Hello everyone!
So welcome back to my newest post which will see my new found Croatia side try to meet the expectations of winning the world cup set by my FA.
I am still currently unemployed in terms of a domestic job but am just waiting for the perfect job to come along, to try and conclude my challenge.
World cups are always fun so I thought a special post was needed to show you how I did, so lets get on with it!
Cheonan (July 2010 – January 2013)
Nothing won.
— South China (June 2013 – June 2016)
Hong Kong League Title : 2014, 2015, 2016
Senior Shield : 2013, 2016
League Cup : 2014, 2015, 2016
Asian Confederation Cup : 2014, 2016
— F.C.A.K (December 2016 – November 2019)
South African First Division : 2018, 2019
South African First Divison Cup : 2019
— Moroko Swallows (November 2019 – January 2023)
South African FA Cup : 2020, 2021
South African Premier League : 2021, 2022
South African Charity Cup : 2020
South African Knockout Cup : 2021
South African Super Eight : 2021
African Champions League : 2022
— FC Seoul (February 2023 – February 2026)
The K-League : 2023, 2024, 2025
The Korean League Cup : 2023, 2024
The Pan-Pacific Championship : 2024, 2025
The Korean FA Cup : 2024
Asian Champions League : 2025
— St Gallen (October 2026 – July 2027)
Nothing won.
— Veracruz (July 2027 – June 2031)
Mexican Opening Stage : 2029
Superliga : 2030
Champions Cup : 2030
North America Champions League : 2031
— Sao Paulo (June 2031 – July 2032)
Sao Paulo State Championship : 2032
— Cruzeiro (July 2032 – December 2033)
Brazilian First Division : 2032, 2033
Minas State Championship : 2033
The Club World Championship : 2033
The Copa Libertadores : 2033
International Teams :
— Morocco (Febraury 2015 – December 2016)
Nothing won.
— Senegal (November 2021 – February 2023)
African Cup Of Nations : 2023
— Egypt (October 2025 – February 2027)
Nothing Won.
— Mexico (September 2028 – September 2029)
The Gold Cup : 2029
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So the world cup draw and as you can see we have a tricky group, we meet Italy and Chile who will both provide a strong test and Singapore.
Group G is probably the hardest with Brazil, France and Mexico.
My Star Man — Jasmin Zecevic
So I had taken a few profile screenshots of some other key players but they saved wrong and it looked a little wierd! So only one to show but he is my best player from AC Milan, Jasmin Zecevic.
A centre forward who has a good goals to game ratio for his country so hopefully he can continue to score throughout the tournament!
Group Stage Results
So we began our campaign with a hard fought win over Chile, and despite a two goal scoreline they did create chances but Zecevic and defender Hrstic scored to get us off to the perfect start.
Italy next and we managed a surprise victory after left midfielder Gasparic (Barcelona) and a freekick from Zecevic secured the win. We completed our 100% record with a win over Singapore Zecevic with three in three games and midfielder Stefanac sent us into the second round to face the USA.
Results Second Round
So we sailed into the quarter final after a comfortable three zero win over the USA, Zecevic leading by example by scoring twice and Gasparic also completed the win.
Mali are the current African cup of nation holders and ranked 14th in the world whilst the bigger nations like Spain, Argentina, Brazil and Holland all made the quarter finals.
England were England! Losing to my old Morocco side and I can already here Kevin and Darren cries of anger as England again flatter to deceive!
We meet another of my old sides Mexico in the quarters so a tough game.
The Quarter Final Results
The world cup was held in China but Mexican indiscipline let the fans down as we cruised to a four one win.
The sending off helped alot after 15 minutes and two goals in two minutes from Gasparic and Zecevic and then Zecevic and Hrstic saw us into the semi finals, we are playing really well and the thought of winning a world cup may be closer than I think as Croatia are a very good team.
Lets have a look at the full results :
So an extra time winner saw Argentina beat Mali, the same story with Brazil against Holland. Spain comfortably knocked Morocco out so the African sides dreams of winning a world cup were ended again as two sides from Europe meet two sides from South America.
And it will be an all European semi as we meet Spain the country where I was born, and Argentina meet Brazil in a no love lost game!
The best four sides in the world at the moment too with Croatia at 4, Brazil at 3, Argentina 2 and Spain 1 can we upset the favourites?
The World Cup Semi-Final Results
Afraid not, Spain just had that little bit of extra quality we lacked but my team played very well and their keeper ended the game as the man of the match.
Dominguez’s goal was against the run of play and despite creating chances we just didnt take any and Simic made the game Spain’s turning the ball past his own keeper.
I didnt throw the game! I really wanted to win but Spain just have that extra player that can make a difference so my world cup dreams were over but we did have one more game to play for third place, but who will be our opponents?
Brazil! Argentina continue to score very late goals as another extra time winner saw the mighty Brazil out, so its Spain vs Argentina in the world cup final as we play Brazil for third place.
Zecevic is still in the running for top goal scorer, can we beat the Brazilians?
The World Cup 3rd Place Playoff
Ha! Some would say luck others would say we were clinical but despite playing over 80 minutes with ten men we stunned Brazil to take third place.
Zecevic who had an amazing tournament lashed in a brilliant freekick on 18 minutes as I was forced to shuffle my side after the sending off, Ten minutes later I was celebrating again after a badly defended corner from Brazil allowed Zecevic to pinch the ball and smash in our second.
Brazil attacked and attacked but we defended brilliantly, and when my tired ten were breached our keeper produced some outstanding saves to keep the clean sheet.
I must say it may be only third but it was one of my favourite FM wins, beating Brazil is one thing but beating Brazil with ten men for almost 80 minutes, I was very pleased! :)
So lets wrap this post up with the world cup final :
World Cup Final Result
Yay! A double celebration! I would have loved to have managed in the world cup final with this Croatia team but seeing Spain win it and my Croatia team finish third I was delighted with the tournament.
The Croatian FA agreed and said they were very proud of our performances despite not winning it, but there is more to come!
But first a look back on the world cup winners :
So I posted since 2014 as Spain retained the world cup from South Africa in Brazil beating England in the final. France beat Brazil in Spain whilst England finally celebrated a world cup win beating France in Australia!
Spain’s turn again beating Portugal in 2026 whilst Brazil won in Germany after beating Spain with Croatia in third!
We made it two thirds in a row after the 2034, as you have just read in China.
A New Job!!
I’m sorry! But I had to!
The Spain mananger resigned after winning the world cup and they approached me to take over, I just couldnt say no and I will mange them to the European championships in a few in game years. I really loved my brief time at Croatia and in truth even if I was offered the Brazil or Argentina job I would have stayed at Croatia.
But Spain is just too much of an opportunity and the team I support so I had to say yes.
In terms of club management I am still waiting for a job however I have just applied to two clubs, and I have been accepted for one which I will post next time! ;)
So thats it! I hope you enjoyed this different post and next time I will back in club management trying to win the european champions league, so until then bye! And thanks for reading!!
Kevin
25 июня, 2011 at 22:07
Hi Ana
Well done on taking Croatia to third place, that’s very respectable indeed. England a big let down as usual, they didn’t evn qualify in my game for Brazil 2014!
So you fianlly got the Spain job, I was wondering when that would happen — this must be the icing on the cake for you :)
Ana Garcia
28 июня, 2011 at 15:58
Hi Kevin!
Thanks, I was very pleased to finish third at least England did win it in 2022! :)
Spain is my dream job so I will take charge for the upcoming europeanchampionships, am finally at a team I want to be at!
Darren Smith
25 июня, 2011 at 22:12
Noooo, why SI why! Only kidding, Sports Interactive have England down to a tee :(
Anyway, back to you Ana, a wonderful World Cup and unlucky performance in the semi’s but I think you should be extremely proud! And to get the Spain job is just a dream, I feel your passion for them and I’m delighted to see you finally get your ultimate job. Ready for the next pots Ana!!
Ana Garcia
28 июня, 2011 at 16:01
Sorry Darren!
Like I said in Kevin’s response they did win it 2022, so you will just a wait a bit if my game is true! :)
Spain just had that extra quality teams like Croatia are missing but was very happy to finish third and of course land my dream job at Spain!
Johnny Karp
25 июня, 2011 at 22:28
Great job Ana, third place is not bad at all! And it got you a dream job, you will surely have a lot of fun managing Spain.
Btw, did you see that they have just won the European Under 21 Championship too? The next step would be winning in women’s football, that’s where Germany still dominate :)
Ana Garcia
28 июня, 2011 at 16:04
Thanks Johnny!!
Am so happy to be at Spain!
Yeah I read that they won, go Spain’s future!! :)
Thiago was supposed to have had an amazing tournament so hopefully he can replace Xavi one day, a big ask but I think he could be a really great player!
Saamm Pettitt
25 июня, 2011 at 23:24
well done ana, you done very well to get croatia to the semi’s and i must admit, i would have taken the spain job too! :D
well done and looking forward to the next post!
Ana Garcia
28 июня, 2011 at 16:05
Thanks!
Spain is my dream job so I couldnt say no!
Next post will be up when I have a bit of free time, so busy at the moment! :)
CsAtlantis
26 июня, 2011 at 02:19
Is that Singapore i see in the World Cup? How did that happen…………….shocking :D
Congratulations on getting third place, the teams in the semis were all really strong
Looking forward to seeing how you do with Spain and the new club, is it Porto or Ajax?
Ana Garcia
28 июня, 2011 at 16:08
LoL!
Yeah Singapore at the world cup finals!
Am guessing as it was held in China another Asian team was allowed to qualify? Not sure how it works but well done to them! :)
My new club is not Porto or Ajax but you are close!! ;)
vaibhavc
26 июня, 2011 at 08:30
Hey Ana
How did Singapore make it to the World Cup? That was really weird. Congratulations on getting third place, this will really help you with trying to get a domestic job, which you did. You did get your dream job, and you will have fun managing them. Good luck!
Ana Garcia
28 июня, 2011 at 16:10
Thanks!
No idea but good for them!! :)
Yeah got my dream job and a good club job so am hoping I can conclude this challenege!
Sears
26 июня, 2011 at 15:39
Singapore? I’m mystified :-D
Anyway, well done on reaching the semi final, and of course landing the Spanish national job.
Ana Garcia
28 июня, 2011 at 16:11
Thanks Sears!
Me too! :)
Laxeyman
26 июня, 2011 at 18:15
Excellent World Cup campaign Ana, shame you couldn’t get to the final, but 3rd place is still good :) I can’t blame you for taking the Spain job, it seems like they are a brilliant side.
Looking forward to seeing which club you get next :)
Ana Garcia
28 июня, 2011 at 16:13
Thanks Laxeyman,
Yeah a shame but we did do really well so cant complain with third. Spain do have an amazing side as you would expect so am hopefull for the upcoming European champs!
Sibo
28 июня, 2011 at 16:08
Great work getting Croatia to 3rd Ana, that is a fantastic achievement! I don’t blame you, taking Spain, they are a great country and you will do well with them! :D
Also, the new club, I am guessing Ajax? :D
Sibo
28 июня, 2011 at 16:10
Just saw the comment above about the clubs…Benfica? :D
Ana Garcia
28 июня, 2011 at 16:15
Thanks Sibo!
Really enjoyed my mini spell at Croatia! I may take charge of them again in the future!
Maybe….
You will just have to wait and see! ;)
Stromson
28 июня, 2011 at 16:20
Ahhh!! So close! Still, 3rd place is pretty solid (especially for Croatia). Shame about the Spain job though, but I guess nobody is perfect. ;-)
Ana Garcia
28 июня, 2011 at 16:28
Thanks!
Yeah was pleased, just hate being so close to the final!
I didnt need to think twice about the Spain job! :)
Martin
29 июня, 2011 at 09:33
Hey Ana!
Congrats on a 3rd place finish in the World Cup…great achievement.
Hahaha i bet there was no way you were turning the Spain job down lol. I’m sure you’ll have much success with them.
I can’t wait to find out who you have chosen to manage in Europe…hurry and tell us lol
Wilfred Von Karma
31 июля, 2011 at 17:56
You have to tell me about the Singapore team. Is it possible to post a few screenshots of them because I want to see how the national team looks like. Singapore says that by 2010 we would have reached the world cup finals but looks like we have to wait till 2034 before that happens!
PS. I am from Singapore.