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Subject: [NT] Fixtures
Actually, got things backwards. Canada this week, Wales next week.
Set for the match against Canada. 4 injuries, notably Mabizela. Canada rarely uses 5 at the back, so this would be a nice match to have some width. Options are a little slim after Mabizela. They have a good side, but I'm optimistic we may get some kind of result.
Canada played a youth oriented line-up. Only a couple of players (Lemieux, Verville) from the A-squad. I was not as generous and went with best available. Meant average player ratings were quite similar and team ratings were a little in South Africa's favour. So, a match South Africa should have won.
I finished setting the tactic before watching South Africa's U21s play. Smiled when I saw them take the field, as there were some fairly striking tactical similarities. Key difference was the positioning of the OM. The U21s had the OM "weakside", while the seniors played the OM "strongside". Arguments for both. With the senior tactic, the OM was to chip balls either to the striker or wide mid, to quick recover any balls stripped from the striker, and be a general pest.
For the first 20 minutes, Khomane looked like he was born to play that role. Making tackles, breaking tackles, firing balls at the net. I was surprised to see today's assist was his first for the NT. Chivuta also played well there. Both did a good job picking up loose balls, and had chances to feed the striker that they didn't always pull off. Kubheka was actually supposed to replace Chivuta (my error). Would like to see what his extra PM can do there. But I was really pleased with the job both Khomane and Chivuta did.
I was also really pleased with Khambule. I had not expected him to be breaking tackles down the sideline. I would be a little surprised if he could do this against true NT caliber defenders, but it was great to see today. Letebe was also rock solid and made some good passes. Little bit of an off-game for Chacko, but he was still fine.
Really the only player I was disappointed with was Tavlibune. He's in at flank back in large part due to his PM, but his decision making with the ball was very poor in this match.
Had hoped to get Mahule in for a bit of a run, but didn't have enough orders (5 red card, 1 sub, 1 swap). Next week. :)
I finished setting the tactic before watching South Africa's U21s play. Smiled when I saw them take the field, as there were some fairly striking tactical similarities. Key difference was the positioning of the OM. The U21s had the OM "weakside", while the seniors played the OM "strongside". Arguments for both. With the senior tactic, the OM was to chip balls either to the striker or wide mid, to quick recover any balls stripped from the striker, and be a general pest.
For the first 20 minutes, Khomane looked like he was born to play that role. Making tackles, breaking tackles, firing balls at the net. I was surprised to see today's assist was his first for the NT. Chivuta also played well there. Both did a good job picking up loose balls, and had chances to feed the striker that they didn't always pull off. Kubheka was actually supposed to replace Chivuta (my error). Would like to see what his extra PM can do there. But I was really pleased with the job both Khomane and Chivuta did.
I was also really pleased with Khambule. I had not expected him to be breaking tackles down the sideline. I would be a little surprised if he could do this against true NT caliber defenders, but it was great to see today. Letebe was also rock solid and made some good passes. Little bit of an off-game for Chacko, but he was still fine.
Really the only player I was disappointed with was Tavlibune. He's in at flank back in large part due to his PM, but his decision making with the ball was very poor in this match.
Had hoped to get Mahule in for a bit of a run, but didn't have enough orders (5 red card, 1 sub, 1 swap). Next week. :)
I took a look at the Canada forum and was amazed when I saw the skills of Lemeiux, I think it was. Amazing. I didn't realise that Canada played a weakened side, but South Africa's performance was excellent anyway. That result has helped a lot with our rating, and well done for getting that big win you wanted, against your homeland no less. :)
What on earth was Khambule doing when he let Canada take possession early on, in the move that resulted in the free kick that produced their goal? He just stood there and jogged towards the ball, letting the opposition race by and take possession!
I'm very happy with the way Letebe and Chivuta are playing. Next season will likely be largely devoted to improving their playmaking and should make them more effective in their roles. It won't hurt the three older guys (Solomos, Malashe and Rapeane) either.
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What on earth was Khambule doing when he let Canada take possession early on, in the move that resulted in the free kick that produced their goal? He just stood there and jogged towards the ball, letting the opposition race by and take possession!
I'm very happy with the way Letebe and Chivuta are playing. Next season will likely be largely devoted to improving their playmaking and should make them more effective in their roles. It won't hurt the three older guys (Solomos, Malashe and Rapeane) either.
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I put more blame on Mule then Khambule for the Canada goal. Wasn't the best play by Khambule, but Mule made an absolute hash of the reception which consequently led to the foul. The FK was a low percentage goal, but Canada had a couple high percentage chances they didn't convert, so it all worked out in the wash.
Lemieux is a truly exceptional player - will almost certainly be Canada's best by the time he's done his career.
Match against Wales is booked. I've managed NTs a long time, but I have a sneaking suspicion Wales is a side I've never faced.
Lemieux is a truly exceptional player - will almost certainly be Canada's best by the time he's done his career.
Match against Wales is booked. I've managed NTs a long time, but I have a sneaking suspicion Wales is a side I've never faced.
Sometimes you have to feel sorry for your opponent. Not only did Wales have their best defender sent off and suspended in this match, but they lost their starting keeper and an important midfielder to extended injuries. Very unfortunate. :(
I was expecting a good match. The teams put up similar ratings. The red card (more specifically, the lack of a replacement order) really skewed the affair.
Tactically, I continued a current theme of over-loading one side of the field. Was happy with it. Even before the red card, I felt South Africa had the upper hand, and that the early Wales goal was against the run of play. The red card blew it wide open - the two South African strikers were then running through a giant gap. and were pretty easy to pick out. Both were a little reticent to take shots - shot total could have approached 15-20 had Sait and Mahule been a little more aggressive.
Not a great match for goal keepers. Neither did much to help their side. I was pleasantly surprised with Tavlibudine's play - I chided him last week for kicking the ball out of play. This week he had very little in the way of outlet options, yet he did a very good job of decision making. Aside from his grand adventure upfield that cost the 3rd goal, he had a pretty nice match. Mule and Sait were solid. I don't think Malashe touched the ball until the 83rd minute. :)
I was a little disappointed with Kubheka. I really thought his skill set would shine in that role, but he wasn't able to get much done while Chivuta was 17 flavours of dangerous when he came into the game. Khambule, Chacko and Letebe were all pretty sharp.
I can't remember who's arranged for next week - will have to check my notes.
I was expecting a good match. The teams put up similar ratings. The red card (more specifically, the lack of a replacement order) really skewed the affair.
Tactically, I continued a current theme of over-loading one side of the field. Was happy with it. Even before the red card, I felt South Africa had the upper hand, and that the early Wales goal was against the run of play. The red card blew it wide open - the two South African strikers were then running through a giant gap. and were pretty easy to pick out. Both were a little reticent to take shots - shot total could have approached 15-20 had Sait and Mahule been a little more aggressive.
Not a great match for goal keepers. Neither did much to help their side. I was pleasantly surprised with Tavlibudine's play - I chided him last week for kicking the ball out of play. This week he had very little in the way of outlet options, yet he did a very good job of decision making. Aside from his grand adventure upfield that cost the 3rd goal, he had a pretty nice match. Mule and Sait were solid. I don't think Malashe touched the ball until the 83rd minute. :)
I was a little disappointed with Kubheka. I really thought his skill set would shine in that role, but he wasn't able to get much done while Chivuta was 17 flavours of dangerous when he came into the game. Khambule, Chacko and Letebe were all pretty sharp.
I can't remember who's arranged for next week - will have to check my notes.
Very harsh match for Wales but very well played by our boys and great to see so many goals.
Mahule caused all sorts of trouble in the box. Chacho produced two great free kicks, scoring one goal and planting the ball on the striker for another.
I liked the strategy of having Khubeka right behind the strikers. When they lost the ball, he was often there to win it right back.
Mahule caused all sorts of trouble in the box. Chacho produced two great free kicks, scoring one goal and planting the ball on the striker for another.
I liked the strategy of having Khubeka right behind the strikers. When they lost the ball, he was often there to win it right back.
The opponent arranged for this week is Viet Nam, though they are a little slow accepting the challenge.
Line up is set for the Viet Nam match. Won't be anything all that new or interesting either tactically or in the personnel.
Had some younger players in the line-up, but should have eased up a little more. Some of the other players I considered have questionable long term futures, so I didn't see much point in using them.
Team played well. Good ball movement, very sharp defensive play. Malashe in particular was rock solid. The OM wasn't as influential as it has been in recent matches. Chivuta didn't see much of the ball at all when he was up there. Khomane saw more, but didn't seem to have the time or space to accomplish much. Mapela's pace was very apparent - nice having a rabbit up front. Will be nice when his form comes back around.
Team played well. Good ball movement, very sharp defensive play. Malashe in particular was rock solid. The OM wasn't as influential as it has been in recent matches. Chivuta didn't see much of the ball at all when he was up there. Khomane saw more, but didn't seem to have the time or space to accomplish much. Mapela's pace was very apparent - nice having a rabbit up front. Will be nice when his form comes back around.
Comfortable victory. Liked the strategy of using the second striker wide like that.
I'm generally a fan of asymmetry when it comes to striker placement. Symmetrical placement tends to be "all or nothing". I consider a little asymmetry as a hedge.
All set for Venezuela. Nothing too extraordinary again either in the line-up or the formation.
An entertaining match. Those who haven't seen it and have a few spare minutes may want to take some of it in before reading spoilers.
Teams were very even with Venezuela actually ahead in average player rating by a tangible amount (mostly at the striker & wing positions). And they really deserved something from the match. Shots, play, and chances were all pretty even. Both keepers were great - Roberts absolutely stalwart.
Tactics looked very similar, but there was a significant flaw in South Africa's. The positioning of the wide mids (Chivuta & Chacko) was very ineffective. They were too wide to fill Venezuela's passing lanes (resulting in a number of through balls), and also too wide to make productive passes of their own (since the Venezuela mids were in their passing lanes). So there were an inordinate number of back passes by South Africa. My fault. I've never liked positioning mids directly in front of defenders for exactly this reason. I thought it would help spread the field and provide more offense, but not against the tight 3 the opponent used.
The South African defense had an uncharacteristically shoddy match. K Sait was brutal both with and without the ball - Rapelego was a breath of fresh air as a sub. Malashe also seemed off his game. Mule made some bad decisions. Really fortunate Roberts was sharp.
Shot total would have been significantly better if Khambule had had his range. His crosses were not very good at all, giving the strikers virtually no chance to be productive. Redeemed himself some at the end, but did such a nice job getting to the corner, it's a shame his passing hadn't been sharper.
All in all, very fortunate the midfield positioning didn't cost the result. Bit of a shame, because I thought our striker positioning was really good. :)
Teams were very even with Venezuela actually ahead in average player rating by a tangible amount (mostly at the striker & wing positions). And they really deserved something from the match. Shots, play, and chances were all pretty even. Both keepers were great - Roberts absolutely stalwart.
Tactics looked very similar, but there was a significant flaw in South Africa's. The positioning of the wide mids (Chivuta & Chacko) was very ineffective. They were too wide to fill Venezuela's passing lanes (resulting in a number of through balls), and also too wide to make productive passes of their own (since the Venezuela mids were in their passing lanes). So there were an inordinate number of back passes by South Africa. My fault. I've never liked positioning mids directly in front of defenders for exactly this reason. I thought it would help spread the field and provide more offense, but not against the tight 3 the opponent used.
The South African defense had an uncharacteristically shoddy match. K Sait was brutal both with and without the ball - Rapelego was a breath of fresh air as a sub. Malashe also seemed off his game. Mule made some bad decisions. Really fortunate Roberts was sharp.
Shot total would have been significantly better if Khambule had had his range. His crosses were not very good at all, giving the strikers virtually no chance to be productive. Redeemed himself some at the end, but did such a nice job getting to the corner, it's a shame his passing hadn't been sharper.
All in all, very fortunate the midfield positioning didn't cost the result. Bit of a shame, because I thought our striker positioning was really good. :)
It's not often that you get matches in Sokker like this one, matches that can go either way. Very entertaining to watch.
In all it was a good result for the team. As you say, Venezuela were marginally the stronger side on paper so to come away with a 2-1 win from an even match, plus a missed penalty, is a success.
Well done for such a great run of results. It's done wonders for our rating.
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In all it was a good result for the team. As you say, Venezuela were marginally the stronger side on paper so to come away with a 2-1 win from an even match, plus a missed penalty, is a success.
Well done for such a great run of results. It's done wonders for our rating.
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Up against Slovenia this week. It is generally an exercise in controlling Egon Adamovic.
Had a pretty significant injury to J Sait this week. A few players whose form is drifting too (Letebe, Mahule). On the bright side, Mabizela's form has improved - he may be able to influence the match some.
Had a pretty significant injury to J Sait this week. A few players whose form is drifting too (Letebe, Mahule). On the bright side, Mabizela's form has improved - he may be able to influence the match some.