Subject: U21 Match Expectations

Good game defensively, from both teams. We shut them out in the first half and had a nice goal ourselves just before halftime. Overall, I think that our 3 forwards had a tough time of it; everytime that they recieved the ball there was a defender right behind them that they were turning into.
Throwins were much better.

Canada U21 vs Mexico U21

I thought this would be the most important match at the beginning of the season but with the two disappointing first matches, every game is our most important match(so technically i guess i was right :P) Anyways, I have made a 532 for this match with low defence and i have worked on the throw-ins as well to try and make them better. Pretty much the only lineup change from the last qualifying match will be the extra defender and one less mid, unless any injuries occur.

Canada v Mexico 0-0

Boooriiinng (just kidding)

The midfield and keeper did the job for Canada. The attackers...well, 9 offsides and 0 shots tells most of the story, but there were a few good chances - the strikers just never were quick enought to get the shots off. A good result.

yeah the offence was pretty lacking, still 2 breakaways where we should have had really good chances and they just kept going until they got tackled *sigh* when Cockburn didn't shoot on the breakaway with only a few minutes left hes lucky hes not real so i can't throttle him.

The midfield and keeper did the job for Canada

the defence did alot more than the mid, especially with Occean's red card. As for Ellison, he played great in denying those 2 headers that were good chances

edit: anyone have any ideas on what I'm doing wrong on offence? Can't seem to score...
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edit: anyone have any ideas on what I'm doing wrong on offence? Can't seem to score...

in my opinione you should be more carefull in the lines out, becuase they are very usefull to stop dangerous actions but also to create dangerous ones..

the two strikers seems to be too much statics! try to move theme more, crossing their position in order to give to Mids the possibilities to catch them in a free space with deep passages!

Yeah, I would agree. All of your players seem to be one dimensional, up and back. The forwards, especially, should have more lateral movement...try to get some space away from the defenders.

thanks for the suggestion, i'll try to fix that

germany U21 3-0 canada U21

great start, hit the post in the 4th minute, 0 shots against then a 7th minute red card and we're screwed...add in a stupid 1st goal because of our defence passing back and you have proof that the ME hates me
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Canada U21 2-0 Al Maghrib U21

i was having a nervous breakdown watching Cockburn miss the net lol. I had to check the report at the 60th minute :) Great play from Occean and Zaharijja, looks like we will have some nice players to replace Lemieux and Verville

Nice win. A good tactic. Just when Occean had a throwin there was noone to throw to.
Ocean and Zaharijja look to be nice players. Capobianco is a nice player too. And he has popped in a couple of skills that I havent told you about, yet.

yeah, i noticed the throw-ins lol. and yes, Capobianco is a great player too, we should have quite a few good NT players in the future

Indonesia U21 3:1 Canada U21

close match, the last 20 minutes, including their last goal were absolute bull. Our strikers would fumble the softest passes, and the opposing defence would get them. Then an absolute bomb would be sent up and their defenders, who definately have lower tech than our strikers, smash it back like it's nothing. Then one of our defenders runs down the line and gets tackled of course and leaves a huge gap and they score...

Well, it was quite an aggressive lineup. Canada had 3 central strikers and two attacking midfielders. It created chances, but, yeah, the shots too often went wide of the target.
There were also a couple of 19 year olds out there and several players with only solid or very good, and one with adequate, tactical discipline.
The 4 defender line was strong until a defender was pulled out of position, which happened often for various reasons.
Anyhoo...no bs, I think that you are doing great things with the team. You are playing lots of formations with lots of different players. And this game, like a lot of games this season, has just seen Canada 21 play exciting, entertaining sokker. good on ya

indonesia was luckier than canada...i liked strikers' movements although maybe too many crossings.. crossing strikers is a a good solution with closed defence... but indonesia play with the lateral defenders quite wide so the strikers would have done a better match playing between the central and the lateral def!

however, you're rightly testing several different solutions so don't worry and hope in a bit of lucky for you ;)

thanks for the support :)

Al Maghrib U21 0-4 Canada U21

Used the same tactic as the game against Indonesia, lots of shots and chances although alot of the shots were from outside the 18. 2 PK goals including an absolute beauty from Valente that i don't think could have hit the corner more perfectly. Cockburn finally scored, just before his transfer, although i liked his passing alot more than his shooting lol. I will try and cook up something good for the match against Germany next week :)

i don't think its going to be an easy match against deutschland...