Subject: [u21 NT] WC Qualifying

15 groups of 6 makes 90 teams.
32 qualify for the WC, so top two in each group go through, along with the 2 best 3rd placed finishers from the 15 groups.
To get through as one of the best 3rd placed qualifiers would take a bit of luck, so we'll have to aim for a top two finish in our group

Our group consists of the following teams (with users and median mark last season):

Belgium -> 1703 users, 58.32 mark, NEW COACH: Griever
Bosnia -> 649 users, 51.64 mark, SAME COACH: XTRage
South Africa -> 17 users, 46.05, NEW COACH: MarcL
Philippines -> 26 users, n/a, FIRST COACH: Mefju
Armenia -> 84 users, 40.56 mark, SAME COACH: Rafa_Benitez
Macedonia -> 61 users, 42.92 mark, NEW COACH: angele

We are the third seeds, thanks to a decent ranking, and appear to have had the 3rd strongest side last season. However, we know these sides will change a lot each season as the 21 year olds move on, and we have the smallest user base. To our advantage, we are well established and face only two teams with substantially more users.

Our objective will be to take points off either or both of Beligum and Bosnia, score as many as possible against Philippines just in case goal difference becomes a factor, while not underestimating the remaining sides. Based purely on marks, Armenia and Macedonia have about as much chance of taking points off us as we do of taking points off Bosnia. Belgium will prove an especially tough opponent, of that we can be certain.
(edited)

WCQ Match Schedule

Week 1 -> Philippines (WON 8-0)
Week 2 -> Belgium

Week 4 -> Macedonia
Week 5 -> Armenia
Week 6 -> Bosnia

Week 8 -> Bosnia
Week 9 -> Armenia
Week 10 -> Macedonia

Week 12 -> Belgium
Week 13 -> Philippines
(edited)

Mission accomplished in match 1. Our winning margin was the 4th largest of the competition in this opening round, so can't hurt our chances if we get down to goal difference for qualification.

I had expected Philippines to go with a 5-4-1 formation and they went with 5-3-2. I decided to go with only 3 at the back and 2 defensive mids, knowing that they would not be strong enough to pose any real danger even if they had 3 up front. Not surprisingly, we were far too strong for them, it being their first season with a NT of any sort.

I was happy with the final tally of 8 goals from 33 shots, and not conceding any shots was pleasing too. All 3 strikers used weighed in with some goals, Ndaguana getting 3 and debutantes Tefera and Mgqamqo getting 3 and 2 respectively. Ramakgopa provided two assists in his debut match from out wide.

I briefly watched some of the other two matches, and I must say that Belgium were very impressive. They're going to pose a real challenge next week.

Average marks for the round:
59.1 België U21
51.8 Bosna i Hercegovina U21
45.8 Makedonija U21
45.2 South Africa U21
38.8 Hayastan U21
29.8 Pilipinas U21