Subject: NZ in World Cup

Yes, it´s a true story - New Zealand goes to World Cup.

We will get at least three tough matches. Going to use this thread on a special occasion.

:)

congratulations!! I think New Zealand will do a good tournament according his possibilities. Good luck

If I get one point I am satisfied. All depends on injuries and forms. I need Findlay and Edwards in top form. Our defenders are old, most of them are losing skills. Also, what´s even more important, our strikers have to say healthy and in form. Losing one player is already too much.

I thought when I saw you had lost 11-1 this morning Seca had sent a bribe to greg to get canada in the WC. So surprised to see them lose to Cymru (who are never a walkover side anyway, as I found out during my NT management).

Well done. Good luck. Cant wait for it to begin :)

Congrats Vilpu! You must go over to the Aussie boards at once and post about it. ;D

I will left that honor for you - go and let them know:)

We didn't get the luck we needed over the campaign and it seems you dodged a pretty massive bullet to get there ;). Good luck in the world cup next season.

Draw has been made and no luck for us - got the strongest team from pot. 4 and strong ones from 1 and 2.

I don`t know what would be the aims in this group...Will be difficult to get some points.

GROUP A
Brasil
Argentina
New Zealand
Holland

You can beat Brazil with the right tactic. Argentina and Netherlands are tough though. Ouch at the draw. Still that's what you like isn't it? Being able to use the underdog status tag ;).

Brazil is not definitely weaker, than Argentina or Netherland. Easy 9 points for us.

:)

I think tactically Brazil are weaker ;). We got a 4-4 draw with them though that was a year ago now I recheck.
(edited)

On Saturday we have our first World Cup match against Nederland, who is 7th in the world ranking. Another mission impossible, but will be interesting to see the difference between us and world class team

Just wanted to give a little overview about our team, who is available to use and who is not.

Keepers - we have two of them, Kaz Taylor and Donny Oorschot. I am
facing big dilemma which one I should use. It mostly depends on my tactic
aswell. Because both are high in keeper, but Donny has only adequate pace.
Luckily he will be trained in pace for next 2 seasons. He played actually really well
against Vietnam last weekend, so might choose him. Will decide tomorrow.

Defenders - Findlay and Edwards would be both starting line-up defenders, if
they would get in shape. But those guys have been already more than 2
seasons in a very low form. John Kilkenny has also slight injury
and Willimas has only solid form. So situation is like it has always been.

Midfielders - Jihn Root, slight injury..hopefully will be ok for Saturday.
Alex Rixhards, can`t use him - tragical form, our best mid basically.
Josh Perry, my second choice, losing form. Rob Petherick aswell.

Strikers - Brunton won`t play, injured...

Anyway, shame I can`t use the whole potential. We have problems in
every position.

Kaz? Donny? Nah.

Zack Baldaro ;D

Baldaro has actually played well in these few games he had in the past, but he is only in very good form and I prefere someone with high keeper.

:)

Lost 5:1 - they were just much better and faster, difficult to stop their strikers. However I am satisfied as surprising as it might sound. Tactically I would give myself 4 points from 5..Not perfect, because throw-ins setting wasn`t the best and strikers positioning could have been bit better.

Oorschot played well, used him because I knew Nederland will get mostly 1-1 chances, so was wise to use him, despite of his adequate pace. Brent Gilbert scored our goal, again...saved the day and made me proud:)