OPPOSITION REPORT
To : Head Coach, Chonburi FC
From : XXXXXX
Re: Nakhon Ratchasima FC
Basic Formation
Earlier in the season they were lining up with a 4-1-4-1 formation, but lately have been using a basic 4-4-2 pattern. Whatever formation they use it is likely that it will prove ineffective because there is no player discipline in terms of shape and formation, and they will lose this basic shape very quickly.
In Attack
They like to get the ball forward quickly often using high balls to the wings. Both wingers are quite quick and the plan is obviously to get a ball over the full back to allow the winger to exploit space behind him.
They play very few combinations in midfield with the exception of one player who will attempt to hold the ball up and try to create. With one exception again, the midfield players control and technique is not good. First touch is poor and therefore close marking will allow you to dispossess the player, The one player who will try to play is Noah Chivuta who will be discussed later. A pressing game in midfield should then be productive in regaining possession.
The wide players often come inside on their attacks with the ball. You would expect therefore a
midfielder or even the full back to take his place wide and allow a ball to be played through to him for a cross but no such runs are usually made. Therefore keeping defensive shape is important so as to
prevent space opening up.
There is very little ‘Consolidation zone’ football played in holding the ball up and being patient waiting for the right time to attack which indicated a lack of belief in their control and passing ability.
They often shoot from distance but with the exception of Noah Chivuta rarely find the target.
Free kicks and corners
They look unrehearsed though occasionally they will pull a short ball back to the full back to cross in. Corners and free kicks from the right (the defensive left) will usually be taken by Chivuta who has a good left foot. Watch for the high ball bending in to the far post.
It is advisable to have a man on each post for corners as they often hit corners in close to the
goalkeeper.
Zonal defending from set pieces is not advised as you cannot predict where they will go ( probably
because they don’t know themselves)
Attacking preferences – They will usually try and attack from wide positions. As mentioned there is very little effective build up play so it is unlikely they will try and play through your defence.
Where will the threat come from?
Well without knowing the line-up I can only comment on individuals and their potential threat.
They have Noah Chivuta (pictured), a quality player. He is about 6ft and the creative force in midfield. Sit on him close and don’t let him have time or space to play. He is 33 now but still a good player and will punish you if you give him the opportunity. Mentally stable and will play for the whole match.
Lee Tuck, A lower league British player. About 5 feet 10 inches tall. Typical player from those leagues, rough and tough, he will be aggressive and a bit naughty at times. He will always look for the penalty. He can be dangerous close to goal though and should be watched closely. He is quite quick but fragile mentally if things are not going his way.
Dominic Adiyah, a Ghana international. About 5 feet 8 inches tall. Not impressed with
him or his play though again he is quite quick. Poor close control but has an eye for goal. It will be either him or Tuck leading the line with the other coming on as substitute later.
Bjorn Lindemann – I was aware of Lindemann when he was in Germany. Never really fulfilled his potential there but can be very dangerous. Good left foot shot and may take central free kicks. Quite tall, about 6 feet so useful in the air. Known to drift in and out of games though and his temperament looks suspect to me. Having said that, a good player.
You need to be aware of Tuck, Lindemann and Adiyah and defenders need to be aware of their presence and stay close, though as I said, too close to Tuck and he will go down in the area.
Chivuta will have to be stopped from creating by close marking and interception of the pass to him.
In Defence
They are very poor and leave gaps and space everywhere. They have no disciplined shape or formation and seem totally unaware of each other’s responsibilities. Both full backs go ‘walk about’ and there is often space to use on the wings. The two central defenders play too far apart and there is often space between them to use for quick one two’s to go through them. This is because the full backs have lost their positions and the centre backs are trying to cover the space they have left as well as their own central position leaving gaps. When they are under sustained pressure the full backs tend to come inside ‘bunching’ up the centre of defence, thus leaving the flanks unguarded. A wide ball will pay dividends if this occurs as there will be no cover so be aware of that option.
They do not defend set-pieces adequately and are slow to be first to the ball. This is probably because
no one is sure of their individual jobs or could just be ‘ball-watching’. From central free-kicks against
them they often leave the wings unprotected so rather than a shot or hopeful ball in to the middle a run by a player coming from wide will expose them.
In a situation where there is a break away and you are running at their defence, the defenders will come out to make the challenge because there are no ‘holding midfielders’ to stop the threat. This will leave space behind the defender. Therefore rather than trying to beat the defender, as he comes to make the challenge a short reverse ball to a team mate or a ‘wall pass’ and a run beyond the defender will allow a ball to be played through, watching of course for off side.
Team concentration levels are low and they ball watch especially at set pieces.
They have a defender, Sartoshi, Japanese player who is quite good. The rest as defenders very poor.
Goalkeeper is a guy called Kampon. Adequate but tends to rush off his line for no reason at times.
In one on one situations they face up very square on , not going side on and trying to force the attacker away from goal which is the first rule of defending, and therefore can be attacked on either side.
If they play a 4-4-2 line up they are very exposed to any attacking midfielder sitting in the ‘hole’ between defence and midfield. It could be an advantage to have one striker and two attacking midfielders in that hole behind him and in support, ready to play a pass and go and run through their back line.
General comments
They are not to be feared and their league position in my opinion is based on some very lucky results
caused by appalling finishing by opponents.
This season they have lost 0-2 to Saraburi (away) Saraburi’s first win of the season
Lost To Khon Kaen in the cup 0-2
To Navy 0-2 (away) and only drew with TOT (away 0-0) and with Saraburi (home) 1-1
Not an impressive record against lower level teams.
Pitch size is big and very wide. Supporters will make a lot of noise but are far away from the pitch to not influence play.
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