How not to think that Good Football Should Stretch Nerves, after seeing [some of the] recent FIFA World Cup Qualifying Play-offs? Recall Slovenia's bombardment of Akinfeev's gates in the last five minutes of their encounter in Moscow, effectively altering reality from the first 88 minutes of the match, almost reducing as much of that into nothing.

And what about Egypt Algeria group decider? Emad Moetab scored the second goal in overtime (49th minute) to bring the tie between these two football-crazy nations at absolute equal: on points and number of wins, goals scored and conceded included. Compare the crowd's response after Egypt's second goal with that of Slovenia's consolation - if I may say so. Two victories: one which grants your hope another day's survival, with another, whose victory is the kind that only makes your life harder to bare. Awaiting for the moment of truth, when the designated referee blows that damned whistle. How far does your nerves stretch?

Boring 0-0 draws, on the other hand, gets on the nerves just as much. You might wish to have never been born Greek, nor Ukrainian. Mythical gods are left to decide between punishing either of them.

Akinfeev and Bilyaletdinov kept Russian fire burning on Saturday but it's beyond public knowledge if their team would come out wet after a night's dream this wednesday. Clearly possessing a football culture superior to Slovenia, again the Russians prove to be prone to panic under pressure. Luzhniki shows that Slovenia aren't Germany - and they're definitely not Spain. They're highly disciplined, physical side who likes to poke you with early crosses from the flanks. They're wounded, not dead, as Slovenia manager Kek described. Meneer Hiddink better burry them alive.

France and Bosnia have all the fire-power necessary for a proper bonfire night. Both of them are by no means lucky with their respective first leg results. Anelka was all over the pitch so he deserved that saintly deflection. But having watched Grandpa Trap's last two encounters against the two finalists of Germany 2006, it'll be just as sad to see Ireland crash out the road to South Africa.

Bosnia defended well for a team heavily reliant on their forwards and creative midfielders - notwithstanding Portuguese misfiring guns. But alas, they hit homeside woodwork on three occasions: Bosnia are progressing, Portugal seem stuck.

There will be many more Champions League games, but it has been a while since we last had such play-offs. International football is far from boring. Subjectively, I wish for Ukraine and Egypt to qualify. As for the rest of Africa, the line up seem fit: Ghana, Nigeria, Cameroon, Ivory Coast. Good luck to both Costa Rica and Uruguay, and congratulations New Zealand.