Subject: [NT] World Cup Qualifying

Apologies for the blank spot on the bench. A couple of minutes before match time I decided to switch Zanardi and DeGuzman. I'm guessing I confused Sebrango and Zanardi when I did this (Sebrango was suspended).

We had some pretty good luck early on in qualifying against Wales and Finland. Since then our luck has been poor to awful. It's going to be hard to win a goal differential race if the random number generator doesn't start picking it up a little.

I like that Foster as an attacking midfielder.

He played well. He's actually got better striker skill then Broussard. Normally a middie taking 4 shots isn't a good thing, but I'm trying to position him to take advantage of his skills. He was even the designated PK taker today due to Lavrynenko's off form.

I guess we both just have to win Finland and we are through:)

If either one of us draws against Finland, we are both through. Assuming no one wets the bed (which we were close to doing today).

And that's what Canada is likely aiming for now. I don't get the kind of love you do from the ME (NZ's been up a man in 4 of 7 Q matches).

ME favors weaker teams:)

Lets hope either one of us can steal points from Finland. I doubt I can do that again, but if Morocombe stays healthy and in form, then anything´s is possible. My money is on you actually, shame that your star striker is in low form.

I am wondering has there been a situation before, when 1st ranked team won`t qualify to World Cup? That might in happen in our group.

I think the most probable scenario goes like this - Finland beats us both and wins the group. Canada and NZ get the same amount of points and goal difference will decide the 2nd place owner.

I've decided to move all further discussion of the Canada NT to the association forums. You guys are free to continue using this thread, but I will be making all of my pre-game, post-game and personnel comments there.

If you aren't already a member of the association, you can apply here.

Amazing first half from Albania - nice counter attacks.

With a tough loss today to Finland World Cup qualifying goes into its final week. Good luck Canada. We are still in with a chance.

http://online.sokker.org/player.php?PID=2005648

wyn Lavyrenko, 28 years old, Canada's best striker is on the TL, in poor form and injured for 26 days:(

Was in great form since I bought him 6 seasons ago, after his first injury this season he did not manage to regain his form.
Form was just rising before he was injuried again and I have enough of it, he is too good for my league with all that people there suddenly fielding <40% rating teams.
Off season is soon so he can easily recover from injury in his new team. :)
I hope his new manager has more luck with that so he can continue to play well for Canada.

Btw.: He has +4 pace and +4,5 technique.
(edited)

Grats to Wales! Full value for the win. Very flat performance from Canada which is disappointing considering the gravity of the match.

And congrats to New Zealand and Finland for emerging from the group. Best of luck in the WC. :)

Good work Seca. You had us on the edge of our seats. The team performed 100% to their capabilities and came up short only by goal difference.
Finland really put it to New Zealand today, I see, 11-1.

Had problems stopping Finnish winger today. And 90% of all head balls were won by opponent players - that random factor was on theie side today. The finns are just so much better.

I was a bit surprised of the public claim being that we won 90% of all head balls. In the beginning of the game it seemed like that for me as well but I just wanted to see if my calculations do support yours. For some, don't ask me what, reason I came to a different conclusion.

According to my calculations we won 58,62% (17/29) of all head balls. Those headers (for both sides) which did/could have led into a scoring chance we won 66,7% (8/12) of them.

I don't mean to be offensive. I just wanted to corrent the little miscalculation you accidentally made. I would also like you to verify your calculations before publishing them as an official fact. All the best luck to your games in future. I have spoken.

It is usual I am exaggerating, that`s what to loosers usaually do:) But the 66.7% is actually quite huge.