Global Futbol Matches October 29th to November 4th

A Chapter by Steve Clark

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

October 29th to November 4th

The Global Futbol’s Nations League matches resumed this week. Zambia was the stronger team against Chad, but a poor decision by goalkeeper Mweene allowed N’Douassel to score a straightforward equaliser in the first half. Morocco and Algeria had the same result, with a goal from Morocco’s El Kaabi needed to draw the match. Nigeria annihilated Cape Verde Islands 7-nil, with 6 separate goal scorers. Rwanda saw off Benin, although the West African side managed a goal and made sure Rwanda’s defence had to play at their peak to stave off any equalising goal.

Two goals for both teams right on halftime set up a grand second period between Botswana and eSwatini, with the home team coming out on top thanks to a Kobe double. Uganda failed again to score at home as they drew with Tanzania. Mauritius employed a tactic of chipping the ball up their men up front, or chipping beyond the Zimbabwean defence. This paid off as they ran out 3-nil winners in Harare. Liberia came from a converted penalty down to win over Madagascar, with their second goal coming after two shots in a row miraculously hitting the post. Moments later, substitute Nyumah sent a long ball to the player of the match, Jebor, who slotted it home and the three points for his country. A goal each in the first half was all Angola and Central African Republic could muster. In the last Tier C game, no goal came from either Congo or the Gambia.

In the lowest African League, Lesotho set up their win with two goals inside the first seven minutes, until Somalia finally rearranged their structure to thwart the through balls to striker Motebang. In the Seychelles, Burundi’s interceptions of long balls to the home team’s forwards stopped the Seychelles gaining any shots in the first half. However, this turned around as the Seychelles had six attempts at goal, though in the end no team could produce a goal, only yellow cards. Meanwhile, Eritrea shocked Mauritania as they traversed into a great position and Daniel found himself with the ball alone in front of goal. His shot gave the Eritreans the full three points, and, more importantly, a crucial away victory.

Namibia’s poor defence let South Sudan back in the game before the break, until Shilongo scored his second goal for the tournament and ensured a victory for the Namibians. Comoros played out their second 0-0 draw at home, this time against Djibouti. Sao Tome and Principe followed suit, gaining only two points in their two home games, whilst their opponents this week, Guinea-Bissau were content with their defensive structure as they caused confusion for the Sao Tome’s passing in the front third. Meanwhile in Maputo, Mozambique scored in the 25th minute through Witi to secure their first win, while their opponents, Sierra Leone, remain without a point after two away games.

In Oceania, Guam played hardly out of first gear as they overcame the Marshall Islands. Samoa scored twice against their counterparts, American Samoa. In Wellington, the Cook Islands defended well in the first half, and through Best had levelled the score at 1-all. However, New Zealand found ways to penetrate in their forward third and ran out 3-1 winners. Kiribati scored thrice against Palau in the first half to overcome the disappointing result of their first game. The same result awaited Papua New Guinea as Tahiti secured their first win through two goals straight after half time from midfielders Graglia and Bourebare.

Over in the Americas, Paraguay’s defensive blocks held an attacking Brazilian side at bay until an Arthur goal on the stroke of halftime. Two shots smacking the post in the 81st minute ensured the scoreline remained at 1-nil. Even though the USA dominated possession for much of the game, it was Costa Rica who took the lead in the second half. The Americans needed an injury-time goal from substitute Sargent to come away with their first point of the tournament. Chile slotted four goals past St Vincent and the Grenadines. The loss of injured Laxalt did not phase Uruguay against Colombia, particularly when they went a goal up thanks to Cavani. As the three points looked set to flow Uruguay’s way, substitute Borja pulled off not one, but two injury-time goals to steer his side to victory.

In Europe League B, despite multiple chances, World Cup Round of 16 nation Cyprus remains goalless after two Nations League matches. Bulgaria’s two first-half goals ensured they began their campaign with a win. Finland also scored twice to win over Serbia, while Sweden and Switzerland’s match ebbed and flowed before finishing 3-all. Poland kept up their winning streak with a comprehensive win over Hungary, who only managed one goal thanks to a spot kick.

In the top European Nations League, Netherlands piled on three second-half goals to gain a win in their first game, despite Russian dominance early on. The difference between the two teams was Cheryshev’s injured calf sending him to the bench after he scored a classy goal. Austria defeated the Czech Republic 2-nil after a lacklustre first half only produced one shot at goal. Germany piled on four goals in just over the first half hour against Ireland. Nine goals in total were scored in the first half, with twelve goals in total, and Germany having nine of them. Portugal and England traded goals as Rashford’s late addition to the scoresheet bought his side a point away from home.

Europe’s League D saw some intriguing games. Liechtenstein went into the game against Greece with a defensive side, and the decision, coupled with goalkeeper Benjamin Büchel pulling off nine saves, nearly paid off. However, Greece settled in the second half and scored twice to gain three crucial points. Not dissimilar was Monaco’s approach, as their defensive blocks ensured a goalless Azerbaijan, whilst nabbing a goal in the 85th minute to shock the home side. Another 2-1 result came Armenia’s way, this time away to Latvia. Albania lost at home to Kosovo.

In Asia League A, China scored late to collect a draw against North Korea, while Bahrain won over Kuwait with a solitary goal. World Cup participants Uzbekistan and Vietnam fought hard, with the Uzbeks dominating much of the game, thanks largely to an early Haydarov goal. Iran surprised Australia and left Down Under with a 1-all draw. Japan trounced Tajikistan by 6 goals, and the Saudis managed a 2-nil victory over South Korea. Iraq’s Kasir came on as a substitute and shook the game against India, teaming up with Mohammed Dawood to score their second, before another substitute, Choudhary, allowed India to leave Iraq with their confidence intact and ready to take on rivals Pakistan next month. Pakistan will want to rectify their result this week, after squandering a lead over Hong Kong.

October 30

U20 Men’s Friendlies

· Norway 3 Turkey 2

· Netherlands 3 Canada 1

U17 Men’s Friendlies

· Colombia 3 Argentina 2

· Kosovo 3 Czech Republic 2

October 31

U20 Women’s Friendlies

· Albania 2 Germany 1

November 1

Futsal Friendlies