Poland - Lithuania [R]

[Soccerprep]

I have said in the past that I believe Costa Rica and Germany to get out of this group.

Does the 0-1 loss to Lithuania, cause any of you to reevaluate your picks, for those of you who have picked Poland?

[Smoga]

Why would it? Did you watch the game? Did you know what kind of squads played in this game? Probably not, so let me enlighten you a bit...the Lithuania team consisted of domestic players only. The Polish team consisted of a strange mixture of first teamers and fourth stringers. It was a typical pre-WC friendly, where noting matters outside of gauging the form of various players, some of whom may be in the WC picture, others who have no chance. It was not relevant to the chances of making or not making the second round in Germany.

SO there is no reason to panic. If, on the other hand, we'll see the same team take the pitch against Ecuador in the first WC game, THEN we can start panicking.

[ShaRule]

I have said in the past that I believe Costa Rica and Germany to get out of this group.

Does the 0-1 loss to Lithuania, cause any of you to reevaluate your picks, for those of you who have picked Poland?

and Iran won against costa rice..friendlies don't say anything!!

with germany Poland or Ecuador will go through!

[Ladic]

Just like Poland beating Ecuador 3-0 was very decieving due to pitch conditions and Ecuadors Squad, I think this could be the same.

[Tylko_Arka Gdynia]

I am a Pole but I am not panicing.. we dont play so good with our east european rivals... we werent good with Hungary or Latvia in the Euro 2004 qualification, we lost to Belarus last year..so its not a really big deal.

[Tylko_Arka Gdynia]

Just like Poland beating Ecuador 3-0 was very decieving due to pitch conditions and Ecuadors Squad, I think this could be the same.

Hey we dont play on water either, we had the same weather, so you cant really blame the pitch because we also won 3-0 which is also pretty high in a "nice pitch" match.. =)

[Ladic]

Hey we dont play on water either, we had the same weather, so you cant really blame the pitch because we also won 3-0 which is also pretty high in a "nice pitch" match.. =)

I'll tell you 2 reasons why Ecuador was in bigger disadvantage.

1. Eventhough both teams didnt have all their starters, Ecuador had NONE central defenders in that game, they had to improvise 2 defensive Midfielders in that postition wich resulted in a catrastophy.

2. Pitch COnditions, while its true that Pitch conditions affect both teams, Polands style is more physical, with long balls and air game.
While Ecuador style is short passes and almost NO air game, they just keep the ball on teh ground.
That is why a wet pitch, were the ball just wont roll, affects Ecuador that much more.

[karny9]

We didn't have our top striker, and had to improvise by putting a RWM in the striker position who had never played there before for the NT.

Your second point makes sense, but I haven't seen Ecuador play enough to know whether that is true or not.

[Ladic]

We didn't have our top Striker Either, Agustin Delgado, and believe me when I tell you, Ecuador is almost a complete different team with him in the Pitch.

When we started in the Qualifiers, Delgados missed the first 5 or 6 games due to Injury, and Ecaudor had only won 1 game and it was Home against Venezuela.
After that, Delgado came back from Injury and the team went on a Roll.

I don't think there has ever been a more influtial player for the Ecuadorean National Team than Agustion Delgado.
Everyone else is replacable but him.

[juanse_moncayo]

I don't think there has ever been a more influtial player for the Ecuadorean National Team than Agustion Delgado.
Everyone else is replacable but him.

I don't know about that. I think Carlos Tenorio and Borja might be great candidates if given the opportunity to play and adquire experience.

As for the friendly matches. They mean nothing at this point. Squads are just now starting to be made. The game against Poland is just pure allucination. It does not represent in any way the reality of any of the teams, as well as those played by Germany and Costa Rica. Honestly I think we have a better chance of getting a good result from Germany than from the other two countries because the pressure is not on us. As for the match with Costa Rica I think we will win and I do see a very close match against Poland, but then again, that match will define the group. I think Ecuador, and Germany can go through.

[karny9]

I agree about the friendlies. You can't make your predicitions on friendly games.

[Ladic]

I don't know about that. I think Carlos Tenorio and Borja might be great candidates if given the opportunity to play and adquire experience.

As for the friendly matches. They mean nothing at this point. Squads are just now starting to be made. The game against Poland is just pure allucination. It does not represent in any way the reality of any of the teams, as well as those played by Germany and Costa Rica. Honestly I think we have a better chance of getting a good result from Germany than from the other two countries because the pressure is not on us. As for the match with Costa Rica I think we will win and I do see a very close match against Poland, but then again, that match will define the group. I think Ecuador, and Germany can go through.

Carlos Tenorio Sucks, he has NOT made an impact in the NT, when we started then Qualifiers with him he only managed 1 gol against venezuela in like 5 games.
He was single handedly responsible for us not beating Peru in Quito.

And same for Borja, he has not done much if anything for the NT.

Like I said, with Delgado its a different ballgame for us.

[MoRado]

Was Poland using an A or B team?

[karny9]

It was a weird mix of players...Best description would be 2 or 3 starters, some subs, and some D team players.

[MoRado]

It was a weird mix of players...Best description would be 2 or 3 starters, some subs, and some D team players.

You guys should start using your A team, less than 2 months are left for the cup.

[Tylko_Arka Gdynia]

You guys should start using your A team, less than 2 months are left for the cup.

I know!! Our coach is a twat though, he is still examining for new players when he should play with the A team. but... most our starters werent allowed to play this game because the clubs wouldnt let them.

[marek]

You guys should start using your A team, less than 2 months are left for the cup.

this was not an official FIFA date for international play, so neither country could use its full national team


we'll start using our A team on 6/9...

[milicz]

This game is worrisome because Frankowski, Kosowski, and Jop, all starters during qualifers, played very poorly. Lots of Poland's starters from Qualifiers are riding the pine in the leagues they play in, on the other hand the two most important players, midfielder Szymkowiak and striker Zurawski, are in the best form they have ever had.

[karny9]

You guys should start using your A team, less than 2 months are left for the cup.

Tell that to Celtic, Leverkusen, Dortmund & Vitoria..:p

As for the actual play, I wouldnt worry about Jop. He was just uncomfortable with Lewandowski since it was their first time playing together.

I've said this before, but I think that the players who are riding the pine that will most likely start at the WC(Krzynowek, Kosowski, possibly Dudek) will be fit before June 9th.

We've seen it in the recent friendlies, but Janas will not start unfit players, no matter what their name is.

[marek]

I've said this before, but I think that the players who are riding the pine that will most likely start at the WC(Krzynowek, Kosowski, possibly Dudek) will be fit before June 9th..


i'm still undecided abut the bench players... Dudek played right up the WC in 2002 and we all know how well he did

same does not really applly to outfield players but its something i can't shake when i'm thinking about who will start in goal