retired_workingmom77

Brazil vs. Morocco

Wednesday 24th June 2015
Confederations Cup Group A
Commonwealth Stadium, Edmonton

I had no idea what to expect of African champions, Morocco. All I knew was that it would be a very tough encounter, Bordeaux striker Marouane Chamakh in particular would be the danger man on the Moroccan team. I handed out two new caps, Raphael joined his club colleague Kerlon up front and Fenerbahce midfielder Souza was given a debut.

It was plain to see this would be an open game pretty much straight from kick off, as practically the first time we got the ball it resulted in a goal. Ramon was the architect playing a perfect ball for Raphael to slip in behind the last defender, the debutant firing low past the keeper with a chillingly clinical finish, making it 1-0 after just 2 minutes. However, the Moroccans almost made an immediate response. Adil Chihi blazing a free header over the bar when he really should have buried it. But it was turning out to be a dream debut for Raphael as he collected aflick on from Kerlon and found himself once more, one on one with the keeper. Again, he made no mistake by sliding the ball past the keeper for 2-0. He almost had a hat-trick when he flashed a volley barely inches wide.

But then came a brilliant comeback from the Moroccans. Chihi supplying a brilliant diagonal ball for Chamakh to control and then fire past Barbosa, making the score 2-1. But Chamakh was by no means finished. Straight from the re-start, Morroco retained possession and mounted another raid on our defence. Karim Benzema rifled a low pass into Chamakh who steadied himself for a shot. He blasted a curling and dipping effort from 25 yards that had Barbosa totally beaten and suddenly in the space of two minutes it was level at 2-2.

Just five minutes later we restored our lead, Raphael flashing a ball across the goalmouth for Kerlon to tap in and make it 3-2. Five goals in the space of 25 minutes, it was shaping up to be an epic match. Our two goal cushion was restored just before half time. Aganldo on the edge of the 18 yard box on the right wing blasting a thunderous drive that just crept under the crossbar. 4-2 at the break.

The amazing goalscoring of the first half for some reason could not be repeated in the second and the match became scrappy and not as fluid. Morocco had a few chances but in the end it finished 4-2.

Starting XI: Barbosa, Felipe, Castan(c), Rafinha, Jorge, Souza, Anderson, Agnaldo, Ramon, Kerlon, Raphael
Used Subs: None

Final Score: Brazil 4-2 Morocco

retired_jyuan1019

This is great, didnt decide to check it out untill you replied on my story about managing in San Catarina. Only read this one will read your first stroy to get some hints* Good luck with Brazil

*Not really

retired_workingmom77

Thanks Daniel, Santa Catarina was a fun little state championship and its fair to say Joinville gave me a few thrashings over the years. Good luck with them, they have potential.

Brazil vs. Portugal

Friday 26th June 2015
Confederations Cup Group A
Saputo Stadium, Montreal

European champions Portugal were the major threat in this group, but in reality it was a question of who would top the group. This might have been the case had Portugal not suffered arguably the greatest upset in football history, going down 2-1 to the Cook Islands. The plucky island part timers had out-played their illustrious opponents and sat second in the group. A defeat for Portugal would then mean curtains, and with our side in buoyant mood after the thriller against Morocco, it looked bleak. I named an unchanged side for this game whilst Portugal named their superstars who had embarrased themselves against the Cook islands. João Moutinho and Armando were imposing figures in the midfield, while somewhat oddly Manchester United superstar Cristiano Ronaldo was dropped.

From kick off we dominated, Ramon with an early shot that curved just past the post. Portugal were dis-jointed and it really showed, the opening goal took barely ten minutes to be scored. Raphael rounding the keeper and confidently slotting home to give us a 1-0 lead, his third goal of the tournament, an encouraging start to his international career. But then disaster struck. Jorge held back Miguel as he was through on goal and we could have no argument when he was then red carded for a professional foul. We took off Kerlon and replaced him with Parma defender Anderson to shore up the defence, but the handicap rarely showed in the rest of the match. Just ten minutes later Raphael was at it again. Picking up the ball on the right wing he went on a dazzling run, beating two players before finding the top corner with a superbly placed shot. We had our semi final place sealed before half time, Raphael once more involved. Running to the by line he stood up a ball for Agnaldo to head past the keeper for 3-0.

In the second half it was about holding on to the lead and we certainly did that. Portugal rarely created anything much to the horror of the travelling support who had payed good money to see their team play in Canada. Souza picked up a nasty injury and had to replaced by Arouca, but in the end it was like an exhibition match and we comfortably saw out a 3-0 victory.

In the other match Morroco sneaked a 1-0 win over the Cook Islands and now only convincing victory over the Africans would give Portugal any hope of reaching the Semi Final.

Starting XI: Barbosa, Felipe, Jorge, Castan(c), Rafinha, Souza, Anderson, Agnaldo, Ramon, Raphael, Kerlon
Used Subs: Anderson, Arouca

Final Score: Brazil 3-0 Portugal

retired_jyuan1019

WD, just like to add, how regularly do think you could update this.

retired_startnowj

I am a patient man Xenon. Especially if the quality is good! :thup:

Half way through story 1 which is top quality too :thup:

retired_startnowj

Like Daniel+Bles=Legend says though, we wouldnt mind knowing how regular your updates will be?

retired_workingmom77

It's difficult to say to be honest as I don't know how much free time I'll have, thanks for reading anyway.

Helmut, believe it or not, was still alive. He had been the victim of a cruel practical joke. The communist activists in the adjacent block had paid a guard to deliver what Helmut had assumed was cyanide. It turned out to be a harmless tablet of paracetamol. The bitter taste of the powder immediately showed he had been set up and humiliated. Helmut could hear the laughter from the far off block, it was so loud. He doubted that any of them would be willing to die for their cause as he was and in thinking that it restored a little bit of pride.

The guards in Helmut's own maximum security wing, had apparantly allowed this all to happen. Most were sceptical that Helmut would actually take the bait and as a result of the fiasco, Helmut was now on 15 minute suicide watch. If only the outside world knew what goes on in places such as this, thought Helmut as he stared vacantly at the four walls that enclosed him.

At around midday he got a suprise visit from his lawyer. It seemed a trial had finally been arranged for these new charges that had been laid against him. His lawyer seemed unconcerned.

"I've looked through this whole investigation and all that would incriminate you, is the evidence given by two of the witnesses."

"Who are the witnesses?"

"The English football coach and his sidekick, the guys that landed you in here. Basically if they don't testify you'll avoid the death penalty. So the key here, is persuading or forcing them not to testify, whichever suits you."

"But you must understand my friend that these people have proved very hard to get rid of. Believe me, we have tried numerous times. Why do you think I am in here in the first place?"

"Maybe you have been using the wrong methods"

"What do you suggest?"

"A honey-trap?"

"Ha! This is not the Cold War my friend and I am not a Russian pimp!"

retired_workingmom77

Brazil vs. Cook Islands

Sunday 28th June 2015
Confederations Cup Group A
Commonwealth Stadium, Edmonton

Despite having qualification to the Semi Finals assured, we still went into this game with the Cook Islands with a certain degree of cautiousness. They had been the shock victors against Portugal and had only narrowly lost out to Morocco, so we would have to be careful. I named a completely changed eleven to face the Cook Islands, with River Plate keeper Carlos and Galatasaray central defender Mauricio earning their first caps.

But it was hard to fathom just what had caused Portugal and Morocco so many problems as we dominated straight from kick off. After barely thirty seconds, a deep cross to the back post was met with a thunderous volley from Agnaldo to make it 1-0. Just three minutes later, Agnaldo dispossessed a Cook Islands defender and sqaured the ball for Wellington who slotted into an empty net. 2-0 up after just four minutes. And it was 3-0 before ten minutes, a monstrous clearance from Carlos was controlled by Wellington, who kept his nerve and coolly finished for his second goal of the afternoon. Fifteen minutes later and it was 4-0, a saved effort from Robinho fell into the path of Moises and the left winger buried a shot into the far left corner for 4-0. Moises would go on to get his second around five minutes later, going on a magnificent solo run and finishing superbly for 5-0. It looked to be exactly like the Saint Martin game all over again and things weren't made any better for the Cook Islands when they had sweeper Robert Willis sent off. The 20 year old had been on the pitch for just a minute after replacing his injured brother Teiva Willis, a cynical foul on Wellington resulting in a red card. Just before half time and Moises was celebrating a hat trick, tapping in from a corner to make it 6-0 just before half time.

Unbelievably the Hermann Aichinger left winger wasn't done and barely a minute after the re-start he buried a fierce shot in the back of the net for 7-0. Ten minutes later it was 8-0, Robinho's header clipping the bar only for Wellington to tap in for his hat-trick. After that the scoring slowed down and it took until around ten minutes from time to net the final goal of the day, Tcho firing in a tremendous volley from just outside the area, final score 9-0.

Starting XI: Carlos, Mendoza, Felipe(c), Anderson, Mauricio, Itaqui, Moises, Agnaldo, Tcho, Robinho, Wellington
Used Subs: Raphael, Ramon

Final Score: Brazil 9-0 Cook Islands

Elsewhere, Morocco scraped a 2-1 win against Portugal sending the European champions out of the tournament without collecting a single win.
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre"> ================================================== ==================================Group A================================================= ===================================Pos. Team P W D L F A G.D Pts.------------------------------------------------------------------------------------1. Q Brazil 3 3 0 0 16 2 +14 92. Q Morocco 3 2 0 1 5 5 0 6------------------------------------------------------------------------------------3. Cook Islands 3 1 0 2 2 11 -9 34. Portugal 3 0 0 3 2 7 -5 0================================================= ===================================</pre>

Confederations Cup 2015 Semi Finals

Brazil vs. Holland
Argentina vs. Morocco

retired_soniawalker

well!! i just finished reading this one.i think that if it progresses like sacred victory, it could be better! kep up the good work!!!

retired_workingmom77

Thanks a lot Greaterpuddlian :thup:

Brazil vs. Holland
Thursday 2nd July
Confederations Cup Semi Final
Olympic Stadium, Montreal

This Semi Final was undoubtedly the toughest test we had faced so far in a competetive match. We had played the Dutch in my first ever game in charge and they had rescued a draw after we had dominated the match. It was different now though, Holland were desperate to add another trophy to their name and they would be no pushover. Although weak at the back, Holland were always capable of scoring goals and players like Dave Janssen and Ton Seedorf would be a real handful. With that in mind it was back to a full strength line up, with Itaqui covering for Arouca and Souza in the centre of midfield.

The match started as one might expect, frantic and furious and it didn't take long for us to find our ryhthm. Brazilian born keeper Gomes was forced to punch the ball clear early on and spare any blushes in the Dutch defence. It became evident that Agnaldo was giving left back Mark Brouwers a tough time and he managed to out-jump him as a deep cross swung in, Agnaldo could only head wide. 10 minutes later we were in front. A long diagonal ball from Felipe found Agnaldo who burst into the box with alarming acceleration. The extra pace was too much for Brouwers whose trailing leg sent Agnaldo tumbling to the ground. Ironically Brouwers had conceded a penalty in our previous meeting and he had again as the referee immediately pointed to the spot. The ball was given to Kerlon who was the team penalty taker. He rarely missed and this was no different, he smashed the ball past Gomes for 1-0.

Wesley Sneijder had a great chance to equalise but he flashed a shot just over the crossbar. Then came a pivotal incident in the game. Striker Raphael caught Koen Koeman with a stray elbow and received a red card. The young striker lost his cool and as a result we were down to 10 men. Kerlon was now operating alone up front. Holland looked dangerous and Robben almost equalised before half time. Janssen missed a sitter just after the re-start. But then, just as a Dutch equaliser looked inevitable, we went and scored totally against the run of play. Kerlon capitalising on a horrid back pass and chipping into an empty net from 40 yards. With only 10 men we had gone 2-0 up against the World champions and with half an hour to go, the tie began to look reasonably safe. I would later curse my own complacency.

With around 10 minutes to play, Wesley Sneijder hit a sweet volley from Robin van Persie's cushioned header. Barbosa had no chance and the ball nestled in the bottom corner. Holland were back in business and with just ten minutes remaining it was 2-1. We thought we had done enough to win it, but in the 91st minute disaster struck. Penalty for Holland, Itaqui had allegedly handballed. It wasn't intentional but we couldn't argue with the decision to award a penalty. Robin van Persie stepped up and buried the penalty sending the game into extra time.

Extra time began and Holland continued to gather momentum, forcing Barbosa into a couple of great saves. Having only 10 men was beginning to show but we managed to get to half time still level. But then the preictable happened. Not long after kick off, a Sneijder corner was converted by Hedwiges Maduro and suddenly Holland were 3-2 up with ten minutes to go. Holland held out until the death and as we entered time added on I began to admit defeat, nonetheless I ordered an all out attack. With the clock reading 120:22, a Kerlon cross was taken down beautifully by Ramon. The attacking midfielder the swivelled and unleashed a thunderbolt of a strike that clattered off the upright and into the back of the net. The São Paulo man had rescued us and sent us into a penalty shoot-out.

Dutch goalscorer Hedwiges Maduro was first up in the shootout, he slotted the ball home calmly. Kerlon followed suit, he seems unbeatable from the penalty spot. Robin van Persie scored the penalty that set up Extra Time and he scored his second of the day as Holland took a 2-1 lead. Chelsea midfielder Anderson comfortably levelled the shootout with a well placed shot. But then, in the latest twist in an unbelievably epic match, man of the match Wesley Sneijder saw his penalty clatter off the bar and out. Rafael Mendoza gave us a 3-2 lead, putting the pressure on Holland. Nigel de Jong wasn't fazed, drawing from all the experience of his 114 caps, he slammed the ball home to make it 3-3. Agnaldo delicately placed the ball out of Gomes' reach to make it 4-3 and the crucial penalty fell to Ton Seedorf. Arguably the most talented of the Dutch players the Juventus midfielder saw his penalty saved by Barbosa. I was overcome with relief, it had been an amazing game of football and I was glad we came out on top. But it looked set to continue as a grudge match final with Argentina beckoned.

Starting XI: Barbosa, Rafinha, Felipe, Castan(c), Jorge, Itaqui, Anderson, Agnaldo, Ramon, Raphael, Kerlon
Used Subs: Mendoza, Anderson, Mauricio

Final Score: Brazil 3-3 Holland after Extra Time (Brazil win 4-3 on penalties)