NT WCQ Group 4 Match Day 1 Review

Match Day 1 is over in Group 4 of the NT World Cup Qualifiers and we take a closer look at all 4 games.

Last Friday saw the start of the World Cup Qualifiers and we are going to focus on Group 4 which saw a total of 18 goals, 1 yellow card and 1 red card across the 4 games in question

Cymru/Wales 0 - 0 Malaysia (345947579)

Malaysia went into this game as favourites having just come out of World Cup XVI with a Bronze Medal. Wales, 7th seeds in Group 4 however had different plans and although is was Malaysia who controlled possession in both halves with 55% possession it was Wales that created the chances. The first half included a booking for a Welsh player followed by a penalty that was saved by the Malaysian keeper who then went on to save another shot from a Welsh striker before the half time whistle blew. The second half was similar with the only chance going to Wales when they fired over the bar. An opening day draw for both teams. Wales will be unhappy not to have picked up the 3 points while Malaysia will be happy to come away with a point.


China 12 - 0 Cameroon (345947580)
Cameroon, one of the youngest HT nations, playing 2nd season, was always going to struggle to get anything out of this game and China did not disappoint the home fans as they found the back of the net on no more than 12 occassions. The biggest surprise, with no disrespect to Cameroon, was that it took until the 15th minute for China to clock up their first goal. China scored 5 in the first half with 92% possession while picking up 7 in the 2nd half on 89%. The only thing Cameroon managed to pick up during this game was an injury to their 17 year old keeper. Hopefully he will be back on the training ground sooner rather than later.


Bolivia 1 - 0 Suomi (345947581)
This match saw 3rd seeds entertain 4th seeds. This was a very close game and both sides gave everything. In the fist half Suomi won ball possession by 52% to 48%, but Bolivia turned that around in the 2nd half and held 52% of the ball possession. Both sides shared the 4 reported chances in the first half with the only goal coming from Bolivia's right. As I said Bolivia had more of the ball in the 2nd half but the only chances fell to Suomi who managed to clock up another two misses. Bolivia will be happy with the 3 points while Suomi will probably feel as if they should have at least picked up a point.


Kazakhstan 2 - 3 Ghana (345947582)
For the neutral fan this game was probably the most tense and entertaining as twice Ghana came from behind to then nick all 3 points with 2 minutes left on the clock. The first halves only goal fell to the home team midway through it. The possession was split evenly and chances were 2-1 in favour of Kazakhstan. In action packed 2nd half Ghana equalized before the hour mark only for Kazakhstan to re-take the lead 5 mins later. The home side then took a more defensive approach and it looked to be working until Ghana managed to equalise with 6mins left on the clock. Then with 2 minutes to go and both teams seemingly settled for a share of the spoils, a red card for a Kazakhstan midfielder turned the game on its head with Ghana scoring seconds later. Before Kazakhstan knew it, the final whistle had blown and they had to face the jeers of an opening day defeat in front of the home crowd.


Group 4 table after Match Day 1 looks like

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