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Subject: [NT] Moldova
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All
Our opponent this week isn’t someone I know a lot about, so I did a little research (as a teacher, I sometimes have trouble quelling the urge the instruct). :P
RL Moldova
The Republic of Moldova is in Eastern Europe between Romania and the Ukraine. It has a population of approximately 3.4 million people. Economically it relies heavily on agriculture. It has few profitable natural resources, and in particular must import all petroleum products (which has meant some energy shortages in the past). It has a parliamentary government, and the primary religion (like 95%) is Eastern Orthodox Christian.
Sokker Moldova
Has been in existence for 2 seasons. It has 49 users, but is growing. It’s national team has been around for 1 season.
They re-elected their manager, who did a good job of preserving their initial ranking points (the toughest team they’ve faced is Wales). Perhaps their best player is 22 year old defender Crin Carapcevschi.
Their reward for staying highly ranked is a qualifying pool with two comparable opponents (Japan and India). They will be cannon fodder for Croatia, Canada and New Zealand.
I would encourage New Zealand users to check out a Moldova game during the week if you have time, and let me know if you have any tactical insights. Or if you just want to know what I am thinking, send me a SK mail.
RL Moldova
The Republic of Moldova is in Eastern Europe between Romania and the Ukraine. It has a population of approximately 3.4 million people. Economically it relies heavily on agriculture. It has few profitable natural resources, and in particular must import all petroleum products (which has meant some energy shortages in the past). It has a parliamentary government, and the primary religion (like 95%) is Eastern Orthodox Christian.
Sokker Moldova
Has been in existence for 2 seasons. It has 49 users, but is growing. It’s national team has been around for 1 season.
They re-elected their manager, who did a good job of preserving their initial ranking points (the toughest team they’ve faced is Wales). Perhaps their best player is 22 year old defender Crin Carapcevschi.
Their reward for staying highly ranked is a qualifying pool with two comparable opponents (Japan and India). They will be cannon fodder for Croatia, Canada and New Zealand.
I would encourage New Zealand users to check out a Moldova game during the week if you have time, and let me know if you have any tactical insights. Or if you just want to know what I am thinking, send me a SK mail.
Since our population of 4.1m / their population of 3.4m = 1.2,
1.2 x 49 users = 58.8,
58.8 / our 27 users = 2.17,
2.17 x 2 seasons Moldova has existed = 4.34,
I expect us to win by at least 4.34..
1.2 x 49 users = 58.8,
58.8 / our 27 users = 2.17,
2.17 x 2 seasons Moldova has existed = 4.34,
I expect us to win by at least 4.34..
Pretty cool calculation. Still digesting the logic. :P
I'm optimistic we can surpass the 4.34. :)
I'm optimistic we can surpass the 4.34. :)
I work with numbers all day. got better things to digest when i get home :)
I predict around 4-0 or 5-0 .
It's obvious Moldova ain't gonna attack but defend like hell. I suggest three backs and the rest midfielders and attackers. By midfielders I mean No Dm. Just The centre ones. We prolly have enough pace in our midfield to run back to tackle anyway. Can Control the field this way.
Just my thoughts. Goodluck ;)
It's obvious Moldova ain't gonna attack but defend like hell. I suggest three backs and the rest midfielders and attackers. By midfielders I mean No Dm. Just The centre ones. We prolly have enough pace in our midfield to run back to tackle anyway. Can Control the field this way.
Just my thoughts. Goodluck ;)
Thanks to all who provided input. :) The tactic and line-up is ready to go. Managers of participating players have been notified.
The other game in the group to pay attention to is the Canada - Croatia game. Both teams have new managers. Canada is as healthy as it's been in a couple of seasons - may be able to give Croatia a good run.
The other game in the group to pay attention to is the Canada - Croatia game. Both teams have new managers. Canada is as healthy as it's been in a couple of seasons - may be able to give Croatia a good run.
Would normally put in some input but this week has been especially hectic for me and i must say i'm not used to it..
fun though!
fun though!
4 AM here. *yawn*
Thanks again to those who shared their thoughts. :) We’re now live.
My take was similar to Bball’s (I do believe our Sokker outlooks are quite similar). Figure only 3 at the back are required. Doesn’t give much width defensively, and Moldova frequently uses a winger, but I don’t think the winger poses much of a threat. 4 in the midfield - the box shape provides opportunities for squares and lots of support. 3 up front - each attacking middie should have a good look at 2 forwards. Forwards should all have a lane / space. With any luck the wide forwards will cut to the net after beating their defender. May be some sharp angled shots, but there should be two guys waiting for rebounds if the shooter can’t beat the keeper and / or woodwork. (I’ve used this tactic before - it was a staple for my club a couple of MEs back).
Bodger takes PKs and FKs today. Atkinson on for Pritchett at the half. Hird on for D. Chadwick at 60. Roza in for the last few minutes. If any of the back 3 are ejected, Kelly will assume their position.
Thanks again to those who shared their thoughts. :) We’re now live.
My take was similar to Bball’s (I do believe our Sokker outlooks are quite similar). Figure only 3 at the back are required. Doesn’t give much width defensively, and Moldova frequently uses a winger, but I don’t think the winger poses much of a threat. 4 in the midfield - the box shape provides opportunities for squares and lots of support. 3 up front - each attacking middie should have a good look at 2 forwards. Forwards should all have a lane / space. With any luck the wide forwards will cut to the net after beating their defender. May be some sharp angled shots, but there should be two guys waiting for rebounds if the shooter can’t beat the keeper and / or woodwork. (I’ve used this tactic before - it was a staple for my club a couple of MEs back).
Bodger takes PKs and FKs today. Atkinson on for Pritchett at the half. Hird on for D. Chadwick at 60. Roza in for the last few minutes. If any of the back 3 are ejected, Kelly will assume their position.
HORRIBLE
HORRIBLE
ABSOLUTELY HORRIBLE
No, no. i dont mean the match.. KAZ TAYLOR'S UNIFORM!!! Seca, you must've been [drunk]
Otherwise a nice, comprehensive victory in which Bodger showed his slight injury and form on the field and in his 0/8 tally, whereas Dawkins had a nice 1/0 ;)
Atkinson played nice and i got a warm fuzzy feeling about him playing alongside Bodger. Hird's first match in a while and he brought a new meaning to 'immediate impact' lol.
WD Seca!
HORRIBLE
ABSOLUTELY HORRIBLE
No, no. i dont mean the match.. KAZ TAYLOR'S UNIFORM!!! Seca, you must've been [drunk]
Otherwise a nice, comprehensive victory in which Bodger showed his slight injury and form on the field and in his 0/8 tally, whereas Dawkins had a nice 1/0 ;)
Atkinson played nice and i got a warm fuzzy feeling about him playing alongside Bodger. Hird's first match in a while and he brought a new meaning to 'immediate impact' lol.
WD Seca!
lol.
Nice long shot by Greg Dawkins:)
Hird looked super. Not to sure about Bodger missing from that close though. How do you get a players form back up?
Nice long shot by Greg Dawkins:)
Hird looked super. Not to sure about Bodger missing from that close though. How do you get a players form back up?
lol. I had forgotten I left it like that. :P I was going to conduct a poll for the keeper's kit. I'm open to suggestions. :D
Not the margin I was hoping for. The passing at times wasn't crisp, and the shooting could have been a little better. I was hoping for more "second chance" goals, but too often the initial shot missed everything, or the rebound didn't fall to us.
The tactic didn't work as well as I'd hoped. The wide forwards (Gilbert in particular - Bodger and Hird were better) too often didn't cut to the net after beating their defender, and left themselves a difficult shot.
The defense played very well (no shots allowed! - good job D!). Edwards could have brought a lawn chair (little for him to do). I was impressed with Atkinson in his debut - I thought he was clearly the most creative of the trio of attacking middies. Hird, despite his form, brought a tremendous spark to the game and was dangerous every touch. Roza made the most of his 11 minutes.
All in all, I'd hoped for better. But it was a definite learning experience that will help in future matches.
Not the margin I was hoping for. The passing at times wasn't crisp, and the shooting could have been a little better. I was hoping for more "second chance" goals, but too often the initial shot missed everything, or the rebound didn't fall to us.
The tactic didn't work as well as I'd hoped. The wide forwards (Gilbert in particular - Bodger and Hird were better) too often didn't cut to the net after beating their defender, and left themselves a difficult shot.
The defense played very well (no shots allowed! - good job D!). Edwards could have brought a lawn chair (little for him to do). I was impressed with Atkinson in his debut - I thought he was clearly the most creative of the trio of attacking middies. Hird, despite his form, brought a tremendous spark to the game and was dangerous every touch. Roza made the most of his 11 minutes.
All in all, I'd hoped for better. But it was a definite learning experience that will help in future matches.
no idea, but my theory of him going up because he was injured was right - he went up 4 levels this week ;)
Just bad luck with Bodger. He was striking the ball well (good pace on the ball), just wasn't hitting his spots. As Barhilo pointed out, the slight injury didn't help.
Bodger was a little too unselfish at times - I think it was the 72nd minute he was alone point blank and elected to pass. I was happy with him as the FK taker - most of the FK situations in this match were shooting situations, and he made good decisions to go for goal.
I'd have been more impressed with Dawkins strike if it had actually been an attempt at goal. :P It was a bit of an "oops" goal.
Different managers have different theories about form. I believe it is purely random, and there isn't anything the manager can do to influence it. When poor form happens (often for extended periods of time) you just have to ride it out. :)
Bodger was a little too unselfish at times - I think it was the 72nd minute he was alone point blank and elected to pass. I was happy with him as the FK taker - most of the FK situations in this match were shooting situations, and he made good decisions to go for goal.
I'd have been more impressed with Dawkins strike if it had actually been an attempt at goal. :P It was a bit of an "oops" goal.
Different managers have different theories about form. I believe it is purely random, and there isn't anything the manager can do to influence it. When poor form happens (often for extended periods of time) you just have to ride it out. :)
no idea, but my theory of him going up because he was injured was right - he went up 4 levels this week ;)
I've seen other players do that. Don't know if it's just random playing tricks. Seems ... illogical. :)
I've seen other players do that. Don't know if it's just random playing tricks. Seems ... illogical. :)
4 AM here. *yawn*
You stayed up late or stood up early? :p Anyway, you're showing a great interest in the NT which is good :)
You stayed up late or stood up early? :p Anyway, you're showing a great interest in the NT which is good :)