Dom

Top quality low block performance from Australia, 2 CM’s in their 5-4-1 block defended the half spaces superbly. Yildiz coming on created better 1v1 threat in wide areas often cutting inside onto his right and looking to find the far corner, however the sheer compactness and will to throw bodies at the ball to block shots was incredible from Australia. They blocked everything! As mentioned they defended the half spaces really well with the two CM’s in their 5-4-1 block tracking back into the last line and following Turkey players making runs from deep in behind. Czech should take notes! The vertical and horizontal compactness from Australia was superb. In possession some nice rotations such as Okon Engstler moving to a left back position and Bos (LWB) moving high and dropping from there dragging his marker out leaving space for a teammate to attack the channel. Very pleased Metcalfe scored, I did an entire different post based on Metcalfe’s performance so I won’t go into too much detail, but his protection of the half space between Australia’s outside RCB and RWB was incredible. I didn’t think Turkey were too bad, often had the key zones occupied in attack, attacked the box with numbers, out of possession they transitioned from a 4-2-3-1 mid block into a man to man press pretty well. Just couldn’t find the final pass to break down the compact Australia block. Australia top in the low block, had some great patterns of play in deep build up from goal kicks and remained a threat in transition when defending deep. My only concern for me would be for when they play against a far better side who would also pin them back, they’ll most likely be able to find the final pass and when nearly your whole game model is based off defending once you concede and you’re forced to open up it can lead to the floodgates opening at the back. A win they should absolutely enjoy though! 🇦🇺🇹🇷 7:02AM UK time so I’m off to bed 😅. Great night of football overall!

Interesting start, Australia very compact off the ball limiting space between the lines with the vertical distances between the defensive and midfield line being very short. Timing their jumps really well along with being technically secure on the ball in build up. Their midfielders have tracked runners from deep very well and not allowed themselves to be opened up through one 3rd man run. Australia mixing up playing out and going long from goal kicks. When they play out Okon-Engstler moves from midfield to a LB position, Bos (LWB) then advances high and then drops dragging his marker out leaving space in behind for the inside forward to run into. A similar situation led to the Australia goal with Irankunda spinning and attacking the space Turkey building in a 4-2-4 which transitions into a 2-3-5 or 3-2-5, Before the drinks break there were lots of dropping movements from high to low especially from Guler, however following the first drinks breaks he’s now a bit more positionally set in the right half space. Out of possession they transition from a 4-2-3-1 mid block into a man to man press well, trigger being the usual backwards passes from the opposition into their own half. Turkey struggling to break this block down at the moment and it’s resulting in a lot of long shots which have been off target. They need a successful dribble or a bit of individual brilliance in attacking areas to open the game up and create something.

Haiti are unfortunate they’re in such a tough group, stick these in Group A or B and I personally think they’d progress to the RO32. In possession very fluid, LB inverted into midfield at times, DM’s dropping into the backline and great at progressing play out the first phase into the 2nd, (helps the fact Scotland are passive off the ball) they do however lack 3rd man runs and aren’t utilising Pierrot pinning the CB’s to create space for other people to attack into enough. Out of possession a 4-4-2 mid block which can transition into a man to man press higher up. Man to man press from restarts. Also key to note they have significantly less player quality than everyone else in their group. Impressed overall, no pushover by any means. 🇭🇹

Really impressed with Haiti so far, 4-2-4 turned 3-2-5 settled possession shape, very fluid in possession with Bellegarde and Jean Jacques taking turns to drop into the backline (Bellegarde into a situational LB position, Jacques into a situational RB position). Expérience often inverting from LB into either a left 6 position or high into the left half space. Out of possession a compact 4-4-2 shape which can transition into a man to man press higher up. Tactically I actually think Haiti are better than Scotland, however Scotland have better individuals so we’ll see.

Really impressed with Haiti so far, 4-2-4 turned 3-2-5 settled possession shape, very fluid in possession with Bellegarde and Jean Jacques taking turns to drop into the backline (Bellegarde into a situational LB position, Jacques into a situational RB position). Expérience often inverting from LB into either a left 6 position or high into the left half space. Out of possession a compact 4-4-2 shape which can transition into a man to man press higher up. Tactically I actually think Haiti are better than Scotland, however Scotland have better individuals so we’ll see.