Subject: [nt] World Cup Discussion

12.59 SK time kick off today. The other group match kicks off at 17.59 sokker time between the USA and Canada.

good luck

i wll be on a plane to dublin so will miss it so don't blooming injure bevvster if he plays of course....

am loggedon to sokker in airport lounge....

If anyone is interested:

Hrvatska v Scotland

If Scotland get at least a point, then they qualify ahead of Lietuva, which would be the biggest shock so far.

4 clear goals today would see us get the 3rd seed.

2nd one is quite a tough one, as whoever gets that will probably play Lietuva.

4-2 :S

Very poor show from many of the players. Tactic worked reasonably well, although the defence was far too spread out (aim was to assault them through the middle).

Still, 9 points from the group, no clean sheets though which is disappointing.

1. P. Hann
Fair game.
2. C. Bridge
Defensively strong, offensively weak.
3. M. Harper
No real involvement but could have perhaps done more.
4. M. Malhan
Looked about the strongest in defence.
5. T. Henchoz
Solid game, but nothing spectacular.
6. A. Charlton
Horrible. Hardly did anything right all game.
7. M. Clemence
Below par, but could have been worse.
8. M. Simpson
Horrible.
9. T. Lineker
Quiet but hard working performance.
(60' S. May)
Looked good, maybe could have scored with his shot, assist was a welcome after some generally poor work from other midfielders.
10. I. Irwin
Scored, but never looked threatening.
(59' O. Galvin)
Looked threatening, but didn't do as much damage as I would have hoped.
11. J. Bevan
Very threatening, but should have got more than 2 from his 7 efforts.

Another warning - a very close match against the team that should be destroyed.

You really need to work hard before the next match, because it gets tough now :P

It could and should have been a lot more. The midfield's supply to the strikers was dire, and the strikers failed to really make use with what they had.

Job done:) From now on its def results that count now, I think players will step up with perfomances when needed. Agree with the defense comment, their strikers seemed to find the gap either side of our CB. Shame our strikers are a little shy of shooting from edge of the box!
Anyhow nice one, any idea who we might have next?

Not sure yet.

Provisionally I have the opponent as being Suomi. But Argentina - Eesti and USA - Canada could change that.

Provisionally the Czech Republic now.

Odds are we'll be playing either them, or if Canada and USA draw, Argentina.

who would we prefer d'you think?

Tough one really, as there is so little between them to choose.

yep, CRep have a better record but in an easier group.

Look's like we've got the USA in the first knockout (again).

Full draw (not 100% certain):

Sverige v Polska
Lietuva v Italia
Argentina v Espana
USA v England
Ceska Republika v Deutschland
Suomi v Hrvatska
Norge v Nederland
Danmark v Belgie

Except the width between the final line of defender and a little bit space between defs and mids, generally tactic is Ok. Together with the last match tactic, NT coach has to work on those.
Now, England will face much strong strikers (except USA), not stop them directly but block the pass to them. If we have that tactic, I beleive we will have a descent game even with poland.