2008 FMF WMFA Qualifiers - World Cup
THE FINAL PLAYOFF ROUND - ONLY TWO CAN MAKE IT
Factfiles
BATAVIE V BEAUGIUM
Batavie
Nation Name: Commonwealth of Batavia
National Language: Dutch
Previous WC Record: None
Notable Domestic Teams: Royal Windsor, Fortuna Davignon
Main weakness: Must win attitude - most Batavian starting 11 have a massive problem of dying for win, most notably Tom Scholten, who on Batavie's first ever match in a friendly Cräiteland showed a clear example of the winning attitude, with his competitive streak leading him to making reckless fouls - eventually resulting in a sending off.
Players to Watch:
Jowi Bach - Strong and powerful the new HóC striker, the player can use his physical advantage over defenders and cause a major threat in front of goal.
Jeroen van Veen - Joined by his new HóC team-mate Jowi Bach, van Veen wears the infamous number 2 shirt despite playing in a attacking wing forward role - most notably on the right. Noted for dangerous dribbling abilities, his finishing aint too bad either.
Beaugium
Nation Name: Kingdom of Beaugium
National Language: English
Previous WC Record : Champions of 2006, Group Stages 2007
Notable Domestic Teams: MadnessRovers
Main weakness: Tiring legs in second half - Beaugium are notable for their very pacey first half and basically kill off the game within 45 minutes - this worked well throughout the 2006 World Cup where they took early leads, proving to be match winners such as the world cup final with a 3rd minute goal against the Tellians or then known as Gaian. However for 90 minutes, you can see the fatigue creeping in after the 60 mark.
Players to Watch:
Steve Stevenson - What could be his last World Cup, after lifting one cup, the captain will probably want another. A prolific goalscorer for the national side, he is also a powerful leader; well motivated for a 32 year old.
Eddie Edwardson - Despite the threat up front with Stevenson and Phillipson, the Beaugians would point their success down to no other than this guy. Capable of playing on the right or left, Edwardson is a dangerous traditional winger who loves to put in those long balls from the outside channels. Many players believe it's Beaugian spirit that made them win, but it's also a bonus to have a world class winger like this fella.
SHIREROTH v MANIA
Shireroth
Nation Name: Imperial Republic of Shireroth
National Language: English
Previous WC Record: None
Notable Domestic Teams: N/A
Main weakness: Lack of professionalism - with no basic structure of a league in Shireroth, many of their players are part-time or opt to play their football outside Shireroth as their league is not fully functional and up to other standards - e.g Nigel Robertson plays in the ASA Super 8 and Didinho in the RNSL respectfully.
Players to Watch:
Edison Dennis - Commonly known as Didinho, this left back adds a very skillful touch to Shirerithian football. A tireless wing back, he can cause a problem on the left continuously for 90 minutes.
Anders Bjornsson - Captain of the team and recently signed to Club Imperiale in Alexandria, the experienced shot stopper is a vital part of the national side. He maybe 34, but he knows what he's doing. However some of his rushing out and punching is questionable but nonetheless he keeps a consistent performance match after match and could prove to be a vital part to Shirerithian success.
Mania
Nation Name: Republic of Mania
National Language: English
Previous WC Record: None
Notable Domestic Teams: N/A
Main weakness: Small national pool selection and no league - Mania is so small that theres only 50 players to select from in their national pool. Also due to its size they don't even have an established league as there's hardly any room for teams. There are suggestions of creating a team for a neighbouring nation's league, but yet is to be revealed.
Players to Watch:
Ken Geraghty - The 27 year old is an electric engineer by profession, which may explain is electrical pace down the wing. A very modern winger, he is capable of playing Left Back if needed and even up front. A versatile player and can cause problems anywhere on the pitch as the Maniacs prefer to play him in the free role.
Yoann Martin - Born in Mania to an Alexandrian family, this player spent most of his life in the youth of AS Franciscania ini the FMSA league. However after being released the 32 year old has returned to Mania as a bus driver. Despite that, he still makes the national team as he is a valued experienced striker. His match fitness may not at all be like it was back in his days of professional lower-league football but his finishing and first touch is still there.
Factfiles
BATAVIE V BEAUGIUM
Batavie
Nation Name: Commonwealth of Batavia
National Language: Dutch
Previous WC Record: None
Notable Domestic Teams: Royal Windsor, Fortuna Davignon
Main weakness: Must win attitude - most Batavian starting 11 have a massive problem of dying for win, most notably Tom Scholten, who on Batavie's first ever match in a friendly Cräiteland showed a clear example of the winning attitude, with his competitive streak leading him to making reckless fouls - eventually resulting in a sending off.
Players to Watch:
Jowi Bach - Strong and powerful the new HóC striker, the player can use his physical advantage over defenders and cause a major threat in front of goal.
Jeroen van Veen - Joined by his new HóC team-mate Jowi Bach, van Veen wears the infamous number 2 shirt despite playing in a attacking wing forward role - most notably on the right. Noted for dangerous dribbling abilities, his finishing aint too bad either.
Beaugium
Nation Name: Kingdom of Beaugium
National Language: English
Previous WC Record : Champions of 2006, Group Stages 2007
Notable Domestic Teams: MadnessRovers
Main weakness: Tiring legs in second half - Beaugium are notable for their very pacey first half and basically kill off the game within 45 minutes - this worked well throughout the 2006 World Cup where they took early leads, proving to be match winners such as the world cup final with a 3rd minute goal against the Tellians or then known as Gaian. However for 90 minutes, you can see the fatigue creeping in after the 60 mark.
Players to Watch:
Steve Stevenson - What could be his last World Cup, after lifting one cup, the captain will probably want another. A prolific goalscorer for the national side, he is also a powerful leader; well motivated for a 32 year old.
Eddie Edwardson - Despite the threat up front with Stevenson and Phillipson, the Beaugians would point their success down to no other than this guy. Capable of playing on the right or left, Edwardson is a dangerous traditional winger who loves to put in those long balls from the outside channels. Many players believe it's Beaugian spirit that made them win, but it's also a bonus to have a world class winger like this fella.
SHIREROTH v MANIA
Shireroth
Nation Name: Imperial Republic of Shireroth
National Language: English
Previous WC Record: None
Notable Domestic Teams: N/A
Main weakness: Lack of professionalism - with no basic structure of a league in Shireroth, many of their players are part-time or opt to play their football outside Shireroth as their league is not fully functional and up to other standards - e.g Nigel Robertson plays in the ASA Super 8 and Didinho in the RNSL respectfully.
Players to Watch:
Edison Dennis - Commonly known as Didinho, this left back adds a very skillful touch to Shirerithian football. A tireless wing back, he can cause a problem on the left continuously for 90 minutes.
Anders Bjornsson - Captain of the team and recently signed to Club Imperiale in Alexandria, the experienced shot stopper is a vital part of the national side. He maybe 34, but he knows what he's doing. However some of his rushing out and punching is questionable but nonetheless he keeps a consistent performance match after match and could prove to be a vital part to Shirerithian success.
Mania
Nation Name: Republic of Mania
National Language: English
Previous WC Record: None
Notable Domestic Teams: N/A
Main weakness: Small national pool selection and no league - Mania is so small that theres only 50 players to select from in their national pool. Also due to its size they don't even have an established league as there's hardly any room for teams. There are suggestions of creating a team for a neighbouring nation's league, but yet is to be revealed.
Players to Watch:
Ken Geraghty - The 27 year old is an electric engineer by profession, which may explain is electrical pace down the wing. A very modern winger, he is capable of playing Left Back if needed and even up front. A versatile player and can cause problems anywhere on the pitch as the Maniacs prefer to play him in the free role.
Yoann Martin - Born in Mania to an Alexandrian family, this player spent most of his life in the youth of AS Franciscania ini the FMSA league. However after being released the 32 year old has returned to Mania as a bus driver. Despite that, he still makes the national team as he is a valued experienced striker. His match fitness may not at all be like it was back in his days of professional lower-league football but his finishing and first touch is still there.
Last edited by Pittori on Wed Jun 11, 2008 9:31 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Results
Batavie 0-0 Beaugium
Batavie will be kicking themselves after being held goaless in Dietsland. Tom Scholten said in the post-match conference that "The team was not having a good day, the pitch was drained out and we could not play our football. It was a complete disaster."
Rain kept tipping down and tipping down, and the beautiful layed pitch was completely sliced, raising eyebrows to the Fortuna Davignon's groundsman. Tom Scholten himself got the first chance, knocking the ball past Alanson before unleashing a low driven shot to the left, only to parried away by keeper Fred Frederickson.
Beaugium tried to counter each attack and almost hit the Batavians back after Edwardson almost got lucky with his outward curling cross hitting the crossbar and over safe from harm.
Jeroen van Veen almost had a chance after a poor clearance from left back Alexander Alexson allowed him to pick up the ball to go on 1 on 1 with the keeper but the power of the shot was not there and the ball rolled slowly into safe hands of the keeper.
The best chance of the game however came from Jowi Bach after a quick van Veen free kick allowed him to dribbling into the centre from the right channel but embarassingly missed wide of the far post.
Batavie now face a very challenging task of playing the former 2006 World cahmpions at San Wierdo, however they will take into the account that the previous team playing against Beaugium in their home turf 1-0, but Britannic Empire were knocked out in the return leg. Shame.
Don't miss the match on MicraSport - on Saturday 14th at 8PM (GMT). We're live at the San Wierdo!
Shireroth play Mania tomorrow at home in Shirekeep, and look forward to having the task of qualifying to play in the World Cup for the first time since their establishment. Mania face the same task but it's big v little and who will know what to expect from Mania? They proved us all wrong getting this far, and yet they could spoil Shireroth's day.
Batavie 0-0 Beaugium
Batavie will be kicking themselves after being held goaless in Dietsland. Tom Scholten said in the post-match conference that "The team was not having a good day, the pitch was drained out and we could not play our football. It was a complete disaster."
Rain kept tipping down and tipping down, and the beautiful layed pitch was completely sliced, raising eyebrows to the Fortuna Davignon's groundsman. Tom Scholten himself got the first chance, knocking the ball past Alanson before unleashing a low driven shot to the left, only to parried away by keeper Fred Frederickson.
Beaugium tried to counter each attack and almost hit the Batavians back after Edwardson almost got lucky with his outward curling cross hitting the crossbar and over safe from harm.
Jeroen van Veen almost had a chance after a poor clearance from left back Alexander Alexson allowed him to pick up the ball to go on 1 on 1 with the keeper but the power of the shot was not there and the ball rolled slowly into safe hands of the keeper.
The best chance of the game however came from Jowi Bach after a quick van Veen free kick allowed him to dribbling into the centre from the right channel but embarassingly missed wide of the far post.
Batavie now face a very challenging task of playing the former 2006 World cahmpions at San Wierdo, however they will take into the account that the previous team playing against Beaugium in their home turf 1-0, but Britannic Empire were knocked out in the return leg. Shame.
Don't miss the match on MicraSport - on Saturday 14th at 8PM (GMT). We're live at the San Wierdo!
Shireroth play Mania tomorrow at home in Shirekeep, and look forward to having the task of qualifying to play in the World Cup for the first time since their establishment. Mania face the same task but it's big v little and who will know what to expect from Mania? They proved us all wrong getting this far, and yet they could spoil Shireroth's day.
Shireroth 2-1 Mania
Shireroth made a very lucky escape after almost embarassingly losing out to part-timers Mania.
And it was Mania who made the breakthrough yet. A mistake from Nigel Robertson meant keeper Bjornsson had to rush out and clear the ball, however the ball cleared to Ken Geraghty who made a spectacular 18 yard lob over the keeper and the impossible dream had started.
It didn't take long for another chance with Yoann Martin narrowly heading the ball over from a Left Wing Cross.
It took Shireroth 30 minutes to find an answer, with a swift counter just before the break as Jalal Akwa was found by Didinho down the left in space who just took one touch before guiding the ball into the net from the edge of the box.
The second half was much of a poor one and Mania decided to go ultra defensive to try keep the result at 1-1. Akwa almost broke through again to score another but the ball was deflected away into safety. Didinho almost came close after Akwa was tripped 30 yards out and a direct free kick almost allowed Didinho to curl one past the goalkeeper.
However on the 3rd and final minute of stoppage time Akwa had another good chance within 18 yards of goal which was charged down and out for a corner and Shireroth made the most of it as Didinho guided a cross in from the corner to meet the head of Nigel Robertson who secures the advantage for the Shirerithians.
However the manager by all means will be furious with this performance as they know deep inside them that they should have done much better against a part-timer team. But forget about that, they now have an advantage for the weekend clash in Mania.
Shireroth made a very lucky escape after almost embarassingly losing out to part-timers Mania.
And it was Mania who made the breakthrough yet. A mistake from Nigel Robertson meant keeper Bjornsson had to rush out and clear the ball, however the ball cleared to Ken Geraghty who made a spectacular 18 yard lob over the keeper and the impossible dream had started.
It didn't take long for another chance with Yoann Martin narrowly heading the ball over from a Left Wing Cross.
It took Shireroth 30 minutes to find an answer, with a swift counter just before the break as Jalal Akwa was found by Didinho down the left in space who just took one touch before guiding the ball into the net from the edge of the box.
The second half was much of a poor one and Mania decided to go ultra defensive to try keep the result at 1-1. Akwa almost broke through again to score another but the ball was deflected away into safety. Didinho almost came close after Akwa was tripped 30 yards out and a direct free kick almost allowed Didinho to curl one past the goalkeeper.
However on the 3rd and final minute of stoppage time Akwa had another good chance within 18 yards of goal which was charged down and out for a corner and Shireroth made the most of it as Didinho guided a cross in from the corner to meet the head of Nigel Robertson who secures the advantage for the Shirerithians.
However the manager by all means will be furious with this performance as they know deep inside them that they should have done much better against a part-timer team. But forget about that, they now have an advantage for the weekend clash in Mania.