Group D had arguably the most exciting finish yet in this series, so hopefully Group E can live up to that! The top seeds here are France, but given the players China can call upon it’ll be a very even fight between two superleagues. Notionally, Bulgaria are second seeds, but they may find themselves fighting for a play-off spot against Ireland and the Caribbean. Meanwhile the Central Europe side will be the group’s underdogs.
The cash is splashed on Radamel Falcao (£33m) and West Ham favourite Dimitri Payet (£32m). Falcao is partnered with the wildcard Mario Balotelli, who should certainly entertain. The star in midfield is Benjamin Andre of Stade Rennais, whilst the defence is marshalled by Nicolas Nkoudou. There should always be a Diarra in the side, as Lassana’s understudy is World Cup runner-up Alou.
Bulgaria
Jonathan Cafu, striker for Ludogorets, is the side’s highest-rated player, whilst his club teammate Marcelinho is an excellent creative force in midfield. These are two of the six Brazilian-born players in a squad relatively devoid of big names. Even Cicinho at right back is not the same Cicinho who played at right back for Real Madrid and AS Roma yonks ago.
China
The Chinese league is full of teams mismatched with megastars and domestic fillers. This squad is little different, with a particular weakness with two Chinese goalkeepers worth less than 0.4% of the squad’s total. The world’s highest-paid player Carlos Tevez is given free rein in an AMC position, where he will try and profit from knock-downs from Graziano Pelle. Gael Kakuta and Gervinho complete an ex-Premiership front four. With so much money used on forwards, the defence isn’t the most formidable, and a lot will rest on Stephane Mbia’s shoulders.
Ireland
Ronan Finn in the midfield was once a star player for my FIFA12 side, but other than that there are very few players of note, with the biggest star probably being Colin Healy, once of Celtic and Sunderland around the start of the century.
Central Europe
Jonathan Joubert, with 76 caps for Luxembourg, is the side’s most valuable player, whilst Juvenal has recently moved to Andorra after a career in the Spanish lower leagues. But the most remarkable name in this team is Javier Saviola, the Argentinian star, once bought for £18.25m by Barcelona in 2001. I’m not sure many people knew he was still playing top flight football, albeit in the Andorran Primera Divisio.
Caribbean
Allan Ottey leads the line, a pacey winger put up front who'll try and break at pace. His partner up front, Dino Williams, is no slouch either. A wildcard selection in this squad is former Sheffield Wednesday maverick Jermaine Johnson, who can play on either flank and who isn’t afraid to have a blast from range. In fact, I've spent many an afternoon at Hillsborough wondering which fan in the upper tiers he'll accidentally hit the ball at.
Matches 1-5
The group’s two lowest-valued teams start off against each other, and it’s Ireland who overcome the Caribbean at the Aviva Stadium, a brace from St Pat’s Chris Fagan the only goals. Pelle was also off the mark with a couple of goals, his contribution vital as China beat Bulgaria 3-2 in an entertaining match. In the remaining match France were frustrated by Central Europe, and a 0-0 draw represents a concerning start for Hugo France’s team.
France look to put this behind them when they hosted Ireland, but despite leading from the 10th minute, a loose tackle from Nkoudou (the French goalscorer) gave Ireland an 83rd-minute penalty, which Danny North scored, with Ireland’s second shot of the match, to earn a point. Bulgaria powered to a 4-1 win over Central Europe, Saviola’s beautiful long strike (below) little consolation. In Kingston there was an utter thriller, as China led the Caribbean 3-1 after 41 minutes, but somehow contrived to lose 5-3, Ottey and Williams repeatedly exposed the Chinese defence’s sluggishness.
France got going in thrilling fashion, a 4-0 win over the Caribbean including a pair of goals for each of their strikers, the two from Balotelli both great shots from range. Ireland’s spell at the top of the table was ended with a thud, as they lost 3-0 to Bulgaria. They were replaced at the head of the table by China, whose edgy win over Central Europe was enough to move them above the rest.
This means at the halfway stage, the table looks like this:
Squad changes
Despite the wealth of options France have to potentially bring in, they choose to keep their same squad, although Bordeaux youngster Michael Nilor comes in to deepen a small squad. China axe the poorly performing Junior Urso (whose name I can only assume means Little Bear), bringing in Nikola Petkovic and Ricardo Carvalho as replacements.
The other clubs don’t need to remove players to free up funds. Bulgaria bring in Nikolay Bodurov as defensive cover, whilst the Caribbean replace the injured Eric Vernan with LeVaughn Williams. Ireland elect to bring in a bit of experience as Stephen McPhail and Keith Treacy, both with English Premiership experience, come in.
Matches 6-9
For the third time in the Caribbean hit five, Central Europe put to the sword in a 5-1 thrashing. Ottey hits his second hat-trick of the campaign, whilst LeVaughn Williams scored on debut. China were also in free-scoring form as they overcame Ireland 4-2, two goals for both Tevez and Kakuta. China had led 4-0 after 33 minutes, so Ireland will actually be fairly pleased to only lose by two. France’s position became even more precarious as they lost 2-0 in Plovdiv, a brace from Jonathan Cafu giving Bulgaria a great win. More bad news for France came in the form of an injury for Falcao.
France recovered to win 2-0 in Dublin, goals from Lassana Diarra and Nkoudou. However, they lost their other first-choice striker, as Balotelli picked up a knock at the end of the match. As the Caribbean travelled to Beijing, goals were to be expected between two free-flowing teams, and we weren’t disappointed as China prevailed 3-1. Bulgaria would have expected a straightforward three points in Central Europe, especially after going 2-0 up. However, Central Europe came back to level at 2-2 Saviola creating both goals, and had chances to win. But the match was settled in Bulgaria’s favour with a 90th-minute goal from Claudiu Keseru, his seventh in seven.
Ireland vs. Bulgaria
Bulgaria are in the classic difficult position where they have one eye on the place below them, and one on the place above them. A win here would give them a chance of automatic qualification should France fail to win. However, a defeat would allow the Caribbean to potentially take the play-off spot Bulgaria are currently in. Ireland’s good start has been followed by six consecutive defeats, and they will just be looking to restore a touch of pride.
Ireland have no selection issues, and field their strongest XI. Jonathan Cafu has been key for Bulgaria, with six assists and two goals. However, he is carrying a knock and is only fit enough for the bench. Other than that, Bulgaria field their strongest XI.
This means regardless of results elsewhere, Bulgaria have secured a third-place finish. In a highly competitive group this isn’t to be sniffed at, but with two matches to go they were level with China and ahead of France. Therefore, Bulgaria need to win in the play-offs if they are to avoid regretting the way this group ended.
Caribbean vs. France
The Bulgaria result means that the Caribbean are eliminated, whilst France are automatically qualified for the Draft World Cup. France can still steal top spot with a win and no Chinese win.
The Caribbean’s side are all in good form, and so the only chance they make is enforced. It’s a big one, though, as Dicoy Williams, rock of the defence, misses out through injury. France’s outfield ten all average at least 7, and they have a goal difference of +13. France should have walked this group, but a terrible start has held them up. With no injuries or suspensions, France have no reason to change their side.
Just before the hour mark Balotelli slips a ball through to Falcao, and he places it beyond Williams to give France the lead. Shortly after the lead was doubled thanks to a Payet trademark free kick. France may have become a little complacent, as this was cut back to one goal, the Caribbean scoring a goal identical to their opener. And in the 84th minute a Caribbean corner wasn’t cleared, it was worked back to substitute Jermaine Johnson, and he fired powerfully in to equalise. A Jamaican win nearly came about as Dino Williams hit the foot of the post in the 91st minute. As it was, the match ended 3-3 draw, with both teams perhaps thinking they could have won.
China vs. Central Europe
Due to France’s failure to win, China have already secured the top spot. However, a win is still important to them, as the seeds in the group stage of the Draft World Cup will depend on performance in qualification.
As China’s full backs aren’t their strong point, and because Central Europe have a narrow formation, China elect to play a 3-3-3-1, with Jucilei and Carvalho coming in. Central Europe name their usual line-up.
China would have always been expected to challenge for the top spot of the group given the riches at their disposal. But it is still a major success to have achieved that in the face of French opposition. Central Europe had a decent stab at frustrating teams, but they will have been very disappointed in finishing behind two teams with smaller budgets.
Final results
3rd place (either automatic qualification or play-offs): Peru, North Africa, Bulgaria, Slovakia, Chile
Best average rating: Dimitri Payet (FRA) 7.79; Carlos Tevez (CHN) 7.77; Radamel Falcao (FRA) 7.73
Most goals: Allan Ottey (CAR), Carlos Tevez (CHN) 9; Claudiu Keseru (BUL) 8
Team of the group: Costil (FRA); Theophile-Catherine (FRA), Perrin (FRA), Nkoulou (FRA); Anicet (BUL), L Diarra (FRA), Marcelinho (BUL), Payet (FRA); Tevez (CHN), Ottey (CAR), Falcao (FRA)
Match of the group: Caribbean 5-3 China
Goal of the group
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The reigning champions of the actual World Cup rock up, as Germany face a tame-looking group where the main threats come from Israel, Hungary and Denmark.