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Martin O'Neill: World Cup qualifying draw "could have been worse"

Republic of Ireland boss Martin O'Neill admits that his side's draw in Group D for their 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign was "okay".

Republic of Ireland boss Martin O'Neill has revealed that he was satisfied with his side's draw for their 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign.

O'Neill's men will face Wales, Serbia, Austria - who were all seeded higher in the draw - in Group D along with Moldova and Georgia, leaving them with a tough challenge to finish in the top two to secure a place in the competition in Russia.

However, the 63-year-old has conceded that the draw could have been worse for his team

"I must admit, I was a wee bit concerned when Serbia came out after us," O'Neill told Sky Sports News. "I thought that would leave the top two teams pretty difficult.

"Austria are on a very good run at this moment, and obviously Wales have propelled themselves forward brilliantly recently.

"But overall, it's a draw we think is okay. It could have been worse, it could have been a lot better."

Ireland last qualified for the World Cup in 2002.

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Republic of Ireland's striker Robbie Keane celebrates after scoring his team's second goal during a UEFA 2016 European Championship qualifing football match against Gibraltar on October 11, 2014
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Tables header RHS

Group A

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Germany Germany32107
Q Switzerland Switzerland31205
3 Hungary Hungary31023
4 Scotland flag Scotland30121

Group B

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Spain Spain33009
Q Italy Italy31114
3 Croatia Croatia30212
4 Albania national flag Albania30121

Group C

TeamPWDLPTS
Q England flag England31205
Q Denmark Denmark30303
Q Slovenia Slovenia30303
4 Serbia Serbia30212

Group D

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Austria Austria32016
Q France France31205
Q Netherlands Netherlands31114
4 Poland Poland30121

Group E

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Romania Romania31114
Q Belgium Belgium31114
Q Slovakia Slovakia31114
4 Ukraine Ukraine31114

Group F

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Portugal Portugal32016
Q Turkey Turkey32016
Q Georgia Georgia31114
4 Czech Republic Czech Republic30121


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