Asunto: National Team

Was just a few minor tweaks from the match against Singapore, namely I had an idea they'd try to cover the wings for Willis so I used my next trump card in Timpano to try and open up the central defense for our strikers for an easy through ball. Worked a treat I thought.

I know it's still early days, but presently it looks like from my calculations there will be 15 groups next season in the WCQ. We currently have 84 NT's but I think there will be another 2 NT's added next season (namely Cuba and Iran due to current numbers) potentially even Luxembourg and Thailand if a few more users sign up. Currently they'd slot in from 41st to 44th and with 15 groups that would make them 3rd seeds on the basis that the current structure doesn't change. Another potential nightmare for those in 3rd seed spots.

Good thing for us we're currently in a 2nd seed spot, and we've got a buffer if it blows out to 15 groups. Still aim to finish in the top 28 to make certain we get a 2nd seed though, but it would be nice if they split across 3rd and 4th seeds and we picked up 2 of these NT's for a group draw :D. I'd consider that justice if that happened for the past draws.

Still a long way left yet, got to make sure we keep gaining points and winning the MWC should do that. As already stated we've got Nippon next week and the good news is we've got a nice clean draw aside from the Quarter Final match which will be against either Norway or Belarus.

Much better than having Uruguay,Israel,Colombia,Sverige,Ireland,Bosnia in our half of the draw :).

Instead we're left with Rossiya,Bulgaria,South Africa,Malaysia,Nippon,Norge and Belarus.

Still Norge and Belarus are dangerous threats not to be underestimated. I don't think Nippon(Japan) will be able to challenge us too much, even if we've got Byers and Ando out.
(editado)

Well, Maras is willing to help the NT! :)

as for I think there will be another 2 NT's added next season

Well I think they won't participate in WCQ. Isn't it the way that at the beginning of NT you have a friendly-only season?

Hasnt been like that previously before.. New NT's have been placed in the 3rd basket and been thrown in the deep end straight away in the WCQ's

Well I think they won't participate in WCQ. Isn't it the way that at the beginning of NT you have a friendly-only season?

where you been borkos :p. The past 2 world cup qualification seasons we've been hit because of the new NT's joining on 1600 points right before the qualification groups are drawn. There are no regulations on when a NT comes in other than a certain user base and after 1 season of the league being in place ;).

Well I've just woke up, forget my mistakes :p

Hm...aaah! I know :) When a new country appears, it gains NT in the next season. :)

Only if this country have more then 2 users as well (I think 2 is the minimum)

Cuba is on the game for 3 seasons already and doesn't have NT (but they will surely get one now with 32 users:)

and Daehan Minguk is now 6 season on the match but have bo NT yet (currently they have 3 users)

thought the minimum was 5, then thought it got extended to a higher number. Could be wrong though.

Maybe :)

But Ghana have only 3 and NT (Maybe some users have quiet)

Anyway,though our tough half, I am still plan on meeting you for the re-match in this tournament ;)

We'll look forward to it :).

Taking on Japan in about 5 minutes, tactic is all set. Ando and Byers both out through injuries picked up last week. Complete reshuffle for some positions due to form issues (I know this happens every week).

They've gone in with 5 at the back the past 2 weeks against Hayastan and Hellas. A week earlier they had a quite offensive defense against Uruguay which has raised an eye or two from myself. Wouldn't entirely surprise me if they try something similar against us but it did make me have a rethink about what they'd play. I'd be very surprised if we went down, I'd consider Venezuela and Israel much stronger and am a little surprised Japan has even made it this far ;). Still with Byers out it our next tier strikers must step up to the plate and deliver.

Looking forward to the match, winner plays the winner of Norway and Belarus later tonight.
(editado)

good luck...
it will be good if it finally goes underway! :)

Andy = 20 days injury. I'm f****.

Ironically I remember in frustration against Venezuela saying oh who's next when Byers got injured and then muttered Willis. Looks like it came to pass and then to injure Baveas as well that was just getting too cheeky there. Must be Broxton or Timpano's turn next week, we've gone Ando,Byers,Willis,Baveas in the past 2 weeks and given Hirons and Pottier weren't in form leaves a bit of a nasty hole. Fortunately Ando and Byers are back next week but losing Willis isn't particularly fun.

Now aside from that I think a 3-0 win isn't too bad. Not what I'd hoped but we still got up and live to fight another day. More shortly.

seems like zdrillic/oliveira is getting a call up back to the NT....

on another note, kinda grateful i dont have to face baveas tomorrow.....

Keep your ear on the ground with this lad:

Denis Stathakis, age: 17

club: HFC Haarlem, country: Australia
value: 74 750 €, wage: 1 025 €
very good form, hopeless tactical discipline

weak stamina tragic keeper
average pace good defender
poor technique solid playmaker
good passing adequate striker

ps. Maras got 69 today :)