September 3rd to September 9th, 2018: Global Futbol MatchesA Chapter by Steve Clark The following articles provide a summary of matches and tournaments after the 2018 Global Futbol World Cup. September 3rd to September 9th, 2018The headline news in Global Futbol this week surrounded the women’s game. The qualifications for the inaugural Women’s Nations Cup have been postponed for a further fortnight due to legal proceedings. FIFA are proposing that certain players are that were thriving under their banner are not given the same opportunities when the switch to Global Futbol occurred late last year. There are also issues with the use of stadiums, some of which had a contract with FIFA and have illegally allowed Global Futbol matches to be held there. Stadiums under investigation include English, Chinese and French venues.
Officials high up in Global Futbol circles suggest FIFA delayed opening legal proceedings until the women’s game was about to reach its full potential with these qualifiers. Regardless of FIFA tactics, the general consensus is that Global Futbol will compromise in some aspects and ensure the games can resume. With a tight schedule already in the leadup to the Nations Cup next year, this may be Global Futbol’s best option to ensure all qualification matches take place and allow qualified teams enough preparation time for the tournament.
These legal proceedings overshadowed Global Futbol’s first Men’s Nations League, where nations are pitted against two to three opponents of similar rankings in divisions. The top team in each group (4 groups in each division) will be promoted to the higher division, just like at club level, while the bottom teams will be relegated for the second Nations League to take place in two years’ time. In the top division, the nations winning each group will play in a semi-final/final format to determine who will be crowned continental champions. Whether or not Global Futbol will run a World Nations League, where the winning nations play in a tournament, is yet to be determined, but the likelihood is already slim with the heavy 4-year international schedule already in play.
Vanuatu was the first Nations League winner, defeating Samoa, despite conceding the first goal. New Zealand thumped World Cup team Solomon Islands 4-nil, showing their intent on receiving a place in the 2022 World Cup. Guam surprised Tonga by winning away, while Micronesia managed an away draw against New Caledonia with a goal from Bayow.
In Asian League B, most games went according to predictions, except for Mongolia winning over Thailand in Bangkok. Bahrain also followed suit in the top Asian League, defeating Australia away, with the help of an Al Alawi brace. Kuwait showed signs of their winning ways from six years ago, defeating Iran in Tehran. Japan also brought Uzbekistan down by winning on the Uzbek’s home turf. Tajikistan was a surprise as they nailed two away goals against a sluggish Vietnam. Another World Cup participant, Iraq, also lost as Pakistan’s goal sneak Kaleemullah Khan dominated from start to finish.
In Europe, Turkey opened their campaign with an away draw over 2018 World Cup team Cyprus. Italy won away against Russia thanks to an Insigne goal. Germany trounced France 5-1, showing the French need to revisit their tactics in the hope of recovering from a poor 12 months. England overcame Spain at home with a late goal from Harry Kane. In Europe League C, Malta and Macedonia played out a nil-all draw, and Georgia and Northern Ireland found themselves with a point a-piece as well. San Marino showed true signs of improvement with a 4-1 away win over Moldova, while Azerbaijan kept Greece goalless in Athens.
The African Nations League began by Diawara’s goal being the difference between Burkina Faso and a slow-starting Liberia. Kenya maintained momentum from their World Cup qualifiers with a 3-1 away win over Guinea, much to the shock of many. Cote d’Ivoire kept Togo to a 1-1 scoreline. Egypt started their campaign strongly, thumping South Africa with the help of a Salah double. Niger gained confidence from their 1-0 win over Morocco, and Libya mirrored the same score over Nigeria.
In the first major home-and-away tournament covering both South and North America, few games went outside the expected results. El Salvador could not manage to win over Haiti, settling for a draw after the away team came from two goals down, thanks to Nazon and Belfort. Ecuador pulled off an away win against Argentina. Peru annihilated St Vincent and the Grenadines, suggesting the Caribbean nation’s surprise success is coming to an end. Colombia also thumped Venezuela, while Brazil eased past the Americans, and Mexico bounced back from a poor World Cup to score five goals against Chile.
In other Global Futbol formats, Poland National Men’s team played a friendly at home against Bolivia, who let six majors past. Malta U17 Men’s thumped Moldova in a friendly, while Colombia U17 Men’s found a win over Argentina. The Canadian U20 Men’s side scored twice against Finland in a friendly, while in U20 Women’s friendlies, Germany won away to Italy, Spain trounced Belgium, Uruguay won away over Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina managed an away draw against France.
Next week we see more Nations League matches to round out Match Day 1, as well as the Second Qualification Round of the Physico Championships.
© 2018 Steve Clark |
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Added on September 10, 2018 Last Updated on September 10, 2018 Author
Steve ClarkAdelaide, South Australia, AustraliaAboutA free spirited educator who dabbles in the art of writing novels and articles. more..Writing
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