|
| 2007 Subbuteo World Cup - Second Round |
 |
Group
A
| China |
+4 |
6 |
| Ireland |
-1 |
1 |
| Eire |
-3 |
1 |
China go through to the semis after an exciting 3-2 victory against Ireland, followed by
a 3-0 demolishing of their southern cousins Eire. In doing so, they've shaken off their image of the team that
nobody fancies, to become the one that everybody is watching. Led by Rosehill's Son Yuen, China's tight play and
attacking yen have surprised everybody. Alongside Yuen, Yang Kong-pak has proved himself a formidable striker,
while the team's attacking spirit is displayed by Du Guanghou's tireless presence up front as well as bolstering
the midfield. China have emerged from the wildcard Group 6 to become the wildcard team of the World Cup.
Eire struggled through the Second Round, drawing in a pedestrian game against Ireland and following it up with
a 3-0 loss against a white hot China. While the form they had shown in the First Round was still evident, it was
muted, and they seemed unable to maintain their creative flair. Euan Henry continued to perform, and Billy
Tanner was in fine form, but talented key midfielder Shay Cunningham was quiet. Eire fought against China, but
were never in charge of the game, and the all important goals eluded them.
Ireland leave the World Cup after a pedestrian game against Eire, followed by a sensational match against China
that they came close to winning. Fans will point to Johnny Coughlin's injury against China as the turning point,
but in fact Coughlin had a generally quiet championship and was overshadowed by fellow strikers Billy Holfield
and Glen O'Gale. Archie O'Hare was a revelation in midfield, and Joe Conteli proved himself as first team keeper in
place of Dave Candon. With old hands Kenny Condor and Mick MacInton giving solid performances, Ireland exit the
cup having accounted for themselves well. |
|
Group
B
| Malta |
+2 |
5 |
| Wales |
+1 |
3 |
| Argentina |
-3 |
0 |
Malta go through after a tenacious ten man victory against Argentina, followed by a
remarkable last minute comeback against Wales. Both were difficult fixtures, with Group B generally considered to
have been the hardest in the Second Round: Argentina were favourites to win the cup, Wales the most favoured
Home International team and Malta the defending World Cup champions. They go through though without striker
Thomas Magro, and there are concerns about their goalscoring potential without him, though supporters point to
their three goals against Wales to dispel critics.
Wales lost everything in the last ten minutes of their last game against Malta, who came back from 2-0 down to
beat a stunned Welsh side 3-2. Until those final, hectic minutes, Wales had done everything right. They beat
Argentina 4-2, and maintained steady pressure on Malta. After coming so close, they go home dejected, but also
knowing that they have put Welsh football on the map. As they leave the competition, Gareth Randall is current
top scorer and they take home fond memories of beating Argentina and Iran, as well as their terrific 3-3 draw
against Russia.
Argentina leave the World Cup after initially establishing themselves as favourites to win it. Their First
Round form carried on into their game against Wales, but the Welsh played a blinder and beat them 4-2. Like
Wales, Malta presented Argentina with a very strong defence and even with Malta down to ten men for much of the
game it held fast. So the favourites were knocked out by the current title holders. Argentina's strikers were
some of the most dangerous in the tournament, but it was winger Angel Ayala and defensive mainstay Mario
Ortega who really wowed the crowds, along with veteran of the last World Cup Pop Killler. |
|
Group
C
| England |
+3 |
6 |
| France |
+2 |
3 |
| Uruguay |
-5 |
0 |
England go through after two wonderful performances, first beating France in a hard
fought 3-2 win, before a rollercoaster 3-1 victory against Uruguay. Peter Drero and Mark Fenwick are playing
brilliantly, while Jamie Jemmerson's reintroduction to the team has been rewarded with two goals by the South Bank
City winger. They have no injury or booking worries, and a strong squad which has seen eight players score in
the championship so far.
France defeated Uruguay 4-1 during a terrific second half performance which saw them bag three goals, but their
previous close loss to England put them in second place. They have shown themselves to be a very capable team,
with Christophe Nicolas in great form and Bredbury's Alain D'Aubigny their rising star on the right wing. The
tussle between fellow Brentville midfielders Nicolas and Peter Drero in their game against England will be
remembered as one of the memorable moments of the competition.
Uruguay were unable to replicate the goalscoring ability they had displayed during the first round,
and lost both second round matches heavily. While they played well against France, they were disorganised and
disheartened against England. Hector Di Fiore has been a powerful front man, and Vicente Pereyra has played
well in midfield, but they go home disappointed after early high hopes. |
|
Group
D
| Italy |
+2 |
4 |
| Russia |
+1 |
3 |
| Germany |
-3 |
0 |
Italy win the group after a 0-0 draw against Russia that belies the ferocity with which
both sides played the game. The Italians are looking good and playing very attacking football, despite the loss
of Carl Penagga and Mario Donetti due to disciplinary offences. Toni Marrielia has been endlessly creative, while
Carl Spengler has successfully stepped into Penagga's usual role. Giorgio Gicarlie is proving to be the finest
defender in the competition, and Italy have only conceded three goals in their five games to date. The go through
by a point, gained by Johnny Regetta's last minute goal against Germany.
Russia have played some wonderful football in this competition, and are unfortunate to leave it after failing to
score against Italy's solid defence in their last game. They began the round with a ferocious attack against
Germany that saw them score two goals in the first fifteen minutes, and left displaying similar attacking
tactics. They leave behind memories of Dmitri Ilyin's midfield mastery, Andrei Shpedt's prowess on the wing and a
defence as likely to be assaulting the opposition goal as defending their own.
Germany leave the World Cup after two terrific tussles in a very difficult group. Russia pummelled them during
the first fifteen minutes of their game, then soaked up everything the Germans could throw at them; Italy's
Toni Marrielia sunk them with a wonderful display of individual skill. But Germany will be remembered for some
great attacking players, from Helmut Reuter in midfield to the quartet of Specht, Bonhof, Stranger and Seel up
front. |
|
|
|
With a few exceptions, all team images are taken from Santiago Table Soccer