retired_deedee465

3 th place possible..?
KUTGW :thup:

retired_jonkaytif

Torshavn Times
December 2005

Faroe Islands in Dream Land

The past 18 months have been a rollercoaster of highs and lows for the long-suffering fans of the Faroe Islands national football team. However, although normally condemned to the depths of depression and routinely held to be the whipping boys of Europe, things are beginning to change.

The Faroese FA received far ranging criticism for the appointment of a relatively unknown manager to the position of national coach, but the boldness of their decision was matched only by their vision for the future, and even now, some many years ahead of schedule, things are beginning to look quite favourable for the national squad. Even in this short space of time, the manager has exceeded any possible expectations, guiding the team to an exceptionally respectable 4th place in their World Cup qualification group. But greater still, he has earned the respect of the players and the fans, and has provided a steady platform upon which he can build and mould the squad into a team that can compete on the national stage.

Of course, the players' feet are being firmly kept on the ground. Speaking exclusively to our reporter, the normally media shy national manager Kev offered his wise consul:

"Things must be taken one step at a time. Naturally, I am delighted with the forward progress made by the team in such a short space of time. The 2 victories against Switzerland and Cyprus were memorable nights, but they must be balanced against the humiliation in Paris and some other unfortunate results. Although we have done incredibly well to get to where we are, people should not forget that we are a small nation and that we must always work hard to achieve results on the national stage. I will always be reminding my players of this".

Although clearly trying to ensure that there are no delusions of grandeur, the optimism towards the national team is now reaching that of a frenzy amongst the most passionate of Faroese supporters, with some even beliving qualification for a national tournament may be possible.

"This is a long term plan here at the Faroe Islands", remarked Kev. "I have the full backing of the FA and am here for many years to come. We have given ourselves a good chance of showing Europe what we can do, and if we continue to get respectable finishes in the group matches, then maybe, just maybe, we can work our way up the seedings and have the opportunity to face 'beatable' opponents".

Speaking ahead of the Euro 2008 qualifiers, "Our previous performances have perhaps made life a bit easier for us. But all the matches are going to be extremely difficult and i expect nothing less than 100% from the players in each and every game. If they do that, I cant ask for any more and can only hope results go in our favour".

These should be exciting times ahead, and everyone on the Islands wishes the team all the very best for 2006.

retired_jonkaytif

3 th place possible..?
KUTGW :thup: </BLOCKQUOTE>

Id like to think we could see off Azerbaijan. Wales however, having finished rather well in their World Cup qualification will be a tough contest. I have not looked much at Belarus yet, but I would expect those games to be tough as well, particularly the away trip. Fingers crosse tho!!

retired_jonkaytif

Squad to Face Moldova Announced

Speaking at a press conference this morning, the Faroese manager outlined the squad of 26 men he was taking to Moldova as he began the first of 3 matches warming up to the opening match of the 2008 European Championships Qualifying campaign. Although denied the services of Jan Andreassen and Aslakur Petersen through injury, Kevin still believed there was strength and depth in the squad.

"I have spoken to each player selected and I know that I have their 100% committment to the national sqaud. The loss of Jan and Aslakur is disappointing but their replacements should not unsettle the balance of the squad. Hopefully the 26 man squad also sends out a message as well. A number of uncapped players have been brought in, and a player for the u19s promoted. If nothing else, I would like to think that there should be incentives for all players hoping to make the national squad".

The full squad reads as:

Goalkeepers

Jakup Mikkelsen (Huddersfield) 48 caps
Gunnar Nielsen (Frem) 2
Magnus Poulsen (B36) uncapped


Defenders

Atli Danielsen (KI) uncapped (promoted from u21s)
Oli Johannesen (Dessel) 54
Jens Kristian Hansen (B36) 51
Hans Frooi Hansen (Padova) 33
Johannis Joensen (Al Gharrafa) 24
Simun Joensen (KI) 10
Poul Ennigaro (GI) 5
Johann Davidsen (Real Betis) uncapped - (promoted from u19s)
Midfielders

Allan Morkore (B36) 58
Frooi Benjaminsen (B68) 27
Rogvi Jacobsen (HB) 22
Barour Mortansson (B36) 16
Mikkjal Thomassen (Besancon) 16
Claus Jorgensen (Oldham) 15
Jann Ingi Petersen (Vikingur) 11
Palli Augustinussen (VB) 2
Hallur Danielsen (HB) 2
Petur Oli Samuelsen (Vikingur) uncapped

Attackers

Jakup a Borg (B36) 57
Todi Jonsson (FC Kobenhavn) 57
Hjalgrim Elttor (KI) 26
Andrew av Flotum (Fremad Amager) 22
Vinjard Dam (GI) 5

retired_jonkaytif

Moldova v Faroe Islands
Wednesday 8 Feb 2006
Chisinau

Ref: Mike Riley
Att: 15 768

Yet again the preparations for this match were unsettled by injury and another withdrawal in the form of key DMC Mikkjal Thomassen. In his place uncapped Aki Mork from IF was drafted in. In the media, Davidsen expects a very close game.

The match itself was rather disappointing as a spectacle, and a very scrapy affair as both teams attempted to assert some hold on the game. The first half offered little in terms of goal mouth action, although it was painfully obvious that if anyone was in control it was Moldova. Reaching half time without conceding was a success.

A formation change and a number of substitutes at half time did little to bolster the miserably little fire power there was going forward and the team continued to offer little. It was no surprise then when Bogdan turned home a cross from 6 yards out to open the scoring in 62 minutes.

The game then started to fizzle out, although another tactical switch did result in some more shots at goal, but ultimately the experience in Moldova was concerning given that the euro 2008 qualifying matches are not far ahead. At the same time, it was again a learning experience and it demonstrated that continued tactical changes (as was the case in the 2nd half) could do more harm than good at times. More thought will have to be given to the tactics for away matches.

Moldova 1 Faroe Islands 0

XI: Mikkelsen; J Hansen, Ennigaro, H Hansen, J Joensen; Mortansson (Augustinussen 46), Jorgensen, Benjaminsen (Mork 46), Jacobsen (Danielsen 58); a Borg (Dam 52), Jonsson (Flotum 46)

retired_deedee465

keep it up...Just friendlies... :thup:

retired_jonkaytif

Within the next few weeks I received intimation from the Football Association of the list of opponents and dates for the upcoming qualification group, as well as confirmation regarding one of the friendly matches. Instead of facing Switzerland as was initially intended, I will now face Iceland in Reykavik on 15th November 2006.

As for the competitive international matches, the campaign opens with just the three games in 2006, the first being a perilous trip away into the unknown in Azerbaijan, followed up by a home and away double header in October, first hosting Croatia and then travelling to Belarus. Certainly a lot of travelling to be done in the group!!

The full fixture list reads as:

2006

Azerbaijan (A) 6.9
Croatia (H) 7.10
Belarus (A) 11.10

2007

Germany (H) 24.3
Wales (H) 2.6
Azerbaijan (H) 6.6
Croatia (A) 1.9
Belarus (H) 5.9
Wales (A) 6.10
Germany (A) 10.10

The warm up matches of course continue, with an away tie in the Czech Republic in March, and then a home tie 4 days before the Euro 2008 qualifying opener, when I shall host fellow minnows San Marino.

retired_jonkaytif

Czech Republic v Faroe Islands
Wednesday 29 Mar 2006
Mestsky Stadion

Ref: Andy D'Urso
Att: 4976

This was a relatively decent defensive performance, especially since it was an away game against one of Europe's better teams. We certainly had a decent amount of possession to begin with, but ended up giving it away cheaply with 'world cup passes' attempting to pick out teammates with 40yard cross field passes.

The steam was taken out of our performance after 13 minutes when the referee awarded a rather soft penalty, and Bystron stepped up to open the scoring for the Czechs. A ropey 20 minute period ensued but having restricted the Czechs to long range shots on goal, we eventually got it back together and held out until half time.

The second half followed much the same pattern, with Czech Rep dominating possession and shots on goal statistics. The resolute defending was once again breached in 66 minutes with Koller heading home a poorly defended cross.

Although no goals were scored, it was a pleasing defensive performance and hopefully one that can be built upon for future away ties.


XI: (4411) Nielsen; Joensen (A Danielsen 67), Ennigaro, H Hansen, J Hansen; Mortansson (Mork 45), Flotum (Jorgensen 50), Benjaminsen (H Danielsen 50), Jacobsen; Elttor; a Borg (Dam 67)

Czech Rep 2 Faroe Islands 0

retired_jonkaytif

European Championships 2008 Qualifying round up
Group 2


Azerbaijan

Led by Brazilian Carlos Alberto Torres, and playing in the middle of nowhere at the Tofik Bahramov Republican stadium in Baku,Azerbaijan managed to collect only the one point in their World Cup Qualifying Group, which contained the qualifiers England, and also fellow group members Wales for this campaign. Scoring only 5 goals and conceding 27 in only 10 games, their hapless record really stems from their inability to play away from home. The group's lowest seed, hopefully my teams can take something from the games.

Belarus

Belarus struggled in a World Cup qualifying group containing qualifiers Italy and Norway, along with Scotland, whilst also finishing below Slovenia. This match will represent a tough challenge having to travel into deepest darkest Belarus and their national stadium in Minsk. With 2 very credible victories against Norway, they will certainly be a team to watch.

Croatia

Croatia failed to live up to expectations in their World Cup group, finishing below eventual qualifiers Sweden, as well as both Bulgaria and Hungary. Led by ex-Croatian internationalist Zlatko Kranjcar, and containing players from some of the top leagues in Europe (Biscan - Liverpool, Kovac - Bayern M), they are a team to be reckoned with, especially given national expectations demanding much improved performances.

Germany

Germany will be the overwhelming favourites to win the Group, given they are the top seeds. Having qualified for the World Cup by reason of being the hosts, (their group consisting of Italy, Paraguay and Japan) they could well be a little rusty having not really played much competitive football in the past few years. That being said, they were part of the 2005 Confederations Cup, also held in Germany, being the eventual winners after beating Argentina on penalties in the Final, having also beaten Brazil on the way to the title.

Wales

With Mark Hughes leading the Welsh National team, they qualifed for the World Cup in 2nd place behind England, knocking out Austria and Poland in the proccess. In a group with Spain, Nigeria and Uzbebekistan, they may well has aspirations of progressing in Germany in 2006. With a squad of some quality, they will simiarly be hoping to make a good stab at European qualification.

retired_jgirl87

I just caught up with all of this story, kev. It's very well written and enjoyable to read. Good on you for giving the Faroe Islands a go. KUTGW. :thup: :cool: