Subject: »[NT] Update

We are in Group D for the unofficial U21 WC group stage.

New Zealand
Magyarország
Suomi
Canada

Could be worse. :) Group B looks quite fierce.

Finland was one of 3 teams to go undefeated during qualifications (along with ourselves and Mexico). They beat Uruguay, Iceland and the Swiss.

Hungary finished second in their Q-group. Lost to Colombia, but defeated Turkey and Greece.

New Zealand is in via their senior squad WC showing. Given their user base, I don't expect a strong squad from them, but I could be mistaken (haven't done any scouting yet).

Edit: I may retract that NZ comment. They have some nice U21 players that contribute to their senior squad like Kelly and Kilkenny. Edwards seems to have progressed alot since changing teams. They might have a fairly decent 11.
(edited)

Best scorers of WC u-21 Qualifications:

7 Ralf Straub (Deutschland)
7 Heriberto Vescovi (Brasil)
7 Nesim Tekdüzen (Türkiye)
7 Scottie Wang (Canada)

Choquet had 5 in just two games.

No word on the group stage schedule yet. I'm hoping not to see NZ first, as with the other two I have more of an idea what we are up against.

Mixed form update. Nice to see Klukowski looking more like his old self. Abbas Musa sliding again. Fichaud's form is the lowest I can recall it ever being - a measly "incredible". :P

Lamo, who would have played against Scotland this weekend, picked up a knock and will miss the match. Mayard went SI with the update, so his status has been raised from doubtful to questionable.

Group D
----Team------------------Goals---Points
New Zealand
Magyarország
Suomi
Canada

WEEK 11 (2007-02-03)
New Zealand - Magyarország
Suomi - Canada

WEEK 12 (2007-02-10)
New Zealand - Suomi
Magyarország - Canada

WEEK 13 (2007-02-17)
Canada - New Zealand
Magyarország - Soumi

Pretty much the order I would have put the matches in if I'd had a choice. :)

Haven't finished scouting yet. Noticed we have the weakest goal-keeping in the group (with no disrepect intended for our lads). Both Finland and Hungary have a divine. :P

Manohar has popped in technique, he is very good now. Next week he is gonna get some stamina boost.

I'd prefer if skill denominations weren't posted publicly. You can post the pop here, but send the level via Sk mail.

Is the stamina really necessary? I hate to see players at peak train-ability get mid-season stamina training. Especially when they already have a playable level.

But if it's in the best interest of your squad, so be it.

---

ooops sorry

For the training you are right, I don't realy need a stamina training, TY Seca.

Form update was decent today. McGhee and Lavrynenko both had good weeks - will be helpful for the U21s.

And Fichaud is amazing. Monday I pointed out he had dipped to Incredible. As of today - back to divine. Phenomenal. :)

Addition to the roster today.

Kirk Fortner, age 21
Club: Fianna FC
Position: Striker

I think that is the first +4 form jump I have seen to date. He's the anti-Menard... lol

What would people think of Trainer threads for strikers, middies and defenders?

Might be a good way to network, discuss goals and roles, highlight young prospects.

Good idea. Make it so :)

I like it