Argentina (Arg)

2

V

1

Naranjitos (Spa)

Fritzl Palace (Eng)

3

V

1

Maverick FC (Eng)

Budapest Celtic Lions (Hun)

0

V

0

Naranjitos (Spa)

Argentina (Arg)

3

V

0

Maverick FC (Eng)

Fritzl Palace (Eng)

0

V

0

Budapest Celtic Lions (Hun)

 

As we went beyond the half-way stage of Group A we had a fixture to look forward to with some Latino flair on offer as Argentina took on Naranjitos. The two teams had played well this morning but found themselves in 3rd and 4th positions in the table. Argentina remained unbeaten but two draws had stalled their progress. Naranjitos had 1 win, 1 defeat to their name.

Argentina really were proving to be the draw specialists in this tournament as, for the fifth successive half, when the referee blew his whistle to close proceedings they were tied with their opposition. Goals from Miguel (Argentina) and Javier Sanchez Flores (Naranjitos) meant the second half would start with parity. Miguel's goal meant they had scored in every game to date, Sanchez Flores also had 3 goals in 3 games.

In the context of Group A a draw would not be much use for either team – it would keep them in 3rd and 4th position with the two teams above them having a game in hand. If these two teams had Cup aspirations they really needed to find a winner. Argentina had reached the Cup Final in 2014 and when Dani put them 2-1 up they had the goal that could well help them on their way to another final. This time, Argentina did manage to turn a draw into victory and they had their first 3 points of the day.

The victory put Argentina top of Group A (temporarily at least). It was a huge blow for Naranjitos who would remain in 4th place and work to do going into their final fixture.

 
 
 

Next up was Fritzl Palace versus Maverick FC. It was a top versus bottom encounter as unbeaten Fritzl Palace were looking to reclaim top spot with a second victory of the day. Maverick FC had suffered two defeats to date but both just by the odd goal – could they step it up?

It was always going to be a tough ask against a strong Fritzl Palace side and Maverick FC conceded the first goal of the game for the third time this morning. It was Matthew Wedlake's fourth goal of the tournament that put Fritzl Palace in the ascendency. In the second half Fritzl Palace wrapped up the win – Ryan Rook, 10 goals in the 2014 Bratislava Fives, scored his second of the day and Jonathan Wood got on the scoresheet to equal his Bratislava tally.

There was to be a consolation goal for Maverick FC but who scored the goal against Palace? That is far from “Crystal”! The goal has been claimed on behalf of both Alex Pyke and Will Gubbins and we may have to refer this to the dubious goals panel of FIFA who, with their usual efficiency, may just provide an answer before the World Cup in that iconic football destination of Qatar. Alternatively, it is rumoured that whoever first deposits a monkey into the bank account of Sepp Blatter may well get credited with the goal. We couldn't possibly comment.

The win meant that Fritzl Palace were back on top of Group A and looking good to qualify for the Cup again.

 
 
 

It was second versus fourth position in Group A next as Budapest Celtic Lions would play host to Naranjitos. Budapest Celtic Lions could go level with Fritzl Palace at the top of the table with a victory. For Naranjitos this was the last chance to register points and make their case for Cup qualification. Only a win would do for them to give them a chance of finishing in second place themselves.

The Spanish team had started the day well with a 2-1 victory but since then had tasted defeat twice. Could they turn it around? It was a competitive and earnest performance and they matched their opponents blow for blow. At half-time the scorers were untroubled as we were locked at 0-0.

For Budapest Celtic Lions a draw would see them locked with Argentina on 5 points in joint 2nd but a win would see them locked with Fritzl Palace on 7 points in joint 1 st . If they could eek out a victory here it would make their chances of Cup qualification so much greater.

Both defences proved dominant though and 0-0 at half-time became 0-0 at full-time. It was a result that meant Naranjitos would finish 4th regardless of the remaining results in Group A. For Budapest Celtic Lions they still had qualification in their own hands although it would not be easy as they would meet top of the table in their final game.

 
 
 

Game 9 was certainly going to be an interesting one for Argentina as they lined up against Maverick FC. A win for Argentina would see them finish on 8 points and would ensure top two finish that would guarantee Cup qualification and may even be enough to top the group depending upon other results. A draw might be enough if Budapest Celtic Lions lost their final game. Even if that didn't happen it could be enough to qualify as one of the best 3rd placed teams on 6 points. A loss would still be possible but 5 points made the chances much slimmer.

For Maverick FC this was now a case of playing for pride as they would finish in 5th position whatever happened here as the draw for Naranjitos (above) meant that the Spanish team's tally of 4 points was out of their reach. A win for here would give Maverick FC a bounce into the Plate competition and could well spark an upturn in fortunes that could see them go all the way to success. We've certainly seen it before.

It was Argentina who struck the first blow as Miguel kept up his goal per game record and at half-time the lead was a narrow one, 1-0. After the break Argentina doubled then tripled their lead as Claudio and Pablo pitched in to make it 3-0 to the South American team. The 3-0 win was just what the doctor ordered for them.

 
 
 

The final game had huge importance at the top of Group A. Argentina's win above meant they topped the table with Fritzl Palace and Budapest Celtic Lions in 2nd and 3rd place now coming face to face to round off the group fixtures. So, what was at stake?

Fritzl Palace win: A Fritzl Palace win would see them crowned champions, Argentina qualify for the Cup and Budapest Celtic Lions sweating to see if they were one of the top two 3rd placed teams.

Draw: A draw would mean Fritzl Palace and Argentina finish level on 8 points. Fritzl Palace would win the group on goal difference. Budapest Celtic Lions would be sweating to see if they were one of the top two 3rd placed teams.

Budapest Celtic Lions win: A Budapest Celtic Lions victory would see them tied with Argentina on 8 points and Group A being decided on goal difference. Budapest Celtic Lions needed a 4 goal victory to win Group A. A 4-1 win would mean an identical record and a penalty shoot-out to decide the table. A higher scoring 3 goal win would see the Lions win it. A 3-0 win or narrower victory would see Argentina win it. Fritzl Palace would be sweating to see if they were one of the top two 3rd placed teams.

The teams could not be separated at half-time as the teams reached the interval at 0-0. Budapest Celtic Lions had drawn their last game by the same scoreline and they were to make it two games in a row with no goals scored and no goals conceded. Full time, 0-0.

The result meant that Fritzl Palace won the group and well done to them. Budapest Celtic Lions finished third and, as it would ultimately prove, would indeed qualify as one of the best third placed teams. Argentina would join them in the top tier knock-out competition.

 
 
Team
Pld
Won
Drawn
Lost
For
Agst
Pts

Fritzl Palace (Eng)

4

2

2

0

8

3

8

Argentina (Arg)

4

2

2

0

8

4

8

Budapest Celtic Lions (Hun)

4

1

3

0

4

3

6

Naranjitos (Spa)

4

1

1

2

3

6

4

Maverick FC (Eng)

4

0

0

4

4

11

0

 
 
 
Group Phase
 
 
Plate Knock-out
 
Cup Knock-out
 
 

 
 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
©Copyright 2006 | eurofootballfives.com
site disclaimer | contact us