Subject: [NT] Friendlies

Have challenged Ireland as per arrangement (not accepted yet).

Hoping for a youth match, or B-squad game. New Zealand isn't in a position where it can risk any A-squad players with Portugal again the following week.

Ireland's manager preferred B-squad over a youth match, so that's what we've lined up.

These are likely the New Zealand players who will dress.

Matthew Alves - Portugal - Deathstrike youth
Jerry Anthopoulos - West Auckland Warriors
Gary Edwards - Poland -AC Cikini youth
Duncan Findlay - N_Z
Matt Gilbert - Germany - Fiery Tigers youth
Matt Hawkey - Romania - 11 Wise Men youth
Greg Irvine - Bosna i Hercegovina - Deathstrike youth
Bill Kingi - Cashmere
* Corey Matthews - 11 Wise Men - AC Cikini youth
Nigel Pollock - One
Jacob Priorie - Poland - Unbelievers youth
Alex Richards - Italy - Deathstrike youth
Robert Smith - Spain - Fiery Tigers youth
Ben Tomlinson - Hyperintelligent Shades of Blue
Stuart Urlovic - Estonia - Deathstrike youth
Alan Welford - Romania - N_Z youth

* I'm not sure where his injury is at. If he's still SI, he'll likely be replaced.

A little slow responding. Now back from vacation. :)

The tactic New Zealand used is one I've used a lot with my club team in the past couple of seasons. The big benefit (IMO) is the easier pass to the winger (given the proximity of another midfielder - in this match, Tomlinson). I consider it a fairly offensive formation.

I didn't predict a press from Ireland (they used one against Greece this season). It did give them some offsides, and pushed more of the play into New Zealand's end. On the downside, it gave New Zealand's winger an excellent chance to get down the sideline.

The winger didn't work out as well as I think it should have. :) Despite good service and some space, Irvine was tackled cleanly from behind a couple of times in the first half. He was better in the second. Another problem was that he was able to out-run his strikers, so in the second half there were occasions where Irvine got to the corner flag, but had no heads in the box to try and pick out.

I thought the two injuries were really going to be a problem. The first two subs were Pollock and Findlay at half-time. So there were some pretty tired players by the end of the match.

I thought both team's shot totals were a little flattering. Ireland's strikers were often speculative and happily fired off shots from a bit of distance (scoring 2 of them). 3-4 of New Zealand's shots came on the same scoring play (3rd goal).

Matthews looked a little sluggish, but had a nice match and probably should have had assists on the first two New Zealand goals. Priorie was a pleasant surprised off the bench - I hadn't expected him to be that effective. The defense played well - Anthopolous the exception who stuggled with his tackling (form).

Back to qualifying this week - return leg with Portugal.

Portugal will be hard to beat this week. Good Luck :)

I'll chip in by saying good luck as well. A win here should see you home safely.

Nice to see Matthews and Smith in the B squad..both are old players of me :)

This weekend's match against Slovenia is officially on the schedule. No ground rules have been discussed.

As stated, Slovenia this week, with no ground rules. They are tied for 3rd in their Q-group (4th on GD) and have a reasonable shot at claiming 3rd. Even if they claim that spot, they don't have a shot at WC qualification. Decent season for them, tho not as good as the previous qualifying season where they gave both England and Scotland fits.

Given that scenario, expect to see Slovenia's A-squad this weekend. They have a bona fide superstar in striker Egon Adamovic, a fabulous midfielder in Ervin Leviçnik, and a rising star in 22 year old midfielder Ramiz Ahac.

This would be a pretty interesting match A-squad vs. A-squad, but I haven't given up on chasing down Portugal in goal differential, so I will be resting offensive players that are likely to contribute next week (the one exception is Bodger who will have a brief stint in an experimental role). I don't see the need to rest defensive players, so the squad's top defenders will dress (unless they are ancient - not point in suiting up Harris in a friendly). Without the team's top offensive players this match could be a bit of a struggle, especially if Slovenia does go full A-squad.

Dressing for New Zealand
Alves
Bodger
Edwards
B Gilbert
Hagan
Irvine
Kelly
Kilkenny
Kingi
Matthews
Petherick
Pollock
Priorie
Taylor
Watts
Williams

A bit of an old favorite this week with a 442 diamond. More to suit the selected players then to counter what Slovenia does (tho if they play their normal 442 I think it will work well).

Trying Edwards in a new role (DM). He should be alright at it, tho his form will hold him back. Bodger also trying something different - he's to play the final 20 at OM.

Pollock takes freebies and penalties in the first half, by committee in the second. Edwards provides the red card coverage.

Line-Up
Taylor
Williams, Kilkenny, Watts, Kelly
Edwards, Irvine, Petherick, Matthews
B Gilbert, Pollock

Bench
Alves
Hagan
Kingi (46 - Petherick)
Bodger (20 - Matthews)
Priorie (46 - Pollock)

Disappointing result. Some really good ball movement and a large territorial advantage for New Zealand, but couldn't parlay that into many quality chances. The final pass was a real problem for this midfield. Irvine's decision making was very poor. He had several opportunities to send crosses into the box, but usually decided Edwards was a better option then any of the 4 guys in the 18 yard box. :S Other midfielders made better decisions, but weren't able to muster the accuracy needed to spring a striker. Unlike Adamovic, the NZ strikers weren't able to win many 1 vs. 1 battles (Adamovic was doing alright 1 vs. 2 or 1 vs. 3).

Was happy with the tactic. First Slovenia goal was Adamovic blowing through the defense. Second was fumblefest in the defensive 18 yard box. Was one throw-in I didn't cover very well.

Liked how Edwards played. Probably his best match this season. Matthews brought what creative spark the side had, but didn't get a lot of opportunities. No conclusion in the Bodger experiment, as he didn't see much of the ball during his time. Taylor did a good job cleaning up his box, but didn't (to my memory) stop any on-target shots, which is a little disappointing.

Back to qualifying next week.

Didn't manage to arrange anything for this week. After a certain point it seems easier to actually wait for the week to find a game.

Have challenged most of the teams in the #20-#40 positions in the NT rankings. A match against any of these teams would be most interesting. If no one has signed on by this evening I will challenge all the free teams in order to get a match. (I'm not really expecting any of the #20-#40 teams to want to play, as I approached most of them earlier in the season).

Norway accepted the friendly challenge, which is great. Should be an interesting match. :)

Apologies. Has been a very busy week at work. :/

Line-up is set for Norway. No arrangements (ie., line-up restrictions) have been made. I have trouble justifying using oldsters in friendlies, so despite Bodger's (suddenly) great form, he's got the week off. Harris too. Otherwise, most of the top players will see action.

Underway against Norway.

Not really sure what they will do. They employ a variety of approaches. Don’t seem to use 4 at the back much - have placed the strikers hoping that trend continues.

Trying the 442 diamond used a couple weeks back against Slovenia. In that match New Zealand was able to maintain all kinds of ball control, but lacked the final incisive pass. With Atkinson and Root in the match, I’m hoping that won’t be as much of a problem this time.

Morcombe responsible for penalties, Atkinson freekicks. Kelly supplies the coverage should one of the back line defenders get sent off.

Line-Up

Taylor
Williams, Watts, Kilkenny, Edwards
Kelly, Atkinson, Petherick, Root
Morcombe, B Gilbert

Bench

Alves
Findlay
Irvine (50 - Petherick)
Pollock (60 - Morcombe)
Priorie

nice win. Scoreline a little harsh for Norway but they had their chances to make it a different scoreline and they couldn't do so whereas your strikers did. Thought Taylor had a pretty good game today.

A good result. :)

First couple of goals came off the same freekick (mirrored) that featured a free striker in the 6 yard box. Always hate it when a tactical mistake is exploited multiple times. :P (Actually had a third crack at the same play - Atkinson made a poor pass).

Not a great game for the New Zealand defense. Osvold absolutely gave Edwards fits, and embarrassed him in pretty much every way possible. Home side was fortunate this wasn't parlayed into some goals. Beyond that, Williams had a tendency to lag the line. He put Rørvik on-side for the lone Norway goal, and narrowly escaped repeating the mistake a few other times. Defense also had a nasty habit of passing to each other - not usually a problem with 4 at the back, especially with open midfielders in front of them. Weird.

New Zealand midfield seemed to lose the tech-tackle battles on a fairly regular basis, but made up for it with some sharp passing. Thought Petherick had a nice match, and Atkinson obviously played well. Root had more influence on the match once he shifted into the middle. Irvine had no impact.

The strikers looked good. B Gilbert had a bit of a form rise this past week, and it was reflected in his play. Root may have to give Morcombe spot kick lessons, but both strikers finished the ball fairly well.

Lastly, Taylor had a nice match. He did have to make a number of saves (largely due to Edwards struggles). He looked sharp. Hopefully will bring the same mojo next week.

Speaking of next week, that would be the annual New Zealand - Australia challenge. ;)