Hi everyone!!
Feels so great to be finally back and posting, I have had the game for a few days now but was unable to play due to my PC breaking. However I have bought a brand new one and after my boyfriend finished setting it up am finally back!
I did tell Johnny it may take a few days but in all honesty I couldn’t wait to get started, I have decided to do another pentagon challenge but have included all the Spanish leagues as people wanted to see that also but I will show the leagues I have chosen later.
A brand new and brilliant feature is the ability to enable and disable leagues as I please making it a whole lot easier to switch if things are not going well!
So without further hesitation lets have a look at the challenge and my first team!
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So for those who have no idea what the pentagon challenge is basically you have to win all five of the champions leagues in North America, South America, Europe, Africa and Asia by starting with a Sunday league reputation and unemployed.
Its great as you never know where you will end up, plus you get to experience leagues you have never dared to try.
Here is my league set up for now :
Africa
South Africa — Only league available
Asia
China
Malaysia
South Korea
North America
Mexico — Can participate in both the North and South American champions leagues.
Europe
Belgium
Croatia
England — Seeing as everyone seems to play there!
Holland
Portugal
Russia
Spain
South America
Argentina
Brazil
Chile
So that’s my league selection at the moment, I chose some of my favourite leagues from last year but I left out both Australia and the USA as there rules are just to complicated for me to try and understand! I chose both England and Spain as most people enjoy English teams and Spain for me!
Please note I wont manage a team from Spain or England to help complete my challenge as that’s too easy, they are there just to keep the leagues real and see how they develop no fun in managing Barca or Chelsea to the champions league when I can try to toil with a Russian side or a team from Croatia! :)
So lets get into the story.
As always my story has to start with a stupid looking picture of me! But a long list of job’s I applied for and in turn was offered.
A classic team for last year was tempting of FCAK a trip to Brazil was also tempting but I chose a team I really liked the look of! So my first team is……………………….
That’s right the Mpumalanga Black Aces! Which will now been know as the black aces! :)
My main reason was my chairman (or chairwomen I should say!) is a woman! So with two girls in charge we cant possibly fail!
We are slightly over our wage budget by a few thousand so my first task is to sort that problem.
So an 18 year wait for some silverware but my main aim is promotion, and then hopefully build a good enough reputation to land a bigger job in the top flight of South African football.
Promotion may seem a little ambitious but we have a fairly good squad in terms of of our rivals and with a few new additions then we should be there or there abouts I feel.
Lets take a peak at my squad and what my assistant thinks on my new team.
So a pretty decent defence, all over three and a half stars and my midfield isn’t too bad either, Shongwe my forward is more than good enough to find some goals so am more than pleased with what I have. My best player is probably this guy :
Fabian McCarthy
So nothing mind blowing but this is the second tier of South African football so don’t expect a Messi to be lurking around.
He has good experience and is a fairly good defender his speed does worry me but at 34 what can I expect!
Finances
A lot better than I expected as we have over £300k tucked away in our bank account, am expecting that to drop very quickly as the season gets going as we will struggle to make enough money to make a profit every month. As we don’t own are stadium we have to pay rent which will sap most of our money every year we will have to get promoted sooner rather than later.
The Pre — Season
So I began by assembling a new assistant manager and a new scout with my scout off hunting young talented footballers from southern Africa. My pre-season was very optimistic only losing once to Bloem Celtic who are in the premier league one higher that the league I am in.
Martizburg and Black Leopards are also premier league teams so by not losing those games has given me confidence going into the new season.
I have highlighted the excellent Myron Shongwe scoring 8 times, here is snap of his stats.
Myron Shongwe
Finally formation and transfers
So a 4-3-3 with alone striker not how I usually play I am a fan of having two strikers up top but needs must at the moment. Shongwe seems to enjoy the lone role with his pace and power and we have good service coming from out wide.
Defence can be a bit shaky at times so I added a holding midfield player to help them out with another ball winning defensive minded player in the centre. The other is an advanced play maker who will help support Shongwe when needed.
Transfers
Pickings were very slim, as I brought only Mashishi in a pretty decent attacking midfield player. I usually have no luck in these games so I decided to try and double my luck bringing in both Lucky Baloyi and Lucky Nguzan the first is an utility player the second a forward. Shane Thompson concluded my business with a years loan he is a fairly good right back.
I sold two players for very good money as Gilbert and October departed, both were decent but I have loads of decent defenders and getting a combined £250k was very nice.
So that’s it! My challenge has officially began and South Africa is my first port of call, my aim isnt to win the champions league with the black aces more to build my reputation to land a bigger job.
I will post my updates as season long posts as its just the easiest way of doing it, and I will get back to trying to complete my first season in charge!
As always thanks for reading and I look forward to seeing your opinions and what you think.
Laxeyman
2 ноября, 2011 at 20:21
The Pentagon challenge again Ana! Your last story was very interesting, so hopefully this one can be too, and it seems like you’ve got a good chance of promotion this season as your squad looks pretty good. Overall a good pre season, and hopefully that can continue into the season :) Good luck!
Ana Garcia
3 ноября, 2011 at 18:33
Thanks Laxeyman!
I was very tempted to manage FCAK again but I just found out that the Black Aces were just relegated last season hence why there squad is so good.
So promotion is defiantly in my sights.
benji
2 ноября, 2011 at 20:21
looking forward to the challenge and ur pic aint silly ur very beautifull :) good to see girls getting into football :)
Ana Garcia
3 ноября, 2011 at 18:35
LoL, thanks! :)
Johnny Karp
2 ноября, 2011 at 20:38
Hey Ana, it’s wonderful to see you back in action with such an exciting story! Best of luck to you and the Black Aces!
Ana Garcia
3 ноября, 2011 at 18:37
Thanks Johnny!
Am really wanting to actually complete this challenge this time, and I have a very good team.
I am surprised I manged to get them with my reputation but am not complaining!
George Dobson
2 ноября, 2011 at 20:40
good start I really hope you can complete the petagon challenge !!!! :D
Ana Garcia
3 ноября, 2011 at 18:37
Thanks George, me too! :)
Darren Smith
2 ноября, 2011 at 21:51
Welcome back Ana, can’t wait to see the challenge begin :)
Ana Garcia
3 ноября, 2011 at 18:38
Thanks Darren! :)
Luke Robinson
2 ноября, 2011 at 21:54
Loved your last Pentagon challenge and back to South Africa again! Cant wait to see how this story gets on!
Ana Garcia
3 ноября, 2011 at 18:40
Thanks Luke,
Yeah I was torn between starting in Africa or Korea I wished they added some extra leagues like Egypt etc but maybe next year!
But I really like South Africa so its a nice place to start for me. :)
Luke Robinson
4 ноября, 2011 at 12:24
Yes Egypt would be good with Zamalek or one of the good teams from Ghana would be an easier challenge than South Africa but if it was easy it would be boring and from last years attempt, it wouldnt be such an interesting story if it was easy!
Ana Garcia
4 ноября, 2011 at 18:23
Agreed!
But it would make the African CL more varied as you can only win it with a team from South Africa.
They could defiantly expand it though teams from Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Cameroon etc Would make it even more interesting! :)
paine
2 ноября, 2011 at 22:32
Hi Ana,
don’t know anything about South African football so I will follow this with interest.
What’s your team’s average age?
Black Aces, really a cool name! :)
Ana Garcia
3 ноября, 2011 at 18:46
Hello! :)
I was the same until the last FM when I did the same challenge I recommend trying South Africa, all the teams are almost equal so the winner can change every year.
My team’s average is 24 but most of my ‘better’ players are in the higher 20’s and early 30’s so I will need to bring some better youth players!
I agree! The emblem looks quite good also and the South African names make me smile names like Lucky, Innocent, Sunshine, Doctor etc if I have a son he will be called Sunshine Garcia!! :)
Lye
3 ноября, 2011 at 01:10
Hi Ana,
It will be another long journey again but sure there is a lot of enjoyment. I think all the clubs you managed should pay you some promotion fees because we wouldn’t have know the existence of these clubs. Good luck in your pentagon challenge.
Ana Garcia
3 ноября, 2011 at 18:48
Thanks Lye,
That would be nice, maybe I should contact them and ask! :)
Thanks for the luck, I know I will need it sooner rather than later.
Rod
3 ноября, 2011 at 03:53
Nice start, and a pretty promising team! Leí tu última historia pero nunca había comentado, así que esta la vamos a seguir más de cerca, esa dupla femenina puede causar estragos en África, espero verte dirigiendo por Argentina! Saludos. Sorry if i cannot speak spanish in the blog :D
Ana Garcia
3 ноября, 2011 at 19:00
Gracias Rod!!
Your Spanish is just about understandable LoL, I’ll give my response in English. :)
Am glad you enjoyed it last time this time round I want to complete it, I thought it was good to have a female chairperson I have never seen that before. I have seen a few female physios and a few coaches.
Never tried Argentina as I was in Brazil last time but would love to try there though!
Thanks for the comment, tu Español es tan dulce! :D
Calin
3 ноября, 2011 at 07:13
Looks like you got your hands on a pretty decent team, Ana so congrats for that. Also, good luck in your challenge — I remember starting a pentagon challenge myself a few years ago, but after spending 2 seasons in Malaysia (I guess, I don’t really remember) where all the teams seemed to have the same name and progress could not be made, I called it quits. But you have the experience and I am sure you’ll do a great job with this challenge!
Ana Garcia
3 ноября, 2011 at 19:05
Thanks Calin,
Yeah, I just found out they were relegated last season so they still have some premier league players which is nice.
Malaysia is tough start I had a problem in S.Korea where all the names looked the same! Kept getting confused on which players I picked, who to sell etc but then you get the hang of it.
I did enjoy S.Africa last time so am really looking forward to going back again! :)
Kevin
3 ноября, 2011 at 09:03
Ola Ana
Very nice to see you back posting again and it looks like you will get off to a teriffic start with the Black Aces in South Africa. Lucky you having a new computer too but after all you’ve been through this past summer…well you deserve that amiga! Good luck!
PS Nice picture too :)
Ana Garcia
3 ноября, 2011 at 19:08
Hola!!
Thanks Kevin, nice to be back and am very happy with my new team! Yeah my last PC just broke so we treated ourselves to a new one, I think we earned it! :)
Mikulas Nemeth
3 ноября, 2011 at 09:54
Nice one Ana…are you really born on 10th of June? Gemini is the best :) I’m on 13th of June but year earlier :)
Good luck and let’s see your progress.
Ana Garcia
3 ноября, 2011 at 19:12
Hi Mikulas,
I was and I agree! :)
Am about half way through my season now so expect a new post in a few days.
TheZiggy
3 ноября, 2011 at 10:48
Looks like you have a decent team there to start the challenge with. Will be great fun to see where this challenge takes you.Good luck.
Ana Garcia
3 ноября, 2011 at 19:14
Thanks!
They were relegated last year so they still have a few premier league players albeit a little old.
But with a few new fresh faces and a bit of luck we should be challenging for promotion. :)
vaibhavc
3 ноября, 2011 at 15:43
Hey Ana
Great to see you back with a story. It will be great fun to see how frustrating the challenge is. Last time I had to follow it after, so it will be good to follow it from the beginning.
Ana Garcia
3 ноября, 2011 at 19:17
Thanks!
I am determined to complete this challenge so its nice to have you on board from day one!
Frustration is right but I have a better idea of what to expect now having done it last time, but am looking forward to the journey. :)
chris @ chester
3 ноября, 2011 at 20:09
Hi, well done getting that job with no experience, I was thinking about doing the pentagon challenge myself. how many seasons do you think it will take you? look forward to following this story to the end :-)
Ana Garcia
3 ноября, 2011 at 21:58
Hi Chris,
Thanks, I was surprised also to get the job but I just doubled checked and I definitely have Sunday league reputation so just lucky I guess!
Well going on last years try I spent a total of almost 41 in game years winning 4 so an average of 10 years per champions league.
But it depends on which team you get and how good they are for example it took me 6 years at the Moroko Swallows in S.Africa to win the CL and only 2 at an amazing Cruzeiro side in Brazil.
Also it took me 9 years I think to get a job where I could challenge for a champions league so its a long process! But one I enjoyed and one I am enjoying again so nice to have you on board until the end! :)
Dave
3 ноября, 2011 at 22:17
Blimey 41 years in a game. Think the most I have ever managed is about 8 seasons in 1 year lol.
Hopefully with this version I will have more time and may make it to 10 seasons and with Murcia I think I will need 10 seasons to get them dominating Europe.
Well good luck with your challenge and I look forward to following it. With all the good stories on this site I have definitely gotta split playing time with reading time.
Ana Garcia
4 ноября, 2011 at 18:27
Thanks Dave,
My Real Union game a few years ago ran for 38 years I guess it all comes down to how much you enjoy the game your playing.
Spanish football is my favourite so good luck with Murcia!
Martin Pickard
4 ноября, 2011 at 08:55
Hey Ana! Great to see you back!
I’m really glad you choose to do another penatgon challenge…I really enjoyed your last one and cant wait for a progress update on this one :)
Ana Garcia
4 ноября, 2011 at 18:29
Thanks Martin! :)
I am about 8 games from completing my first season so with some free time tomorrow hopefully I can post a new update.
Just hope I can get the same success as last time!
Stromson
4 ноября, 2011 at 15:32
Welcome back (again) Ana! I’m glad you’re getting South Africa out of the way first, as it seems to be the black hole of all Pentagon challenges. Best of luck in conquering SA quickly!
Ana Garcia
4 ноября, 2011 at 18:33
Thanks! :)
True, but I kind of like South Africa!
Its weird but I really like it and how all the teams are quite close and how you can only really sign South African players due to failed work permits etc
Am planning a minimum of a four year stay at the Black Aces hopefully longer but depends if one of the big jobs is offered to me (or I get fired!).
Last time I made the mistake of moving clubs too soon so am here for the long term. :)
Sears
5 ноября, 2011 at 14:51
Best of luck with this Ana!
Ana Garcia
6 ноября, 2011 at 10:53
Thanks Sears! :)
Fracpen
6 ноября, 2011 at 11:31
I think you should have signed a keeper considering your best one is barely decent. Even with the best of defence you need a good keeper who will not make avoidable mistake.
Ana Garcia
6 ноября, 2011 at 18:43
Hi,
I agree but I can only sign whats available and the keepers I found and scouted were as good as the one I had.
I don’t really like signing players for the sake of it especially with a low league club as they can turn out to be very expensive for someone I may not need.
Hopefully a better keeper will be available as I progress as I really do need a better one, but I am not too concerned about the one I have for the time being.
I could be wrong though! :)
Gary Coyle
26 января, 2012 at 23:59
I am also doing the Pentagon Challenge and started with MP Black Aces! Got sacked tho :( So I’m now at United FC so hopefully can take them forward :)
Would also like to know how you got all the pictures of players and badges?
Good luck in the Pentagon Challenge :)
Ana Garcia
27 января, 2012 at 20:43
Hi Gary and thanks!! :)
I got my players faces etc from here :
https://www.footballmanagerstory.com/2011/10/download-mega-facepack-for-football-manager-2012/
The logo’s and badges from here :
https://www.footballmanagerstory.com/2011/10/download-mega-logos-pack-for-football-manager-2012/
Also best of luck on your challenge! Let me know how you get on. :)
Gary Coyle
2 февраля, 2012 at 00:44
Thanks Ana, much appreciated!! :)
Got United FC up to the premier division via the playoffs :) Finding it tough in the Premiership though :(
Ana Garcia
3 февраля, 2012 at 23:05
Your welcome. :)
Its a big step from the first division to the premier league, I could have been relegated on this story had I not hit a bit of form towards the end.
If you can survive though the teams are not that far ahead of you, so its just about building each season and you can even push for top six finishes after a while.
Am always interested to hear from other people on how they are getting on, so please keep me informed and I wish you the very of luck! :)
harry tarbard
15 мая, 2012 at 20:30
hi ana, love your story.
i have a macbook pro and was wondering if the game would run slow if i loaded the same amount of leagues as you have because i would love to try this challenge
Ana Garcia
17 мая, 2012 at 18:11
Thanks Harry!
I really have no idea! My game didn’t run that slow when I selected these leagues but dont forget you can add/remove the leagues at any time in the game so try it and if it does go slow just remove a few leagues.
I found that running England, Germany, Spain, France and Italy ran slower than the more obscure leagues.