retired_workingmom77

retired_workingmom77

Copa Libertadores Group B Round Up

We had finally made it to the prestigious Copa Libertadores, a competetion that I had dreamed about ever since arriving in Brazil. We had tested ourselves against the best Brazil and now we wanted to pit ourselves against the rest of the continent, the prize at the end of which, a shot at the European champions for the World title. Our group was a fairly tough one, the hardest test undoubtedly Mexican champions Cruz Azul. Uruguayan runners up Nacional were a good side and so were Bolivian champions The Strongest. However I expected us to qualify quite comfortably.

Our first game ever played outside of Brazil, saw us travel to Bolivian capital La Paz, to face The Strongest. Despite their intimidating name they showed that in several key areas they were 'the weakest'. But it was the Bolivians who should have taken the lead early on after they were awarded a penalty. But Pedro Soliz had his spot-kick saved by the new Brazilian No.1, Barbosa. It would prove to be costly for the Bolivians as just minutes later, young left winger Moises’ cross looped into the net for 1-0. The lead was doubled after around half an hour as Pablo Correa fired past the keeper for 2-0. Three minutes after that Whoshington headed in from a corner and then another few minutes after that Pablo Correa got his second to make it 4-0 at half time. The Strongest threw everything behind the ball in the second half to avoid further embarrassment and it worked, we couldn’t add to our lead and we finished the game 4-0 victors.

Nacional at home was the next fixture, and the ground was packed for the visit of the Uruguayans. A Whoshington penalty put us 1-0 in front at half time, Nacional putting up much more stubborn resistance than The Strongest. However in the second half we finally broke them down, Pablo Correa doubling the lead. But Nacional still continued to battle away and they pulled one back through Leonardo Alonso with around 15 minutes left to go. But the match was sealed just a few minutes later as Whoshington got his second, ending the game 3-1.

Next came the toughest fixture of the group, Cruz Azul away. The Mexican champions played very well and put us under huge amounts of pressure. That pressure was rewarded with a goal from international veteran Kikin Fonseca putting Cruz Azul 1-0 in front. We began to settle in the second half and Pablo Correa scored a great equaliser to make it 1-1. Both teams had opportunities to win the match but this one ended in a draw.

After three fixtures we topped the group and it looked set to continue when The Strongest made the trip to Brazil. João Paulo and Pablo Correa were on target either side of half time as we won 2-0 and booked our place in the second round. After that we travelled to Montevideo to play Nacional and it was the home side that were humiliated, two goals from Whoshington, a long range strike from João Paulo and a Sebastian Garcia own goal sent Nacional crashing out after a 4-0 defeat.

We rounded off the group at home to Cruz Azul, it was a no pressure match as both of us had already qualified. Despite that it was still taken seriously as we wanted to finish top of the group. We managed to take the lead after about half an hour, Fagner Galvão with a swerving shot that beat Pablo Vidal. Once again it was a very tight match and Cruz Azul equalised in the second half through South African winger Daine Klate. It looked to be heading for a draw, until two stoppage time goals won it for us. First João Paulo beat the keeper from distance then Wellington tapped in from close range to end it 3-1 and Group B was ours.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre"> ================================================== ===============Copa Libertadores Group B================================================= ================Pos. Team P W D L F A G.D Pts.----------------------------------------------------------------- 1. Q Hermann Aichinger 6 5 1 0 17 3 +14 162. Q Cruz Azul 6 3 2 1 12 8 +4 11-----------------------------------------------------------------3. The Strongest 6 1 1 4 5 12 -7 44. Nacional 6 1 0 5 5 16 -11 3================================================= ================Results*************************** ************************************************** ************************************************** *************The Strongest 4-0 A TV Copa Libertadores Moises, Correa(2), WhoshingtonNacional 3-1 H TV Copa Libertadores Correa, WhoshingtonCruz Azul 1-1 A TV Copa Libertadores CorreaThe Strongest 2-0 H TV Copa Libertadores João Paulo, CorreaNacional 4-0 A TV Copa Libertadores João Paulo, Whoshington(2), Garcia own goalCruz Azul 3-1 H TV Copa Libertadores João Paulo, Galvão, Wellington**************************************** ************************************************** ************************************************** </pre>

retired_workingmom77

The new NPD headquarters building in Munich was an imposing structure, purchased with the now bottomless coffers of funding that the party now received. A huge building it loomed menacingly in the Munich sky-line, a gothic grey tower that overlooked the area for miles. It had been installed with a few nostalgic touches, most notably a gold plated elevator that only went to the very top floor, the president's office. A ridiculous piece of eccentricity modelled on that of the Eagle's Nest in the 1940's. It was right wing Germany's new fortress, impenetrable security and other such measures of paranoia were the standard in this place.

Gunther Krieg sat in the President's office, he was party leader in all but name. A puppet President that had all the major decisions made for him by an elite comittee of investors and the imprisoned Helmut. Helmut was not getting out of prison any time soon, yet still he called the shots whilst Gunther was the public face of the campaign. The German people had been surprisingly less cautious towards the new NPD leader, many believing that he was out of place in such an extremist movement. He was a genial man, a little rotund perhaps, middle aged and with a fairly decent manner about him. It was this likeable nature that deceived the public, some believed that he would smooth the rough edges of the party, make them less extreme. It had worked, the anti semitic rallying stopped and the NPD shed their thuggish image to adopt a more proffessional attitude. All of a sudden they just came across as a party with strong moral values and with a reactionary idea towards how they believed Germany should be run. Where have we heard this before? These seemingly new ideas, as they always do, attracted some parts of the public and as a result the votes received began to gradually increase. Having said that it was still nowhere near enough, but it was enough to send alarm bells ringing around the world. The Americans and the French had naively dismissed them, claiming that Germany wouldn't dare rewind the clock. But the British were observing it all with interest and the incident in Brazil although a failure by the British Security Services had shown that they were prepared to act albeit undercover.

News of the failed mission had reached the NPD with lightning speed, their old enemies had once again evaded death much to the concern of Helmut and other senior members. Gunther was still sat in his chair going over a speech he was due to give at a party conference later that evening, when the phone rang. It was Helmut.

"Gunther? How are things?"

"Running smoothly Herr President, I trust you are still being treated well?"

"My brief stay in this institution is remaining very comfortable, I am phoning to give you instructions. This line is secure incase you were wondering."

"What is it?"

"Our friends in Brazil have shown a reluctance to accept their fate. It pains me to tell you this, but the party is to stand down with regards to them, immediate effect. The last operation was a mess and I curse the day we assigned the Russians to do our dirty work, they were too easily infiltrated by the British. But we must be thankful that there is no evidence either way to suggest it was anything other than an accident. I think we should take this as a sign to stand down."

"But what if they cause more trouble?"

"I find that unlikely, as far as they are concerned this matter has been resolved for a while now, ever since you wined and dined them in Munich. Unless they are stupid they will remain silent. So for now at least they must live, do you understand?"

"Yes Herr President, Wiederhören."

retired_workingmom77

April/May 2012

After sealing qualification to the latter stages of the Copa Libertadores, we turned our attention to the opening of the league season. We opened with an away trip to Coritiba, a team that were regular candidates for relegation, yet somehow they always survived, pulling off the odd transfer coup along the way. Although finishing 17th last year, they were still 18 points clear of the relegation zone and this year they would certainly be looking to improve. However it was a successful first away trip for us as we capitalised on our dominance as early as the ninth minute, Wellington opening his league account for the season. Moises added to the lead with a superb free kick before Whoshington made it 3-0 just before half time. The team weren’t satisfied with just the 3 goals, Moises getting his second of the afternoon just seconds before the break. In the second half we took our foot off the gas and held out for an impressive 4-0 victory.

Then came the long and arduous journey to Colombia to face Deportivo Cali in the Second Round of the Copa Libertadores. We took control early on as Wellington notched up yet another goal making it 1-0. It was a game that wasn’t played in the best of spirits, both teams having a man sent off, Joaquin Martinez for Cali and Lucas Rocha for us. Pablo Correa scored in stoppage time to make it 2-0 and seal a vital away win, giving us a great chance of making the quarter finals.

They didn’t come much harder than in our next fixture. Reigning champions São Paulo were the first side to visit the Baixada for the 2012 season and it promised to be a cracking match. São Paulo had narrowly beat us to the title last season but we were in no mood to let that happen again. Although it was so early in the season we knew that a win was vital in getting as much of an early advantage as possible. In the first half it was the champions that dominated and soon enough their pressure was converted into a goal, young striker Alan firing past Carlos Alberto who was deputising for Barbosa in goal, to make it 1-0 to the champions. But we never let our heads drop and in the second half we were presented the perfect opportunity to level the game from the penalty spot. Matheus was not our regular penalty taker, but he dispatched this one with cool composure, levelling the game at 1-1. From then on it was us with the upper hand and we pressed to try and take the lead. It took a little over five minutes for Wellington to be found in space and fire home from fairly short range, making it 2-1. A crucial win was sealed late on as João Paulo blasted home from 30 yards with a little under 10 minutes to go. Final score, a crucial 3-1 win.

After beating Deportivo Cali 2-0 in the first leg of the Copa Libertadores we were highly fancied to progress to the quarter finals. Our chances were increased dramatically at the start of the second leg as Wellington put us further ahead with an early goal. Juan Guillermo Pinzon made it 4-0 on aggregate with a sublime free kick. However Deportivo Cali hit back soon after, youngster Cesar Augusto Gomez with a well taken shot. The 18 year old Colobian striker would later seal a move to Atletico Mineiro. But it was too little too late as Wellington added another to make it 3-1 on the night. In the end it was a bit of a thrashing as Wellington completed his hat-trick and João Paulo also scored to end it 5-1 on the night, a 7-1 aggregate victory seeing us through to the Quarter Finals.

Before the crucial Quarter Final against Paranaense we faced a tough trip to Vasco, looking to preserve our 100% record. The home side took a deserved and quick lead, Juan Albin and Lico scoring inside 20 minutes to give Vasco a 2-0 lead. Pablo Correa pulled one back just before half time, but it would take a very late goal from Welington to recue a point, this match finishing 2-2. Our 100% record had gone but we had still made a very positive start.

The visit to the Kyocera Arena was going to be a tough one and our South American campaign could be about to come to an end. It was a tough first leg against Paranaense but in the end just one goal separated the two teams. Yet again Wellington was the man with the crucial goal and thankfully it was enough to take a one goal advantage into the second leg. The second leg was even more tight than the first and it seemed as though Wellington's goal would be enough to see us through. However late on in the game our minds were put at rest as Pablo Correa scored to double our aggregate lead and seemingly pave the way towards the Semi Finals. But Paranaense set up a nervy ending as Vanderson scored late on but it was not enough for the visitors and much to the delight of our fans, we had made the Semi Finals in only our first season in continental competition.

After playing so poorly against Vasco it was vital that we bounced back against Botafogo. Spurred on by our success in South America, the players didn't fail to deliver. Wellington, Pinzon and João paulo were all on target inside 20 minutes as we raced into a 3-0 lead. Felipe Adão pulled one back for the visitors but Ale sealed a comprehensive 4-1 win in stoppage time. Finally we faced newly promoted Nautico who sprung a huge surprise when we travelled to play them. Juan Guillermo Pinzon had given us the lead but Nautico striker Marcio had scored two goals before half time to make it 2-1 to the underdogs. João Paulo had the opportunity to level it from the spot but his penalty was saved and we succumbed to the unlikliest of defeats and our first of the season.

Results
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre"> ************************************************** ************************************************** ****************************************Coritiba 4-0 A TV First Division Moises(2), Wellington, WhoshingtonDeportivo Cali 2-0 A TV Copa Libertadores 2nd Rnd, Leg 1 Wellington, CorreaSão Paulo 3-1 H First Division Matheus, João Paulo, WellingtonDeportivo Cali 5-1 H TV Copa Libertadores 2nd Rnd, Leg 2 João Paulo, Pinzon, Wellington(3)Vasco 2-2 A TV First Division Correa, WellingtonAtletico Paranaense 1-0 A TV Copa Libertadores QF, Leg 1 WellingtonAtletico Paranaense 1-1 H TV Copa Libertadores QF, Leg 2 CorreaBotafogo 4-1 H TV First Division Wellington, Pinzon, João Paulo, AleNautico 1-2 A First Division Pinzon******************************************** ************************************************** **********************************************</pre>

retired_workingmom77

The times of financial hardship for Atletico Hermann Aichinger were well and truly over. Things had been tight for the past two years but thanks to performances on the pitch, financial security had been assured. Being the major shareholder had given Wolfgang a huge amount of power, but he didn't let it get to his head. He involved his board of directors on all the major decisions the club made and he took no major risks in order to safeguard the club's future. Nor did he use the power or money for his own personal gains, of course he took home a nice pay cheque but the club came first and this attitude made him an immensely popular chairman among the fans.

But for what was to come ahead, it would be time to go against all of those ideals. It would take money, the club's money. It would also take the exploitation of his new found power to succeed. But the way Wolfgang looked at it, it was for the greater good. Another significant point was that this time he would be working alone. Apart from when they were brief enemies, him and Sam had worked together through all of the threats that they had faced, and although they hadn't always done things right, they seemed to keep each other out of trouble. But this wasn't the Englishman's fight, in fact Wolfgang was surprised that he hadn't gone back to England sooner, but he knew in truth that Sam had fallen in love with this part of the country, the club and the success that he had brought onto it.

The NPD had made them run and hide for the past two years and as far as Wolfgang was concerned enough was enough. Sam had put his talents to use with the club while Wolfgang sat around doing nothing. It was time to re-discover his talents, he was a planner, a schemer, in all honesty a con man but it was what he was good at, and this time he would use those talents against those who had made his life hell for the past three years.

But in order to succeed in the plan that was slowly formulating in his mind, old enemies would have to become allies and for that he would have to use his influence. It would take just one phone-call, he had no idea that the NPD had instructed their "thugs" to give him space. But it wouldn't matter if he did know, they were about to get a taste of their own medicine. He finally got a reply on the other end of the phone.

"I need a favour, I need some charges dropped"

retired_workingmom77

Thanks to all that made this tale 2006 Joint Best Rest of World Story, it's really appreciated

June 2012

With a Copa Libertadores Semi Final fast approaching, it wasn't the best of times to have to play some of our more difficult league fixtures. Atletico Paranaense were undoubtedly a tough team to face but good preparation for the upcoming trip to Mexico. We started fairly brightly but it wasn't long before we were on the back foot as young striker Claudio punished a momentary lapse in the defence to put Paranaense 1-0 in front. However, some superb attacking play from us would not go un-rewarded as Pablo Correa scored an equaliser just before the break. In the second half we began to take control and it wasn't long before we broke the visitors down again. Another 25 yard effort from João Paulo, who seems to be unstoppable from that range put us 2-1 ahead. But Paranaense were by no means done and it was Claudio again that found the net to level it at 2-2. However, just two minutes later Whoshington grabbed a late winner to seal all three points in an impressive victory for us and ideal preparation for the trip to Mexico.

After what felt like an eternity, we arrived in Mexico City to face Cruz Azul. Confidence was high as we had beaten this side in the group stages and were confident of doing do again. We were right to be confident as Wellington scored a magnificent early goal to give us the lead. A lead that was doubled just before half time, Wellington getting his second of the night. Cruz Azul began to fight back in the second half but we doggedly resisted their attempts and claimed a great away win.

We returned home to play our next league match and our minds were most definitely on the Copa Libertadores as we slumped to an unimpressive 3-1 defeat away at Fluminense. Marcelo Macedo had put the home side 1-0 up before Edivaldo doubled that lead. Wellington pulled one back but Edivaldo got his second in stoppage time to condemn us to defeat.

Then came the visit of Cruz Azul for the second leg of the Semi Final. We started it in perfect fashion, Wellington decimated the Mexicans defence once again and put us 1-0 in front, that made it a 3-0 aggregate lead, surely we would be progressing to the final in our South American debut season. But Cruz Azul didn’t get too down hearted and in the second half midfielder Gerardo Lugo pulled a goal back to make it 3-1 on aggregate. Five minutes later Brazilian forward Muriqui put Cruz Azul ahead on the night with a tremendous solo effort. That made it 3-2 on aggregate and nerves were beginning to set in. Those nerves were soon calmed when Wellington broke through and restored the two goal aggregate cushion. Moises added to that lead with a fluke cross that looped into the net. At 5-2 on aggregate we seemed to be cruising again but it still wasn’t over. Naturalised Mexican international Nene headed home to equalise on the night and make it 5-3 on aggregate. Just a few minutes later Muriqui got his second of the night as Cruz Azul took a 4-3 lead on the night but still trailing 5-4 on aggregate. Cruz Azul pushed for the goal that would level the tie but it never came and we held out to make the final.

It was more disappointment however when we returned to the league competition. We went down 1-0 to a poor Cruzeiro team to record a second straight loss, Nelio with the only goal for the Minas Gerais side. Then a disappointing draw against Gremio in which we had to come from behind. Pedro Junior gave Gremio the lead before Lucas Rocha headed an equaliser in the second half. While in South America everything seems to be going well, our league form is worrying if we are to challenge for the title.

Results
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre"> ************************************************** ************************************************** ****************************************Atletico Paranaense 3-2 H TV First Division João Paulo, Correa, WhoshingtonCruz Azul 2-0 A TV Copa Libertadores SF Leg 1 Wellington(2)Fluminense 1-3 A TV First Division WellingtonCruz Azul 3-4 H TV Copa Libertadores SF Leg 2 Wellington(2), MoisesCruzeiro 0-1 H First DivisionGremio 1-1 A TV First Division Lucas Rocha********************************************* ************************************************** *********************************************</pre>

retired_workingmom77

"What is it you want from me?"

"For now, I just want you to sit down and listen whilst I tell you what you are going to do. If you do not,......well...I gather you were not fond of your stay in prison, I'm sure you would not wish to return."

Max Stader did as he was told and sat down in comfy armchair opposite Wolfgang's desk. Max looked much older and more weary, the two and a half years in prison had obviously taken its toll, it seemed to make him look ten years older than when Wolfgang had last seen him in the new year of 2009. Despite that, he looked a lot leaner and fitter than he had been. He had been told about everything that had happened in the last 30 months, Wolfgang's deception, the rise of the NPD and indeed the rise of the football club. Wolfgang allowed an uncomfortable silence to continue for a few moments before addressing Max.

"Here is what I am going to offer you, I say 'offer', you really have no choice should you wish to continue to have your freedom. The certain 'unpleasantries' that have clouded our pasts and resulted in your imprisonment will be forgotten. You will be given a position at the club as a Director, with a decent salary. Ultimately you will be out of the way and you will live out the rest of your days in comfort. This plus your freedom I offer you in return for a favour."

"What is it?"

"Your son, I need him to do something for me. I need someone in Germany watching the NPD. As I told you they now own 1860 Munich, so Manni will go to Germany under the guise of a scout. This is purely observation, he won't have to get his hands dirty."

"And how long is this for?"

"As long as it takes."

"What happens when he is done?"

"He takes up a position identical to yours, but it is really up to him. He may not want to stick around like you."

Max was deep in thought, he really didn't have much choice and after all, Wolfgang had revealed himself to be a friend not a foe.

"When does he start?"

Wolfgang grinned.

"He is already on the plane to Munich."

retired_workingmom77

retired_workingmom77

Sam realised that to attempt to prevent his players from letting their hair down after such a victory would be futile. However, he himself abstained from the wild celebrations that continued until the early hours of the morning. He knew full well it would make him seem a boring old git, but he had work to do. A major battle had been won, but the war was still in its infancy and if Wolfgang's suspicions were correct it was being fought on more than one front. Winning the Copa Libertadores now lead to an increased schedule. When the league season was over and the rest of the Brazilian teams would be taking their pre-season holidays, Sam and his team would be jetting off to Yokohama to do battle for the World crown, most likely with Spanish outfit Deportivo la Coruna who had triumphed in the Champions League a month previously. Attention now turned back to the league campaign and the distractions of Hermann Aichinger's continental exploits had lead to a slow start from Sam's team. They had impressed against their title rivals but stumbled over somewhat easier hurdles. But with all distractions now put to one side, a push for the title was definitely possible. They had come so close last year, it seemed only right that they erase those memories of the last matchday in which they trounced reigning champions Corinthians all to no avail.

Sam left for his island retreat in Ilha de Santa Catarina around one in the morning, he would spend the remainder of the week there recovering and relaxing, before a board meeting on the monday. Thankfully he had a full 11 days before the next match, the visit of Palmeiras. Before he left, he heard Pablo Correa rambling on to some of his team-mates about a strip club in nearby city Florianopolis. The 19 year old appeared to be fairly partial to those kind of delights and he appeared to have successfully corrupted his younger and more innocent team-mates Moises and Viana in joining him in that excursion. Sam couldn't hold it against him, he had more than done his part that night. As long as he stayed out of trouble and arrived for training promptly, it didn't bother Sam. Pablo was world class and he was just relishing every moment they were lucky enough to have him. Sam wouldn't be in the job forever and he felt that as soon as he was gone, a move to Europe would follow for Correa.

With his Libertadores medal in a case resting on the dashboard he drove the long journey home and as he collapsed onto his bed, he fell asleep the moment his head hit the deck. He slept for pretty much the next 24 hours, not because of physical exhaustion but through the sheer mental effort that night had cost him. He spent a relaxing few days in Ilha de Santa Catarina before returning for the board meeting Wolfgang had called, of course Sam wasn't a board member but he was invited along regularly anyway.

When Sam walked through the door, there was a new face greeting him although he quickly came to recognise it. It was Max, fresh out of prison and bizarrely standing beside Wolfgang, the man he had tried to kill, an act that lead to him doing time. The last time he had seen Max, he supposed they had been sort of allies. However since his prison stretch, Sam had found something disturbing about the man and genuinely felt uncomfortable, to put it simply he was a troublemaker and Sam had had enough of trouble following him around. He wondered not only what this was all about and its implications. Max outstretched a hand.

"Sam! Long time no see, I believe a congratulations is in order, my father would have been so proud"

Wolfgang winced uncomfortably at the last comment.

"Thank you,........so I don't quite understand, are you.....out? So to speak?"

"Well...."

Wolfgang chipped in.

"I need to talk to you about that later."

Something wasn't right and Wolfgang was up to something, whatever that was he was about to find out and he could tell he wasn't going to like it. Wolfgang meanwhile was cursing himself, he had sworn to work alone on this but now it was so glaringly obvious that it would be foolish not to fill Sam in on all the details. But by now he knew him well enough to know he would stay out of it all anyway.

retired_workingmom77

July 2012

Palmeiras were the first visitors of the month of July, always a tricky month as the temperatures soared and the players tired a lot easier. Palmeiras were once again looking set to spend another season stuck in mid table obscurity, they had become such an average team, never in danger of relegation but also never likely to acheive much. They were punished in a comfortable display which saw us recover from the slight blip in form prior to this match. Juliano continued his rich vain of form since returning to the starting eleven, opening the scoring with a delightfully taken free kick. It stayed at 1-0 until the final ten minutes when Whoshington fired home our second making it 2-0. Palmeiras managed to salvage a late goal through Diego Souza but our victory was sealed from the penalty spot by Clecio, final score 3-1.

The TV cameras were in place, eagerly awaiting our visit to the Vila Belmiro to play Santos. The last couple of seasons had been a nightmare for Santos and it looked as though they had become a spent force in Brazil. However this season saw something of a turnaround and the loyal Santos fans were daring to dream of a possible title win despite the fact that their trophy cabinet hadn't seen any new additions in four years. We started brightly and the early pressure was rewarded by a goal from Pablo Correa. It looked to stay that way until the final whistle until with barely a minute remaining, Bovio bundled the ball into the net and rescued a point for Santos. It was a game we should have won, I just hope it doesn't turn out to be critical to our title hopes.

But thankfully we were back to winning ways against Sport Recife. Just the one goal won it, a strike from Wellington. It was a goal on his return from injury, he must have been devastated to have missed the Copa Libertadores final but he didn't let that affect his league form as he notched up yet another strike, already well on his way to acheiving 150 goals.

Just the three games in July, a good set of performances as we took a vital seven points. That left us in 3rd, with Flamengo and Internacional setting the early pace.

Results
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre"> ************************************************** ************************************************** ****************************************Palmeiras 3-1 H First Division Juliano, Whoshington, ClecioSantos 1-1 A TV First Division CorreaSport Recife 1-0 H First Division Wellington**************************************** ************************************************** ************************************************** </pre>