiftieth cap for Northern Ireland as they beat Malta 1-0 away. Manager Sammy McIlroy and coach Jim Harvey (also manager of last season's FA Cup opponents Morecambe)were both banished form the touchline during the game.

Finidi George's Nigerians take on Japan in a friendly at Southampton's St Mary's Ground today.

As for England, former goalkeeper Richard Wright was on the bench as David Beckham got the rest of them off the hook with his injury time freekick.

Photo: Action Images

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