So all things world cup! Yay :). My first world cup in Football Manager so i’m really just here for the experience more than anything. With me there then is a Uruguay side ranked 17th in the world and predicted to finish second in the group stages behind England and infront of Ivory Coast and Poland.
First up was the game against Ivory Coast. I was worried about their strike force more than anything. One played for Arsenal, the other for United so I wasn’t feeling to great, as my defence was the weakest part of the squad. Still, kicking off group E this is how we faired:
Oof! Get in. What a great result for us which sits us top of the group. Two goals in the first half from each of my strikers nestled us in nicely for a praise-packed half time team talk. We didn’t get complacent though, and scored another before getting a man sent-off for two yellow cards. Still, I brought Barreto on and he didn’t disappoint, capping off a well deserved win for our first World Cup game.
Next up was England. Ranked ‘top seed’ if you will, we would surely have a tough task of beating them..
So it proved to be. We took the lead early on as Rodriguez ghosted in at the far post to crash in a header from 3 yards but after 10 minutes, we started to look wobbly as England pressed and eventually caved in with two conceded before half time. Was always going to be a push from there and sure enough, England put the game beyond any doubt.
Last game of the group then, was against Poland. Only a win would do to secure ourselves of a knockout round place..
Oh no! A 90th minute goal enough to grab Poland a draw right at the death of a frankly dirty game by our standards. But was it enough? Had we gone through?!
With England beating the Ivory Coast, our 2nd place was secured! Happy days. But we did have a massive task of getting any further, as we drew Spain in the all important knockout rounds. 1st in the world rankings too and have a very, very strong side. But could we beat them, stamp our place into the Quarter Final?
That we couldn’t, and we bowed out graciously at the hands of Spain. We started off the brighter, hitting the post and carving out numerous chances for ourselves. Unfortunaltely, the dominance didn’t last long and before too long we were behind going into the break. A red card 82 minutes in gave us hope of clinching an equaliser, but it was too little too late from our perspective.
Needless to say, I resigned from the Uruguay job. Spain won the World Cup in the end though, a 2-1 over Holland enough to secure them the trophy. Did apply for the French, Brazilian and Italian jobs when the world cup finished but they were unsuccessful :(. Oh well, it was an experience nonetheless, and hopefully I wont be out of international management for too long!
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Sorry to end it on a sour note, but that’s it for this instalment. Next one will be the end of season post that will conclude the league, cup and Champions league adventures, along with some news on players and facilities.
Till next time then, Hej då :D
Stromson
25 мая, 2011 at 01:39
I couldn’t help but laugh at that «half my squad is travelling!» image. Still, impressive that you managed to get through with a midfielder between the sticks! Great league results as always, and I hope you’ll be able to pull out that undefeated season (if you draw the last game, you can blame me). Damn shame about Uruguay, but Spain was never a realistic win.
Excessive
25 мая, 2011 at 08:53
Haha, your not the only one.. Luckily we managed to get passed that!
I will do mate, you always seem to add a dose of bad luck to things ;).
Only joking..
Yeah it was a shame, but Uruguay never had the quality in the first place unfortunately.. Wanted to get a better job but the big nations weren’t letting me in :(
David Wiggins
25 мая, 2011 at 03:05
I still think you should hold out for the Sweden job! Hopefully that will help you acquire home grown players.
Glad to see the unbeaten run still going! How many games is that now?
Excessive
25 мая, 2011 at 08:57
Alright Dave, where have you been hiding?;)
Sounds like a good idea, but the Sweden squad is awful I have to say.. But the home grown players should be a benefit! Note, all of the players aren’t Home Grown.. I know. The Swedish first team keeper was on a free but I decided against getting him as he wasn’t considered home grown for the rule..
Unbeaten run is close to 170 games now I think :D
Johnny Karp
25 мая, 2011 at 07:52
You definitely had a much better CL draw this time, you should be finishing second in that group easily and maybe even push Inter for that top spot. As for Uruguay, you did well to qualify from that group but Spain were a much too tough nut to crack. Good luck in the Champions League, I’m looking forward to the next update!
P.S.: Congrats on the new PC, you must be very happy! :)
Excessive
25 мая, 2011 at 09:01
Thanks Johnny!
Yeah it does look like a better draw.. With any look, our lads should sail through.
Unfortunately so, was gutted when I saw the draw for the second round as I knew Spain were favourites. Can’t complain, we lost to the eventual winners in the end.
You have no idea.. Runs so smooth! I’m chuffed to bits :D
Darren Smith
25 мая, 2011 at 12:01
Great form in the League Jake and those new signings look great. I wish my game would produce English regens like yours. Also looking at how much those regens have improved already, they could be world class inside of 5 years. Great work and unlucky with Uruguay, leaving was the best thing to do, but you did well until an unlucky draw in the Second Round.
Excessive
25 мая, 2011 at 12:41
Cheers Darren!
Your not the only one mate. My youth don’t even the potential to make decent Prem players! Hope your right though mate, have high hopes for Belyakov especially.
Yeah, it wasn’t too bad but your right in that I needed to leave. Their squad was aging and there were no real oustanding players coming through..
Sibo
25 мая, 2011 at 14:46
Well done Jake:
Brilliant work and well done in the league, I hope you will go far in the Champion’s League! Unlucky with Uruguay but hopefully you will get back into international management and get some succes with another team! :D
Excessive
25 мая, 2011 at 14:58
Thanks Sibo, I hope so too!
Been a long time coming but I think we have the squad to progress further than before. Fingers crossed :D
CsAtlantis
25 мая, 2011 at 15:04
Haha Jake you ran into the same problem as me, though luckily the Barclays Premier League, despite all those work permit issues, does not require U20 players to be registered to play so I still found a goalkeeper to play
Luckily you won the match (I won my match too), Denis looks really impressive, should be capable of banging in the goals (not bad in the air too :D)
That’s a pretty good Champions League draw you got, you should be able to press on to the next round, just might want to look out for Fenerbahce, they might have a very good team
What was your Uruguay team trying to do in the first match, that’s a lot of bookings :P considering your team won pretty easily
You were somewhat unlucky being drawn against the team that went on to win the World Cup, maybe you’ll have better luck with another team, try checking on Mexico, they produced some great regens in my save
Excessive
25 мая, 2011 at 15:31
Haha! Lucky you :).
Thanks CS, yeah absolutely. I think Denis is a fantastic talent and I hope he flourishes and reaches his potential. Might just see him turn into a regular striker in a couple of years time.
Fenerbahce don’t look too bad though, with couple of fantastic regens as you say, however I think we have the squad to do one over on them this time! They are 3rd seed and won’t be taken as mugs that’s for sure :)
I know?! Dirty. Might have overdone it with my aggressive tactic ;).
Was a little unlucky your right, but it’s always going to be tough whoever we got.. But I will be looking to get back on the bandwagon. Hopefully with more success too!
Sears
25 мая, 2011 at 15:41
You were unlucky to be knocked out so early in the WC, but Spain are amazing! I’m 100% sure you can finish the league campaign with maximum points, that would be an phenomenal achievement. Good luck!
Excessive
25 мая, 2011 at 16:01
Thanks Sears!
Mmhh, unfortuantely for me they are. Oh well, can always apply for another national job :). I hope so mate, my BOIS are on fire at the moment and it looks as though nothing can stop us!
Laxeyman
25 мая, 2011 at 16:20
Brilliant league form Excessive, your team completely dominate the Swedish league, and hopefully you can take that form into the Champions League. Unlucky with Uruguay, but you did well to get them that far. Good luck in the CL!
Excessive
25 мая, 2011 at 23:38
Thanks Laxey :)
Ana Garcia
25 мая, 2011 at 23:00
Hola Jake!
Can I have your secret to winning in playoff’s please!! :)
Good group and a great chance of qualifying for the knockout stages, domestically and its business as usual! Nice to see it all green!
You did really well with Uruguay, losing to the eventual winners and only by a goal. Am glad Spain won though! :)
As always good luck!
Excessive
25 мая, 2011 at 23:40
Hey Ana,
Haha well.. My obvious secret is playing my midfielder as a keeper. Only joking ;)
I hope so, we have a great chance this season to progress further