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.
We’re rapidly progressing through the qualification groups now, and Group H sees England start their campaign. Being able to call upon the Premier League’s vast array of riches, they really should have an easy qualification. Out to stop them will be Croatia, a regular foe of the English. A combined South American side is also going to be one to look out for, whilst South Korea will put up a fight as well. Less is expected of Hong Kong and East Africa, but after the results we’ve seen so far, who knows what might happen?
We’re rapidly progressing through the qualification groups now, and Group H sees England start their campaign. Being able to call upon the Premier League’s vast array of riches, they really should have an easy qualification. Out to stop them will be Croatia, a regular foe of the English. A combined South American side is also going to be one to look out for, whilst South Korea will put up a fight as well. Less is expected of Hong Kong and East Africa, but after the results we’ve seen so far, who knows what might happen?
Each side has up to £200m to spend, so let’s see how each squad lines up...
England
England
No pressure Sarah England, but you’re managing a side representing the BEST LEAGUE IN THE WORLD, as we are regularly told. She isn’t able to pick players from Yorkshire-based clubs, but that is unlikely to have a major effect on her selections, really. Unsurprisingly, her side – fitted into a high-tempo 4-4-2 (in the classic English style) – uses up the full £200m allocation.
More surprising is the fact that there aren’t too many outstanding players in this team, as Sarah goes for quality across the pitch. The key man is certainly Tottenham’s Dele Alli, who is paired alongside Actual Premier League Winner Danny Drinkwater. A surprise inclusion is Alan Judge (actually the side’s fifth-most expensive player), who has never played in the Premier League, but still adds plenty of quality on the flank. There is a classic quick-and-large pairing up front with Callum Wilson and Christian Benteke.
Croatia
More surprising is the fact that there aren’t too many outstanding players in this team, as Sarah goes for quality across the pitch. The key man is certainly Tottenham’s Dele Alli, who is paired alongside Actual Premier League Winner Danny Drinkwater. A surprise inclusion is Alan Judge (actually the side’s fifth-most expensive player), who has never played in the Premier League, but still adds plenty of quality on the flank. There is a classic quick-and-large pairing up front with Callum Wilson and Christian Benteke.
Croatia
Whilst the Croatia national team is a very dangerous side, the national league isn’t quite at the same level. The squad totals to a value of £91m, not a tiny amount, but there have certainly been teams who have failed to qualify with costlier squads. Partly inspired by the great 1998 Croatian side, Lucija Hrvatska is playing a 5-2-1-2, designed to break quickly.
The side’s highest-rated players are the front two, Algerian Hilal Soudani and Swiss Mario Gavranovic, both with international experience. Behind them is the very exciting young talent that is 19-year old Ante Coric, already a Croatian international. This is, in fact, a youthful side, as goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic is only 21, whilst substitutes Benkovic and Stojanovic are 19 and 20 respectively.
Hong Kong
The side’s highest-rated players are the front two, Algerian Hilal Soudani and Swiss Mario Gavranovic, both with international experience. Behind them is the very exciting young talent that is 19-year old Ante Coric, already a Croatian international. This is, in fact, a youthful side, as goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic is only 21, whilst substitutes Benkovic and Stojanovic are 19 and 20 respectively.
Hong Kong
With a squad totalling £8.2m, or one Martin Olsson, it’s no great exaggeration to say that Hong Kong will be primarily playing for pride. Marco Hong Kong is playing a defensive 4-1-4-1 in the hope of getting the most from his squad.
Lone striker Marcos is one of the side’s better players, after his career in the Spanish lower leagues, whilst midfielder Krisztian Vadocz has played for Osasuna, Motherwell and Auxerre, and so brings much-needed experience. At the back much will rest on Lima, a veteran of Brazilian football... albeit in the country's fourth tier. It's fair to say that very little will be expected of this side.
South Korea
Lone striker Marcos is one of the side’s better players, after his career in the Spanish lower leagues, whilst midfielder Krisztian Vadocz has played for Osasuna, Motherwell and Auxerre, and so brings much-needed experience. At the back much will rest on Lima, a veteran of Brazilian football... albeit in the country's fourth tier. It's fair to say that very little will be expected of this side.
South Korea
The South Korea league isn’t the most famous, but this side is going to be a threat. They are playing a 5-2-3, used by the South Korean side which reached the 2002 World Cup semi-finals. The side totals to an impressive £141m, but this includes £28.5m-rated Lee Jae-Kwon, a mediocre midfielder who Mi-Na Korea’s assistant only rates as ‘good’.
In fact, he doesn’t even make the XI. The side’s highest-rated player is striker Han Nam-Gyu, which is a little odd as (according to his career history) he has never played a professional match. At the back Danny Morais has experience of top-flight Brazilian football, whilst Kim Bo-Kyung played in the Premier League with Cardiff and Lee Dong-Gook played for Middlesbrough.
South America
In fact, he doesn’t even make the XI. The side’s highest-rated player is striker Han Nam-Gyu, which is a little odd as (according to his career history) he has never played a professional match. At the back Danny Morais has experience of top-flight Brazilian football, whilst Kim Bo-Kyung played in the Premier League with Cardiff and Lee Dong-Gook played for Middlesbrough.
South America
The Brazilian, Peruvian, Argentinian, Chilean, Colombian and Uruguayan leagues are playable within FM17, so they have their own sides in this competition. Therefore, the South American side takes its players from Paraguay Ecuador and Bolivia. A sum total of £113m suggests this side will be serious competitors in this group. They play a 4-2-3-1, with three AMCs all looking to interplay to unlock opposition defences.
Walter Gonzalez up front is a highly-rated 21-year old complete forward, with whom a lot of this side’s hopes lie. His understudy is at the other end of his career, and is none other than Roque Santa Cruz. Ruben Oliveira has represented Juventus, but the majority of this squad have played their careers in the Americas. Rodrigo Munoz is highly-rated in goal, despite his advancing years.
East Africa
Walter Gonzalez up front is a highly-rated 21-year old complete forward, with whom a lot of this side’s hopes lie. His understudy is at the other end of his career, and is none other than Roque Santa Cruz. Ruben Oliveira has represented Juventus, but the majority of this squad have played their careers in the Americas. Rodrigo Munoz is highly-rated in goal, despite his advancing years.
East Africa
The East African side comprises players from Ethiopia, Tanzania, Rwanda, South Sudan and Kenya – not exactly famous footballing nations. The squad totals a surprisingly high £49m, although some players’ valuations appear to be optimistic. With little to lose, Tefo East Africa is playing a very attacking 4-2-4.
Jemal Tassew is a solid goalkeeper, who can include the excellently-named Ethiopian Coffee on his CV. In midfield Justice Majabvi is a reliable ball-winner, who has experience of the Austrian Bundesliga, whilst striker Said Makasi has played in the top flights of Belgium, Israel and Turkey.
Matches 1-5
England started at home to Hong Kong, exactly the kind of banana skin that makes their fans nervous. However, two goals from Jagielka led them to a thrilling 6-1 victory. South America’s 2-0 win over South Korea in Asuncion should have been more, with 32 shots for the hosts. Their second goal came with a great long shot from Cardozo at the end of a flowing move. The biggest story of the round, however, was in Dar es Salaam, where hosts East Africa’s attacking football earned them a 3-2 victory over Croatia. They had in fact led 3-0 with under 10 minutes to go, but Croatia fought back through Soudani and Ejupi, and Tassew had to deny Stojanovic an equaliser.
Jemal Tassew is a solid goalkeeper, who can include the excellently-named Ethiopian Coffee on his CV. In midfield Justice Majabvi is a reliable ball-winner, who has experience of the Austrian Bundesliga, whilst striker Said Makasi has played in the top flights of Belgium, Israel and Turkey.
Matches 1-5
England started at home to Hong Kong, exactly the kind of banana skin that makes their fans nervous. However, two goals from Jagielka led them to a thrilling 6-1 victory. South America’s 2-0 win over South Korea in Asuncion should have been more, with 32 shots for the hosts. Their second goal came with a great long shot from Cardozo at the end of a flowing move. The biggest story of the round, however, was in Dar es Salaam, where hosts East Africa’s attacking football earned them a 3-2 victory over Croatia. They had in fact led 3-0 with under 10 minutes to go, but Croatia fought back through Soudani and Ejupi, and Tassew had to deny Stojanovic an equaliser.
With that victory secured, East Africa will have been very disappointed to leave Hong Kong with no points, goals from Praes and Lazari securing a 2-0 home victory. Meanwhile Croatia’s poor start became even more concerning as they went down 1-0 at home to South America, Pablo Escobar poking the only goal home. This meant South America went top of the table, as England could only draw 1-1 with South Korea. Despite Wilson’s early goal, a red card for Jonas Olsson just before the interval allowed South Korea to get back into the match through Lee Seung-Gi.
England got back to winning ways, albeit unconvincingly, as they squeezed past East Africa 2-1, Wilson and Benteke setting each other up for the goals. South America’s perfect start continued at home, with a solid 2-0 win over Hong Kong, both goals coming from Gonzalez. Meanwhile, Croatia finally got underway with a 1-0 win over South Korea, Gavranovic’s goal lifting his side’s hopes of qualification.
England got back to winning ways, albeit unconvincingly, as they squeezed past East Africa 2-1, Wilson and Benteke setting each other up for the goals. South America’s perfect start continued at home, with a solid 2-0 win over Hong Kong, both goals coming from Gonzalez. Meanwhile, Croatia finally got underway with a 1-0 win over South Korea, Gavranovic’s goal lifting his side’s hopes of qualification.
The next round can only be describes as a humdinger. Firstly, Croatia travelled to Hong Kong, where the two sides traded blows, Croatia eventually emerging 4-2 victors, only sealed by Soudani’s header in the 91st minute. In Seoul’s Olympic Stadium the hosts were at their most fluent in a thrilling 5-2 win over East Africa, a hat-trick for Han the highlight. But the biggest drama was at Wembley, where England aimed to usurp South America at the top of the table. Salguedo found some space in the box to give the visitors the lead, but Benteke’s powerful header levelled matters. South America re-took the lead when Raldes prodded home a corner, but 47 seconds later Callum Wilson had equalised. In the second half Wilson teed up Drinkwater to roll into an empty net, and with six minutes to go England’s job was made easier when Raldes tripped Wilson in the box. Raldes received his second yellow card, and Benteke’s penalty put England 4-2 up. A late goal for Gonzalez gave South America hope, but England held on for a vital victory.
England followed this up with their second five-goal victory over Hong Kong, 5-0 the scoreline as five different scorers found the net. This ensured they got to the halfway stage top of the table, and South America slipping 2-0 away in Seoul ensured England had a four-point cushion. Croatia secured revenge on East Africa, winning 2-0 in a very dull match to climb to second in the table.
Halfway into the group, and the table is as follows:
Squad changes
Despite having the chance to re-select their squad, England elect not to make any significant changes, with only Tyler Blackett brought in for added depth.
Croatia have injuries to Gavranovic and Andrijasevic to consider, so they bring in Angelo Henriques and Josip Misic as cover. Similarly, Hong Kong have to bring in Juninho Caieiras and Dani Cancela as injury cover for Ticao and Kim Dong-Jin. Meanwhile, South America add squad depth with the addition of Alejandro Chumacero.
Matches 6-9
England continued where they’d left off, a 2-1 win in Zagreb secured thanks to goals from Wilson and Leskovic (o.g.). This allowed South American to regain second place, as they cruised to a 4-0 win over East Africa, all four goals being beautiful, but the backheel by Cardozo to play Gonzalez through was a particular highlight. Elsewhere, South Korea took a straightforward 2-0 win over Hong Kong.
Despite having the chance to re-select their squad, England elect not to make any significant changes, with only Tyler Blackett brought in for added depth.
Croatia have injuries to Gavranovic and Andrijasevic to consider, so they bring in Angelo Henriques and Josip Misic as cover. Similarly, Hong Kong have to bring in Juninho Caieiras and Dani Cancela as injury cover for Ticao and Kim Dong-Jin. Meanwhile, South America add squad depth with the addition of Alejandro Chumacero.
Matches 6-9
England continued where they’d left off, a 2-1 win in Zagreb secured thanks to goals from Wilson and Leskovic (o.g.). This allowed South American to regain second place, as they cruised to a 4-0 win over East Africa, all four goals being beautiful, but the backheel by Cardozo to play Gonzalez through was a particular highlight. Elsewhere, South Korea took a straightforward 2-0 win over Hong Kong.
Croatia were cast further adrift of the automatic qualification spaces when they fell 2-0 away to South America, Gonzalez and Raldes doing the damage. 2nd-placed South America will have had mixed emotions as England hosted South Korea; the visitors in 3rd place, England in top spot. As it was, England came back from going behind to a stunning Ki-Hoon free kick to cruise to a 3-1 victory. In the battle of the minnows, East Africa were frustrated as a Hong Kong penalty meant that a one-sided match finished 1-1.
East Africa, however, would prefer frustration to humiliation, which is exactly what they received at Wembley. Within 15 minutes England were 4-0 up, including a Benteke hat-trick, and the final score was 8-2 to the hosts (whose shot map is below). South America kept up a bit of pressure on the (now already qualified) England with a routine 3-0 win over Hong Kong. Croatia travelled to Seoul knowing that a loss would be disastrous for their chances of even securing a play-off space. They got off to the perfect start when Antolic fired home from the edge of the box, but five minutes later Ki-Hoon volleyed Korea level. It was a very even match, so it will have particularly hurt Croatia when Windbichler fired home what proved to be the winner just after the break.
Croatia’s run of three successive defeats was finally halted as they recorded a simple 2-0 home victory over Hong Kong, but if Korea could win in East Africa, Croatia would still be eliminated. Instead, the hosts raced to a 2-0 lead with goals from Teshome and Lomami. Korea came back, first through Ki-Hoon (again) and then Dong-Gook. Both sides pushed for a winner, and to the relief of Croatians it came from Teshome, his free kick taking a huge deflection and wrong-footing Gun-Yeop. To Asuncion England travelled, knowing a win would secure top spot in the group. However, Salguedo headed South America into the lead. England were soon level through Alli, and despite only having 8 shots to South America’s 18, two Wilson goals secured a 3-1 win and top spot in the group. The good news for the hosts, though, is that the other results had already secured their top-two berth.
Heading into the final round, the table looks like this:
Heading into the final round, the table looks like this:
With 1st and 2nd already decided, it all comes down to South Korea vs. Croatia for the play-off spot. The bad news for the latter is that they have to travel to Wembley, whilst Korea travel to Hong Kong. South Korea’s first target will be to get the win which confirms them in third place, but should they win by at least three, they will become the fourth-best 3rd-placed team in qualifying, and stand a chance of automatically qualifying for the Draft World Cup.
East Africa vs. South America
Neither team has much to play for here, but they do serve up an exciting match, South America prevailing 2-1, with an East African equaliser and a Gonzalez winner in the final 10 minutes.
South America’s 21 points is an excellent tally for a second-placed team, and it could help them get a good draw in the finals. East Africa took two surprising 3-2 wins against Croatia and South Korea, and had they managed to get wins in their games against Hong Kong they could have been in the conversation for a play-off spot.
England vs. Croatia
Croatia have to win to give themselves a chance of getting into the play-offs, although they’d still need South Korea to fail to beat Hong Kong. England, meanwhile, have a chance to go through the campaign unbeaten.
England have no injuries or suspensions, and with all of their XI averaging at least 7.07 they name an unchanged team. Croatia, however, have both full-backs suspended, whilst Coric is injured. Their replacements are of a similar quality, so they aren’t too diminished.
East Africa vs. South America
Neither team has much to play for here, but they do serve up an exciting match, South America prevailing 2-1, with an East African equaliser and a Gonzalez winner in the final 10 minutes.
South America’s 21 points is an excellent tally for a second-placed team, and it could help them get a good draw in the finals. East Africa took two surprising 3-2 wins against Croatia and South Korea, and had they managed to get wins in their games against Hong Kong they could have been in the conversation for a play-off spot.
England vs. Croatia
Croatia have to win to give themselves a chance of getting into the play-offs, although they’d still need South Korea to fail to beat Hong Kong. England, meanwhile, have a chance to go through the campaign unbeaten.
England have no injuries or suspensions, and with all of their XI averaging at least 7.07 they name an unchanged team. Croatia, however, have both full-backs suspended, whilst Coric is injured. Their replacements are of a similar quality, so they aren’t too diminished.
Soudani has an early sight of goal following a Croatian counter-attack, but his shot flashes narrowly over. Similarly, a long shot from Judge fails to test the keeper. In the 35th minute Judge finds space out wide, and a pinpoint cross is powered home by Wilson. Just before half time Leskovic finds himself free at a corner, but he fails to beat Heaton with his close-range volley, and we reach half-time with England in the lead.
England bring on Hause for the second half, as Martin Olssen has had a poor game, whilst Croatia push their full-backs up to mark England’s wingers. However, that does nothing to prevent Phillips finding Wilson with another excellent cross, and the Bournemouth striker doubles his tally. He soon has a hat-trick, a poor Schildenfeld clearance allowing Judge to play him through. Croatia have no answer for England’s attacks, and Wilson tees up Alli for a point-blank header for 4-0. Pivaric hits the crossbar with a free-kick, before Wilson runs the length of the pitch, only to miss when one-on-one. With six minutes to go Gavranovic is played clean through, but contrives to hit the post when a goal seemed certain. In stoppage time Croatia finally got their goal, as Soudani fired home following a free kick, but from kick-off England race upfield, and Wilson knocks a cross down for Benteke to prod in.
England bring on Hause for the second half, as Martin Olssen has had a poor game, whilst Croatia push their full-backs up to mark England’s wingers. However, that does nothing to prevent Phillips finding Wilson with another excellent cross, and the Bournemouth striker doubles his tally. He soon has a hat-trick, a poor Schildenfeld clearance allowing Judge to play him through. Croatia have no answer for England’s attacks, and Wilson tees up Alli for a point-blank header for 4-0. Pivaric hits the crossbar with a free-kick, before Wilson runs the length of the pitch, only to miss when one-on-one. With six minutes to go Gavranovic is played clean through, but contrives to hit the post when a goal seemed certain. In stoppage time Croatia finally got their goal, as Soudani fired home following a free kick, but from kick-off England race upfield, and Wilson knocks a cross down for Benteke to prod in.
A 5-1 final score secures England’s eighth straight win, and a total 28 points from 30. For Croatia, they were well-placed halfway into the campaign, but they failed to win key clashes in six-pointers in the second half of the season.
Hong Kong vs. South Korea
The Croatian defeat means South Korea are sure of a play-off place, although a win by 3 gives them a small chance of automatic qualification.
The hosts have a number of underperforming players, but with very little in the way of quality cover they stick where they can – Vadocz is injured and replaced by Joao Emir. This means Marcos continues up front despite nine goalless appearances. South Korea are able to name a full-strength XI.
Hong Kong vs. South Korea
The Croatian defeat means South Korea are sure of a play-off place, although a win by 3 gives them a small chance of automatic qualification.
The hosts have a number of underperforming players, but with very little in the way of quality cover they stick where they can – Vadocz is injured and replaced by Joao Emir. This means Marcos continues up front despite nine goalless appearances. South Korea are able to name a full-strength XI.
Despite early Korean pressure, Hong Kong are the first to test their opponent’s keeper, a long shot from Ticao easily held by Gun-Yeop. Hong Kong have adopted a shoot-on-sight policy, given that they don’t create many chances, but it doesn’t stop Nam-Gyu opening the scoring 21 minutes in from the edge of the box, and it is 1-0 at the break.
The second half drifts along with neither team doing much to force the issue. Despite Hong Kong bringing on a second striker, they were still never in danger of scoring, and the match finishes 1-0, and Korea know they will be in the play-offs. That is a good result for Korea, given how easily England and South America took the top spots.
Final results
The second half drifts along with neither team doing much to force the issue. Despite Hong Kong bringing on a second striker, they were still never in danger of scoring, and the match finishes 1-0, and Korea know they will be in the play-offs. That is a good result for Korea, given how easily England and South America took the top spots.
Final results
Qualified for the Draft World Cup: Yorkshire, Italy, Switzerland, Belgium, Greece, Ukraine, Central Africa, Spain, China, France, Germany, Central Asia, Portugal, Romania, England, South America
3rd place (either automatic qualification or play-offs): Peru, North Africa, Bulgaria, Hungary, South Korea, Slovakia, Norway, Chile
Best average rating: Callum Wilson (ENG) 8.60; Christian Benteke (ENG) 8.17; Phil Jagielka (ENG) 7.92
Most goals: Callum Wilson (ENG) 15; Christian Benteke (ENG) 11; Walter Gonzalez (SAM) 8
Team of the group: Heaton (ENG); Jagielka (ENG), Raldes (SAM), J Olsson (ENG); Phillips (ENG), Drinkwater (ENG), Alli (ENG), Judge (ENG); Wilson (ENG), Gonzalez (SAM), Benteke (ENG)
Match of the group: England 4-3 South America
Goal of the group
It's democracy in action, as you can vote for which goal gets this award. Using the tabs below you can view the three candidates and vote for your choice.
3rd place (either automatic qualification or play-offs): Peru, North Africa, Bulgaria, Hungary, South Korea, Slovakia, Norway, Chile
Best average rating: Callum Wilson (ENG) 8.60; Christian Benteke (ENG) 8.17; Phil Jagielka (ENG) 7.92
Most goals: Callum Wilson (ENG) 15; Christian Benteke (ENG) 11; Walter Gonzalez (SAM) 8
Team of the group: Heaton (ENG); Jagielka (ENG), Raldes (SAM), J Olsson (ENG); Phillips (ENG), Drinkwater (ENG), Alli (ENG), Judge (ENG); Wilson (ENG), Gonzalez (SAM), Benteke (ENG)
Match of the group: England 4-3 South America
Goal of the group
It's democracy in action, as you can vote for which goal gets this award. Using the tabs below you can view the three candidates and vote for your choice.
Next time
Group I appears to be a two-horse race between Turkey and Argentina, with the likes of South Africa and Wales unlikely to put up a huge challenge. Also, we will start learning which 3rd-placed sides automatically qualify for the Draft World Cup.
Group I appears to be a two-horse race between Turkey and Argentina, with the likes of South Africa and Wales unlikely to put up a huge challenge. Also, we will start learning which 3rd-placed sides automatically qualify for the Draft World Cup.