Subject: »[NT] Update

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I'm pleased that post was deleted - MacCulloch isn't an NT prospect at this point, and it would be misleading to suggest he is.

NT scouts have been raving about Maxime Fluet. His form was off earlier in the season, but is much improved. It's expected he will be called up for NT duty next week.

Connor Foster, formerly of Ben's Eleven, was the focus of another scouting mission ... with favourable reviews.

The loss to BiH today leaves us in 3rd place. 6 of the 3rd place teams will qualify for the World Cup. By my estimation we are currently the 5th ranked 3rd place team.

This means we may very well have to win against Lithuania to qualify for the World Cup. That's assuming we can somehow beat Greece.

Little more detail on that.

Contending 3rd Place Teams Currently:

1. Portugal 16 pts +37 (Netherlands)
2. Mexico 16 pts +19 (Argentina)
3. New Zealand 16 pts +15 (Italy, Turkey)
4. Uruguay 15 pts +38 (Chile)
5. Canada 15 pts +21 (Lithuania)
6. Sweden 15 pts +15 (Ireland)
7. Peru 15 pts +15 (Chile)
8. Belarus 15 pts +11 (Spain)
9. Venezuala 15 pts +10 (Swiss)
10. Slovenia 15 pts +9
11. Wales 12 pts +9

Of the teams behind us, Sweden, Peru, Slovenia could easily win out. They would all be on 21 points. They all have at least 1 very weak opponent - our goal differential may not stand up.

Wales has two really easy matches. So easy they should finish on 18 points and could catch our goal differential.

Aside from New Zealand, the teams ahead of us all have a guaranteed win. New Zealand should be safe against Turkey, but it's trickier. We won't catch any of these teams without a win against Lithuania.

So, long story short. We must win the final two games to even have a chance to qualify for the World Cup. It is quite plausible that even if we upset Lithuania we still won't qualify. Not cool.

I was really focussed on being 3rd yesterday - and if that is where we finish, then we will likely miss the World Cup.

Second is still a possibility and our best bet of getting through. It will require some help. Lithuania will need to beat Austria. If we can somehow beat Greece then either a draw by us against Lithuania OR dropped points by Austria against BiH would get us in.

NT Milestones - BiH II

This match marked Iginla's 60th cap. The 28 assists he's accumulated is far and away the most for the team.

Amado's goal was his 80th for country.

Gordon Cochran suffered a bad knock in league play, and will miss the U21 friendly against South Africa this weekend.

Fernando Sandhu (1 cap) of HL Football was released from the NT roster.

Maxime Fluet of HL Football and
Connor Foster, a Ben’s Eleven youth playing in Finland were called up for NT service. Both are 20 year old midfielders.

Lost another U21 player due to injury. Basile Lorenzo, who would have been a starter, is out for a couple of weeks. Poor chap has had 3 knocks in his last 5 club matches.

Hmmm thats just some more (un)luck for our national team. This is gonna be a disasterous season for our NT.

Heehee. It certainly looks bleak. But things can still turn it around. I'm trying my best, and we are likely to get a few good breaks ... eventually. :D

Ibrahim Sheperd, a midfielder of Real Hawkes, has been called up for NT duty.

I have been considering Cam Azran for several weeks. He is a striker that is very heavy to one stat. At the moment, I'm more inclined to play our 19 year old up&comers (Boisierres, Sewell).

Shawn Rogers, 21 yr defender from Jalea of Scarberia, has been called up. Move wouldn't have been necessary if Cochran could have stayed healthy. :/

It was a bit of a mixed week form-wise. Dehere was a notable "sinker", Iginla a notable "riser".

Renda up to very good. Almost playable - especially given the form of many midfield contemporaries (O Lav, Caron, Klukowksi).