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Post by coffers on May 10, 2006 9:04:09 GMT
:checkit:
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Post by Moo on May 10, 2006 9:34:49 GMT
Nice work on the imminenet World Cup win, Sonic.
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Post by Sonic on May 11, 2006 1:06:50 GMT
Cheeky monkey
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Post by Sonic on May 11, 2006 1:09:02 GMT
Honduras, a game that was calling for focus. A nervous 19 minutes was finally settled with a screamer from Ledesma, in for Mascherano. Goals by Cavenaghi(26), Messi(33), a red card on 41 for Honduras and Cambiasso(45) closing the half with a 4th for Argentina. I took off Messi for Sosa on half time. Cardozo made it 5 on 54, Ledesma on 72 and Sosa finished off the scoring in a dominant display by Argentina. The movement in the game was terrific, much like the Russian game. Really this game should have seen way more goals, what with 20 of 31shots on target, 60% of possession and that red card in the 41st minute. Still, I'm happy. Russia won, so we qualify in 2nd spot. Pisculichi is suspended for the next game after picking up his second yellow. The fans celebrated the emphatic victory, one that most people expected. The win also sets a new record win for Argentina. After the group stage, Argentina draw the USA.
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Post by Sonic on May 11, 2006 1:09:35 GMT
Lorca, pesky Lorca decides it has been ignored to long. The board decide to go further in to debt, about £15M to expand the stadium by 15,993 seats. They also announce the training facilities upgrade, finally. The last one was the transfer budget, which I settled on £2.3M to spend and about £230k wages. Teams come in wanting to play friendlies at my place, Inter, Dortmund and Ajax. The Ajax one then doesn’t appear and I didn’t get any news article saying it was cancelled. In Transfer news, I’ve finally snagged a DC, this one being a 33yr Yobo who’s surprisingly in good shape. I’m hoping he retires from International football after this World Cup. I’ve also transfer listed a few players and have offers for some, and no interest in others. Others will be retiring soon. Here’s hoping for a very decent batch from my upgraded youth academy Lopez decides to go public about his ambition, saying that he might have to move clubs to a bigger one to win major trophies. Hmm, I guess he wasn’t paying much attention this season, and the upcoming next one too. I tell him he’s going to stay as I’ve plans for the club to become a heavier hitter. I’ve asked the board to deep fry every meal, have a bar fridge in the dugout and in the ‘gym’. That’s the leisure centre with a beavy of professional masseuses, who specialize in deep muscle massage. He backs down unsurprisingly, as happens frequently in this version. It’s all to do with him wanting a new contract, and me not wanting to offer him what he wants. I don’t think he’s worthi that much in wages, not compared to other players in the squad.
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Post by Sonic on May 11, 2006 2:45:27 GMT
USA, 2nd Rnd; a game not to be taken lightly. The first half sees the USA dominate, but it took until the end of the half to get close to opening the scoring. They turned down some good chances, and Lux also had his part in that too. Still, the team was keeping together, and at the break, I told them we only needed a goal to progress. I also took off Messi and Tevez who were tiring, and me, and I changed to a 4132 tactic to counter the USA’s tactic. This stifled the game until the 60 odd minute. This was when the Argentinean players became used to where people were going to be and started to knock the ball around, and started to make the USA scramble. There was some nervous moments for them at the back, and ultimately we were as guilty as the American’s in front of goal. Extra time became a reality, something which I was trying to avoid. I reiterated the one goal message. The fist half of extra time was as tough as the normal time, probably more so due to the tiredness around the squad. The USA were being stretched, but we just couldn’t get through. It took until the second half of extra time for this match to be settled of a sorts. It was a freekick right on the edge of the area. Thankfully it was an Argentinean freekick that settled the issue, and it was a player I amost didn’t put on who knocked it in, Lucho Gonzalez with the 107th minute goal. 2 minutes later and I’m jumping out of my seat as Cavenaghi beats a defender and slots the ball past the USA ‘keeper from a Sosa ball only to start cursing the linesman for a very tight decision. Tight as a knatt's crack. It’s at this point that I increase the closing down mistakenly instead of the waste time instruction and only notice with a minute to go. Thankfully nothing happened, except Cavenaghi getting caught and missing the next match with a dead leg.
A bloody tense game this was, thankfully gotten through without penalties. Serbia and Montenegro are Argentina’s Quarter Final opponents. I get the feeling that Brazil will be the opponent after this match.
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Post by Sonic on May 11, 2006 7:11:14 GMT
Serbia and Montenegro, another team not to be taken lightly(aren't they all at this stage?). A cagey first half is ended with Argentina’s Mazi Lopez starting for the injured Cavenaghi getting his name in the lights in the 45th minute picking up a header forward by Cambiasso, seeing the GK off his line and chipping him from 25 out. A pleasing lead to take into the break. The second half sees more possession go Argentina’s way, and they make use of it from the few chances now being given up. It does take a Tevez blatant miss to bring this about, as Lisandro Lopez comes on. He picks up a ball on the right, curves in a fantastic cross which Messi picks up at the near post, who flicks it left to Maxi Lopex to tap into an open net. Yes, and this looks assured. It also disheartens Serbia and Montenegro in the process. We take out this game fairly easily after this, especially as I wring the changes and stake the midfield, which almost catches them out again, but for slow feet.
The game was reported as being a confident display by an efficient Argentinean side, with a leading Serbia and Montenegro pundit saying my team had the better side. Denmark dispatched Sweden 3-2 and become my next opponent. It’s either Holland or Brazil in the final if I get pasted the Danes.
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Post by coffers on May 11, 2006 7:24:58 GMT
Nice progress in the Big Girls Cup even if it was a bit cagey at times.
KUTGW! :thumb:
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Post by Sonic on May 11, 2006 7:32:01 GMT
Denmark, Semi-Finals; The experts say the Danes are a team not to be taken for granted, with Lux calling for focus. A big game, and easily a dangerous game. I usually have the most trouble in the Semi’s of any cup competition a team of mine is entered. Team of mine? Possessive aren’t I Lux calls for focous in this game is ironic, as he is the first to lose it, when in the 4th minute, he strays off his line and almost sees a ball lobbed over him and into his net. Not the way to build confidence in your defence there Lux. 5 minutes later and Tevez has won a freekick for Argentina close to the Danes penalty area. This is the first time I’ve seen Tevez do anything in this World Cup, more than look like a fat maradona, I mean pre-madonna. Diva anyone? Cambiasso steps up and Maxi Lopez is the first to rush over to thank him for the great delivery as he heads the ball into the left side of the goal rooting the Dane’s Keeper to the spot. Excellent I think, just the start I wanted. We looked good, moved the ball around nicely, and then saw something I wasn’t expecting and left me with a here we go sinking feeling; lob, 50yard strike over Lux, Lux needing the physio all within 5 lines. This was in the 18th minute. Coloccini then collects a yellow in the 23rd for a push. The Danes are surging, and Lux is hurt. I decide to see if he can shake it. It’s at this point where I kick myself, as I’ve made the decision to sub him, but at the same time see this happen after clicking the button: A freekick to Denmark, a ball curled into the far post, a header on, left to run free by Lux, a lead turning into a loss. What’s that? You can hear me from the past? The next line of action took a minute to do, Argentina to kick off. The next one saw Denmark operate more defensively. The other 10 lines saw a freekick saved by Schmeichel Jr from Messi, Cambiasso hobble off for assistance from the physio, a shot cannon of Agger, 2 minutes of injury time reported and the half time whistle blown. Hmm.
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Post by Sonic on May 11, 2006 7:33:30 GMT
I think I asked the players where their passion was, and yanked Lux for Leo Franco. Maybe I made some other changes too, ones that I can’t remember. The second half proved to be more open because of Argentina desperately trying for an equalizing goal. I didn’t reflect this in the game report, as it looked like the Danes were snuffling out Argentina’s advances towards goal. I finally go sick of Tevez’s profligacy and brought on Lisandro Lopez. I also took off Maxi Lopez for Sergio Sosa and changed the tactic from a 352 to a 4132, going even more attacking. Argentina had 15 minutes to find a goal or bow out at the second last hurdle. I was starting to despair as the 80th minute ticked over. We definitely looked a different team after those subs, and the Danes started to become stretched and hurried. We were pilling a lot of pressure on them. Messi was having a hand in everything. He had a shot tipped wide, and a cross strike a defender. This caused confusion as the ball fell to Jose Sosa. He was tackled by a fired up Michael Jackobson, easily apparently. But this fell nicely to Lisandro Lopez, who had time to have the ball drop so he could strike the ball into the back of the net. I was off my seat in a flash and a huge roar bellowed out around the San Siro. The game was going into extra time.
This was nothing like the other Semi between Holland and Brazil, which saw a tentative match, 12 yellows(7 to Holland) and a 4-3 penalties count in Hollands favour. Yes, you did read that right. Extra time in both games, with Holland having an extra emotional drain, one I was going to try and avoid.
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Post by Sonic on May 11, 2006 7:35:08 GMT
I told the players that we only needed one more goal. It took 3 minutes for one to be scored, and it was payback. A pass out of defense from the Danes GK to a defender saw that defender’s control be poor, gifting the ball to Jose Sosa, advance on goal and slot the ball past the Dane’s GK. Yes! This drew the Danes into an attacking approach, which because of my tactics, didn’t have the same gaps as before, ie, I now have fullbacks which can tackle their wingers. This left gaps for Argentina to exploit, one which gave us a corner in the 98th minute. Pisculichi took it, Lopez beat Agger to it, who saw it saved by Schmeichel, blocked to Messi who said thankyou very much and gave us a second goal buffer :cab: The Danes were self destructing under the pressure being applied by the Argentineans and went defensive, which probably saw a goal saved in a box scramble in a corner in the 104th minute. Unsurprisingly they then pulled a goal back in the 105th minute with another long shot, this time a 30 yard curler coming from a Coloccini pass being intercepted, putting the Argentinean defense on the back foot. The half-time whistle was called a minute later. The lead was now one, and both teams went for the game, Schmeichel holding, and a Dane pulling. The game saw a desperate Dane’s team increasingly push forward leaving gaps, one which saw Argentina exploit, break the Dane’s offside trap, Jose Sosa the cutter who laid a nice short pass to Lisandro Lopez to stap the Danes in the Heart scoring his second and Argentina’s 5th of the game and their 3rd in extra time. The Dane’s change tactic, Mascherano is mugged holding onto the ball, Leo Franco off his line is almost chipped, only for a passing seagull to see the chip and eat it up so it missed the goal. Argentina didn’t need another warning and played the game out. Lisandro Lopez was MoM with his 2gs/1a once on on 75. Ah-ha, I’ve made the final. Eat that Narkle, he-who-loves-watching-boring-World-Cup-matches. And you Coffers, who like to watch fixed matches :checkit:
After the match, the general consensus was that I’m a genius and should be worshipped. Oh, and there’s a team, apparently, that played confidently over some other team that was lackluster, even according to a leading lack-luster pundit of some country called Denmark :cab:
The game also set a new Argentinean record, highest scoring match.
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Post by Moo on May 11, 2006 8:18:08 GMT
Nice work on the imminenet World Cup win, Sonic.
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Post by coffers on May 11, 2006 10:42:13 GMT
Even more progress, good work. Oh and who said I liked to watch fixed World Cup matches, Germany and Austria should have both been banned from World Football for 20 years for that game. I was apoplectic with disgust when I was watching it. It still brings a dreadfully bad taste to my mouth thinking about it even now.
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Post by Sonic on May 11, 2006 23:36:05 GMT
Holland; World Cup Final; ex-Internationalist’s are worried and interested about Youth’s approach, doubting them, while Messi comes out saying the team is optimistic about winning the match against Holland wants to give the fans something to celebrate. The news filtering into the team was about Brazil, and how they had crashed, not even making 3rd, after Denmark had taken their chances well. Brazil could only find the net in the 90th minute, going down by a goal, but made a meal of the rest of the opportunities presented to them. I wanted to nail home that lesson. I also had some choices to make, one was the tactic, and the other was who to start up front. This was also Hollands third final in a row, the first one was won, the second saw Austria take them, and the third was this one. I wanted to make it 2 finals reached, 2 finals won. It would be unfortunate for Holland to be the recipient of both losses, but hey, if it happens, thems the breaks. Snigger.
The choices I made was to start both Maxi Lopez and Cavenaghi up front, benching Tevez. The start should have been fantastic as Maxi Lopez in the 45th second of the game, somehow didn’t shot the ball into an open net. The match report says that the Dutch GK, Stekelenburg pushed it away. Yeah right. This seemed to set the tone for the match, as both teams went hammer and tongs at one another, though the Dutchies took this literally and went at the Argie players. Heitinga and Babel both picking up yellows by the 10th minute. After some more play where Argentina threatened and Holland passed the Dutchie, Maxwell took Cavenaghi out of the game in the 26th minute, Tevez his replacement. I’m hoping his benching fired him up. It was Holland’s turn to threaten, and it was Collins John throwing his weight around. The half was not letting up just because the half was coming to an end, no, as a 43rd minute corner by Argentina saw. Holland tried to counter but Argentina had players back and forced them wide left and saw the move broken down with a tackle by Mascherano. Coloccini picked up the ball sent it up front to Cardozo to pick up on. He tried to slot it through to Lopez, but saw Maxwell pick it up. He was forced to back track and then sent a pass back to Heitinga. It was picked up by Maxi Lopez who bore down on goal, but saw his effort blocked straight by him. Tevez finally in the right position picked up on this, and sent the ball into the back of the net. A great lead to take into the break just on the break.
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Post by Sonic on May 11, 2006 23:36:51 GMT
I told the team I was pleased, encourage a few others, and saw them come out and leak a goal, Unfortunately we’d conceded a shitty first time goal from a knocked John :moop: It had only taken Holland 4 minutes after the break to get this equalizer too. They had made my defense looking fucking static, not to mention my midfield look like headless chickens. Holland have done something. My team had passed loosely. I did something, and told my central midfielders to stop doing certain runnings and closings and we seemed to become more dangerous. Maxi Lopez came into the game with his height and head but on occasions Tevez wasn’t quick enough and Holland were playing too high. I refined the instructions to the Argentinean players further as they were leaving to much of a gap closing down the wingers, which was the way Holland was playing. I didn’t need 3 players going for them, so made this 2. I also changed the tactic going 4132 but unfortunately saw the half look increasingly like extra time. Then late in the 80’s, the 87th minute, Tevez was put through on goal. He has only the GK to beat...
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Post by Sonic on May 11, 2006 23:37:41 GMT
:moop: Oh, you thought this was going to be finished here? Don’t be silly. Messi also has a shot from outside the area with a bit of time about a minute later, and puts it wide. I hate being right sometimes.
I’ve got to pick the players up again. I tell them we need only one goal. I get an injury instead in the 98th minute, Holland resorting to taking out my players. Down to 10 men now. This should be fun. Tevez wins a corner in the 103rd minute. The delivered corner by Mascherano is cleared, but from this resulting clearance sees a freeflowing passing move between the defense and the midfield. The ball finally goes down the left to Maxi Lopez who delivers in a ball to Tevez in the box who gets his head to the ball only to see it bounce back off the upright. What I’m trying to work out is how your offside behind the player who delivers the cross into the box as this is what happened, with the resulting rebound not able to be played because of this. Half time of extra time was called.
The second half saw Mascherano bossing the midfield. A throw-in in the 110th minute saw Holland open right up. Cambiasso slotted a beautiful through ball to Tevez at the far post. How he missed another sitter is beyond me as he hit it straight at the ‘keeper. Oh, that’s how you do it is it? I’ll have to remember that one. Neither team was interested in anything fancy after that. Penalties :moop:
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Post by Sonic on May 11, 2006 23:40:03 GMT
So, the game went to penalties even with a clear half dozen chances to win the game by Argentina and a few by Holland, though these were less than half(I’m not being biased either) as their goal was a well taken half chance. I decided to take the pick-my-penalty-takers-click-ok-set-highlights-speed-all-to-very-fast-play-and-leave-the-room approach. Argentina won the toss and decided to shoot first. My taker order was Tevez, Maxi Lopez, Messi, Mascherano, Cambiasso, Coloccini, …..
Tevez steps up *GOAL* Sends the keeper the wrong way;
Kuyt *GOAL* Beats Lux to the right;
Maxi Lopez *GOAL* Beats the Dutch keeper without him moving to the right;
Kromkamp *GOAL* Sends Lux the wrong way, left, even though Lux was putting off;
Messi *GOAL* Sends the ‘keeper left, scores right;
Sneijder *SAVED* Sends the ball down the middle at Lux who saves;
Mascherano *GOAL* A careful placement and powerful shot left beats the static Dutch GK;
Maxwell needed to score to keep Holland in the shoot-out…
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Post by Sonic on May 11, 2006 23:40:38 GMT
*SAVED* Lux saves a weak shot to the right to win the shoot-out!
The World Cup is Argentina’s. Mascherano was MoM.
The reports after the match were all about the ecstatic Argentinean fans. They were kind enough to say, along with the pundits, in an unanimous display, that Manager Youth was person responsible for this success. Cavenaghi’s early departure turned out to be broken ribs from an ‘accidental’ collision, ruling him out for up to 2 months. The news reports was also a tale of the two Sosa’s; Jose Sosa reported as being out for 4 months with a broken foot(the injury that reduced Argentina down to 10 men) and picking up his second yellow meaning he’s banned for the next International while Sergio Sosa expressing gratitude to Youth for this victory. He went on to say that Youth had proved he was a great manager and that he had deservedly earnt the respect of players and fans alike. Cheeky scamp. The Argentinean FA stated to me that they were delighted with this win, or at least that’s what I could interpret through the champagne slurs. They think it was a great boost, the World Cup win, not the bubbly, to the nation. Again, the World Cup win, not the bubbly. The Dutch management decided to part ways, much like a few other national sides managers and their management.
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Post by Sonic on May 12, 2006 0:31:44 GMT
Lorca again.
It’s that time of year when you go through your team and sell a previous star striker, Cisse, going out the door for close to £15M to Arsenal. I snapped their hands off when they gave me the offer. The fans were disappointed with this influential player. He barely played last season.
To balance his loss, I signed on a fee Helder Postiga. I'm not sure this was such a wise decision, but I do have a bunch of youngster I can try out, and probably will if Cavenaghi gets more injuries. Either way, I haven't spent anything but wages on him.
As I wait for the World Cup awards and such to come in, Lorca and the Primera Division announce news. Firstly, the fans of Lorca tell everyone what was obviously going to happen, Cavenaghi is the Fan’s Playa of the Year. Lorca’s latest batch of youngsters turn up, all18 of them. I can never tell who will be successful at this stage, but some have some decent physical stats. The fixture listings are announced, and Lorca are set to play Valencia(home), Valladolid(away) and Zaragoza(home) to get the season underway. To sweeten this deal, the TV rights for Lorca’s games turns up, and it’s a nice round figure of £10m. That means a nice profit of £25M or so for this month. I have £17M to spend after the Cisse deal. TheBoard announce their expectations, and it’s a respectable league position. Two new Lorca club records are set: Cavenaghi’s average of 7.69 over 38 games(I thought he had 4 sub appearances too); and Lorca’s average attendance of 12,846(this will rise after this season). My Ass Man tells me that 3 players have reported back from holidays injured, which was expected.
I'm still waiting on the World Cup Awards and such. I also seem to have lost my upcoming games in my Managers window, or whatever it's called.
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Post by Sonic on May 12, 2006 0:34:09 GMT
Even more progress, good work. Oh and who said I liked to watch fixed World Cup matches, Germany and Austria should have both been banned from World Football for 20 years for that game. I was apoplectic with disgust when I was watching it. It still brings a dreadfully bad taste to my mouth thinking about it even now. Sorry Coffs, I guess I was a bit too flippant and ended up being too cheeky.
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Post by Moo on May 12, 2006 8:18:20 GMT
Excellent result with the World Cup and a very well written report. I should put some numbers on the lottery tonight, I reckon. :checkit:
Sonic > Coffers.
:thumb:
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Post by Sonic on May 19, 2006 7:13:02 GMT
Thanks Moo. I've yet to win LAC, and with the team I have at the moment, needs a few positions. I could get lucky though :humb:
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Post by Sonic on May 19, 2006 7:13:54 GMT
I’m still waiting on those awards from the World Cup. Meanwhile, life goes on and Lorca takes preference. I’ve been thinking about leaving the Argentinean post. I’ve done the pinnacle and have started to lose interest. Lorca have a bunch of friendlies to take my mind off of this, Cadiz, Zamora, Inter, Jaen and Burgos. I’m contemplating canceling the last two as they are after 2 games each against Real Madrid and Fenerbache, the Third Leg of the Champions Cup playoff and the Supercopa. Two friendlies precede this, one against Cadiz, noted for the second half display of Pavlov, who tore them a new pantfish, bagging 5 goals in a 6-1 win for Lorca. Interestingly enough, Lorca went into the break a goal down.
LAC Qual. Leg 1, Fenerbache, away. A tight game, and one I was nervous about. The media think this is one of the big ties of the round. Thanks, just what my players needed, and my nerves. It took 11 minutes for Fenerbache to get on the score sheet. Thankfully my players didn’t give up, and 11 minutes later, Pavlov has opened his account in Europe, a neat finish from a nice move down the left which saw a deflected cross fall into Mazzei’s path who played a short pass to Pavlov to finish from 6 yards out. 7 minutes later, and Lorca had to again get back into the game, a player Coffers seems to know, I think, the Papadopoulos one, hits in a curling effort from a waltz through my team. It’s not all doom and gloom as Pavlov mugs their slow defender who stays on his shoulder, only to see him collect his 2nd goal of the game in the 42nd minute. This is really the end of the meaningful action, and I was hoping to get at least one more goal. There is a line in Fenerbache’s favour about getting in behind the defence, but he must have been crap after that. A not to decent result to take home.
Lorca see a record signing, which complements the record sale, USA International capped 50 times and scoring 4 times Nik Besagno signs to play for Lorca in a £9.75M deal from Betis. I’m really happy about getting my hands on this guy as he is a D/DMC player, and at 25, has a long future at the club. I’m just annoyed that he didn’t sign for me at the same contract for about £4M less. Still, I think he’ll be worth every pound. He also has a second nationality which is Spanish.
Zamora prove to be less stubborn resistance, as Lorca cruise to a 4-0 win, with Postiga and Pavlov both getting 2.
The backroom staff also gets an addition, as I sign a World Class physio from Brazil. He looks very good, and brings my total of those breed to 3. Soon after I bring in another quality pyshio, definitely he’s in it for the money.
Oh, and Lorca’s Board decide to give me even more spending power, £7M more at that, leaving me now with £18M to spend if I want to, or can do on the right player, who I just have to find.
Inter’s friendly was a surprise. I didn’t expect to earn a deserved 1-0 win against them, and Lorca did. Half time sub Helder Postiga getting the winner in the 48th minute. The remarkable stat went to Inter, 1 shot of 10 on target, and not many of those misses was that threatening. Arf, a pretty result to take into my next match, an uncomfortable one against Real Madrid.
Supercopa Leg 1, Real Madrid, Home. I’ve struggled against Real Madrid in all but my first game against them, a 2-0 win. This game was slightly different, as we weren’t being overrun and containing them. Real kicked Pavlov out of the game, Postiga coming on in the 24th minute, and Real were being difficult. I was nervous, but received a boost right on half time, Postiga getting on the score sheet, opening his account for Lorca. It came from a beautifully weighted 45 yard ball from record signing Besagno from a Yobo tackles loose ball. Postiga picked up on this ball timing his run well, getting in behind the defence but on the left, looked up, and from 25 yards, chipped Casillas. Yesssno. :moop: That’s the shape my face took in the same minute, as the best midfielder in the game at present waltz straight past the best defensive midfielder and one of the best defenders in the game to knock to knock a weak looking shot past one of the best young GK in my game. I know this because this about the GK because of the teams constantly interested. The DMC thing and defender is purely speculation, but from the stats, they easily should be what I say. It’s even again at the break. How do you pick a team up from that at the break. It’s a hell of a think to do, and I think I didn’t completely succeed. I’ve noticed something funny in the 50th minute, Pappas plays the ball to Hislop’s feet, who in turn gets a freekick awarded against him for a trip on Baptista. WTF? In the same minute, Postiga got in behind Real’s defense and hit his shot straight at the ‘keeper. Casillas made another save from a Taylor header minutes later and then a contentious moment occurred. Taylor pushed Daniel Carvalho in the 57th minute. It was the lines man who confirmed. I felt justified when Amato, my 19yr GK made a spectacular save against Baptista’s attempt. Lorca took confidence from this and weathered an assault from Real, though one that kept hitting and hoping. Real started to play dirty, getting into my players, forcing me to sub my Greek wonderkid Pappas. Finally the ref couldn’t turn a blind eye, and sent of their DC for a second yellow in the 71st minute. Real soon went defensive, and played out time, with Robinho heading for the corner flag, having no options and chipping the ball into the side netting. Lorca have it all to do in the second leg if they are to win this.
Their was two records set in this game for Club Lorca, and it was all down to the fans, all 25,777 of them who turned up, letting Club Lorca collect £650k from the gate. What confuses me is that I thought I had this sort of crowd to expect only after the new year. Does this mean I have an extra 15,000 or so stadium expansion to expect at that time?
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Post by Sonic on May 19, 2006 7:15:45 GMT
The league odds are released by the bookies, and everyone is surprised that Real Madrid are given 2-1. Barcelona 6-1, At. Madrid 12-1, Villerreal 14-1, Sevilla 16-1, Deportivo 20-1 and I’m told Lorca are considered 40-1 outsiders. I wake a hundred on this, and so do a bunch of my friends.
UEFA LAC Second Leg, Fenerbache. It’s time for a stuffing don’t you think? Glad you agree, as it happens. Pavlov kick starts the game with a 27th bit of skill by picking up on Pappas’s vision of knocking the ball down the left flank to an unmarked lone striker to pick up on, cut into the box and slot home. A couple of wild and wide shots later and it’s again the combination of Pappas and Povlov in much the same way, great pass down the left picked up on to cut into the box and slot beyond the ‘keeper, gives Lorca a commanding advantage to progress. My only concern was Pavlov’s fitness. I decide to give him an extra 10-15 minutes to see if he can get his hat-trick. Oh, it’s 3, and it’s Pavlov. Wait, were’s Pappas? Nowhere involved? Besagno? What’s he to do with this? He set up the goal by having Taylor volley the ball to Pavlov with a spectacular shot/pass to head in :cab: Boomerang :cab: I brought Pavlov off in the 55th minute for Postiga, and though the team played well, Fenerbache was broken and I was allowed to close the game pretty easily. LAC, Lorca is there. Pavlov was MoM.
Lorca qualify for the group stages of the LAC with a 5-2 aggregate, drawing Ajax, Porto and Freiburg in their group. Lorca are also given £2.7M for qualify to this stage of the LAC. The match also set 2 more Club records, again highest attendance and gate receipt, 25,821 and £875K.
Pavlov’s spectacular European form is attracting interest, and bids are tabled from Levante and Barcelona. I negotiate. We shall see. And it's nothing to see.
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Post by Sonic on May 19, 2006 7:16:04 GMT
Supercopa, Leg 2, Real Madrid, Away. Oh, I see how this is going. A 5th minute strike by Roncatto seeing my right fullback Debris pulled waaaay forward and Yobo nowhere after this leaving an easy path to goal. Pressure is piled on Lorca, but my changes are working and they can’t do that again. Hopefully. Pavlov shows that he really isn’t feeling the pressure of the interest in him by heading in a beautiful header from a well delivered Pappas cross in the 17th minute. I’m told that wasn’t in the script, and Real Madrid are given a penalty thanks to Debris’s trip on Robinho. Amato can’t stop Baptista this time. It make some more changes, both defensive, tactical and attack minded. Oh, it’s half time. I’m sympathetic. :moop: 4 minutes after the break and a simple pass to Robinho is called a good move and he duly dispatches from 30 for no reason than to fuck me over. Just because I can be. I prefer Black haired girls normally, but don’t have a choice in this instance. Robinho is now a defender and is a World Class one at that apparently as he does a defenders job at the far post getting in the way of a shot that he never would have got in the way of realistically at the far post so that Casillas could save. This sets a trend. Oh, and Sosa’s 55th minute yellow does too. Lots of frustration and pushing my tactic to the most attacking I’m willing to risk seems to be die-ing in the arse, and then on 88, Real lose Sosa to a second yellow. He gives up his second yellow just outside their box. Pappas finally delivers a goal, blasting in a freekick. Why does Taylor with a 20 hit the wall? There is one last play, and it falls to Lorca. It’s make or break and it’s a fantastic move. The move is down the left, Hislop along the floor to Pappas, who again finds Hislop. He picks up Postiga out wide left who gives him the ball left and sprints into the box. Hislop delivers a perfect cross to Postiga who just has to use his head. :moop: It’s a point blank miss into the side netting, and then it’s fulltime. I’m gutted, as we did enough to earn a draw. Sympathy, disappointment and a bit of pleased is sent around. They can win this if I can do better in the league.
Friendly, Jean, Home. A team display sees a 5-0 win with 5 different scorers(Mazzei 4,47, OG 18, Pappas 29, Fuentes p56), one a helping hand from Jean. It proves an expensive match as Mazzei is out for 5 days while Amato is out for 3 weeks.
My last friendly before the season commences is against Burgos. It’s a pretty disappointing effort considering the final score. We go into the break a goal up, and yes, it is Pavlov who is the scorer. It was a frustrating half to watch. I said I was pleased as it wasn’t worth criticizing the performance which means apparently that Burgos score soon after the break. I went ahead a bit peeved but saying to myself that it’s only a friendly. I continued to make the subs that I was going to, and it was Postiga on for Cavenaghi who came on at the break who made an impact, putting Lorca into the lead in the 83rd and 87th minutes. He had some good service from Watson who also scored Lorca’s 4th in the 90th minute from a GG corner. I didn’t make a comment.and Postiga’s 11 minute cameo earnt him MoM.
Lopez finally signs a new contract, and at £20k, he better be delivering or he is out the door as I’m not letting someone sit on the bench too long earning a bit like that. He does have healthy competition.
Next up, the official competition, with the first game at home against Valencia.
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