April 22 to May 5, 2019 Global Futbol MatchesA Chapter by Steve Clark The following article provides an oversight for matches and tournaments taking place in 2019. April 22 to May 5, 2019
The
Invitational Cup returned this week
for this first time in 2019, with two final Match Days to determine the Quarter
Finalists. Invitational Cup Tables
Top Two Qualify for Quarter Final Stage
Portugal
gained an early lead thanks to Cristiano Ronaldo’s right boot in the third
minute, and it seemed the away team would romp it home against Macedonia.
However, the hosts managed to take charge of the possession, and had 60% of it
by the end of the first half. As the second half continued, an error from substitute
João Mário
as he passed back to Rui Patrício gave Macedonia a lucky goal, and with them
full of confidence, managed to play out a draw. This did not, though, raise
them off bottom place, and with one match remaining, it seems likely they will
stay there. The Portuguese will also rue giving away a costly own goal, as with
Ghana’s result over New Zealand, they can no longer qualify for the Quarter
Finals. Three first-half goals by Atsu, Jordan Ayew and Agbenyenu meant Ghana
had control of the entire game over New Zealand in Accra. Ghana can reach first
place in the group if they can pull off an away victory against New Zealand in
the return leg. New Zealand, however, will fight for the win to guarantee
staying out of reach of Macedonia.
Egypt
needed a win to have any hope of lifting off the bottom of Group B, but that
all came to nothing as they drew against Brazil. Brazil had the better chances
in the first half, whilst Mohamed Hany and Salah both had opportunities late in
the match to steal a win. Mohamed Hany first hit the crossbar, whereas Salah
stole the ball deep in the 18-yard box, only for the ensuing shots to somehow
stay out of the net. Brazil will look to the reverse leg to win and overtake France
in the same way they overtook Switzerland. France claimed top place over the
Swiss thanks to a double from Pogba that bookended the first half. Switzerland
caught the French on a fast break and closed the gap via substitute Mehmedi,
but then Fekir came off the bench for France and slotted a pearler. A late
individual goal from Fassnacht was not enough to salvage a draw, and France ran
out 3-2 winners. All three nations can reach the Quarter Finals. Brazil and
France only need draws to do so, whereas Switzerland, with the home advantage,
will progress with a win. Can they defeat the French without the likes of
Shaqiri? One would say they deserve to after such a dominant series of
performances earlier in the tournament.
An
even first half ensued as Togo played host to South Korea. On paper, both sides
could qualify for the Quarter Finals, but a draw would be the death of both
nations. And a draw it was. Romao scored for Togo from a corner straight after
the break, but it was Hwang Ui-jo, despite being on a yellow card, who
equalised in the 68th minute. From there, both sides had chances to win the
match, but neither could polish their shots. Their final match in Seoul will be
a dead rubber, only playing to see who will finish third. In the match up for
first place, Belgium only needed a home win to guarantee staying above Spain.
However, it was the away side that dominated long periods of the first half,
culminating in a goal by Marco Asensio. In the second half, the Belgians worked
back into the game, and finally managed an 80th-minute netter by Tielemans, who
was pushed to right wing to provide more attack down that side. The game ended in
a 1-1 draw, which means Spain can take top spot with a win at home in the
reverse leg. In the battle for last place, Peru had the upper hand in the
middle of the park, but could not find the finishing touch. Against the run of
play in the second half, Kenya won a penalty, and Juma converted, and settled
in to defend their slight lead. Finally Peru found a way to goal via a
corner-and-header from midfielder Renato Tapia.
When
Poland scored twice via Piątek
and Lewandowski away to the Czech Republic, it seemed their position in the
Quarter Finals was assured. However, the Czechs clawed their way back into the
game, and salvaged a draw. They could have won, which they needed to have any
hope of progressing. It was their final passes in the latter stages that
faltered, and the game petered out to a draw. The Dutch, needing to catch Costa
Rica by defeating them twice, started with a 1-0 win, thanks to another slick
goal from Frenkie de Jong, who manages to keep scoring for his national side.
However, the Dutch found it hard to score in the second half, despite
controlling much of the game, and this could work in Costa Rica’s favour in the
return leg. The Netherlands’ other rival is Chile, who defeated North Korea by
the two goals of left wing backer Oscar Opazo and goal kicking legend Nicolas
Castillo. The second half was a consolidation affair over attacking, as the
Chileans mentally were preparing for the reverse leg. Should
they win that, and Costa Rica not win, then Chile will reach the Quarter
Finals. A draw for Chile and a win for the Dutch will then come down to goal
difference (Costa Rica’s goal difference will cancel them out of contention).
Costa Rica winning will account for their spot in the next stage, with even a
chance to take first place. Chile could even slip above Poland if Poland lose,
and so Lewandowski and his crew will ensure they win against the Czech Republic
to solidify their place in the Quarter Finals. The Nations League
concluded for a range of nations this week.
Niger
needed to win to remain in League B over Algeria. However, after a 5-0 drubbing
in their previous encounter, and an early goal to Algeria’s Belhaili, it seemed
unlikely. Niger finally found gaps in the Algerian defence late in the game,
but with three missed shots, the closest they came smacked against the
crossbar. Niger now fall to League C, and Algeria can take on the best in
Africa in two years’ time.
Sudan
found themselves in a similar situation to Niger, only they needed a draw to
remain in League B. Hosting Chad, who are guaranteed a League A place in the
next installment, meant a tough task. However, two first-half goals for Sudan
from Alhassan and Dafalla set up the win, before striker Al Sadig Adam ensured
the full three points were theirs. This means Zambia is relegated to League C,
and Sudan remains in League B thanks to two home wins.
A
draw between Libya and the Cape Verde Islanders would mean promotion for the
former and no relegation for the latter, thus sending former African powerhouse
to League C. The draw seemed likely after the home side scored twice in the
first half, until a goal either side of the break brought the Islanders back
into the contest. Sensing a surprise win and thus jump into the promotion zone,
Cape Verde attacked again, only to be caught off guard, as the Libyans scored
twice in quick succession to put the game beyond any doubt. Libya will grace
the halls of League A, whilst the Cape Verde Islands will battle in League C to
return to the second tier in four years’ time.
Malawi
started Match Day 6 intent on winning their match against Benin. For much of
the first half, they dominated, but could not find the finishing touch. Then,
in the deep end of the half, Benin caught the Malawian defence in the wrong
half for a corner and capitalised on their chance via Cebio Soukou. Malawi
still attacked, but it was clear by their body language that two goals needed
was a task too great. Benin again scored in the 74th minute, this time thanks
to substitute Yannick Aguemon, and the result was almost assured. The Malawians
gallantly tried to break the drought, but when the final whistle blew, it was
clear who deserved to rise to League A: Benin. Rwanda, already relegated, will
fight in League C to return to the second tier for the third Nations League
tournament.
Three
goals in the first fifteen minutes helped Nicaragua defeat the Cayman Islands
in the final Match Day. Two of those goals came from Juan Barrera, as his side
fought to remain in League B. A fourth from substitute Brayan Torres helped
complete their campaign on a high. However, the opposition turned their minds
to the other game in Group B1, Barbados playing host to Trinidad and Tobago. Barbados
stunned their opponents with a goal just after the half hour mark with a
brilliant individual display from Kaeson Trench. Barbados continued to attack,
collecting multiple chances. Finally, in the 87th minute, substitute
Neveal Hackshaw equalised for the Trinidadians, much to the dismay of the home
crowd. It mattered not, for their goal difference proved greater than the
Cayman Islands, and they are not relegated to League C. Trinidad
and Tobago, despite coming first in the group will not play in League A in four
years’ time. The Global Futbol powers, in consultation with both CONCACAF and
South American officials, have decided to expand the Americas Nations League to
contain four leagues. With the inclusion of six new nations, there are enough
teams now to decrease the number to twelve for the higher leagues. Global
Futbol boss Ivanko Perisić explained, “The reason is the strain for nations,
both South and North, to travel grand distances and play six matches over the
course of the tournament. Four matches is more manageable, and we will alter
the make up of the leagues to accommodate for these changes. “We
are disappointed,’ responded Trinidadian coach Dennis Lawrence. ‘We were
promised that, if we won our League B group, we would be playing in League A
for the next tournament. Now we have to play against these nations once again,
whereas we have proved we are worthy to take on the likes of the South American
giants of football.” Lawrence
was asked if legal action would be taken against Global Futbol and CONCACAF,
but he declined to answer. Barbados
coach Ahmed Mohamed also saw the downside to the decision. “It
means, despite the result today, we will be joining the Cayman Islands in
League C, whereas we proved our worth, just as our Trinidadian counterparts
proved over the course of the Nations League.” Talks
are also in place to add another league to the Asian confederation, thus
spreading the nations further across four leagues instead of three. Again, the
main issue here is travel for six games, both home and away. “We
hope to create fixtures of games that will remain tight, as these nations of
three are far closer in rankings than with the four,” added Perisić. Time
will tell of the fallout of these decisions.
At
the start of Match Day 6, Cuba was in the lead for advancing to League A. The
Cubans, against Panama, worked down the right flank, eventually finding a gap
in the strength of five in the Panamanian defence. Roberney Caballero coolly
slotted along the ground, out of the reach of Luis Mejía, for the only goal of
the match. Panama had a series of chances right at the death, but somehow the
Cuban defenders held firm, and gained the crucial three points. Meanwhile,
Grenada hoped to claim first place as they travelled to Guyana. The Grenadians
started well with an early goal via Antonio German. However, by halftime,
Guyana had the lead, thanks to Jeffrey and Bonds. After the break, Vancooten
made the score 3-1, and seemingly impossible for Grenada to win. A fightback
ensued, with somehow the Guyana defence holding firm, until Aaron Pierre got it
back to one goal with ten minutes remaining. It was not meant to be, as Bonds
scored his second, and gave Guyana their second win for the tournament. Cuba
finished first, and will look forward to the next installment against more of
the North American elite. The
delayed matches of the Women’s Nations
Cup Qualifiers took place this fortnight.
Italy
had already confirmed their place in the Nations Cup, whilst the Czech Republic
fought for some pride against Hungary in the final match of Europe’s Group G.
The Czechs scored twice either side of the halftime break via Vonkova and
Player of the Match Vyštejnová, before the Hungarians snagged one back. Rather
than settling for their slim lead, the Czechs continued to attack, and netted a
third goal to seal their third win for the campaign.
The
dead rubber between Azerbaijan and Wales ended with a 1-1 draw, much the same
as when they last played just over a month ago. Azerbaijan played for
possession for much of the first half before they managed to attack in the
second. Zhidkova tried twice to chip the Welsh goalkeeper, with the first being
saved on the line by Roberts, before the second trickled into the goal. Sensing
a loss, the Welsh rallied and scored in injury time via Vincze, and both teams
left the campaign on a draw.
With
three points separating the top three, Switzerland hosted bottom-placed
Lithuania, and with a win would place pressure on Turkey to win away against
Finland to remain top of the ladder and therefore advance into the Nations Cup.
Finland could hypothetically qualify if they defeated Turkey by two goals or
more and hope that Lithuania produced a draw or win over Switzerland. It
was not meant to be for Finland, as Switzerland fielded a highly attacking
side, led by Crnogorčević and ably backed by Sow, both of whom scored in the
first half. Lithuania worked back into the game in the second half, but failed
to penetrate through the Swiss defence. Soon the Swiss put on the after
burners, and Crnogorčević had her second, whilst substitute Ismaili also scored
to leave the stadium four-nil. Things went against Finland even more in their
own match as the Turkish Ecem Cümert slotted a header from a free kick in the
third minute. The Fins went on the attack and peppered the Turkish goal,
eventually leveling via Naumanen’s head. However, neither side could take
control of the match in the second period. The game petered out to a draw,
which allowed Switzerland to leap Turkey on the ladder and qualify for the
Nations Cup.
Bosnia
only needed a draw to qualify for the Nations Cup, and four goals came their
way against a poor Denmark, including two at the death from substitute
Gačanica. That meant the match between Serbia and Latvia was a dead rubber,
aside from Serbia being able to slip into second over Scotland. It did not look
hopeful for Serbia as they only managed one shot on target out of seven in the
first half. The second half saw a better performance as Lilić and Stanković
both netted to give Serbia the three points and second place behind Bosnia.
The
Faroe Islanders failed to win at home against Romania, who kept the ball in
their attacking third for long periods of time. That means Romania has secured
second place behind the Netherlands, whilst the Faroe Islands has no way of
leaping off bottom place.
South
Korea, with one eye already on France, flew to Myanmar to record their eighth
win for the tournament, defeating the hosts 1-0 thanks to a solid goal from Lee
Geum-Min. Malaysia came from a goal down to overcome Hong Kong, even though the
visitors had two chances to equalise at the death. Only two marvellous saves
from goalkeeper Bakar kept out the shots, and Malaysia came away with the three
points (a far cry from the five-nil defeat a month earlier). That win was
enough to jump ahead of Myanmar, but not the Maldives, as the island nation
defeated Singapore by two goals, reversing their loss a month before. The two
goals came from Player of the Match Zahir and Rifa. Singapore held onto second
place, and will now seek a chance at qualifying for the Women’s Asian Cup.
As
Jordan looked to the Playoffs against the UAE, they needed to play one final
game against North Korea. It took until the 79th minute for anyone to score,
with North Korea’s Ri Un-yong slotting into the net. Then, the hosts switched
off, and the Jordanians capitalised on shoddy defence via the boot of Alia El
Hawa. As all seemed to head to a draw, North Korean Ri Kyong-hyang melted her
way through the midfield and shot from outside the box, past the goalkeeper and
left North Korea with two wins to round out the tournament. Two goals to one
was also the result between Taiwan and Sri Lanka in the battle for bottom. Michelle
Pao and Wang Hsiang-Huei scored immediately after the break for Taiwan.
However, substitute Thushani managed to snag one back. The Sri Lankans, though,
could not find a second to square the match, and so Taiwan moved ahead of their
opponents on the table. Indonesia’s one-goal win thanks to Susanti helped them
bounce above their opponents in Afghanistan to third.
© 2019 Steve Clark |
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Added on May 6, 2019 Last Updated on May 6, 2019 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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