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Subject: [NT] Fixtures
It was indeed a very weak tactic from Ghana. Someone should explain her ( yes, it's a girl ! ) how to make tactics...
For me, the score was not at all a surprise...
For me, the score was not at all a surprise...
I really did my best, but I will never understand your English :p
hehe :) I now, I weak write in English ;] But I write in post highly that Ghana play tactic normal but other name.
This week we have an U21 friendly against Moldova. Like us, they are a small sokker nation and their NT is currently ranked 6 places lower than us.
Unlike last week, we're not going to be scoring 11 goals this time, especially with the young star Moldova have in goals. In other departments, I believe we have the advantage, though not by much. They have a couple of players to be wary of, especially Capatina and Ulinici up front and Popova at the back.
As for our lot, they did so well last week that I'm not going to change much. There's a positional switch at the back, and one substitution will be different. All the same players will be used, barring injuries.
Unlike last week, we're not going to be scoring 11 goals this time, especially with the young star Moldova have in goals. In other departments, I believe we have the advantage, though not by much. They have a couple of players to be wary of, especially Capatina and Ulinici up front and Popova at the back.
As for our lot, they did so well last week that I'm not going to change much. There's a positional switch at the back, and one substitution will be different. All the same players will be used, barring injuries.
Cant wait to see the young guns in action! David David David David
The youngsters did the job again last week with a fine 3-0 win, despite having the worst of the territory and possession. In the first half, we pretty much couldn't even get out of our own half but still lead 1-0 at the break. The substitutions and stamina paid off as we closed off with a strong second half.
This week we're up against Latvija. We were originally meant to play Mexico but they've qualified for the U21 final against Poland. Tough for them, but lucky for us...they probably would've given us a hard time.
The Latvian coach has opted for a full NT game. They're not very strong though (ranked 72nd to our 44th) (53 players averaging R2.2m to our 73 players averaging R3.7m), so I'm probably going to avoid taking any chances with important players. We wouldn't want any of the first team picking up suspensions or injuries with the WC Qualifiers only 2 weeks away.
We will be playing to win though, and I'll post here with more information on the lineup when I've decided.
(edited)
This week we're up against Latvija. We were originally meant to play Mexico but they've qualified for the U21 final against Poland. Tough for them, but lucky for us...they probably would've given us a hard time.
The Latvian coach has opted for a full NT game. They're not very strong though (ranked 72nd to our 44th) (53 players averaging R2.2m to our 73 players averaging R3.7m), so I'm probably going to avoid taking any chances with important players. We wouldn't want any of the first team picking up suspensions or injuries with the WC Qualifiers only 2 weeks away.
We will be playing to win though, and I'll post here with more information on the lineup when I've decided.
(edited)
Some good news for us (hopefully) is that the World Cup Qualifiers have been expanded to 14 groups of 6. That means 42 teams will make the third basket. We are currently in 44th place. If we can win our last two matches, we'll be very close to making it. The problem is that position 42 is currently 100 points ahead of us. We'll need them to drop some points to catch up.
We were disadvantaged by the seeding system last time, and now the two new countries (Tunisia and Cameroon, ranked 39th) could be keeping us out of the third pot. It's going to be close, so let's hope for the best.
(edited)
We were disadvantaged by the seeding system last time, and now the two new countries (Tunisia and Cameroon, ranked 39th) could be keeping us out of the third pot. It's going to be close, so let's hope for the best.
(edited)
Ok, here's my thinking for this weeks lineup. I want to avoid using players that are very important to the NT. With the WC Qualifiers only 2 weeks ago, we don't want to be taking any chances with injuries. That said, I can't know which players the new coach will use for sure.
Keepers
Lathan is still the number one keeper, but he's got a 9 day injury. At least he'll be back in time for the WCQ's. Roberts is improving rapidly and looks likely to take over top spot sometime this coming season. With Lathan out, he'll play on Saturday. For the sub position, there are a couple of candidates. Skosana is slightly injured and in poor form, so he's out. Wuest is in divine form and gets the nod.
Defenders
I'm going to rest Goliath, Yohane, Ngaduana, Baloyi, Mabotsa and Rodrigues. A couple of them are not in the best form and it leaves enough strength for the backline. For this match, I'll be going with Solomos, Rapeane, Mbambo and Tavlibudine. They are all fringe players, aged 23 to 25, strong in the tackle, quick enough and in form. For the sub I'll include Sait.
Midfielders
The possibilities are so varied here, that another coach might choose totally different players. My likely starters here are Mazibuko, Khambule, Makhanya and Lekhuleng. Rested possibles include Madigage, Mabizela, Westerhof, Chacho and Shongwe. There's not much depth beyond those, so I'll include a youngster on the bench, probably Cyril Chacho.
Striker
Up front, choices are starting to get complicated. I won't risk Permall, so he'll rest. Khanyile and Portgieter are useful and not in great form. Juwayeyi and Makhaye also have their strengths that make them important to a varied attack. We have enough depth here for me to rest them all as well. Mugeyi is a fringe player that is unlikely to get a regular starting position. He's proved his worth before in similar matches, so I'll use him again. Lakay is a great form and it's been a while since he last played. He'll be the other striker. Behr has lost his place as an automatic selection but he could still be useful as an impact player if things aren't going according to plan, so he'll be on the bench.
Keepers
Lathan is still the number one keeper, but he's got a 9 day injury. At least he'll be back in time for the WCQ's. Roberts is improving rapidly and looks likely to take over top spot sometime this coming season. With Lathan out, he'll play on Saturday. For the sub position, there are a couple of candidates. Skosana is slightly injured and in poor form, so he's out. Wuest is in divine form and gets the nod.
Defenders
I'm going to rest Goliath, Yohane, Ngaduana, Baloyi, Mabotsa and Rodrigues. A couple of them are not in the best form and it leaves enough strength for the backline. For this match, I'll be going with Solomos, Rapeane, Mbambo and Tavlibudine. They are all fringe players, aged 23 to 25, strong in the tackle, quick enough and in form. For the sub I'll include Sait.
Midfielders
The possibilities are so varied here, that another coach might choose totally different players. My likely starters here are Mazibuko, Khambule, Makhanya and Lekhuleng. Rested possibles include Madigage, Mabizela, Westerhof, Chacho and Shongwe. There's not much depth beyond those, so I'll include a youngster on the bench, probably Cyril Chacho.
Striker
Up front, choices are starting to get complicated. I won't risk Permall, so he'll rest. Khanyile and Portgieter are useful and not in great form. Juwayeyi and Makhaye also have their strengths that make them important to a varied attack. We have enough depth here for me to rest them all as well. Mugeyi is a fringe player that is unlikely to get a regular starting position. He's proved his worth before in similar matches, so I'll use him again. Lakay is a great form and it's been a while since he last played. He'll be the other striker. Behr has lost his place as an automatic selection but he could still be useful as an impact player if things aren't going according to plan, so he'll be on the bench.
Hell nice buildup! nice to see Gordon in for a chance to prove his worth ;) he is in rather good form, hoping for some decent Shooting pops for him this season.
Also nice to see the younger Chacho on the bench.
It looks like we've been nailed by the seeding system again. Last time, we ended up in a group where we had no chance of qualifying even if we finished 3rd, which we did, because of the weak new nations that were 3rd seeds in other groups.
This time, we're going to miss out on being 3rd seeds by 2 positions, those 2 positions being taken up by 2 new countries. Unfortunately for us, the draw should be taking place tomorrow, so any points we gain in the next two weeks won't help us.
Let's hope that we get lucky with the draw and end up in a group where we have a chance of going through, at least as one of the 4 best third placed teams (at least that's how I think it will work). The two groups with the two new nation 3rd seeds will have the advantage, but that leaves two other spots up for grabs.
This time, we're going to miss out on being 3rd seeds by 2 positions, those 2 positions being taken up by 2 new countries. Unfortunately for us, the draw should be taking place tomorrow, so any points we gain in the next two weeks won't help us.
Let's hope that we get lucky with the draw and end up in a group where we have a chance of going through, at least as one of the 4 best third placed teams (at least that's how I think it will work). The two groups with the two new nation 3rd seeds will have the advantage, but that leaves two other spots up for grabs.
For tomorrows game, I will use all three subs, so they will get some game time.
Yep, you and Uruguay got screwed by the system i've been complaining about for well over a year.
Team Wedstrijden W G V Saldo Punten
1. Polska 0 0 0 0 0-0 0
2. México 0 0 0 0 0-0 0
3. Bosna i Hercegovina 0 0 0 0 0-0 0
4. South Africa 0 0 0 0 0-0 0
5. Singapore 0 0 0 0 0-0 0
6. Ukraina 0 0 0 0 0-0 0
damnit polska and mexico, will be hard to get good goal difference to qualify as 3rd...
1. Polska 0 0 0 0 0-0 0
2. México 0 0 0 0 0-0 0
3. Bosna i Hercegovina 0 0 0 0 0-0 0
4. South Africa 0 0 0 0 0-0 0
5. Singapore 0 0 0 0 0-0 0
6. Ukraina 0 0 0 0 0-0 0
damnit polska and mexico, will be hard to get good goal difference to qualify as 3rd...