Panama strode to top of the group!

[Karl]

...many steps further --->

Let's say there are 2 teams playing each other where all is equal save the one is faster - faster across ground - the big equalizer is possession=movement (the individual opponent does not reside in the mind of his adversary) & passing (good control of ball=make it obey), passing and movement!

...

All other things understood, this game is about the BALL and nothing else!

[Stonigut]

I hear your point on formation but formation is not just about a particular point, it is about space and response to attack, it is fundamentally about responsibility for space. Thus a lb in a three man set is covering more ground than in a four man set, that is without question so formation is critical right there alone, and then if in a three man set and there is pressure on the lb, who can help if the mids are complacent, yes that is the sole center half and then in responding that opens up the middle totally, if the attacking rw can get that ball back in the middle that is a stroll to the goal.

[Karl]

I hear your point on formation but formation is not just about a particular point, it is about space and response to attack, it is fundamentally about responsibility for space. Thus a lb in a three man set is covering more ground than in a four man set, that is without question so formation is critical right there alone, and then if in a three man set and there is pressure on the lb, who can help if the mids are complacent, yes that is the sole center half and then in responding that opens up the middle totally, if the attacking rw can get that ball back in the middle that is a stroll to the goal.

You are saying you agree with my often stated position=it is about players reaction to demands of the game!!! ...the difference is your faith in 'rigid' patroling of particular blades of grass.

I do not believe in that 'individual players sticking to "your patrol area"! The player must have responsibility to provide support on attack and on defense but decisions on whether the player is momentary (there is "game dymanics") within what some perceives as xyz formation or xzy or any of the various permutations is unimportant. The only important thing is performing to maximum efficiency for good of the TEAM at each moment...nano second to nano second...in game.

It will have under the demands of the game...any player being anywhere on the field.

[Karl]

Question: If the wing play was shut down (an impossibility if as seen you continually continuosly keep giving the ball to your opponent ) what would be the other consequences of 'parking' our players in that 'locale'?

[Stonigut]

Yes, but no matter how good, fast and skilled an opponent may be, even in excellent team combination, a committed opponent on defense playing together should be more than enough to shut down any opponent, thus playing in formation, holding shape, shutting down space and pressuring ball holders. As the defensive shape hardens in the last third the amount of space necessary toroll the ball and get sufficient movement on the attack is significantly lessened, thus unless first touch is absolutely perfect and passing is immediate pressure creates anxiety and anxiety and rush creates opportunity with proper pressure, in that case the individual player operating in less space with less time is actually thinking very much about his immediate adversary, the game is about the ball but even more the game is about movement of the ball in time and space and crunching that time and space tighter chips away significantly at the advantage of possession.

[Karl]

Yes, but no matter how good, fast and skilled an opponent may be, even in excellent team combination, a committed opponent on defense playing together should be more than enough to shut down any opponent, thus playing in formation, holding shape, shutting down space and pressuring ball holders. As the defensive shape hardens in the last third the amount of space necessary to roll the ball and get sufficient movement on the attack is significantly lessened, thus unless first touch is absolutely perfect and passing is immediate pressure creates anxiety and anxiety and rush creates opportunity with proper pressure, in that case the individual player operating in less space with less time is actually thinking very much about his immediate adversary, the game is about the ball but even more the game is about movement of the ball in time and space and crunching that time and space tighter chips away significantly at the advantage of possession.

Agree FULL 100! ...
...for our U-20 TEAM pray.

The little I saw of the team - In the first match at times moved the ball well...and in the second, did not! The problem was in both matches every action was sloooooooooooooooooooow! So sloooooooooooooooow that regardless of wish...it is hardly likely that 'slow' can beat any TEAM above CFU quality=CFU quality is awfully poor. The simple fact is teams with quality above that met in the CFU region will not sit around and allow our U-20 to sleep walk and prosper. ...so pray!

...as HL suggested perhaps all the Mexican players may at matchtime come down with belly ache or some other ailment that proves debilitating. ...so let us all pray!