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Subject: U21 skravleplassen
República Dominicana U21 - Norge U21 0:0
This is a result that I unfortunately feared. I have already mentioned in advance that Dominican Republic has very strong defenders. In addition, their goalkeeper was also extra class. So, a similar team to us. The strikers of both nations were also a bit weaker. From there, a goalless draw is the logical consequence.
Therefore, the thought had come that Norway would play with a tactic that could create many scoring chances and then I hoped that one of these chances would find its way into the goal. We also see that we shot three times more on goal than the Dominican Republic. In any case, this is a result that doesn't help us much if we want to reach our top goal.
Next week we play group favorite Greece, who will start with a different coach that I didn't expect. Greece is now under pressure to win and will try to get three points against us. We have what it takes to get at least one point. I am curious about that!
This is a result that I unfortunately feared. I have already mentioned in advance that Dominican Republic has very strong defenders. In addition, their goalkeeper was also extra class. So, a similar team to us. The strikers of both nations were also a bit weaker. From there, a goalless draw is the logical consequence.
Therefore, the thought had come that Norway would play with a tactic that could create many scoring chances and then I hoped that one of these chances would find its way into the goal. We also see that we shot three times more on goal than the Dominican Republic. In any case, this is a result that doesn't help us much if we want to reach our top goal.
Next week we play group favorite Greece, who will start with a different coach that I didn't expect. Greece is now under pressure to win and will try to get three points against us. We have what it takes to get at least one point. I am curious about that!
If you find a way to score I definitely think you can make a surprise and take all points! Best of luck!
Exactly! This is a million jackpot answer if I can find a way to score! :D
Norge U21 - Hellas U21
Today there is an important match. If we win or get a point, qualification is still feasible. If we lose, qualification is only theoretically possible.
Surprisingly, the Greeks didn't win in the first game. Therefore, they will do everything they can to get their first win in the 2nd game. But Norway U21 has something against it. We want to get three points. We don't care that the Greeks are the favorites, but we are sometimes able to win the game as underdogs. The big question is: Which striker will score for us?
Today there is an important match. If we win or get a point, qualification is still feasible. If we lose, qualification is only theoretically possible.
Surprisingly, the Greeks didn't win in the first game. Therefore, they will do everything they can to get their first win in the 2nd game. But Norway U21 has something against it. We want to get three points. We don't care that the Greeks are the favorites, but we are sometimes able to win the game as underdogs. The big question is: Which striker will score for us?
Norge U21 - Hellas U21 1:1
Good! That's it! A draw! We wanted to get at least a point and we succeeded in terms of results. But I must say: We were also lucky! Our new striker Torbjørn Grønlund, in his first game as a striker, put us in the lead, but the joy was short-lived. Greece equalized a few minutes later.
So, that was a game dominated by fouls. We had to record a whopping 6 fouls and one can already speak of luck that the referee came from England. That's why he let a lot of things go through. We are sorry that we broke the Greek strikers. This is very annoying for the U21 and the player owner. Get well soon!
Tactically, I have totally misjudged. I have to admit that. It was the first time we got a goal that wasn't from a penalty (since 30th oct 2020)! But in the process of the game, we stifled every Greek attack every time. Unfortunately, I placed my strikers too deep. Unbelievable how a nation like Greece can play so deep, but that's also a tactic!
So, the qualification is still open. From next week we have a break and after that we have to get the first three.
@adaca:
Yeah! A challenge! :) thx!
(edited)
(edited)
Good! That's it! A draw! We wanted to get at least a point and we succeeded in terms of results. But I must say: We were also lucky! Our new striker Torbjørn Grønlund, in his first game as a striker, put us in the lead, but the joy was short-lived. Greece equalized a few minutes later.
So, that was a game dominated by fouls. We had to record a whopping 6 fouls and one can already speak of luck that the referee came from England. That's why he let a lot of things go through. We are sorry that we broke the Greek strikers. This is very annoying for the U21 and the player owner. Get well soon!
Tactically, I have totally misjudged. I have to admit that. It was the first time we got a goal that wasn't from a penalty (since 30th oct 2020)! But in the process of the game, we stifled every Greek attack every time. Unfortunately, I placed my strikers too deep. Unbelievable how a nation like Greece can play so deep, but that's also a tactic!
So, the qualification is still open. From next week we have a break and after that we have to get the first three.
@adaca:
Yeah! A challenge! :) thx!
(edited)
(edited)
Every week you impress with solid preparations and tactics, you are not getting enough praise so I praise a little now! We`re very fortunate to have you and the start of the qualifications have been great :)
@Lorre: Thx you very much! There's no point in lamenting, but to get the best out of it, and we're doing that very well so far. :)
Brief reports friendly match and 3rd match day of World Cup qualification
We had played a friendly match last week (see Norge U21 - Australia U21 1:2). I actually wanted Australia to play with the U20 as well, but their coach refused. Alright, we played with the U20 and we were punished severely for it. Australia also played tactically very strong and exposed some Norwegian weaknesses. On the positive side, we had to play with only 3 U19 players. The big weakness of the U20 was our midfield. There we had to perform with the greatest difficulty with two U19 players: Stian Ruud and Oddvar Ulland. Ulland (the wonder guy), however, is considered a great talent and is almost considered a 20-year-old midfielder. Unfortunately, he brutally injured himself for 27 days. So, that was a debacle because we also lost over 50 rating points. I still swallow this bitter pill to this day.
That made it all the more important for us to celebrate a big win against Algeria in the next qualifying round. In fact, that was a super game from us and tactically we were also able to succeed. See here Norge U21 - al-Jazā'ir U21 5:0. The only thing I would have to complain about is that we converted a fifth of all chances into goals. Much too little for my standards, but the 5:0 victory I take with pleasure!
Next week it's on to India, who are known for defending well. There it will be difficult to score many goals.
The table now looks like this: *klick here*
(edited)
Brief reports friendly match and 3rd match day of World Cup qualification
We had played a friendly match last week (see Norge U21 - Australia U21 1:2). I actually wanted Australia to play with the U20 as well, but their coach refused. Alright, we played with the U20 and we were punished severely for it. Australia also played tactically very strong and exposed some Norwegian weaknesses. On the positive side, we had to play with only 3 U19 players. The big weakness of the U20 was our midfield. There we had to perform with the greatest difficulty with two U19 players: Stian Ruud and Oddvar Ulland. Ulland (the wonder guy), however, is considered a great talent and is almost considered a 20-year-old midfielder. Unfortunately, he brutally injured himself for 27 days. So, that was a debacle because we also lost over 50 rating points. I still swallow this bitter pill to this day.
That made it all the more important for us to celebrate a big win against Algeria in the next qualifying round. In fact, that was a super game from us and tactically we were also able to succeed. See here Norge U21 - al-Jazā'ir U21 5:0. The only thing I would have to complain about is that we converted a fifth of all chances into goals. Much too little for my standards, but the 5:0 victory I take with pleasure!
Next week it's on to India, who are known for defending well. There it will be difficult to score many goals.
The table now looks like this: *klick here*
(edited)
Slamtam you absolute legend! That result and performance is huuge! Amazing stuff.
Now an update is necessary!
India U21 - Norge U21 0:1
I feel so ashamed because in this game we won totally undeservedly. Very undeserved! We won with a lot of luck and I totally underestimated India! We got off lightly because we had the better players in this game. Grønlund took advantage of a single mistake by the Indian goalkeeper and put the ball in the net. Defensively, we had to swim a lot. The Indian tactics were terrific, incredibly strong! You could learn from that! At least we got the three points I had budgeted for. That was a lesson for us and a big warning against Belgium. We need a new tactic!
Norge U21 - België U21 2:0
This is probably one of the biggest victories I could celebrate with the U21s. The supposed favourites and group leaders Belgium visited us in Norway. We had already lost bitterly twice against Belgium in the previous qualification (see here the match 1 and match 2. Since then, I have tried to look for talent for the U21s, to develop them and to have quality players in all positions. I haven't managed to do that perfectly, but things are looking better. Without exaggerating, I can say that we were vastly superior to Belgium thanks to the tactics. We only allowed them 2 goal chances, while we created 9 goal chances. Here, Ulvin probably had a crucial role in midfield (of course Liland and Kjedsberg are very important midfielders). Ulvin was the fulcrum of the Norwegian game. Although we have a wide choice of strikers (however, most of them are U20 strikers), we were able to call on the services of Sorby and Trengereid because their form has risen a bit. They are our better strikers, but the form could go up. That is clear.
First conclusion after the first first half of the season
3 wins, 2 draws, 9 goals scored and 1 received. A very good qualifying half for us. Unfortunately the draw against Republica Dominicana had been totally stupid, otherwise we would now be three points ahead of 3rd place. India showed us how it is done and defeated Republica Dominicana. I guess that's a big sensation.
So we only allowed one goal, which means our defence has become very strong. Unfortunately, that's not the case next season, but we won't have any major problems defensively, but the width of defenders will go down. The situation is even worse with the MID's. Norway has no MID culture and the MID's U20's will be our big weakness. Our forwards are already U20's and we will only have problems with the U19 forwards.
The next game in the Quali, again against Belgium, will be very important for us. They are definitely 100% forced to change tactics if they want to score against us. I'm curious about that now. We will also plant new ideas in our tactics and we hope to get three points again. That way we would keep our chances for a World Cup participation.
ps:
Ah yes. On a positive note, today's U21 line-up includes almost all players who could play a big role for the big NT in the future. This could have a positive effect on Norway's future! What matters is the hard training.
(edited)
India U21 - Norge U21 0:1
I feel so ashamed because in this game we won totally undeservedly. Very undeserved! We won with a lot of luck and I totally underestimated India! We got off lightly because we had the better players in this game. Grønlund took advantage of a single mistake by the Indian goalkeeper and put the ball in the net. Defensively, we had to swim a lot. The Indian tactics were terrific, incredibly strong! You could learn from that! At least we got the three points I had budgeted for. That was a lesson for us and a big warning against Belgium. We need a new tactic!
Norge U21 - België U21 2:0
This is probably one of the biggest victories I could celebrate with the U21s. The supposed favourites and group leaders Belgium visited us in Norway. We had already lost bitterly twice against Belgium in the previous qualification (see here the match 1 and match 2. Since then, I have tried to look for talent for the U21s, to develop them and to have quality players in all positions. I haven't managed to do that perfectly, but things are looking better. Without exaggerating, I can say that we were vastly superior to Belgium thanks to the tactics. We only allowed them 2 goal chances, while we created 9 goal chances. Here, Ulvin probably had a crucial role in midfield (of course Liland and Kjedsberg are very important midfielders). Ulvin was the fulcrum of the Norwegian game. Although we have a wide choice of strikers (however, most of them are U20 strikers), we were able to call on the services of Sorby and Trengereid because their form has risen a bit. They are our better strikers, but the form could go up. That is clear.
First conclusion after the first first half of the season
3 wins, 2 draws, 9 goals scored and 1 received. A very good qualifying half for us. Unfortunately the draw against Republica Dominicana had been totally stupid, otherwise we would now be three points ahead of 3rd place. India showed us how it is done and defeated Republica Dominicana. I guess that's a big sensation.
So we only allowed one goal, which means our defence has become very strong. Unfortunately, that's not the case next season, but we won't have any major problems defensively, but the width of defenders will go down. The situation is even worse with the MID's. Norway has no MID culture and the MID's U20's will be our big weakness. Our forwards are already U20's and we will only have problems with the U19 forwards.
The next game in the Quali, again against Belgium, will be very important for us. They are definitely 100% forced to change tactics if they want to score against us. I'm curious about that now. We will also plant new ideas in our tactics and we hope to get three points again. That way we would keep our chances for a World Cup participation.
ps:
Ah yes. On a positive note, today's U21 line-up includes almost all players who could play a big role for the big NT in the future. This could have a positive effect on Norway's future! What matters is the hard training.
(edited)
A look into the future
In the U21, you also have to look to the future. So far, we don't know whether we're going to the World Cup or not. At the moment, the chances are intact, so I will plan it so that the U20 will play an important role. If it is then clear that we will not go to the World Cup, I would already plan the current U19 in the next season. This list gives an overview of where we are good and where we need to catch up. This is not a definitive list, but should be a guide.
GK
U20
Hans Storsveen................
U19
Aksel Trydal..................
Kristoffer Husøy..............
Comment: We are well positioned. We need a goalkeeper who is now 18 or preferably 17 years old.
Wish: 1 GK from U18 or U17
__________________________________________________________________________
DEF
U20
Oddvar Melum..................
Mikael Frydenlund.............
Ørjan Bergli..................
Robert Trondsen...............
Roy Gerhardsen................
U19
Ingvar Slyngstad..............
Henning Nydal.................
Espen Korsvik.................
Alexander Ege.................
Comment: We are in a good position, but the players mentioned must continue to be trained hard. Especially with the U19, we need to add 2-3 more players to increase the width of the selection.
Wish: 2-3 U19 defenders
__________________________________________________________________________
MID
U20
Reidar Alvær..................
Peder Lindhjem................
Anders Haug...................
Per Kildal....................
U19
Oddvar Ulland.................
Stian Ruud....................
Aslak Thorbjørnsen....................
Comment: Already we have 4 20-year-old midfielders. The selection range is very so very small, but it can be supplemented by the 2 19-year-old players. With the U19, unfortunately, I have to sound the alarm. We have only there 2 nominal MID's. Allow me to say that the main skills are playmaking and passing (for example, each on 12) while the important B-skills pace, technique and defense should be as possible on 10.
Wish: 3-4 U19 midfielders!
__________________________________________________________________________
ATT
U20
Frank Bjørk...................
Magnar Skar...................
Øyvind Nordvik................
Mathis Trengereid.............
Jakob Sørby...................
Jens Langedal.................
U19
Thomas Sørgård................
Harald Ulvestad...............
Julius Kristoffersen.......... U18
Viktor Lilleby................ U18
Comment: Since we had a very weak U21, we have an incredible U20 generation! There is no need to catch up. There is, on the other hand, with the U19s. Already I had to fall back on the services of 2 U18 year olds. Please note: The minimum requirements are: One 11 each in pace, technique and striker.
Wish: 2-3 U19 or U18 strikers.
(edited)
In the U21, you also have to look to the future. So far, we don't know whether we're going to the World Cup or not. At the moment, the chances are intact, so I will plan it so that the U20 will play an important role. If it is then clear that we will not go to the World Cup, I would already plan the current U19 in the next season. This list gives an overview of where we are good and where we need to catch up. This is not a definitive list, but should be a guide.
GK
U20
Hans Storsveen................
U19
Aksel Trydal..................
Kristoffer Husøy..............
Comment: We are well positioned. We need a goalkeeper who is now 18 or preferably 17 years old.
Wish: 1 GK from U18 or U17
__________________________________________________________________________
DEF
U20
Oddvar Melum..................
Mikael Frydenlund.............
Ørjan Bergli..................
Robert Trondsen...............
Roy Gerhardsen................
U19
Ingvar Slyngstad..............
Henning Nydal.................
Espen Korsvik.................
Alexander Ege.................
Comment: We are in a good position, but the players mentioned must continue to be trained hard. Especially with the U19, we need to add 2-3 more players to increase the width of the selection.
Wish: 2-3 U19 defenders
__________________________________________________________________________
MID
U20
Reidar Alvær..................
Peder Lindhjem................
Anders Haug...................
Per Kildal....................
U19
Oddvar Ulland.................
Stian Ruud....................
Aslak Thorbjørnsen....................
Comment: Already we have 4 20-year-old midfielders. The selection range is very so very small, but it can be supplemented by the 2 19-year-old players. With the U19, unfortunately, I have to sound the alarm. We have only there 2 nominal MID's. Allow me to say that the main skills are playmaking and passing (for example, each on 12) while the important B-skills pace, technique and defense should be as possible on 10.
Wish: 3-4 U19 midfielders!
__________________________________________________________________________
ATT
U20
Frank Bjørk...................
Magnar Skar...................
Øyvind Nordvik................
Mathis Trengereid.............
Jakob Sørby...................
Jens Langedal.................
U19
Thomas Sørgård................
Harald Ulvestad...............
Julius Kristoffersen.......... U18
Viktor Lilleby................ U18
Comment: Since we had a very weak U21, we have an incredible U20 generation! There is no need to catch up. There is, on the other hand, with the U19s. Already I had to fall back on the services of 2 U18 year olds. Please note: The minimum requirements are: One 11 each in pace, technique and striker.
Wish: 2-3 U19 or U18 strikers.
(edited)
Brasil U20 - Norge U20 2:0
This was an U20 game. In contrast to the first U20 game (see here) this season, I saw a better performance from the U20s. It is now a matter of feeling which tactics the U20 team plays best with. I have come a bit closer. Although I expected Brazil to play with a winger, I deliberately set up a back four to see. There we are shockingly weak when the winger is very strong. That's where Frydenlund was very out of his depth!
New to the game were Kristoffersen and Bergli, plus Alvær came back into the team. Central to our game, however, is the prodigy Ulland, who interprets a similar role to Ulvin. Brazil was a very strong team and deserved to win. Both goals came from an attacking move by the Brazilian winger.
We couldn't do much up front, although our strikers were in top form, but they lack a crucial skill that only 2 strikers in the U20s possess and both of them didn't play today. You can see how much this skill makes a difference!
Next week is the return match against Belgium!
ps: Please note my previous post from today!
This was an U20 game. In contrast to the first U20 game (see here) this season, I saw a better performance from the U20s. It is now a matter of feeling which tactics the U20 team plays best with. I have come a bit closer. Although I expected Brazil to play with a winger, I deliberately set up a back four to see. There we are shockingly weak when the winger is very strong. That's where Frydenlund was very out of his depth!
New to the game were Kristoffersen and Bergli, plus Alvær came back into the team. Central to our game, however, is the prodigy Ulland, who interprets a similar role to Ulvin. Brazil was a very strong team and deserved to win. Both goals came from an attacking move by the Brazilian winger.
We couldn't do much up front, although our strikers were in top form, but they lack a crucial skill that only 2 strikers in the U20s possess and both of them didn't play today. You can see how much this skill makes a difference!
Next week is the return match against Belgium!
ps: Please note my previous post from today!
Matchday 6 - Group A
België U21 - Norge U21.
After winning 2-0 in the first leg, we now have to travel to Belgium and our stated goal is: 3 points. This is very ambitious, but the U21's have shown they can do it! With a win we would increase our chances to travel to the World Cup, which is simply sensational for a country like Norway. We have come through the last 2 weeks well. There were no significant injuries, but some changes in form. But more importantly, our legendary midfield trio Lilland-Ulvin-Kjeldsberg is ready. However, all three have two yellow cards each and are very close to a suspension, but against Belgium they are allowed to give full physical effort. I specifically asked for that.
Belgium, on the other hand, will try to forget the last game against us. Only a win is good enough for them this time. They've got some great players there:
Salim Aelvoet, Alter: 21
ausgezeichnet [10] Kondition hoffnungslos [1] Torwart
überirdisch [16] Schnelligkeit überirdisch [16] Verteidigung
schwach [4] Technik schwach [4] Spielaufbau
sehr gut [9] Passspiel armselig [3] Sturm
But Belgium has to score goals against us. One of them, who has been used a lot so far, is unlikely to take part: Jorrit Meunier. Maybe Ibrahim Vrancken will play although he is considered a slow player and does not have the strength for 90 min. Showdown is tonight at 19:29! The chance to force another historic victory is here! Let's use it!
(edited)
België U21 - Norge U21.
After winning 2-0 in the first leg, we now have to travel to Belgium and our stated goal is: 3 points. This is very ambitious, but the U21's have shown they can do it! With a win we would increase our chances to travel to the World Cup, which is simply sensational for a country like Norway. We have come through the last 2 weeks well. There were no significant injuries, but some changes in form. But more importantly, our legendary midfield trio Lilland-Ulvin-Kjeldsberg is ready. However, all three have two yellow cards each and are very close to a suspension, but against Belgium they are allowed to give full physical effort. I specifically asked for that.
Belgium, on the other hand, will try to forget the last game against us. Only a win is good enough for them this time. They've got some great players there:
Salim Aelvoet, Alter: 21
ausgezeichnet [10] Kondition hoffnungslos [1] Torwart
überirdisch [16] Schnelligkeit überirdisch [16] Verteidigung
schwach [4] Technik schwach [4] Spielaufbau
sehr gut [9] Passspiel armselig [3] Sturm
But Belgium has to score goals against us. One of them, who has been used a lot so far, is unlikely to take part: Jorrit Meunier. Maybe Ibrahim Vrancken will play although he is considered a slow player and does not have the strength for 90 min. Showdown is tonight at 19:29! The chance to force another historic victory is here! Let's use it!
(edited)
Something about the U21:
België U21 - Norge U21 3:0
An annoying defeat. Belgium copied our tactics and also put their defenders even higher. That was as a duel of high defensive chains. Unfortunately, we have a small disadvantage in similar tactics, which unfortunately became a big mortgage in this game. Nevertheless, Belgium's victory is all right. They did it well ;)
Norge U21 0:1 India U21
I don't have to say much. Game clearly dominated, much improved than the last duel when we won narrowly 1-0. This time Odin and co. left us and heralded the footballing Ragnarok for Norway U21. If we don't make a goal out of 14 scoring chances, then it was absolute bad luck and if the opponent makes a goal out of a single scoring chance, then it is a great bad luck. Such surprises can happen in Sokker and that also makes the game exciting when supposedly inferior teams can win. That's what happened now and of course it's very annoying. Not only do we lose the top two places in the group, but we also lose the 3rd place to India and in addition we lose a lot of ranking points and the declared goal to be in the top 32 moves into the far distance. So annoying Friday!
Of course this has consequences for the U21. Officially we declare the U20 generation as a "Lost Generation". This does not mean otherwise that I will rely more on the U19. Of course, some U20 players will be used, but where the U19 is already strong, they will be used. This applies mainly to the goalkeeper position, 2-3 defensive positions, 2 MID's (Ulland and Ruud) and strikers. But we will try to get back the 3rd place and there we will still play with the U21.
Wipe your mouth and keep going!
België U21 - Norge U21 3:0
An annoying defeat. Belgium copied our tactics and also put their defenders even higher. That was as a duel of high defensive chains. Unfortunately, we have a small disadvantage in similar tactics, which unfortunately became a big mortgage in this game. Nevertheless, Belgium's victory is all right. They did it well ;)
Norge U21 0:1 India U21
I don't have to say much. Game clearly dominated, much improved than the last duel when we won narrowly 1-0. This time Odin and co. left us and heralded the footballing Ragnarok for Norway U21. If we don't make a goal out of 14 scoring chances, then it was absolute bad luck and if the opponent makes a goal out of a single scoring chance, then it is a great bad luck. Such surprises can happen in Sokker and that also makes the game exciting when supposedly inferior teams can win. That's what happened now and of course it's very annoying. Not only do we lose the top two places in the group, but we also lose the 3rd place to India and in addition we lose a lot of ranking points and the declared goal to be in the top 32 moves into the far distance. So annoying Friday!
Of course this has consequences for the U21. Officially we declare the U20 generation as a "Lost Generation". This does not mean otherwise that I will rely more on the U19. Of course, some U20 players will be used, but where the U19 is already strong, they will be used. This applies mainly to the goalkeeper position, 2-3 defensive positions, 2 MID's (Ulland and Ruud) and strikers. But we will try to get back the 3rd place and there we will still play with the U21.
Wipe your mouth and keep going!
Incredibly unlucky vs India. But behind that unfortunate result there`s awesome effort done by you mate! Keep up the amazing work!