Global Futbol Matches: October 15th to 21st

A Chapter by Steve Clark

The following articles provide a summary of matches and tournaments after the 2018 Global Futbol World Cup.

October 15th to 21st

In the Women’s Nations Cup Qualifiers, Poland’s Kamczyk scored a hat trick in a Player of the Match performance to help her side breeze past Kosovo. Italy looked set to ease beyond Hungary in Budapest, but the home side caught the Italians asleep after halftime and scored twice to take all three points. Portugal, despite having 63% possession against Albania, needed a 75^th minute winner from midfielder Laura Luis. Of note were Albania’s defenders, who managed to block three shots in a row when Portugal attacked relentlessly. Similarly, Montenegro’s defenders kept out a barrage of Austrian attacks, conceding four corners in quick succession, but were unable to stop a second goal coming from substitute defender Naschenweng. Slovakia stunned England after a defensive error from the visiting Brits started the ball rolling towards four goals for the Slovakians by the 55^th minute. Ireland moved into second place in Group F behind Slovakia with a 1-0 away victory over Malta.

Southwards in Africa, Ghana and Senegal traded goals as the score ended 2-2, putting Senegal in the box seat for top place. Ethiopia looks set to upset this as, with the help of a second-half hat trick from Zerega, they piled on six goals past a poor-performing Tanzanian side. Nigeria and Mali drew away to Madagascar and Namibia respectively. Meanwhile, South Africa coasted past Botswana, while Lesotho holds top spot in Group B, thanks to substitute Akhente creating their third win, this time at home to Algeria. Another substitute, Sanaa, helped Morocco salvage a draw at home in injury time to Zambia, while left back substitute Paíto streaked forward into an attacking position and managed to steal a win for Mozambique over Uganda. Congo held on for a victory over Côte d’Ivoire, while Malawi managed a 2-1 win against Kenya, starting with a glorious Kamwendo free kick that came off the post.

In South America, Argentina looked set to score plenty of goals past Peru, but the Peruvians held their own and left Buenos Aires with a respectable 2-nil loss. On the other hand, Uruguay could have had four goals over Colombia, but it was the woodwork that kept two second-half shots at bay. In the end, 2-nil was also the result. An attacking game saw last-gasp defence the order of the first half, until Chile broke the deadlock right before half time. However, three goals in seven minutes meant Ecuador came away comfortable victors.

On Sunday, Sweden returned to their winning ways with a 7-nil trouncing of Bulgaria. The USA also started their campaign with a 7-nil win over St Kitts and Nevis, though multiple injuries in their team hampered further goals being scored. A hat trick from Hinds and double from Francois helped Trinidad and Tobago over the Dominican Republic. Similarly, Cuba scored five against Curacao, and Jamaica came from behind to defeat Costa Rica. Norway scored twice early, but Azerbaijan managed to keep them goalless for 70 minutes. Estonia scored twice as well over the Czech Republic. Canada, in much the same manner, scored once in the latter stages of each half to breeze past Guyana, though unconvincingly. At times, Mexico looked unimpressive as well, though they managed a 3-nil victory over Bermuda.

In the Invitational Cup, North Korea easily defeated the Czech Republic with a 3-1 win. In Spain, Rodrigo scored a double by the half-hour mark. At this point, Spain took their foot off the pedal and coasted to a 3-nil win, thanks to another Rodrigo goal in the second half. Wanyama’s inclusion into Kenya’s side ensured dominance in the midfield and attacking from this area. However, an 84^th minute goal from Heechan Hwang meant South Korea was able to steal an away point. Belgium looked set to annihilate Togo after a 6^th minute goal from Lukaku, but Togo scrambled in defence to thwart multiple chances by Lukaku and Hazard. Ten minutes later they equalised through Adebayor. It took two second-half goals by substitutes Chadli and Batshuayi to ensure Belgian victory. Poland and the Netherlands traded blows into the back of the net during the first half, before a tighter second half needed a breakthrough with an injury-time header from Glik ensuring a Polish lead. A last gasp Dutch shot unfortunately hit the crossbar, and the Polish side celebrated a solid win and top spot in their group.

New Zealand returned to the Invitational Cup after the double-bye with intent, however, it was two goals at the end of each half that helped Russia stay in contention for progressing to the Quarter Finals. Macedonia showed why they succeeded at Russia earlier in the year as they flew with an attacking side to Ghana. This paid off, as Macedonia clued an early goal before Ghana scored twice just after halftime. Macedonia then drew level via Pandev. The Ghanaian coach responded with three substitutions, and placed goalscorer Partey out as right midfield, with Agyemang-Badu in central midfield. The latter soon had a goal, and the crowd sensed a win. However, the football gods had other ideas as defender Opare gave away a penalty whilst tackling Bardhi right at the death, and Pandev made sure Macedonia came away with a draw. Switzerland took the early lead against Italy through Shaqiri and maintained it with two penalties, before a consolation goal for the Italians from substitute Criscito. France could not get enough shots on target to affect the scoreboard against Egypt. Costa Rica needed a substitute Leal chip over the keeper to ensure a home victory over Chile.

October 16

U17 Men’s Friendlies

· Colombia 3 Ecuador 1

· Uruguay 1 Argentina 2

· Kosovo 4 Latvia 1

October 17

U20 Women’s Friendlies

· Greece 6 Colombia 1

· Netherlands 1 England 1

· Albania 2 Austria 2

October 18

Invitational Cup