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Subject: [NT] Copa América
Underway against Bolivia.
Aside from tweaking forward positioning, it’s the same formation as last week. Perhaps the repetition will make New Zealand appear predictable in Colombia’s eyes. Perhaps, but not likely.
Against Canada Bolivia’s defense backed in. Last week against Colombia they tried to push out around midfield. Result was pretty much the same either way. Like Honduras, they don’t have a lot of firepower. New Zealand’s forwards are positioned somewhat aggressively - could be caught a little if Bolivia pushes out again..
Line-up as posted earlier in the week. Bodger takes both penalties and freekicks.
Aside from tweaking forward positioning, it’s the same formation as last week. Perhaps the repetition will make New Zealand appear predictable in Colombia’s eyes. Perhaps, but not likely.
Against Canada Bolivia’s defense backed in. Last week against Colombia they tried to push out around midfield. Result was pretty much the same either way. Like Honduras, they don’t have a lot of firepower. New Zealand’s forwards are positioned somewhat aggressively - could be caught a little if Bolivia pushes out again..
Line-up as posted earlier in the week. Bodger takes both penalties and freekicks.
Wow ... I knew Groves was a little slow, but I think he actually contributed to higher concession sales.
Not a particularly impressive performance against a 9 man Bolivian squad. Offense seemed to have trouble getting on track.
Far more offsides then I expected. I knew the forwards were placed rather aggressively, but I thought the midfield would do a better job of "filtering" the ball.
Wasn't all that happy with the right side. None of Jerry, Matthews or Gilbert looked very sharp. Bodger had a very nice game, as did Edwards. Thought Pollock did well - Morcombe seems to be a bit of a hard luck case. :S
Will compile the results of this week's props a little later. An interesting challenge next week against a solid Colombian side.
Not a particularly impressive performance against a 9 man Bolivian squad. Offense seemed to have trouble getting on track.
Far more offsides then I expected. I knew the forwards were placed rather aggressively, but I thought the midfield would do a better job of "filtering" the ball.
Wasn't all that happy with the right side. None of Jerry, Matthews or Gilbert looked very sharp. Bodger had a very nice game, as did Edwards. Thought Pollock did well - Morcombe seems to be a bit of a hard luck case. :S
Will compile the results of this week's props a little later. An interesting challenge next week against a solid Colombian side.
IMO, strikers should NEVER take free kicks. You simply take away your attacking threat by doing that and score fewer goals as a result of them.
Nice win there Seca, thought pushing the offside was particularly well done and showed most especially with Bodger's almost-goal when he was BARELY onside. Was particularly impressed with the defenders today, they were around when needed to be and fouled in the right places to prevent goals/penalties but i have to say one thing...
Were they targeting Bodger or what?! The amount of players that fouled when they tried to tackle him was astounding!! Pretty happy that he got some well needed penalty shooting practice and was happy when he actually tried to shoot for goal from one of his free kicks (so close!!) Gilbert proved deadly all night, Morcombe was doing well until he got injured and Matthews was pretty well involved. Atkinson was doing alright but Sansom did much better when subbed on. Some good plays and a few terrible missed but a good game all round.
Now for Colombia!!
Were they targeting Bodger or what?! The amount of players that fouled when they tried to tackle him was astounding!! Pretty happy that he got some well needed penalty shooting practice and was happy when he actually tried to shoot for goal from one of his free kicks (so close!!) Gilbert proved deadly all night, Morcombe was doing well until he got injured and Matthews was pretty well involved. Atkinson was doing alright but Sansom did much better when subbed on. Some good plays and a few terrible missed but a good game all round.
Now for Colombia!!
Normally i agree with that, but in the case of 3 forwards i think you can get away with it, especially useful with direct free kicks and if the striker in question has reasonable PM/passing =]
Barhilo explained my rationale very well. :) I'd be reticent to use a striker for FKs in a 2 striker formation for the reason you mentioned.
I was quite pleased with Bodger's FKs in this match - placed one right on Morcombe's head, and almost scored a beauty in minute 60.
I was quite pleased with Bodger's FKs in this match - placed one right on Morcombe's head, and almost scored a beauty in minute 60.
Heehee. :)
Bolivia Prop Results
1. Bodger will score 4 or more goals. yes
Tho the middle of the defense looked fairly tight, Bodger found room time after time. Many of his 11 shots were high quality - could have had more then his 5.
2. Atkinson will have more assists then Matthews. yes
Atkinson had a nice match. Matthews was a little off, and focussed on feeding Gilbert, who was also a little off.
3. Pollock will score at least 1 goal. yes
Played longer then expected, and did well.
4. Groves will have a clean sheet. yes
Tho not much of an accomplishment - only got off his lawn chair once or twice.
5. Tomlinson will have a "better" half then Richards (determined by the NT manager). no
Both had decent games, neither a standout. Tomlinson made some better decisions with the ball, but Richards covered more territory. Tie means no for this one.
6. A corner kick goal will be scored by New Zealand. no
There were free New Zealand strikers on each corner kick, but the service was poor.
7. A penalty kick will be converted by New Zealand. yes
Bodger rattled the woodwork on his first opportunity, but made good later on.
8. New Zealand will have more injuries then Bolivia. no
But did have more severe injuries. :P
9. Bolivia will have a red card. yes
Not surprising given the gap in player skills.
10. New Zealand will have a red card. no
Which probably means the team will get 2 next week. :S
Bolivia Prop Results
1. Bodger will score 4 or more goals. yes
Tho the middle of the defense looked fairly tight, Bodger found room time after time. Many of his 11 shots were high quality - could have had more then his 5.
2. Atkinson will have more assists then Matthews. yes
Atkinson had a nice match. Matthews was a little off, and focussed on feeding Gilbert, who was also a little off.
3. Pollock will score at least 1 goal. yes
Played longer then expected, and did well.
4. Groves will have a clean sheet. yes
Tho not much of an accomplishment - only got off his lawn chair once or twice.
5. Tomlinson will have a "better" half then Richards (determined by the NT manager). no
Both had decent games, neither a standout. Tomlinson made some better decisions with the ball, but Richards covered more territory. Tie means no for this one.
6. A corner kick goal will be scored by New Zealand. no
There were free New Zealand strikers on each corner kick, but the service was poor.
7. A penalty kick will be converted by New Zealand. yes
Bodger rattled the woodwork on his first opportunity, but made good later on.
8. New Zealand will have more injuries then Bolivia. no
But did have more severe injuries. :P
9. Bolivia will have a red card. yes
Not surprising given the gap in player skills.
10. New Zealand will have a red card. no
Which probably means the team will get 2 next week. :S
I think we have a "shark". :)
Round 2
Wivak 8 - winner!
Al Thore 7
Cerb 5
Barhilo 5
Maqoma 3
Round 2
Wivak 8 - winner!
Al Thore 7
Cerb 5
Barhilo 5
Maqoma 3
In other group action, Colombia whistled 40 shots at the Honduran goal, but were held to a 7-0 margin.
A good result for New Zealand, as it's +16 goal differential is two better then Colombia - a draw next next week would be sufficient to take the group.
A good result for New Zealand, as it's +16 goal differential is two better then Colombia - a draw next next week would be sufficient to take the group.
I say pfft to that. I still wouldn't use a striker to take free kicks if I had 4 players up front.
Heehee. I can picture that now.
---------O-----K-----O-----------
-----------MXXXXM-- opponent wall
-------------M--M----- Mcoi striker wall
-----------------------------------
----------M------ FK taker ------
Chances of shot getting through - 0.0001% :D
(edited)
---------O-----K-----O-----------
-----------MXXXXM-- opponent wall
-------------M--M----- Mcoi striker wall
-----------------------------------
----------M------ FK taker ------
Chances of shot getting through - 0.0001% :D
(edited)
You might have different luck - my players seem to always shoot inside 35 yards (unless they are within spitting distance of the sidelines), irregardless of orders or skills.
So if they are going to shoot, I like a striker on each post, and the middle as open as possible (and some striker skill on the shooter).
In this game I thought there would be more "close" freekicks. Figured the play would be in Bolivia's end, and that there would be more DEF-ATT fouls then MID-MID fouls. Didn't really work out that way, but guessing is the best one can do until managers can specify a "close" and a "far" freekick taker.
So if they are going to shoot, I like a striker on each post, and the middle as open as possible (and some striker skill on the shooter).
In this game I thought there would be more "close" freekicks. Figured the play would be in Bolivia's end, and that there would be more DEF-ATT fouls then MID-MID fouls. Didn't really work out that way, but guessing is the best one can do until managers can specify a "close" and a "far" freekick taker.
Although when you win 7-0 anyway, it probably doesn't matter who takes the free kicks ;).
Heehee. :)
The match with Colombia has been booked. I won't be posting the line-up this week, but will instead be SK-mailing the managers of participating players.
Colombia is a solid opponent. New Zealand has an advantage in goal and at striker (tho Colombia has some dangerous forwards - with Hird's form and Bodger's knock, this advantage is far from decisive). Colombia has a significant advantage in midfield. I rate the defenses fairly equal, tho Watt's absence may tilt that a little.
Should be an entertaining match. I'll post this week's propositions in the next day or so.
The match with Colombia has been booked. I won't be posting the line-up this week, but will instead be SK-mailing the managers of participating players.
Colombia is a solid opponent. New Zealand has an advantage in goal and at striker (tho Colombia has some dangerous forwards - with Hird's form and Bodger's knock, this advantage is far from decisive). Colombia has a significant advantage in midfield. I rate the defenses fairly equal, tho Watt's absence may tilt that a little.
Should be an entertaining match. I'll post this week's propositions in the next day or so.