[Calvin]

Started to manage Wales, thought I would post my progress here if anyone is interested.

Version: 9.3.0
Selected Leagues: England [Coca-Cola Championship & Above], Germany [First Division Only], Italy [Serie A Only], Scotland [Premier League Only], Spain [Liga BBVA Only]
Past Experience: Sunday League Footballer

Information

Star Players: Craig Bellamy, Simon Davies, Gareth Bale
Fierce Rivals: England
Other Rivals: Ireland, Scotland
Capital City: Cardiff
Region: UK & Ireland

First match is against Georgia at home in a friendly, a win is in the bag.

[Calvin]

Squad to face Georgia

Goalkeepers: Boaz Myhill, Wayne Hennessey.

Defenders: Gareth Bale, Danny Collins, James Collins, Richard Duffy, Rob Edwards, Daniel Gabbidon, Chris Gunter, Lewin Nyatanga, Sam Ricketts, Ashley Williams.

Midfielders: Joe Allen, Jack Collison, Arron Davies, Simon Davies [vice-captain], Carl Fletcher, Jason Koumas, Joe Ledley, Paul Parry, Aaron Ramsey.

Forwards: Craig Bellamy [captain], David Cotterill, Robert Earnshaw, Freddy Eastwood, Sam Vokes.

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Sam Ricketts has declared the Wales camp in optimistic mood ahead of the country's Friendly game against Georgia on Wednesday. Ricketts told the Welsh Football Daily that he felt Wales had the players capable of winning the match and he hoped they could give the nation something to cheer about by securing a victory.

[formation v georgia, click here]

Final Score: Wales 2 - 1 Georgia

Goalscorer[s]: Malkhaz Asatiani [20'], Sam Vokes [65'], Aaron Ramsey [74']
Date: 20th August 2008
Attendance: 50739
MOTM: Malkhaz Asatiani [8.0]

[match stats v georgia, click here]

Wales taught Georgia a football lesson at The Millenium Stadium this evening. Zurab Khizanishvili showed a sign of things to come though as he nearly gifted Wales a goal on 16 minutes. Malkhaz Asatiani gave Georgia the lead with a powerful effort in the 20th minute. Sam Vokes then equalised with a fine header from point-blank range. Aaron Ramsey then scored with a real poacher's effort.

This post has been edited by Calvin: 31 March 2009 - 09:31 PM

[Calvin]

Squad to face Azerbaijan & Russia

Goalkeepers: Boaz Myhill, Wayne Hennessey.

Defenders: Gareth Bale, Danny Collins, James Collins, Richard Duffy, Rob Edwards, Daniel Gabbidon, Chris Gunter, Lewin Nyatanga, Sam Ricketts, Ashley Williams.

Midfielders: Joe Allen, Jack Collison, Arron Davies, Simon Davies [vice-captain], Carl Fletcher, Jason Koumas, Joe Ledley, Paul Parry, Aaron Ramsey.

Forwards: Craig Bellamy [captain], David Cotterill, Robert Earnshaw, Freddy Eastwood, Sam Vokes.

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Sam Vokes has revealed that Wales are confident they can do well against Azerbaijan on Saturday. The 18-year-old striker told the Welsh Football Daily that he felt confidence in the Wales camp was high and he hoped they could give the country something to cheer about by winning in style.

World Cup Quals (EUR) Grp 4 - Match Day 1

[formation v azerbaijan, click here]

Final Score: Wales 3-0 Azerbaijan

Goalscorer[s]: Simon Davies [15'], Jack Collison [23'], Joe Ledley [28']
Date: 6th September 2008
Attendance: 69332
MOTM: Jack Collison [8.2]

[match stats v azerbaijan, click here]

Craig Bellamy spoke to the press after Wales' comfortable win over Azerbaijan and was generally pleased with the result. In an interview with the Welsh Football Daily the 29 year-old Wales captain was at pains to point out that there are no easy matches at this level and the squad were happy with the win.

This post has been edited by Calvin: 31 March 2009 - 09:42 PM

[kmac]

Ramsey scoring off the bench? Nice one

[Calvin]

The media are reporting that Wales will have to perform to the best of their ability when they take on Russia in their crucial World Cup Qualifying game on Wednesday. With the superior Russia team firm favourites to win, Wales will surely only have a chance if key players such as Craig Bellamy are firing on all cylinders. In terms of players to watch, Manchester City left winger Yury Zhirkov is a proven match winner for Russia who Wales cannot afford to ignore.

World Cup Quals (EUR) Grp 4 - Match Day 2

[formation v russia, click here]

Final Score: Russia 4-0 Wales

Goalscorer[s]: Roman Pavlyuchenko [11'], Alexey Berezutskiy [16'], Konstantin Zyryanov [24'], Dinijar Bilyaletdinov [78']
Date: 10th September 2008
Attendance: 28121
MOTM: Alexey Berezutskiy [8.0]

[match stats v russia, click here]

Craig Bellamy has revealed Wales' heavy 4-0 loss to Russia was met with a feeling of general expectancy in their camp. The 29 year-old striker told the media a defeat was largely predictable and whilst the nature of the defeat was painful, the team will take the defeat on the chin and attempt to move on.

This post has been edited by Calvin: 31 March 2009 - 09:52 PM

[Calvin]

Squad to face Liechtenstein & Germany

Goalkeepers: Boaz Myhill, Wayne Hennessey, Lewis Price.

Defenders: Gareth Bale, Grant Basey, Danny Collins, James Collins, Daniel Gabbidon, Chris Gunter, Lewin Nyatanga, Sam Ricketts, Ashley Williams.

Midfielders: Joe Allen, Jack Collison, Simon Davies [vice-captain], Carl Fletcher, Joe Ledley, Aaron Ramsey, Brian Stock, Gavin Williams.

Forwards: Craig Bellamy [captain], David Cotterill, Robert Earnshaw, Freddy Eastwood, Ched Evans, Sam Vokes.

Doncaster midfielder Brian Stock could be in line to make his first appearance for Wales, along with Joe Allen. A major talking point will be the inclusion of Grant Basey, who some would say does not have what it takes to succeed at this level. The boss has also decided to recall Ched Evans, Gavin Williams and Lewis Price, who had been left out of the previous squad.

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Chris Gunter has revealed that Wales are confident they can do well against Liechtenstein on Saturday. The 19-year-old right-back told the Welsh Football Daily that he felt confidence in the Wales camp was high and he hoped they could give the country something to cheer about.

World Cup Quals (EUR) Grp 4 - Match Day 3

[formation v liechtenstein, click here]

Final Score: Wales 4-0 Liechtenstein

Goalscorer[s]: Ched Evans [7'], Aaron Ramsey [14'], Simon Davies [38'], Robert Earnshaw [46']
Date: 11th October 2008
Attendance: 69308
MOTM: Robert Earnshaw [8.2]

[match stats v liechtenstein, click here]

Following Wales' convincing 4-0 World Cup Qualifying victory over Liechtenstein, Wales' Craig Bellamy spoke to the press about the game. Talking to the Welsh Football Daily, the 29 year-old Wales captain pointed out that although many pundits had expected a comfortable win, to get it with a few goals to boot was extremely satisfying.

This post has been edited by Calvin: 31 March 2009 - 10:00 PM

[Calvin]

Wayne Hennessey has warned Germany not to underestimate Wales ahead of Wednesday's showdown. Hennessey told the Welsh Football Daily that the Wales camp was not intimidated by the German side and firmly believes they can get a result if they play to their full potential.

World Cup Quals (EUR) Grp 4 - Match Day 4

[formation v germany, click here]

Final Score: Germany 2-1 Wales

Goalscorer[s]: Miroslav Klose [17'], Carl Fletcher [44'], Bernd Schneider [66']
Date: 15th October 2008
Attendance: 42345
MOTM: Carl Fletcher [7.9]

[match stats v germany, click here]

Wales battled away against Germany and looked very impressive despite their unlucky 2-1 defeat. Miroslav Klose gave Germany the lead with a header in the 17th minute. Carl Fletcher pulled one back for Wales with a curling shot from the edge of the area. Bernd Schneider then scored what proved to be the winner for the home side with a long range freekick.

This post has been edited by Calvin: 31 March 2009 - 10:07 PM

[Calvin]

Squad to face Finland & Germany

Goalkeepers: Boaz Myhill, Wayne Hennessey, Jason Brown.

Defenders: Gareth Bale, Grant Basey, Danny Collins, James Collins, Daniel Gabbidon, Chris Gunter, Lewin Nyatanga, Sam Ricketts, Ashley Williams.

Midfielders: Joe Allen, Jack Collison, Simon Davies [vice-captain], Carl Fletcher, Jason Koumas, Joe Ledley, Aaron Ramsey, Brian Stock.

Forwards: Craig Bellamy [captain], David Cotterill, Robert Earnshaw, Freddy Eastwood, Ched Evans, Sam Vokes.

Wales' preparation for their competitive matches against Finland and Germany has been hit by the news that Chris Gunter has suffered a fractured arm.

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A former Wales international has said that he believes Wales' key players will be vital when the national team take on Finland in their crucial game on Saturday. The former international said that although Finland would provide a tough test, if players like Aaron Ramsey can perform on the day when Wales will win through.

World Cup Quals (EUR) Grp 4 - Match Day 5

[formation v finland, click here]

Final Score: Wales 2-1 Finland

Goalscorer[s]: Shefki Kuqi [26'], Craig Bellamy [74'], Craig Bellamy [84']
Date: 28th March 2009
Attendance: 69726
MOTM: Craig Bellamy [8.3]

[match stats v finland, click here]

After Wales' tight 2-1 win over Finland on Saturday, striker Craig Bellamy told the press of the upbeat mood the squad now finds themselves in. The 29 year-old told the Welsh Football Daily that a win over a team as similar as Finland is always nice and that they can now use this result to gain momentum.

This post has been edited by Calvin: 31 March 2009 - 10:14 PM

[Calvin]

Wales' Joe Ledley has declared himself in optimistic mood ahead of the country's game against Germany on Wednesday. Ledley told the Welsh Football Daily that the players would show Germany plenty of respect but they would not fear them and they were certainly beatable.

World Cup Quals (EUR) Grp 4 - Match Day 6

[formation v germany, click here]

Final Score: Wales 1-0 Germany

Goalscorer[s]: Ched Evans [17']
Date: 1st April 2009
Attendance: 72472
MOTM: Per Mertesacker [7.3]

[match stats v germany, click here]

Craig Bellamy has told the media that Wales' narrow 1-0 victory over Germany on Wednesday was a proud moment for his country. Speaking to the Welsh Football Daily, the 29 year-old striker revealed the proud feeling inside the Wales camp at achieving such a result against far more talented opposition.

This post has been edited by Calvin: 31 March 2009 - 10:20 PM

[Shedender]

Fb home win over Germany at the Millennium Stadium, I'm liking this btw mate. :thup:

[Calvin]

Shedender, on Mar 31 2009, 09:59 PM, said:

Fb home win over Germany at the Millennium Stadium, I'm liking this btw mate. :thup:

Cheers man. I was tempted to play 4.5.1 and frustrate Germany but I decided to stuck to what the team know best and it paid off in the end.

Changed the layout of this a bit. Instead of pictures, I've put a link. Two reasons for this really, loading times will be quicker if anybody wants to view the thread and the image quality will be a lot better now.

[Calvin]

Squad to face Azerbaijan

Goalkeepers: Boaz Myhill, Wayne Hennessey, Jason Brown.

Defenders: Gareth Bale, Grant Basey, Danny Collins, James Collins, Daniel Gabbidon, Chris Gunter, Lewin Nyatanga, Sam Ricketts, Ashley Williams.

Midfielders: Joe Allen, Jack Collison, Arron Davies, Simon Davies [vice-captain], Carl Fletcher, Jason Koumas, Joe Ledley, Brian Stock.

Forwards: Craig Bellamy [captain], David Cotterill, Robert Earnshaw, Freddy Eastwood, Ched Evans, Sam Vokes.

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An ex-Wales international has told the press that it will be a mistake for Wales to underestimate Azerbaijan in their vital match on Saturday. With Wales preparing for what is a crucial match, the ex-international commented that key players such as Craig Bellamy must leave no room for complacency if Wales are to succeed.

World Cup Quals (EUR) Grp 4 - Match Day 7

[formation v azerbaijan, click here]

Final Score: Azerbaijan 0-3 Wales

Goalscorer[s]: Simon Davies [15'], Ched Evans [69'], Gareth Bale [78']
Date: 6th June 2009
Attendance: 29151
MOTM: Gareth Bale [8.2]

[match stats v azerbaijan, click here]

Wales enjoyed near total domination over a distinctly average Azerbaijan side at Tofik Bahramov Republican Stadium. The match was certainly not one for the purists with neither side able to keep errors out of their game.

The group table will be up after my next match with Russia. :thup: