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I have to say that it is difficult to see how doing better with that roster. Malaysia was defeated by England (ranked #2) and Israel (#5), won 5 matches. The only comments (from outside and after match was played) are "different attitude" against Japan (normal vs Mots would be a kamikaze attack from them, pic vs normal would be somehow suicidal) and the attack against Al Maghrib, where I would have runned against a good defense to maximize score, but probably with no so much success to enter next round.

Roster is far than marvelous, but not horrible, at least for top players (and having the superstar bin Raja Shoib out in decisive match does not help). You know that I still think that something better could be done by such good community to increase the number of highly salaried players: too many players are at 20K or below, Zusong is the second tall man and has 28K salary.

To provide you a reference with the "big" Italy, 28K is the salary of the 4th 20 years tall man and 50th 21 years old. It is NOT comparable (5,000 users, consolidated training cycle, competitiveness among managers pushing ahead the goal), but thinking big is often a good way to grow. Everybody wants to be a new Kobe whilst enjoying at the playground!

I am positively impressed by having just 3 U20 players in the roster (one is clearly a saved boy), an improvement compared with the situation a couple of seasons ago. With the fall of giant China (incredible!) I think that Malaysia is on the right path, with A LOT of work to do to compete with top teams.

My 2 cents.

I think terfu's doing a good job with the community.

Just that his tactics can still be a bit suspect sometimes :P :P

I think terfu's doing a good job with the community.

Just that his tactics can still be a bit suspect sometimes

in general, as said, I see improvements over last few seasons, and that means it's a good job. About tactics I just have something to notice about al Maghrib match, but would have not changed anything.

The Al Maghrib game was ok. But we should have won the Japan game =(

Argh then this could be my fault as well. I was analyzing the remaining games prior to the Japan game and saw that we needed to win the last two games. Somehow I was being given the impression in our camp that we could win one and still qualify. I figured I didn't assess it properly. And even after the game against Magribi, I knew it was quite difficult to qualify...6-7 teams chasing the last 3 (realistically available) spots and 4 teams in the mix (with us) have a comfortable tie... I still thought we'd qualify with a win looking at the relaxed mood our camp had...

Sorry, I should have helped with these trivial things. I think I can also hold myself responsible as I noticed the predicament we were in but dismissed my ownself.

Normaling was not a bad choice to me, despite opponent's CT killed you. In my opinion, that was the reason of the defeat. However, I would say that, looking at long term, risk was more than reasonable.

About not choosing LI, looking at that from the easier standpoint, after and from outside, in general if I take attitude risk I choose the best offense/defense. I cannot say whether it had any actual impact on final result of that game. My choice is to change tactics when risk is affordable, although I swap attacks to make them credible - in other words, I don't use weaker attack only in easy games, otherwise is NOT credible. But expecting a CT I probably would have used LI. After, it's easier...

About other teams progresses, my recommendation is to assign one or more "observers" - I have a staff of 4 helping me to prepare tactics, "living" every week with other teams to enter their minds

It was a bit of a tactical dilemma for me in that match. First our guards were not in their best game shape to run a dangerous RnG, while we didn't have sufficient backup for running a 3 C LI. Since I would be utilizing the mismatch caused by Zhu and Zhao in the post, I felt it would be worthwhile to run RnG. Sadly our 2 post players hardly had any chances that night. Might be due to Japan U21's good outside defense (which might have been a factor why our bigs didn't receive the ball often) and insufficient passing in our PG. Another reason was also because I'd hate beating a Wolph team with LI because he'll go around screaming that it's LI. Well let's say my pride got the better of me. But I did not do it blindly, as you can see I had a reason for running RnG.

I didn't expect anything different. Gameshape, opponent, and other conditions that only the coach knows are the decision factors. It is just an academical discussion about "what if" scenarios, but no blaming nor criticism. To me Japan CT made the difference, especially because of combination with outside defence, but you shouldn't counter-CT as you had to keep chances for the game after. Bad luck at the end. I lost my silver medal last season as all team but one (trained by opponent's coach!!!) was 8- in the critical match with Switzerland. Lost at OT((

a great friendly match tomorrow

my roster, with TS close to 0:

the two best 20y players
five 21y that were excluded from U21 this season in specific circumstances, to award their managers
five very young players as result of a recent contest

but coach will choose on his own! :O