by NICK WEBSTER, FOXSports.com

The luck of the Irish was smiling all over Mick McCarthey. Matched up against the all-star Dutch eleven with a World Cup play-off birth on the line. Mick's boys pulled off the shock one-nil win with just ten men to send Luis Van Gaal's men packing.

A World Cup without the Clockwork Orange is like fries without ketchup. Unthinkable. But unless Portugal loses to Cyprus or Estonia, that's a reality. Van Nistlerooy and Co will have the summer off. We'll miss their fans though.

Shota Arveladze capped off an amazing week, scoring in Georgia's three-one win against Hungary. This comes hot on the heels of his transfer from Ajax Amsterdam to Scottish giants, Rangers. Looks like Dick Advocat has spent the clubs money wisely... for once.

C'mon Italy, just because you've all but wrapped up automatic qualification there's no need to fall asleep at the wheel. Lithuania aren't exactly a world power, but Trappatoni's men struggled to a pathetic nil-nil draw. If the fates conspire, the Azzuri could be sorry.

Poland became the first nation to qualify for the big show, and they can thank new Liverpool boy, Jerzy Dudek. The big Pole showed why he is worth seven and a half million dollars as he kept a sparkling clean sheet.

Wales bowed out of qualifying early again, depriving the world of seeing Giggsy in full flight for the red dragons. And the new Millenium stadium has yet to see Mark Hughes's lads get that first big 'W'. You should've played for England Ryan.