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Subject: [NT] World Cup Qualifying
Another match, another disappointment. 4-0 in the first half, 1-1 in the second. :S
19 shots was disappointing. The only players who wanted to shoot were Gilbert (our poorest ball striker in the poorest form) and Root. Hird was especially frustrating, as he routinely passed up clear shooting opportunities only to give the ball away.
The midfield was not nearly as sharp as I would have hoped. Kelly looked good in his return, but I was shocked Buburuz could tackle him so easily. Neither Root nor Atkinson provided the quality of service I was hoping for - Atkinson more so. He, like Hird, passed up numerous clear passing opportunities in order to try his luck dribbling into the defense.
Watts played very well on both sides of the ball, but Dawkins was a liability. I was relieved when Petherick finally replaced him. Neither central defender played great. Panic kick-outs when they were under no pressure, and both had a chance in the 90th minute, but neither did enough to scuttle the opportunity.
Taylor conceded on the only real shot he faced. Not sure what his problem is. I seem to remember him playing well the past two seasons. :)
All in all, another let down. After the first half it looked like New Zealand would easily exceed what Portugal accomplished against them. But in the end we're no further ahead. Frustrating.
19 shots was disappointing. The only players who wanted to shoot were Gilbert (our poorest ball striker in the poorest form) and Root. Hird was especially frustrating, as he routinely passed up clear shooting opportunities only to give the ball away.
The midfield was not nearly as sharp as I would have hoped. Kelly looked good in his return, but I was shocked Buburuz could tackle him so easily. Neither Root nor Atkinson provided the quality of service I was hoping for - Atkinson more so. He, like Hird, passed up numerous clear passing opportunities in order to try his luck dribbling into the defense.
Watts played very well on both sides of the ball, but Dawkins was a liability. I was relieved when Petherick finally replaced him. Neither central defender played great. Panic kick-outs when they were under no pressure, and both had a chance in the 90th minute, but neither did enough to scuttle the opportunity.
Taylor conceded on the only real shot he faced. Not sure what his problem is. I seem to remember him playing well the past two seasons. :)
All in all, another let down. After the first half it looked like New Zealand would easily exceed what Portugal accomplished against them. But in the end we're no further ahead. Frustrating.
In other group news ....
Estonia beat Panama 9-0. Makes New Zealand's 10 man 10-0 win look like a reasonable feat. Portugal beat Egypt 10-0. That's something New Zealand should be able to match (or exceed). B. Gilbert will be suspended next week, but that's not a big issue. Might be better off with a more "in-form" shooter against weak competition anyway.
Estonia beat Panama 9-0. Makes New Zealand's 10 man 10-0 win look like a reasonable feat. Portugal beat Egypt 10-0. That's something New Zealand should be able to match (or exceed). B. Gilbert will be suspended next week, but that's not a big issue. Might be better off with a more "in-form" shooter against weak competition anyway.
Maybe you should give my reserve goal keeper a shot at striking! He scored a goal against deathstrike last week after a crazy mistake in my match orders.
78 minute.
The ball is kicked out of play. Boschker approaches to take the throw-in. He is well-known for his good throws. Root centers. Mchenery makes a diving header.
GOOOAAAAAAL!!! hahahaha
cashmere - deathstrike 3:0
ps... Roots form is dropping big time. This happened last time i trained what im training now again. Hope he pops again soon so i can change training or his form will plummet to the bottom again
78 minute.
The ball is kicked out of play. Boschker approaches to take the throw-in. He is well-known for his good throws. Root centers. Mchenery makes a diving header.
GOOOAAAAAAL!!! hahahaha
cashmere - deathstrike 3:0
ps... Roots form is dropping big time. This happened last time i trained what im training now again. Hope he pops again soon so i can change training or his form will plummet to the bottom again
Root's at brilliant as of today. Not bad at all. Wish the team had a striker in that kind of form. :)
After 3 matches, we've got a bit of an indication of where teams are at. Of interest, these are the average individual marks after 3 rounds.
68.2 Eesti
63.4 Portugal
60.3 New Zealand
52.0 Moldova
44.6 Panamá
38.9 Misr
Marks aren't everything - that's for sure. But any who think Portugal is going to be an easy mark are deluding themselves. :)
After 3 matches, we've got a bit of an indication of where teams are at. Of interest, these are the average individual marks after 3 rounds.
68.2 Eesti
63.4 Portugal
60.3 New Zealand
52.0 Moldova
44.6 Panamá
38.9 Misr
Marks aren't everything - that's for sure. But any who think Portugal is going to be an easy mark are deluding themselves. :)
Egypt
Sokker Egypt is into it’s 4th season, and currently sits at 24 managers (not often New Zealand out-numbers the opposing nation :D). It doesn’t really have a “storied” domestic club yet. Human managers have only been in the top flight for 2 seasons, and 2 different clubs have claimed the title.
Their national team currently ranks 79th (out of 84). Not that it makes much difference, but they should be a few spots higher - they are better then teams like Ghana, Tunisia and Cameroun. The only team they have a chance against in the group is Panama - and Panama dominated them in the first round, out-shooting Egypt 16-0 en route to a 3-0 win.
Don’t really have to spend a lot of time digesting their roster - they just don’t have very much horsepower. Reda Fouad is perhaps one of their best pieces. I have some familiarity with his game, as he’s spent much of his professional career in the CPL.
Roster notes for Egypt - defender Hussein Abdelamid Tariq is not only suspended, but also injured. He’s fairly well capped, but given his skill level, I suspect the replacement won’t be too far behind.
Sokker Egypt is into it’s 4th season, and currently sits at 24 managers (not often New Zealand out-numbers the opposing nation :D). It doesn’t really have a “storied” domestic club yet. Human managers have only been in the top flight for 2 seasons, and 2 different clubs have claimed the title.
Their national team currently ranks 79th (out of 84). Not that it makes much difference, but they should be a few spots higher - they are better then teams like Ghana, Tunisia and Cameroun. The only team they have a chance against in the group is Panama - and Panama dominated them in the first round, out-shooting Egypt 16-0 en route to a 3-0 win.
Don’t really have to spend a lot of time digesting their roster - they just don’t have very much horsepower. Reda Fouad is perhaps one of their best pieces. I have some familiarity with his game, as he’s spent much of his professional career in the CPL.
Roster notes for Egypt - defender Hussein Abdelamid Tariq is not only suspended, but also injured. He’s fairly well capped, but given his skill level, I suspect the replacement won’t be too far behind.
Underway.
Using a 343. Expecting Egypt to play in a similar fashion to Portugal last week - which was very heavy to defense. I’m hopeful the 3-1 at the back will be sufficient to provide lots of ball recovery - it’s less resources then usual applied in that department. Egypt’s defensive line last week was quite aggressive - will likely mean some offsides, especially with 3 up front.
Decided to sit Taylor. The way things have been going for me lately, I don’t feel I can risk the extra injury potential. Don’t really think I can rest too many other players, especially on offense. Goal differential could be crucial when we get to the end of this thing. The big hope is that we can get through relatively unscathed.
Of potential controversy with the line-up, I’m employing not 1 but 2 SI players. Both must be very slight at this point, and both have about the best form going for strikers.
LINE-UP
Alves
Kilkenny, Harris, Watts
Kelly
Atksinson, Root, Sansom
D Chadwick, Morcombe, Hird
Bench
Taylor
De Bruin
Irvine (70 - Sansom)
Hawkey (60 - Morcombe)
Priorie
Using a 343. Expecting Egypt to play in a similar fashion to Portugal last week - which was very heavy to defense. I’m hopeful the 3-1 at the back will be sufficient to provide lots of ball recovery - it’s less resources then usual applied in that department. Egypt’s defensive line last week was quite aggressive - will likely mean some offsides, especially with 3 up front.
Decided to sit Taylor. The way things have been going for me lately, I don’t feel I can risk the extra injury potential. Don’t really think I can rest too many other players, especially on offense. Goal differential could be crucial when we get to the end of this thing. The big hope is that we can get through relatively unscathed.
Of potential controversy with the line-up, I’m employing not 1 but 2 SI players. Both must be very slight at this point, and both have about the best form going for strikers.
LINE-UP
Alves
Kilkenny, Harris, Watts
Kelly
Atksinson, Root, Sansom
D Chadwick, Morcombe, Hird
Bench
Taylor
De Bruin
Irvine (70 - Sansom)
Hawkey (60 - Morcombe)
Priorie
An acceptable result. The team slacked off again in the second half. Were on pace for a much better margin.
Egypt backed their defense off significantly. I hadn't been able to bring myself to move the New Zealand strikers too far back, so they were reasonably well positioned. Egypt actually dropped an additional man back and defended with 9 + keeper.
Lots of shots, tho many were speculative. The vast majority of these speculative shots completely missed the target. A few more of these off the keeper or woodwork would have led to some easy second chance goals. Most of the quality scoring chances were converted.
So, a good week. Achieved a better margin then Portugal (barely) and got through without any injuries or suspensions. :) Next week is the big one. Let's be safe out there!
Egypt backed their defense off significantly. I hadn't been able to bring myself to move the New Zealand strikers too far back, so they were reasonably well positioned. Egypt actually dropped an additional man back and defended with 9 + keeper.
Lots of shots, tho many were speculative. The vast majority of these speculative shots completely missed the target. A few more of these off the keeper or woodwork would have led to some easy second chance goals. Most of the quality scoring chances were converted.
So, a good week. Achieved a better margin then Portugal (barely) and got through without any injuries or suspensions. :) Next week is the big one. Let's be safe out there!
Well i must say i was happy to see some of those speculative shots, they possibly couldn't break through the def when they made them most of the time and it was good to try and get a shot off rather than just be tackled. A 3 man front line was definitely the best thing that could've been done to counter their ultra defensive tactic so WD Seca, thought the positioning of them esp when the ball was inside the box was superb.
I agree. Great match with a good tactic, but next week the most important match for New Zealand against Portugal. It will be difficult to win but it's defently possible. I'm looking forward to it. Good luck with preparing Seca :).
Thanks for the feedback guys. :)
In other group news, Portugal defeated Panama 10-0 so New Zealand holds a slight goal differential edge on them. It's not much really, considering there are opponents in the group that could surrender a +10 to +20 depending on how one's finishing is on a given day. But hey - it's better to be up then down.
In other group news, Portugal defeated Panama 10-0 so New Zealand holds a slight goal differential edge on them. It's not much really, considering there are opponents in the group that could surrender a +10 to +20 depending on how one's finishing is on a given day. But hey - it's better to be up then down.
Portugal
Wife and I are off on vacation this week (leaving tomorrow). The cabin we're going to has wireless Internet, so I should still be logging in. But I'd like to get everything set up before I go anyway.
Portugal is a relatively large Sokker nation, with just under 1000 managers. Portugal’s domestic system was established the season after New Zealand, and their NT is the same age. The club team I usually associate with Portugal is The Aces, but it turns out it hasn’t won that much hardware. Berlengas Squad leads with 3 championships and 1 national cup. Argivai FC has 2 championships. The league seems to have more competitive balance then some.
I’ve long felt Portugal was an under-achieving national side. This is not meant as a reflection on their managers. They just seem to lose the wrong matches. Part of the problem has been they have traditionally been under-ranked, and so face tougher matches then really they should (this WC qualifying no different really). They are currently ranked 30th, which is better. Their players are comparable to most 2nd tier teams. As 3rd seeds go, they are arguably the most difficult draw (right up there with Australia).
The Portugese roster has a number of options in goal. The top 2 - Eusebio Cochado and Paco Ehlers - are a little off-form at the moment. May mean Benjamim Manteigueiro is featured.
Portugal has an iconic striker in Eusebio Lombardo, who has 79 caps 112 goals. He’s in smokin’ form to boot.
Their defense is solid, though mainstays Eliel Kinch (54 caps), Leandro Pinhal (46 caps), and Augusto Mântua (34 caps) all have form issues to varying degrees. May means youngsters like Gláucio Wemans are given a more prominent role.
Jesús Kramer leads a skilled midfield with 28 assists in 59 matches - though he is questionable for the coming weekend with a knock. Mario Romberg is also highly capable with 20 assists in his 43 caps. Simão Bermudes appears to a solid DM - a piece that New Zealand is missing in it’s overall picture. Francisco Contreiras, a fabulous all-round midfielder - is out with an injury - definite break for New Zealand.
Wife and I are off on vacation this week (leaving tomorrow). The cabin we're going to has wireless Internet, so I should still be logging in. But I'd like to get everything set up before I go anyway.
Portugal is a relatively large Sokker nation, with just under 1000 managers. Portugal’s domestic system was established the season after New Zealand, and their NT is the same age. The club team I usually associate with Portugal is The Aces, but it turns out it hasn’t won that much hardware. Berlengas Squad leads with 3 championships and 1 national cup. Argivai FC has 2 championships. The league seems to have more competitive balance then some.
I’ve long felt Portugal was an under-achieving national side. This is not meant as a reflection on their managers. They just seem to lose the wrong matches. Part of the problem has been they have traditionally been under-ranked, and so face tougher matches then really they should (this WC qualifying no different really). They are currently ranked 30th, which is better. Their players are comparable to most 2nd tier teams. As 3rd seeds go, they are arguably the most difficult draw (right up there with Australia).
The Portugese roster has a number of options in goal. The top 2 - Eusebio Cochado and Paco Ehlers - are a little off-form at the moment. May mean Benjamim Manteigueiro is featured.
Portugal has an iconic striker in Eusebio Lombardo, who has 79 caps 112 goals. He’s in smokin’ form to boot.
Their defense is solid, though mainstays Eliel Kinch (54 caps), Leandro Pinhal (46 caps), and Augusto Mântua (34 caps) all have form issues to varying degrees. May means youngsters like Gláucio Wemans are given a more prominent role.
Jesús Kramer leads a skilled midfield with 28 assists in 59 matches - though he is questionable for the coming weekend with a knock. Mario Romberg is also highly capable with 20 assists in his 43 caps. Simão Bermudes appears to a solid DM - a piece that New Zealand is missing in it’s overall picture. Francisco Contreiras, a fabulous all-round midfielder - is out with an injury - definite break for New Zealand.
This match ...
This is a match between two fairly even teams. I'm expecting a close game - though if any macro luck happens (cards, injuries), that could certainly tip the scale.
Due to form and injuries, I actually think New Zealand is a little out-gunned up front in this one. Lomardo is talismanic, and in fine form. Morcombe, Gilbert and Hird were all mid-range and lost form this week. Bodger still out.
Midfield is evened-up quite a bit with the injuries to Kramer and Contreiras, but is likely still a slight edge for Portugal. Defense may be slightly New Zealand's way, due to some poor form amoung Portugese defenders.
New Zealand's big advantage is in goal. Taylor needs to out-play his counter-part, and play up to expectations. That's all there is to it. :)
As mentioned, I'm on holidays. My internet is hit & miss. I doubt I'll be around for the match - may not be around for a few days.
This is a match between two fairly even teams. I'm expecting a close game - though if any macro luck happens (cards, injuries), that could certainly tip the scale.
Due to form and injuries, I actually think New Zealand is a little out-gunned up front in this one. Lomardo is talismanic, and in fine form. Morcombe, Gilbert and Hird were all mid-range and lost form this week. Bodger still out.
Midfield is evened-up quite a bit with the injuries to Kramer and Contreiras, but is likely still a slight edge for Portugal. Defense may be slightly New Zealand's way, due to some poor form amoung Portugese defenders.
New Zealand's big advantage is in goal. Taylor needs to out-play his counter-part, and play up to expectations. That's all there is to it. :)
As mentioned, I'm on holidays. My internet is hit & miss. I doubt I'll be around for the match - may not be around for a few days.
Wow :)!
Great job seca. Verry nice match to watch. In the begining New Zealand was better and had some nice long distance shots and also 1 big chance, that was also the 0-1. After this in think Portugal was better, they were verry! unlucky by hitting the post 2 times but also Taylor made some great saves. I think we were lucky the didn't score a goal in this period (the 1-1). After this New Zealand scores a goal and they beat Portugal because there so effective :).
Also good too see that the position off the central defender was taking over by a def-mid after his red card. And also the little off-side trap worked great! This is a verry nice step too qualify :). Great job
Man of the match: Taylor!
(edited)
Great job seca. Verry nice match to watch. In the begining New Zealand was better and had some nice long distance shots and also 1 big chance, that was also the 0-1. After this in think Portugal was better, they were verry! unlucky by hitting the post 2 times but also Taylor made some great saves. I think we were lucky the didn't score a goal in this period (the 1-1). After this New Zealand scores a goal and they beat Portugal because there so effective :).
Also good too see that the position off the central defender was taking over by a def-mid after his red card. And also the little off-side trap worked great! This is a verry nice step too qualify :). Great job
Man of the match: Taylor!
(edited)
Seca will be happy with that result...
Taylor was insperational ;D
(edited)
Taylor was insperational ;D
(edited)
I am. :D And thanks Jort. :) It was an exciting match. The outcome was in doubt until the Gilbert goal.
I can't do a very good technical analysis right now (it's difficult viewing the match on my laptop). Both sides had a number of quality scoring chances. You're right - Taylor played big. The defense also played well (aside from Williams, who was completely over-matched). The strikers did a pretty good job taking shots - and finding the net. I was pleasantly surprised that Morcombe and Gilbert were that accurate given their form.
I wasn't sure if they'd play 1 or 2 defensive mids, so I hedged. I figured Atksinson would have a good game if they played 1, and that Root would have space if they played 2. They did play 1, which meant Root had very little opportunity to influence the match. Atkinson used his space well and had a good game. Petherick, and especially De Bruin also had positive influences on the match.
The red card really tilted things - it was all defense with the odd counter-attack from then on. After going a man down, the New Zealand players went through a stretch where they made a number of questionable decisions, and struggled with their ball control - which compounded the issue.
I can't do a very good technical analysis right now (it's difficult viewing the match on my laptop). Both sides had a number of quality scoring chances. You're right - Taylor played big. The defense also played well (aside from Williams, who was completely over-matched). The strikers did a pretty good job taking shots - and finding the net. I was pleasantly surprised that Morcombe and Gilbert were that accurate given their form.
I wasn't sure if they'd play 1 or 2 defensive mids, so I hedged. I figured Atksinson would have a good game if they played 1, and that Root would have space if they played 2. They did play 1, which meant Root had very little opportunity to influence the match. Atkinson used his space well and had a good game. Petherick, and especially De Bruin also had positive influences on the match.
The red card really tilted things - it was all defense with the odd counter-attack from then on. After going a man down, the New Zealand players went through a stretch where they made a number of questionable decisions, and struggled with their ball control - which compounded the issue.
Very nicely done Seca, it was quite pleasant to see the first 20 minutes totally dominated by the kiwis! Taylor had a damn fine match and so did the defenders. You nullified their throw ins spectacularly too, especially the one near the box which kept happening and they kept losing... until the predictable red card came anyway ;]