Subject: [NT] India

The world's second most populous RL country this week, it is still a very small Sokker nation (23 users).

India was added a season before Moldova - their league system is into it's 4th season, and its NT into it's 3rd. Though older then Moldova, I believe they are weaker.

It's tough to find a key player - perhaps midfielder Shibu Saru is one of their more useful pieces. Defender Kishore Raviraj appears to be the most capped India player, but doesn't look all that useful.

This will be the first Sokker meeting between the two sides.

I have an idea of how I want to play this one, but if anyone has suggestions, I will gladly here them. Or if you are just interested in what I've got planned, drop an SK mail. I will send messages to the managers of involved players after the training update.

Not much else exciting in Group J this week - each of the big dogs has a puppy to kick around.

2-5-3 FTW :D

comments to follow.

Since our population of 4.1m / their population of 1.2b = 0.003416,

0.003416 x 23 users = 0.078568
0.078568 / our 27 users = 0.00291
0.00291 x 3 seasons India has existed = 0.00873

I expect us to win by at least 7 goals.

Heehee. I still haven't quite mastered the logic, but based on the accuracy of your last prognostication, I'm willing to accept it. :) Though I do hope the squad will manage to surpass that margin of victory.

As snowy said to me when calculating it, the figures dont add up so he just plucked a random number from his head ;)

lol

Made some final adjustments to the tactics. All set to go. :)

With 5 regular starters carrying two yellow cards, there are some worrisome card scenarios with the Canada and Croatia games are back to back. Those 5 players have been instructed to tackle studs up all through the India game - I guess we'll see how well they listen.

Any idea what time we should tune in?

~ 9:00 Sokker time.

which is 7pm kiwi time. Rather early match time :)

Sweet. Thats about the time ill be tearing the first tab off my DB.

Gosh I wish I was back in Germany drinking real beer :)

sp8's ftw :P

having said that, i'll probably get rid of the last of my corona and monteiths bottles

Good luck New Zealand, probably you won't need it ;[

I'll settle for a shot on goal...

De Generaal

:)

Underway.

A fairly standard 3-5-2 in this one. Left middie is pushed up into a wing position. India has a tendency to back off their defensive line against strong teams. Chadwick is positioned quite high in case they do. He will take some offsides if India does move their line around.

Matthews takes Atkinson at left wing ~50. Rosa takes Chadwick at left forward ~60. Root takes Gilbert and shifts to left wing ~75. 3 orders used to cover the back line in case of red card. Bodger takes Pks, Hird takes Fks.

Would be thrilled if Edwards, Chadwick, Kelly, Harris or Robben pick up a card and clear their slate.

Another disappointing result from the margin department. Of the 29 shots, the vast majority were of pretty high quality. The New Zealand strikers (particularly Chadwick) aren't showing alot of touch around the net, despite the formidalbe striking rating.

I made an error in the orders - Kelly and Edwards switched (was supposed to be on a red card). A very uncharacterisitic mistake on my part - I triple check the orders. Fortunate it didn't hurt us too much.

Matthews was good in midfield. Hird was ok - I was hoping for a few more shots out of him. Root only saw the ball once in his debut - pretty close to a nice pass for Rosa.

good morning :o
pink.. aye ;)
the Indian keeper made some good saves.
I liked Bodgers long shot on half time. How far out was he?