Subject: [NT] Copa América

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.

Wivak can make the final weeks of the contest a little hollow with another win this week - should all but clinch it. :)

More game-ish propositions this week, as the match should be closely contested.

Colombia Props
Answer yes or no to each question to enter.

1. New Zealand will be leading at half-time.
2. New Zealand will be leading at full-time.
3. New Zealand will have a multi-goal scorer.
4. New Zealand will score a set piece goal (direct FK, corner or penalty).
5. New Zealand will commit more fouls then Colombia.
6. New Zealand will receive more cards then Colombia.
7. New Zealand will have more shots then Colombia.
8. New Zealand will have more shots on target then Colombia.
9. New Zealand will have more possession then Colombia.
10. There will be more play in New Zealand's half.

For tie-breaking purposes:
Total goals scored =

1. No
2. Yes
3. Yes
4. No (penalty is a set piece?)
5. Yes
6. Yes
7. Yes
8. Yes
9. No
10. Yes

5

Edited in #10 and changed #9 =/
(edited)

You are right - a penalty isn't really a set piece. I probably should have said a "restart" goal. :)

1. Yes
2. Yes
3. Yes
4. No
5. Yes
6. No
7. Yes
8. Yes
9. Yes
10. No

Total goals: 4

Managers of participating players have been notified. :) Team form is looking much better then earlier in the season - even the casualties are starting to creep - Kilkenny an exception.

Watts still nursing his booboo. Bodger will be given a pre-match cortisone shot and is expected to participate.

1.Yes
2.Yes
3.Yes
4.No
5.Yes
6.No(i hope never is the case)
7.Yes
8.Yes
9.Yes
10.No

Total goals scored:6
(edited)

1 no
2 no
3 yes
4 yes
5 yes
6 yes
7 no
8 yes
9 no
10 yes

goals=7

1. No
2. Yes
3. Yes
4. No
5. No
6. No
7. Yes
8. Yes
9. Yes
10. No

4

Underway against Colombia.

Should be a good match - I believe the sides are fairly even. Colombia’s shooting rating is particularly impressive (don’t have to go back far to find an “outstanding”), so Taylor may need to have a good day. In recent times their corner kicks have been very dangerous - hoping the New Zealand back line doesn’t concede too many of those.

Tho they’ve used the same 3-4-3 a lot lately, I’m expecting a 4-4-2 (more like what they used against Scotland and Belgium). Wouldn’t be surprised if they employ a 4-3-3 (see their Venezuela match). The 4-3-3 would take them away from what I perceive as their clear advantage in this match - a superior midfield. Either way, their defense tends to back off in these formations. Gilbert, in particular, has been positioned very aggressively.

Decided to go with the 3-5-2 that was used against Denmark. It’s intent is to gobble up possession and push play into the opposing half. Should help balance the perceived skill gap in midfield. Doesn’t have a lot of width offensively, but New Zealand has shown width since the Chile match. The biggest weakness defensively is well placed winger, and Colombia hasn’t used one yet this season. Throws have been adjusted to squares rather then line - have been working better, plus Colombia usually covers the touch line closely.

LINE-UP

Striker: Hird, Gilbert
Offensive Midfield: Atkinson, Tomlinson
Midfield: Dawkins, Kelly, De Bruin
Defense: Harris, Kilkenny, Edwards
Keeper: Taylor

Hird takes penalties, freebies left open (I hardly ever do this) - with the 2-2 up front, I’m reticent to pull any of those players out of position. So long as De Bruin doesn’t take too many, I’ll be happy.

Kilkenny in despite his awful form. I feel he still has sufficient skill on little Gilbert to justify this decision (Watts would be the 1st choice).

Sansom replaces Atkinson at 60, Bodger takes Gilbert at 67, Graham relieves Dawkins at 75. De Bruin covers the back line & Kelly in case of card.

Typical New Zealand match, eh? Red card, 2 lost time injuries. Going to be in bad shape next week. :(

I was happy with the tactic. Outshot them almost 3:1, and had lots of hectic play in their 18 that didn't result in a shot. Kept their chances mostly to the outside. Over half their shots were PKs. :P

Felt New Zealand dominated the first 30 minutes. Play balanced out as the match wore on, in part because of fatigue - all the injuries meant substitutions weren't made.

Was really happy with De Bruin. Didn't see that coming. :P Dawkins on the other hand looked sluggish. Sansom didn't have a good game either - though that was in no small part due to fatigue.

First New Zealand goal was low percentage (Atkinson isn't going to score too many from there), and the third New Zealand goal was a little soft. But in the end I thought the proper team won, and that the score perhaps flattered the Colombian effort.

That goal near the end was almost very costly. New Zealand finished second overall, tied with Chile on points and goal differential (but given 2nd due to 20 goals for, compared to Chile's 19).

This makes a world of difference next week, as New Zealand will play Costa Rica rather then Peru. Given the players that will be out, Peru would have been very difficult (Costa Rica not a sure thing, but certainly an easier opponent).

I haven't had a chance to look at the props, and am late for an appointment. If someone else wants to check them, go ahead. Otherwise I'll do it when I get home. :)

props? *is in rugby mode*

thought NZ played superbly in this match and a massive kudos to the defense which kept the colombian strikers under wraps for most of the match. De Bruin did exceptionally well, when i first saw him up so far i was thinking 'wtf' but then he definitely proved his worth. Gilbert did great too scoring two of our goals and it was a pity that none more were scored imo due to bad form on hird and the Bodger SI.

Well devised Seca, NZ for Copa America victory!! =D

Heehee. If I start talking about hookers, will you also think rugby? :)

Colombia Results

1. New Zealand will be leading at half-time. Yes
Tho only 1-0 after controlling most of the play.

2. New Zealand will be leading at full-time. Yes
Colombia made it close with a little help from the ref. :) Two penalties in the final 5 minutes. C'mon. :P

3. New Zealand will have a multi-goal scorer. Yes
Gilbert came through with 2.

4. New Zealand will score a set piece goal (direct FK, corner or penalty). No
Hird failed to convert his spot kick. Only 1 corner, no dangerous FKs.

5. New Zealand will commit more fouls then Colombia. Yes
6-5. Was a little surprised at this - played a strong tackling line-up.

6. New Zealand will receive more cards then Colombia. Yes
Seems to be automatic this season.

7. New Zealand will have more shots then Colombia. Yes
By a fairly broad margin.

8. New Zealand will have more shots on target then Colombia. Yes
7 of 13 New Zealand shots required a save.
Gilbert 3 of 7
Hird 2 of 3
Atkinson 1 of 2
Bodger 1 for 1
By contrast, Taylor did not make a save (twice stopped a striker that tried to dribble through him - doesn’t count). Did a decent job sweeping. :)

9. New Zealand will have more possession then Colombia. Yes
New Zealand played a possession oriented tactic. Colombia’s 3 offensive mids didn't contribute much possession.

10. There will be more play in New Zealand's half. No
Kept the ball in the proper end for the most part.
(edited)

Some pretty sharp calls this week - tho they could also have been "homer" decisions. :) Tie-breaker let me down, so co-champs.

Wivak - 9
Lilryan19 - 9 This week's champs!
Barhilo - 7
Cerb - 7
Al Thore - 4

So Far In The Copa:
Wivak - 3
Lilryan - 1

Edit: screwed up Barhilo's count.
(edited)

i got it totally wrong. Well done Seca and NZ :)