This series looks at what happens when the FM17 Draft Mode is used to create a World Cup where each nation is represented by players who play in each country. For the full explanation of how this tournament will work, see our Introduction.
The opening two rounds of matches in Group C has already eliminated Argentina and sent France through, who will join Portugal and Italy. Now it’s the time to see how Group D shapes up.
This is one of the more low-key groups, with Mexico and Ukraine likely to be favourites, but with Peru and Central Asia posing a threat. All four teams will fancy their chances of qualification.
The opening two rounds of matches in Group C has already eliminated Argentina and sent France through, who will join Portugal and Italy. Now it’s the time to see how Group D shapes up.
This is one of the more low-key groups, with Mexico and Ukraine likely to be favourites, but with Peru and Central Asia posing a threat. All four teams will fancy their chances of qualification.
Let’s see how each team has made up its squad. There is a squad limit of £250m, and each squad must have 23 players, including 3 goalkeepers and 7 home-grown players.
Mexico (1st in Qualification Group L)
Mexico were comfortable in winning the final qualification group, a good achievement given that it contained Brazil, whilst Austria and Uruguay posed a threat (as Brazil discovered). Elizabeth Mejico sticks with some of the key players of the qualification campaign, such as Hirving Lozano, Walter Gargano and Luis Montes.
The big-name addition to the squad is Andre-Pierre Gignac, who in real life has found his best goalscoring form since moving to Tigres. Agustin Marchesin is a very able goalkeeper, which he should be for the £19.5m he was valued at.
Squad (italics indicates home-grown):
GK: Lajud (Xolos Tijuana), Marchesin (America), Urbina (Morelia)
DF: Basanta (Monterrey), Fuentes (Pumas), Goltz (America), Herrera (Puebla), Jimenez (Tigres), Perez (Puebla), Pizarro, R (Chivas), Ponce (Chivas), Valdez (America)
MD: Aquino (Tigres), Vazquez (Chivas), Gargano (Monterrey), Montes (Leon), Pizarro, G (Tigres), Vazquez (Chivas), Vigon (Jaguares)
FW: Gignac (Tigres), Guisao (Toluca), Lozano (Pachuca), Pabon (Monterrey), Peralta (America)
Ukraine (2nd in Qualification Group C)
Ukraine were expected to win their qualification group, but met a Greek side on a hot run of form, and had to settle for second place. Their 4-2-4 formation is exciting, but unsurprisingly can leave them open. In such a formation the 2 are crucial, and Taras Stepanenko and Fred are the side’s highest-rated players.
Andriy Yarmolenko and Bernard out wide will provide plenty of opportunities for the forwards, one of whom will certainly be Junior Moraes, a top striker who could be the one to inspire Ukraine here. Unsurprisingly there is no place for Eduardo da Silva, who was very poor in qualification. If you were unsure who the big two clubs in Ukraine are, the squad list will give you an idea.
Squad:
GK: Pyatov (Shakhtar), Shevchenko (Zorya), Shust (Vorskla)
DF: Anderson Pico (Dnipro), Antunes (Dynamo Kyiv), Butko (Shakhtar), Kucher (Shakhtar), Rafael Forster (Zorya), Rakitskyi (Shakhtar), Srna (Shakhtar), Vida (Dynamo Kyiv)
MD: Alan Patrick (Shakhtar), Bernard (Shakhtar), Fred (Shakhtar), Garmash (Dynamo Kyiv), Gromov (Dynamo Kyiv), Stepanenko (Shakhtar), Tymoschuk (out of contract), Yarmolenko (Dynamo Kyiv)
FW: Junior Moraes (Dynamo Kyiv), Kravets (Dynamo Kyiv), Ponomar (Olexandriya), Teodorczyk (Dynamo Kyiv)
Central Asia (2nd in Qualification Group G)
The main controversy of the qualification stages involved Central Asia, as their match against Israel appeared to have two different scorelines (one in the official report, one in the highlights). To resolve this, a replay was played, which resulted in Central Asia finishing second behind Germany. Although, given the two sides’ respective draws, that might be seen as a bonus. This squad is worth a total of £95m, which puts them in the outsider category, but they finished above higher-valued Danish and Israeli sides to qualify, as well as nearly pipping the Germans.
The side’s biggest name is Andrey Arshavin, and the side’s 4-1-4-1 has the ML pushed up to AML to accommodate him. Gerard Govou up front was handy in qualification, and can lead the line on his own. Further support will come from Nemanja Maksimovic, a talented 21-year old playmaker. The vast majority of this side come from the Kazakh league, although a few play in Uzbekistan.
Squad:
GK: Eric (Astana), Nesterov (Lokomotiv Toshkent), Sidel’nikov (Aktobe)
DF: Arzo (Kairat), Ismailov (Astana), Korobkin (Atyrau), Krimets (Paxtakor), Shomko (Astana), Simcevic (Ordabasy), Smakov (Ordabasy), Suiumbaev (Kairat)
MD: Arzhanov (Kaiser), Essame (Atyrau), Geworkyan (Lokomotiv Toshkent), Gogua (Ordabasy), Ilicevic (Kairat), Karpovich (Altai), Maksimovic (Astana), Zhumaskaliev (Altai)
FW: Arshavin (Kairat), Fall (Irtysh Pavlodar), Gohou (Kairat), Ibraimi (Astana)
Peru (3rd in Qualification Group B; 2nd-best third-placed side)
The Peruvians were great fun in qualification, conceding loads and scoring slightly more. Opponents often found themselves overwhelmed by their 4-2-2-2 formation, with left-back Juan Manuel Vargas virtually playing as a winger, but of course there were plenty of chances on the break. A total squad value of £103m again puts Peru in the dangerous category, albeit making it unlikely they can threaten the later stages of the tournament.
The front two of Luis Tejada and Irven Avila (a winger by trade) were particularly lethal, whilst midfielders Josepmir Ballon and Oscar Vilchez will have to do a lot of covering for their more attack-minded colleagues. This isn’t a team that will die wondering.
Squad:
GK: Carvallo (UTC), Delgado (Municipal), Libman (Sport Rosario)
DF: Balbin (Universitario), Cespedes (Cristal), Corzo (Universitario), Herrera (Real Garcilaso), Riojas (Alianza), Rodriguez (Universitario), Vargas (Universitario), Yglesias (Union Comercio)
MD: Aguiar (Alianza), Ballon (Cristal), Barrientos (Melgar), Lobaton (Cristal), Ramirez (Alianza), Santamaria (Melgar), Vilchez (Alianza)
FW: Avila (Cristal), Guastavino (Universitario), Ifran (Cristal), Jimenez (Alianza Atletico), Tejada (Universitario)
Central Asia vs. Mexico
With no intentional disrespect to Central Asia, this presents a good opportunity for Mexico to get off to a good start.
Ilicevic is one of Central Asia’s highest-rated players, but he is only on the bench as Arshavin is selected. Mexico go with Gignac rather than Peralta, who was in amongst the goals in qualifying, up front. Similarly, there is no place for Gargano, with both Pizarros preferred.
Mexico (1st in Qualification Group L)
Mexico were comfortable in winning the final qualification group, a good achievement given that it contained Brazil, whilst Austria and Uruguay posed a threat (as Brazil discovered). Elizabeth Mejico sticks with some of the key players of the qualification campaign, such as Hirving Lozano, Walter Gargano and Luis Montes.
The big-name addition to the squad is Andre-Pierre Gignac, who in real life has found his best goalscoring form since moving to Tigres. Agustin Marchesin is a very able goalkeeper, which he should be for the £19.5m he was valued at.
Squad (italics indicates home-grown):
GK: Lajud (Xolos Tijuana), Marchesin (America), Urbina (Morelia)
DF: Basanta (Monterrey), Fuentes (Pumas), Goltz (America), Herrera (Puebla), Jimenez (Tigres), Perez (Puebla), Pizarro, R (Chivas), Ponce (Chivas), Valdez (America)
MD: Aquino (Tigres), Vazquez (Chivas), Gargano (Monterrey), Montes (Leon), Pizarro, G (Tigres), Vazquez (Chivas), Vigon (Jaguares)
FW: Gignac (Tigres), Guisao (Toluca), Lozano (Pachuca), Pabon (Monterrey), Peralta (America)
Ukraine (2nd in Qualification Group C)
Ukraine were expected to win their qualification group, but met a Greek side on a hot run of form, and had to settle for second place. Their 4-2-4 formation is exciting, but unsurprisingly can leave them open. In such a formation the 2 are crucial, and Taras Stepanenko and Fred are the side’s highest-rated players.
Andriy Yarmolenko and Bernard out wide will provide plenty of opportunities for the forwards, one of whom will certainly be Junior Moraes, a top striker who could be the one to inspire Ukraine here. Unsurprisingly there is no place for Eduardo da Silva, who was very poor in qualification. If you were unsure who the big two clubs in Ukraine are, the squad list will give you an idea.
Squad:
GK: Pyatov (Shakhtar), Shevchenko (Zorya), Shust (Vorskla)
DF: Anderson Pico (Dnipro), Antunes (Dynamo Kyiv), Butko (Shakhtar), Kucher (Shakhtar), Rafael Forster (Zorya), Rakitskyi (Shakhtar), Srna (Shakhtar), Vida (Dynamo Kyiv)
MD: Alan Patrick (Shakhtar), Bernard (Shakhtar), Fred (Shakhtar), Garmash (Dynamo Kyiv), Gromov (Dynamo Kyiv), Stepanenko (Shakhtar), Tymoschuk (out of contract), Yarmolenko (Dynamo Kyiv)
FW: Junior Moraes (Dynamo Kyiv), Kravets (Dynamo Kyiv), Ponomar (Olexandriya), Teodorczyk (Dynamo Kyiv)
Central Asia (2nd in Qualification Group G)
The main controversy of the qualification stages involved Central Asia, as their match against Israel appeared to have two different scorelines (one in the official report, one in the highlights). To resolve this, a replay was played, which resulted in Central Asia finishing second behind Germany. Although, given the two sides’ respective draws, that might be seen as a bonus. This squad is worth a total of £95m, which puts them in the outsider category, but they finished above higher-valued Danish and Israeli sides to qualify, as well as nearly pipping the Germans.
The side’s biggest name is Andrey Arshavin, and the side’s 4-1-4-1 has the ML pushed up to AML to accommodate him. Gerard Govou up front was handy in qualification, and can lead the line on his own. Further support will come from Nemanja Maksimovic, a talented 21-year old playmaker. The vast majority of this side come from the Kazakh league, although a few play in Uzbekistan.
Squad:
GK: Eric (Astana), Nesterov (Lokomotiv Toshkent), Sidel’nikov (Aktobe)
DF: Arzo (Kairat), Ismailov (Astana), Korobkin (Atyrau), Krimets (Paxtakor), Shomko (Astana), Simcevic (Ordabasy), Smakov (Ordabasy), Suiumbaev (Kairat)
MD: Arzhanov (Kaiser), Essame (Atyrau), Geworkyan (Lokomotiv Toshkent), Gogua (Ordabasy), Ilicevic (Kairat), Karpovich (Altai), Maksimovic (Astana), Zhumaskaliev (Altai)
FW: Arshavin (Kairat), Fall (Irtysh Pavlodar), Gohou (Kairat), Ibraimi (Astana)
Peru (3rd in Qualification Group B; 2nd-best third-placed side)
The Peruvians were great fun in qualification, conceding loads and scoring slightly more. Opponents often found themselves overwhelmed by their 4-2-2-2 formation, with left-back Juan Manuel Vargas virtually playing as a winger, but of course there were plenty of chances on the break. A total squad value of £103m again puts Peru in the dangerous category, albeit making it unlikely they can threaten the later stages of the tournament.
The front two of Luis Tejada and Irven Avila (a winger by trade) were particularly lethal, whilst midfielders Josepmir Ballon and Oscar Vilchez will have to do a lot of covering for their more attack-minded colleagues. This isn’t a team that will die wondering.
Squad:
GK: Carvallo (UTC), Delgado (Municipal), Libman (Sport Rosario)
DF: Balbin (Universitario), Cespedes (Cristal), Corzo (Universitario), Herrera (Real Garcilaso), Riojas (Alianza), Rodriguez (Universitario), Vargas (Universitario), Yglesias (Union Comercio)
MD: Aguiar (Alianza), Ballon (Cristal), Barrientos (Melgar), Lobaton (Cristal), Ramirez (Alianza), Santamaria (Melgar), Vilchez (Alianza)
FW: Avila (Cristal), Guastavino (Universitario), Ifran (Cristal), Jimenez (Alianza Atletico), Tejada (Universitario)
Central Asia vs. Mexico
With no intentional disrespect to Central Asia, this presents a good opportunity for Mexico to get off to a good start.
Ilicevic is one of Central Asia’s highest-rated players, but he is only on the bench as Arshavin is selected. Mexico go with Gignac rather than Peralta, who was in amongst the goals in qualifying, up front. Similarly, there is no place for Gargano, with both Pizarros preferred.
Ilicevic doesn’t have to wait long to get his first taste of Draft World Cup action, as Geworkyan, a huge part of Central Asia’s qualifying run, is forced off in the 11th minute. Ilicevic immediately shows his quality, searing beyond Lozano and Fuentes before crossing for Gohou, who controls it but can’t get his shot past Goltz. In fact, Central Asia are shading shots and possession, and Karpovich’s long shot draws Marchesin into action just before the break.
As favourites, Mexico start the second half aiming to control the match more, but the first chance after the break falls to Gohou, who lifts his shot over the bar. Neither team’s striker has shown much, and they are both replaced just after the hour mark, but little changes. In the final 10 minutes Central Asia are forced into another substitution, as Karpovich picks up a knock, and that’s the final moment of note as the match finishes 0-0.
Mexico have every reason to be concerned after that performance. Central Asia probably would have taken a draw before the match, but having had the better of things they may reflect on a missed opportunity to take the points.
Ukraine vs. Peru
With their main group rivals Mexico drawing, Ukraine can assert themselves in the group here, but they will have no idea which Peru side will turn up – will it be the one which led their group with 4 wins from 5 halfway in, or the one which scraped into third after 3 points in their next four games?
Ukraine have few selection dilemmas, the main one being the partner to Moraes up front, Teodorczyk being the lucky one. Peru go with the side which they used throughout the majority of qualification.
Mexico have every reason to be concerned after that performance. Central Asia probably would have taken a draw before the match, but having had the better of things they may reflect on a missed opportunity to take the points.
Ukraine vs. Peru
With their main group rivals Mexico drawing, Ukraine can assert themselves in the group here, but they will have no idea which Peru side will turn up – will it be the one which led their group with 4 wins from 5 halfway in, or the one which scraped into third after 3 points in their next four games?
Ukraine have few selection dilemmas, the main one being the partner to Moraes up front, Teodorczyk being the lucky one. Peru go with the side which they used throughout the majority of qualification.
In the 2nd minute Tejada is given space on the edge of the box, but his turn and shot cannons off the base of the post and is cleared. However, Peru’s gameplan is undone in the 26th minute when Riojas flies in on Moraes and sees red (appropriately enough, given his name – it looks like it might mean red?). Peru switch to a 4-2-1-2 as Ramirez is replaced, but they can’t quite hold out until half time; shortly after Teodorczyk’s header is saved, Yarmolenko breaks down the right, and his cross gives Bernard the easiest of finishes. Amazingly, though, Peru are level within 60 seconds, as they kick off and Aguiar feeds Avila to slide the ball beyond Pyatov.
Vida nearly restores Ukraine’s lead after the break, but some desperate blocking prevents him twice at a corner. However, he fails to do his job at the other end, and a quick Vargas cross from a throw-in catches him and Kucher out, and Tejada nods Peru into an unlikely lead. What’s more, they look totally untroubled as Ukraine try to go all-out at them. In the 85th minute Yarmolenko cuts inside, and unleashes a shot onto the crossbar, before Peruvian sub Santamaria nearly lobs Pyatov from 30 yards. And that’s that, Peru hold on for a famous win from 1-0 and a man down, despite Ukraine’s 23 shots.
A hammer blow to Ukraine, then, whilst Peru are suddenly just one win away from qualification already. With Ukraine facing Mexico next, a defeat would eliminate them.
The progress of this group is halted by an apparent bug which causes FM17 to shut down when trying to get to the second round of matches. Putting on my deerstalker, I suspect that there’s still something up with Central Asia. Further checks seem to confirm this. Specifically, it crashes when I try and view Gulnaz Central Asia’s inbox.
In order to combat this, I put Gulnaz on holiday indefinitely. I’ll let his assistant pick his line-up, but whilst keeping the same tactics.
Mexico vs. Ukraine
These are the two group favourites, but they both massively underperformed in the opening round of fixtures, which makes today’s fixture particularly crucial. A defeat will knock Ukraine out for certain, whilst a loss for Mexico wouldn’t technically eliminate them, but it would certainly leave them outsiders for qualification.
As you’d expect after a 0-0 draw, Mexico’s defensive players played well, and the attacking ones didn’t. The latter are given a chance to redeem themselves, and they name an unchanged XI. Ukraine’s 4-2-4 was exposed against Peru, so against group favourites Mexico it’s probably time to change. Teodorczyk comes out for Alan Patrick, and they move to a kind of 4-2-3-1. Additionally, Rakitskyi comes in for Kucher.
In order to combat this, I put Gulnaz on holiday indefinitely. I’ll let his assistant pick his line-up, but whilst keeping the same tactics.
Mexico vs. Ukraine
These are the two group favourites, but they both massively underperformed in the opening round of fixtures, which makes today’s fixture particularly crucial. A defeat will knock Ukraine out for certain, whilst a loss for Mexico wouldn’t technically eliminate them, but it would certainly leave them outsiders for qualification.
As you’d expect after a 0-0 draw, Mexico’s defensive players played well, and the attacking ones didn’t. The latter are given a chance to redeem themselves, and they name an unchanged XI. Ukraine’s 4-2-4 was exposed against Peru, so against group favourites Mexico it’s probably time to change. Teodorczyk comes out for Alan Patrick, and they move to a kind of 4-2-3-1. Additionally, Rakitskyi comes in for Kucher.
Alan Patrick makes an immediate impression, creating some space for himself with a neat turn of direction, but his shot is weak and easily held. In a similar fashion, Rodolfo Pizarro beats a couple of defenders before seeing his shot saved. Overall, Mexico dominate the opening stages of the match, and they open the scoring in the 14th minute when Montes belts a shot into the top corner from 20 yards. Another 14 minutes are needed for the second goal to come, as Lozano cuts inside and fizzes a low shot into the bottom corner. Ukraine are able to see out the rest of the half with no further damage, but they need a huge second half now to stay in the Draft World Cup.
Ukraine pull Alan Patrick back into midfield to go with a 4-3-3 formation for the second half, but it has no effect as it’s 3-0 within 9 minutes of the restart – Montes scoring another peach from range. Bernard goes on a solo run, but again cannot beat Marchesin. Ukraine are simply deflating like a punctured hot air balloon, and sub Gargano adds a fourth, thumping home a finish to a move so good that the game’s commentary loses its shit: “GOLAZO GOLAZO GOLAZO GOLAZO GOAL GOAL GOAL GOOOOOAL!!!” it screams. Amazingly, the wondergoals haven’t stopped, as Ukraine get a consolation through a 35-yard free kick from Rakitskyi. Full time, 4-1, and all five goals were of a high class.
That’s little consolation for an eliminated Ukraine, whilst Mexico will be happy to have clicked into place, and they should fancy their chances of confirming qualification in their final game.
Peru vs. Central Asia
Ukraine’s elimination means that at least one of these two sides will be in the final 16, something not many would have predicted, certainly before qualification, but even before the tournament kicked off. Here’s a glorious chance for both to get a win which will make favourites to be the ones who qualify.
Peru unsurprisingly opt to make no enforced changes after their win over Ukraine, with just Yglesias coming in for the suspended Riojas. With Gulnaz out, his assistant brings in Ilicevic and Gogua for the injured Geworkyan and Karpovich, whilst he also replaces Arzo with Simcevic.
Peru vs. Central Asia
Ukraine’s elimination means that at least one of these two sides will be in the final 16, something not many would have predicted, certainly before qualification, but even before the tournament kicked off. Here’s a glorious chance for both to get a win which will make favourites to be the ones who qualify.
Peru unsurprisingly opt to make no enforced changes after their win over Ukraine, with just Yglesias coming in for the suspended Riojas. With Gulnaz out, his assistant brings in Ilicevic and Gogua for the injured Geworkyan and Karpovich, whilst he also replaces Arzo with Simcevic.
Central Asia get us underway, and last under a minute before conceding their first goal of the campaign – a long ball from Rodriguez catches the Central Asia defence out, finding Avila in acres of space, and he chips Eric to put Peru with a foot in the last 16. Another long ball from the back is nodded down by Tejada to Avila, but this time his shot is wide. Not long after, Vargas finds himself in space out wide, and his cross is met by Avila, but this time the post denies him his second. Tejada copies his colleague, his towering header meeting the woodwork as Central Asia look ragged. We reach half time with the score only 1-0, but it really should be more for Peru.
Peru are soon regretting their wastefulness, as Central Asia equalise 5 minutes into the second half as a free kick is badly cleared, and Gohou meets it with a perfect volley. Despite Ilicevic carrying a knock, Arshavin is the one brought off for Ibraimi as Central Asia begin to chase victory. Avila just cannot find his second goal, a cracking shot from the edge of the box hits the crossbar. With time running out, Peruvian subs Ifran and Guastavino combine to send the latter through, but Eric pushes his shot behind. Ballon hits a long shot wide, and the final whistle is blown.
Peru were by far the stronger team in that match, but their failure to finish Central Asia off means they head into the final round of games with their fate still in the air. Central Asia’s doggedness sees them stay unbeaten, although their lack of wins also means that they are the outsiders to qualify.
Central Asia will have to beat the eliminated Ukraine to have any hope of qualifying, which they will guarantee with a win by at least two goals. Should Central Asia win, then Peru’s match with Mexico will be a tough match with one of the two being eliminated. If Ukraine can avoid a whitewash, then the other fixture will simply determine who tops the group. We’ll be returning later to see how this intriguing group finale pans out.
Next time
It’s the tournament’s group of death! 2010 and 2014 actual World Cup champions Spain and Germany are in the same group, alongside Yorkshire and Bulgaria, neither of whom are pushovers.
Next time
It’s the tournament’s group of death! 2010 and 2014 actual World Cup champions Spain and Germany are in the same group, alongside Yorkshire and Bulgaria, neither of whom are pushovers.