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Subject: [NT] Mini World Cup
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The draw will take place on Tuesday evening. Although NT elections haven't yet been completed, the likely 32 entrants are set. 1/4 (8 teams) will be seeded. Unfortunately we fall 10th on the list, just missing out.
The 8 likely seeds, in ranking order, are:
Srbija, Ireland, Peru, Australia, Bosnia, Austria, Turkey and Russia. Some of those could be difficult for us to beat, though not impossible. Interestingly, the top seeds are Srbija who we edged out in our World Cup group.
The 8 likely seeds, in ranking order, are:
Srbija, Ireland, Peru, Australia, Bosnia, Austria, Turkey and Russia. Some of those could be difficult for us to beat, though not impossible. Interestingly, the top seeds are Srbija who we edged out in our World Cup group.
We're in Group D of the MWC.
Australia, Island, Honduras, South Africa.
Australia will be favourites to win the group.
Honduras are the weakest side.
We beat Island 4-0 and 2-0 in our WC qualifying group, so we'll be looking to get through ahead of them. The 4-0 was a bit harsh though as they had 2 players sent off in that match.
If we finish 2nd in the group, we'll be up against the winners of Group E. In all likelihood, that will be Austria, very tough opponents.
If we win the group, a tough task with Australia in there, we'll player the runners up to Austria. The rest of their group consists of Shqiperia, Latvia and Hong Kong. I'd be hopeful of beating any of those sides.
We play Honduras first, then Island, then Australia.
Australia, Island, Honduras, South Africa.
Australia will be favourites to win the group.
Honduras are the weakest side.
We beat Island 4-0 and 2-0 in our WC qualifying group, so we'll be looking to get through ahead of them. The 4-0 was a bit harsh though as they had 2 players sent off in that match.
If we finish 2nd in the group, we'll be up against the winners of Group E. In all likelihood, that will be Austria, very tough opponents.
If we win the group, a tough task with Australia in there, we'll player the runners up to Austria. The rest of their group consists of Shqiperia, Latvia and Hong Kong. I'd be hopeful of beating any of those sides.
We play Honduras first, then Island, then Australia.
Our first match against Honduras should be straightforward.
They only have 2 players that appear to earn marks in the 50's, a striker and their goalkeeper. All of our outfield players typically earn 50's or 60's and our keeper scores in the 80's.
Honduras are ranked 79th with only 692 points. We are ranked 49th with 1328 points. Our 70 squad players have an average value of R3.3m, while their 52 players average only R1.5m.
With that in mind, we'll be on the attack this week. The starting lineup will be the same as for last weeks good performance, except for two injury enforced changes.
Mugeyi is injured, so Behr regains his place and Portgieter will come on for him in the second half. At the back, Mabotsa is also out, so Yohane will slot into the centre and Rodrigues will move out wide into Mabotsa's spot.
If our strikers slot their chances, we should win this comfortably.
They only have 2 players that appear to earn marks in the 50's, a striker and their goalkeeper. All of our outfield players typically earn 50's or 60's and our keeper scores in the 80's.
Honduras are ranked 79th with only 692 points. We are ranked 49th with 1328 points. Our 70 squad players have an average value of R3.3m, while their 52 players average only R1.5m.
With that in mind, we'll be on the attack this week. The starting lineup will be the same as for last weeks good performance, except for two injury enforced changes.
Mugeyi is injured, so Behr regains his place and Portgieter will come on for him in the second half. At the back, Mabotsa is also out, so Yohane will slot into the centre and Rodrigues will move out wide into Mabotsa's spot.
If our strikers slot their chances, we should win this comfortably.
First result in our group was interesting.
Australia 3 Island 2
Australia shaded the possession, were camped in the Island half and had 14 shots to 7 but Island came very close to an upset.
I suspect the new Island manager is hopeful of taking some points off us next week, so I'll need to be wary. On the positive side, maybe Australia are beatable too.
Australia
very good shooting, formidable passing, excellent defending (9/11/10)
Island
solid shooting, solid passing, formidable defending (8/8/11)
(edited)
Australia 3 Island 2
Australia shaded the possession, were camped in the Island half and had 14 shots to 7 but Island came very close to an upset.
I suspect the new Island manager is hopeful of taking some points off us next week, so I'll need to be wary. On the positive side, maybe Australia are beatable too.
Australia
very good shooting, formidable passing, excellent defending (9/11/10)
Island
solid shooting, solid passing, formidable defending (8/8/11)
(edited)
well we did play 2nd strings last season and you got the draw then.
Although there won't be any luxury gaps in the defense when we play you hopefully, that almost cost us the win.
Although there won't be any luxury gaps in the defense when we play you hopefully, that almost cost us the win.
Congrats on a nice result. Adamovic is really a handful. :S Thought Eddie had a good game. :)
Too true, Adamovic was making my defenders look silly. As for Eddie, is only he was in better form!
That was last weeks game though. We've got a late game today. Kicks off in an hour or so.
That was last weeks game though. We've got a late game today. Kicks off in an hour or so.
Lol. Apologies. :D I was thinking that was an awfully difficult group if Slovenja was in it too.
Honduras simply weren't strong enough and the match was one way traffic.
Honduras 0 South Africa 7
We dominated with 57% possession, 72% territory, and 20 shots to 2.
Up front, Permall continues to impress, as does young Portgieter off the bench. Behr seems to waste more chance than the others, and I can only guess that Permall's shooting has improved since his last update nearly 3 months ago. Behr and Permall are very similar in ability according to my spreadsheet.
The defence had little to do, so not much to comment about there. Makhanya had a better game this week, playing a little further back and with more time on his hands. Chacho distributed well from in front of the back line, including a fantastic through ball that Behr slotted.
Honduras
average shooting, adequate passing, good defending (5/6/7)
South Africa
very good shooting, very good passing, excellent defending (9/9/10)
Honduras 0 South Africa 7
We dominated with 57% possession, 72% territory, and 20 shots to 2.
Up front, Permall continues to impress, as does young Portgieter off the bench. Behr seems to waste more chance than the others, and I can only guess that Permall's shooting has improved since his last update nearly 3 months ago. Behr and Permall are very similar in ability according to my spreadsheet.
The defence had little to do, so not much to comment about there. Makhanya had a better game this week, playing a little further back and with more time on his hands. Chacho distributed well from in front of the back line, including a fantastic through ball that Behr slotted.
Honduras
average shooting, adequate passing, good defending (5/6/7)
South Africa
very good shooting, very good passing, excellent defending (9/9/10)
Our match today against Island is probably not as straightforward as our last two wins over them suggest. Their new manager plays a very strong defensive game and they may be hard to break down. We had trouble with similar tactics against Nigeria, a weaker team, last season.
In terms of marks, we appear to have the better goalkeeper, and an overall slight edge in quality, but it's close. Their solid/solid/formidable ratings against Australia are only one level worse than our very good/very good/excellent ratings against Honduras, though ours are more balanced.
Island are ranked 61st with only 1011 points; they're better than that. We are ranked 49th with 1359 points. Our 71 squad players have an average value of R3.4m, while their 58 players average only slightly less at R3.2m.
I expect to play with the same starting XI as last week, with tactical changes to suit the opposition, and some changes to the players on the bench.
Mugeyi and Mabotsa are still injured, along with Makhaye and Shongwe
Unlike last week, this isn't going to be one way traffic. Our strikers cannot afford to waste chances this week. They did well last week, scoring 6 times from 15 shots (the mids also had 5 shots and produced an own goal). Although that was against a similar level keeper, the defence will be a lot stronger here so the shots won't be as easy or as plentiful.
If we win today, our place in the last 16 is secure.
(edited)
In terms of marks, we appear to have the better goalkeeper, and an overall slight edge in quality, but it's close. Their solid/solid/formidable ratings against Australia are only one level worse than our very good/very good/excellent ratings against Honduras, though ours are more balanced.
Island are ranked 61st with only 1011 points; they're better than that. We are ranked 49th with 1359 points. Our 71 squad players have an average value of R3.4m, while their 58 players average only slightly less at R3.2m.
I expect to play with the same starting XI as last week, with tactical changes to suit the opposition, and some changes to the players on the bench.
Mugeyi and Mabotsa are still injured, along with Makhaye and Shongwe
Unlike last week, this isn't going to be one way traffic. Our strikers cannot afford to waste chances this week. They did well last week, scoring 6 times from 15 shots (the mids also had 5 shots and produced an own goal). Although that was against a similar level keeper, the defence will be a lot stronger here so the shots won't be as easy or as plentiful.
If we win today, our place in the last 16 is secure.
(edited)
Well, that's not what we wanted.
Island 1 South Africa 0
Although Iceland controlled possession 54/46, we spent most of the match in their half (54/46) and took 14 shots to 4. Those shots were wasted though.
Iceland's goal, in my opinion, should not have been given. One player lobbed a high ball towards our goal. Their striker was offside as the ball was struck. Lathan fumbled an easy catch (when does he ever do that?) and the offside striker put the loose ball in the net. Still, it's our own fault for not sticking at least one of those 14 shots away. Also, Although Iceland only had a few chances, some of them were very dangerous, probably better chances than most of ours.
Not long after the goal, with 26 minutes left, Madigage got sent off with his second yellow card. He wasn't playing well though, so it didn't matter all that much.
Island
solid shooting, solid passing, excellent defending (8/8/10)
South Africa
very good shooting, excellent passing, very good defending (9/10/9)
Next weeks match against Australia takes on massive proportions now as they beat Honduras today 7-0, like we did.
We can safely assume that Iceland will beat Honduras comfortably as well. That will put them and Australia both on 6 points, while we have 3. That means we must beat Australia to have a chance of going through. Even so, it will then come down to goal difference. We are currently at +6, Australia at +8, and Island at 0.
(edited)
Island 1 South Africa 0
Although Iceland controlled possession 54/46, we spent most of the match in their half (54/46) and took 14 shots to 4. Those shots were wasted though.
Iceland's goal, in my opinion, should not have been given. One player lobbed a high ball towards our goal. Their striker was offside as the ball was struck. Lathan fumbled an easy catch (when does he ever do that?) and the offside striker put the loose ball in the net. Still, it's our own fault for not sticking at least one of those 14 shots away. Also, Although Iceland only had a few chances, some of them were very dangerous, probably better chances than most of ours.
Not long after the goal, with 26 minutes left, Madigage got sent off with his second yellow card. He wasn't playing well though, so it didn't matter all that much.
Island
solid shooting, solid passing, excellent defending (8/8/10)
South Africa
very good shooting, excellent passing, very good defending (9/10/9)
Next weeks match against Australia takes on massive proportions now as they beat Honduras today 7-0, like we did.
We can safely assume that Iceland will beat Honduras comfortably as well. That will put them and Australia both on 6 points, while we have 3. That means we must beat Australia to have a chance of going through. Even so, it will then come down to goal difference. We are currently at +6, Australia at +8, and Island at 0.
(edited)
Australia 7 Honduras 0
Australia totally dominated Honduras with 51% possession, 79% territory, and 36 shots to 0.
Australia
excellent shooting, formidable passing, very good defending (10/11/9)
Honduras
average shooting, adequate passing, good defending (5/6/7)
(edited)
Australia totally dominated Honduras with 51% possession, 79% territory, and 36 shots to 0.
Australia
excellent shooting, formidable passing, very good defending (10/11/9)
Honduras
average shooting, adequate passing, good defending (5/6/7)
(edited)
We've got quite a few setbacks going into Saturday's vital match against Australia.
Up front, Behr is suspended.
In midfield, Madigage is also suspended.
At the back, Rodrigues is injured and Mabotsa, almost back from injury, is in hopeless form.
Up front, Behr is suspended.
In midfield, Madigage is also suspended.
At the back, Rodrigues is injured and Mabotsa, almost back from injury, is in hopeless form.
That is not good news at all. But Potgieter will probably fill nicely in for Behr and sure u could get some 1 else to partner hmi
Right, we play Australia today in our last MWC Qualifier. We must win or we're out. If we win by 1 goal, qualification will come down to goal difference.
Australia are ranked 35th with 1748 points.
We are ranked 51st with 1320 points.
Australia's squad of 78 averages R5.3m.
Our squad of 71 averages R3.4m.
In the qualifiers so far, ratings for shooting/passing defending have been:
Australia -> 10/11/9 and 9/11/10
South Africa -> 9/10/9 and 9/9/10
There's no doubt that Australia go into this match as the favourites. However Iceland pushed them hard and went down 2-3, so we've got a chance.
The injuries and suspensions won't do us any good, but we live with it and it gives some other players a chance to show what they've got.
Expected line-up today:
Keeper
Lathan (Wuest)
Defenders
Ngaduana
Baloyi
Yohane
Goliath (Mulekelayi)
Midfielders
Mabizela
Makhanya
Chacho
Mazibuko (Khambule)
Strikers
Permall
Portgieter (Mugeyi)
4th sub
Shongwe
(edited)
Australia are ranked 35th with 1748 points.
We are ranked 51st with 1320 points.
Australia's squad of 78 averages R5.3m.
Our squad of 71 averages R3.4m.
In the qualifiers so far, ratings for shooting/passing defending have been:
Australia -> 10/11/9 and 9/11/10
South Africa -> 9/10/9 and 9/9/10
There's no doubt that Australia go into this match as the favourites. However Iceland pushed them hard and went down 2-3, so we've got a chance.
The injuries and suspensions won't do us any good, but we live with it and it gives some other players a chance to show what they've got.
Expected line-up today:
Keeper
Lathan (Wuest)
Defenders
Ngaduana
Baloyi
Yohane
Goliath (Mulekelayi)
Midfielders
Mabizela
Makhanya
Chacho
Mazibuko (Khambule)
Strikers
Permall
Portgieter (Mugeyi)
4th sub
Shongwe
(edited)
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