retired_blondielovespink

Well, sorry to see last season didn't work out, here's hoping your meaningful games of this season bring joy. I think you're right about the provincial issue holding you back. Hope you find a way around it.

KUTGW

retired_holden

What is worrying me is that my wingback that is leaving doesn't want to join a bigger club, but wants a new challenge. At just 27! [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif" alt="eek[/IMG]

So my players are getting tired of winning the State League so easily, but don't seem to appreciate the challenge of ND1? [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_confused.gif" alt="confused[/IMG]

retired_tchockfan

Are Cruzeiro still playing in the Copa Mercosour?

retired_holden

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by sfi:
Are Cruzeiro still playing in the Copa Mercosour?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Of course. The Mercosur is definitely broken. Cruzeiro have been relegated at least twice now and settled into a Bolton style yo-yo between ND1 and ND2.

retired_tchockfan

That's probably a bit extreme, but the Copa Mercosour contestants really are not chosen by who does well in the league. If it is still happening IRL it would be interesting to see if Botafogo is in it next year after their relegation (as well as Palmeiras, I believe).

retired_holden

Despite our best efforts yet in the state league, the ND1 campaign was an unmitigated disaster. Rather than pushing on to become one of the big clubs, we have slid into mid table obscurity. 14th place with only 36 points from 27 games [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_frown.gif" alt="frown[/IMG]

Conceding 38 goals certainly didn't help and my inexperienced defence is probably to blame. My goalkeeper was shown up this season to be a bit of a pretender once I had sold the experienced defender last season. He lost his place in the Brazilian team and all. [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_frown.gif" alt="frown[/IMG]

I've sold a couple of players and am not in debt and looking like a takeover anytime soon.

Next season is a bit tough to make predictions on. My first choice right wingback, Brazilian international to boot, is leaving on a bosman. He hasn't signed for anyone yet so maybe I can re-sign him? I have a youngster who could take his place but it won't be the same. The existing backup is a fine player in his own right and I shouldn't lose that much. Two more players able to play right back are also arriving, but one is crap and I'm not sure why I'm signing him except as backup.

I've got two top young forwards developing who could both play for Brazil U21s next season if things go their way. One was a product of my own youth academy and the other a shrewd Bosman snatch at the end of last season.

Two more young but talented defenders are arriving but there is still not enough experience in the rearguard, with my captain at 32 the only regular over the age of 20.

The goalkeeping is strengthened by the shock signing of the Brazilian U21 keeper on a Bosman [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_redface.gif" alt="red face[/IMG] This was a major surprise but I am not complaining at all!! [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif" alt="big grin[/IMG]

retired_holden

We're in the Copa Libertadores!! We're in the Copa Libertadores!! [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif" alt="big grin[/IMG] [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif" alt="big grin[/IMG]

Don't ask me how but we got there somehow. Despite finishing 14th last season we've qualified.

I think its because we were knocked out in the semis of the Brazilian Champions Cup, the tournament for State League Winners. But both the finalists were also in the top 2 in the ND1 so we qualify as the next best in the Champions Cup [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif" alt="big grin[/IMG]

I've never enjoyed losing a semi-final so much [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif" alt="big grin[/IMG]

That worthless state league I keep whinging about was good for something after all!!

We're in the Libertadores!! We're in the Libertadores!! [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif" alt="big grin[/IMG] [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif" alt="big grin[/IMG]

retired_tchockfan

Congratulations! Now go win the silly thing. [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif" alt="smile[/IMG]

retired_holden

And the Brazilian wing back has just re-signed. [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif" alt="big grin[/IMG] The fans were ecstatic [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif" alt="big grin[/IMG]

Have knocked off the two biggest rivals America MG and Cruzeiro in the first two games of the state league [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif" alt="big grin[/IMG] (Undefeated streak in state league now 78 games though Cruzeiro did push us a tad)

So I've saved the game (for about the 10th time in an hour!!) and am stopping for the night.

Sfi I'd be more confident about the Libertadores if I hadn't drawn that most LLM of all teams River Plate in my group! [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif" alt="wink[/IMG] [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif" alt="big grin[/IMG]
I've also got Santos and University Catolica (from Chile?)

KingsbayYHPE

Catolica was where Rangers got their first long-haired South American bloke, if memory serves. Spent about a decade out injured [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif" alt="big grin[/IMG]

KUTGW!! [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif" alt="big grin[/IMG]