PH71's Cool Runnings Challenge

[PaulHartman71]

The Cool Runnings Challenge

Literally just had this idea, thought it could be a pretty good idea for a challenge, hopefully a few people will give it a go

Part 1 - 'Nuff people say, you know they can't believe, Jamaica, we have a bobsled team.'

You used to be a famous footballer, you competed for United States of America in a few World Cups, create an American Manager with International Rep. Now, takeover a team that has previously never been to the World Cup. A few of the Countries you could be are:

• Guinea - aaberdeenn
• Finland
• Mali - Walcott's Wonderkids, roberto922
  
• Moldova
• FYR Macedonia - DanTheMan
• Uzbekistan - gazagaz
• Belarus - dave safc
• Lithuania
• Venezuela
• Cyprus - PaulHartman71
• Burkina Faso - ToMexico!!
• Slovakia
• Latvia
• Bahrain - bawbag the gr8
• Zambia
• Qatar - arkitekt88
• Bosnia-Herzegovina
• Gabon
• Equatorial Guinea
• Cape Verde Islands
• Rwanda
• Zimbabwe - dave safc
• Suriname
• Georgia
• Libya
• Oman
• Gambia
• Kenya - rancer890
• Panama - Razer82
• Armenia
• Uganda
• Iceland - MikaelS
• Syria
• Guatemala - Adam C
• Albania
• Benin
• United Arab Emirates - O'Hara_Fan
• Solomon Islands - Lower Leagues Rule
  

Key: Doing the Challenge. Completed the Challenge. Failed the Challenge

To complete part 1 of the Challenge you must qualify for the 2010 World Cup!


Part 2 - 'Seemin' to you nobody likes us? We're different. People are always afraid of what's different.'

You've made it to the World Cup, but one tiny drawback, all the other Countries think you are an embarrassment and throw abuse at you, time for you to prove them wrong. To complete Part 2 of the challenge you must Qualify from the Group Stage, making the 1st Knockout Round!

Part 3 - 'Feel the rhythm! Feel the rhyme! Get on up, its bobsled time! COOL RUNNINGS!'

You've defied the odds, and you've done it with everyone laughing at you, well done! To complete Part 3 of the challenge you must complete your World Cup campaign, it doesn't matter if you lose in the 1st Knockout Round or Win the World Cup you will still complete this part of the challenge.

Part 4 - 'The Jamaican Bobsled team returned to their country as heroes. Four Years later, they returned to the Olympics...As equals.'

To complete the final part of the challenge part 4, simply qualify for the 2014 World Cup, your performance in the 2014 doesn't matter.

Rules:

1. You MUST have all players from the Nation that you have chosen to be, however you can't have any other additional players from Nations loaded.
2. The 'Country' you run, league wise doesn't matter in the slightest as you wont at anytime be allowed to manage a League side.
3. Screen-Shots must be provided after completing each Part of the challenge.
4. If you are sacked then you MUST restart the challenge.


How to Post a Screenshot

1. While in FM, press the 'Prt Sc' button (usually next to F12 on your keyboard).

2. Open an image editing program such as Paint and paste the image

3. Save the file as a JPEG

4. Upload the image to an image hosting website such as Photobucket or Imageshack

5. Post the direct Url to the image here.

One More Thing

I don't intend for this challenge to have a point system or anything, it's just merely a relaxing challenge where the aim of the challenge is to compete the 4 parts of the challenge, you set your own difficulty level by choosing which team you are.

The Winners (the people that have so far completed the challenge) -

MikaelS and Iceland!

[Lower Leagues Rule]

Oh hell I love it best challenge I have seen in a while
I may attempt this at some point soon
See how my Experiment goes first

[PaulHartman71]

Thank You LLR, any attempts are welcome, I will be attempting it myself sometime over the weekend

[rancer890]

Nice challenge. I might try this with Kenya, just cuz I actually managed them before (only played African Cup of Nations though)

[anthaa87]

Im going to be VENEZUELA!!! WILL post some screenies once i start ASAP

This is fun

Jump on Board Lads

[Walcott\'s Wonderkids]

Sounds like a nice quick challenge, plus I like International Management.

Will give this a go.

[anthaa87]

iM Going to start now, but am not going to be an american manager lol

[Lower Leagues Rule]

I think when I do it it will be with Qatar Have a great Qatari Goal Keeper in FML, so I think that is where I will be plying my American arse :P

[roberto922]

I'll try it when I get my laptop back, good challenge it's alot like the classic challenges.

[haza555]

Jamaica have been to the world cup?

[apchivers]

Will try this with iceland, sounds like a good challenge

[arkitekt88]

of course
ill give it a go with iceland

[arkitekt88]

lol ill try with qatar then

[PaulHartman71]

Jamaica have been to the world cup?

Yes, Jamaica competed in the 1998 World Cup in France. They featured in Group H which also had Argentina, Croatia and Japan. Jamaica lost 3-1 to Croatia, 5-0 to Argentina, but beat Japan 2-1 to finish 3rd in the group.

[Charlesbeams]

nice challenge, ill give it a go sometime. i think it will be pretty hard qualifying, nevermind the rest of it

[Adam C]

Great challenge Paul

What if I fail to qualify for the world cup 2010? or If I fail to progress through the group stages? Then do I have to get to the 1st knock-out round in world cup 2016? And qualify for the next one?

[arkitekt88]

Asian world cup quali 1st round

[Lower Leagues Rule]

I think when I do it it will be with Qatar Have a great Qatari Goal Keeper in FML, so I think that is where I will be plying my American arse :P

*cries* someone else took Qatar, hmmm ok I will think about who else I wanna play with

[PaulHartman71]

Great challenge Paul

What if I fail to qualify for the world cup 2010? or If I fail to progress through the group stages? Then do I have to get to the 1st knock-out round in world cup 2016? And qualify for the next one?

You have to qualify for the World Cup 2010 or you will have to restart the challenge, if you fail to get to the 1st knock-out round then you will have to restart the challenge unfortunately. Oh and Part 4 is to qualify for the 2014 World Cup, there isn't one in 2016.

[PaulHartman71]

I wouldn't worry about doing the same team as someone else, i'll probably fail with all of them anyway

[Adam C]

Going to start as Guatemala for the memorable achievement in the American International Contest lol

[Adam C]

FRIENDLY:
Panama 0 - 0 Guatemala

After dominating possesion and being in control of the game throughout, my Guatemala side failed to make a breakthrough, but I'm happy with the performance and the fans were as well. Decent signs for the future, (bar the fact our strikers were poor lol)

[dave safc]

Love a bit of International management so I'm giving this a go with Zimbabwe

[Adam C]

Friendly:

Guatemala 4 - 2 Costa Rica

My Scorers:
Fredy Thompson (14)
Gonzalo Romero (19)
Carlos Ruiz (39, 60)

So a great win and a much better performence from my strikers

[PaulHartman71]

well done Adam C, hoping to do what Guatemala did in the All American Contest I see

[Adam C]

Ok, here our my last scores:

Friendly: Guatemala 1 - 1 Grenada 17.11.2007
World Cup Quals. 1st phase 2nd round leg 1: Surinam 1 - 3 Guatemala 07.06.08

We're about to play the 2nd leg at home to Surinam, we look home and dry but we have to ensure victory.

By the way, I holiday between Games to picking my squad which is why my game goes quicker.

[Adam C]

well done Adam C, hoping to do what Guatemala did in the All American Contest I see

Yeah lol, but it's gonna be though, but I can hope

[PaulHartman71]

Ok, here our my last scores:

Friendly: Guatemala 1 - 1 Grenada 17.11.2007
World Cup Quals. 1st phase 2nd round leg 1: Surinam 1 - 3 Guatemala 07.06.08

We're about to play the 2nd leg at home to Surinam, we look home and dry but we have to ensure victory.

By the way, I holiday between Games to picking my squad which is why my game goes quicker.

I normally do that too, no point waiting around 100 days for the next match

[Adam C]

World Cup Quals. 1st phase 2nd round leg 2:

Guatemala 3 - 0 Surinam

My Scorers:
Marco Pappa (8)
Hernan Sandoval (26,42)

[Adam C]

Group Drawn for Second Phase (Top 2 qualify for Qualification phase 3):
El Salvador
Guatemala
Honduras
Mexico

So I reckon We can make 2nd with some luck but I doubt our chances against Mexico.

[PaulHartman71]

Congratulations on making the second phase, like you said I doubt your chances against Mexico but I reckon you have a decent chance of making second

[Walcott\'s Wonderkids]

I would like to introduce to you all to Brucie Bonus, the new manager of Mali.

Hoping for Kanoute, Sissoko and Diarra can help Mali reach their first ever World Cup Finals.

[PaulHartman71]

Good Luck WW

[roberto922]

I might go as Slovakia, I'll start the game tomorrow.

[Walcott\'s Wonderkids]

The first round qualifying draw has been made in Africa for the World Cup and we should hopefully be able to beat our opponents:

WC2010 Quals 1st Round Draw


Ranked 141st in the world, they should be there for the taking!!!

[PaulHartman71]

looks like an easy start there WW

[arkitekt88]

a 0-0 away draw against Yemen has put me in good stead for the 2nd leg against Sri Lanka comming up

[arkitekt88]

Qatar safely through
Qatar dominated 4-0 at home to go through to the group stage 7-1 on agg

[arkitekt88]

lost 5-3 to uzbekistan in a friendly
and then drew 1-1 with oman away

[DodgeeD]

Great idea. I think a couple of international challenges are needed in the forum.

I'll give it a go when/if I win the Champions League with Blsany.

[arkitekt88]

drawn in group 4 with Iran, Singapore and Lebanon
Iran should top the group on paper but hope fully i can give them a run for thier money
being 65th in the rankings i should steer qatar into the next phase with sinapore and lebanon hovering around the 100th place mark.
away form will need to be spot on and need to make our home a fortress

[O\'Hara_fan]

Since I have nowt better to do for a couple of days, thought I would start this challenge as manager of the United Arab Emirates.

[Charlesbeams]

hahaha oops, posted in the wrong thread

[Walcott\'s Wonderkids]

Before our World Cup Qualifying campaign can get underway, Mali have a couple of African Nations Quals to complete. First up Libya, who were well and truly demolished!




With that Mali confirmed their place in the African Nations 2008.

[PaulHartman71]

nice little thumping you gave them WW

[PluckaDuck]

I reckon I'll give the mighty Finland a go. May be hard as competition is strong in Europe

[arkitekt88]

into the group stage and all of a sudden there needs to be some serious thinking in qatar.
lost to singapore away 2-1 and then to iran at home. i was 1-0 up with 2mins to go then my key defender got injured with no back up :s. then it all went to pot, iran scored twice on 89 and 90 mins to win the game 2-1. heartbreak so far

[uusinjsh]

i would try this with latvia if the national team wouldn't be so hopeless

[PaulHartman71]

didn't you qualify for Euro 2004 though?

Admittedly you lost every game, but you got there nonetheless

[Walcott\'s Wonderkids]

So on to the last match in the African Nations Quals, a home game against Tunisia and with the World Cup Quals 1st Round 1st Leg only 4 days afterwards and having already qualified, I decided to rest a couple of players.



2 games in and still nobody has even tried to shoot against me yet - the chickens!!!

[PaulHartman71]

Hopefully getting to the World Cup will be that easy WW

[Razer82]

Doing well so far WW. Good luck for the rest of qualifying.

I might have a go at this, just have a question though.

How are people dealing with the large breaks between internationals? Are you just holidaying through them?

[PaulHartman71]

I'd holiday through them if you want, there's no point in waiting 100 days for a match imo

[Walcott\'s Wonderkids]

Yeah I just holiday through to the next squad selection date, might pause the holiday after a month or so just to read up on the news but apart from that, just holidaying.


World Cup 2010 Qual 1st Round

Mauritius 0 v 4 Mali

Unbelievable, the opposition had the nerve to take a shot at goal

Admittedly the 2 shots weren't on target so 3 games in and the keeper hasn't had to make a save yet!

Kanoute would have had a hattrick if his injury time penalty at the end of the game hadn't been saved!


Mali 2 v 0 Mauritius

2nd Leg was a formality and with one shot off target Mali have now played 4 games and not had to face a shot on target!!!

Mali win 6-0 on agg to progress.






This is quite a tough group, Senegal won't be easy but to also to have to beat Ivory Coast to qualify for the World Cup will be a tough ask! They might even have a shot on target against me.

[PaulHartman71]

is it 5 games or 10 WW?

[Walcott\'s Wonderkids]

is it 5 games or 10 WW?

10 games, played all teams home and away. If I can draw with Ivory Coast away and hope other teams take a few points off them then I have a chance.

[Razer82]

Yeah I just holiday through to the next squad selection date, might pause the holiday after a month or so just to read up on the news but apart from that, just holidaying.

Is there somewhere that show's the squad selection dates then?

[Walcott\'s Wonderkids]

Is there somewhere that show's the squad selection dates then?

When you go to the 'go on holiday' screen, it comes up with the options... next week, next month, next match and next squad selection date.

[Gazza D]

i am going to attempt this with Georgia

[PaulHartman71]

Good Luck Gazza

[Walcott\'s Wonderkids]

Mali's African Nations Cup 2008 Campaign

Group Stages

Mali were drawn in a group with Botswana, Gabon & Ghana, with the top 2 qualifying for the Q Finals.


Mali 3 v 0 Botswana

Nice comfortable victory here, although plaudits go to Botswana for being the 1st nation to have a shot on target against us!!!




This was a fantastic game, the tournament hosts Ghana went 3-0 within 30 minutes and I was starting to think of being on the wrong end of a cricket score, but the guys fought back and near the end we looked like we might even have snatched a winner. Cracking game for the neutrals.


Gabon 1 v 3 Mali

Solid win, but with Ghana winning their final game 4-0 they pipped me to first place in the group.







Q Final Draw

So Mali are to face Nigeria in the Quarter Finals, this won't be an easy match and I am satisfied to have got this far.

The Malian fans and FA love me already which is a good sign.

[roberto922]

Good luck WW

[Walcott\'s Wonderkids]

African Nations 2008 Knockout Stages


Quarter Final Results

So Mali v Nigeria was the quarter final. How would Mali deal with the Yak and Martins upfront - well actually surprisingly well!!

Nigeria offered little and it was actually a reasonably comfy victory.






Semi Final Results

Cameroon took the lead after 30 odd minutes, but we played really well this game and our focus on short passing and being dangerous from corners meant that we overturned this lead to get us into the FINAL!!!

Kanoute scored again and my main striker is starting to come good at the right time.




In the Final, we will face the hosts Ghana again... could there be a repeat of another 3-3 classic?!

[O\'Hara_fan]

Good Luck sir.

[DodgeeD]

Good luck in the final WW.

That must give you good confidence going into the WCQ Group.

[PaulHartman71]

what DodgeeD said, you must be pretty confident going into the World Cup Qualifiers now

[Walcott\'s Wonderkids]

what DodgeeD said, you must be pretty confident going into the World Cup Qualifiers now

Aye, certainly a confidence boost - I had no idea how good Mali were going to be when I took them over. I knew they had 2 or 3 decent players but didn't know about strength in depth - I've been pleasantly surprised.

Yeah, I'm confident that I can hold my own now against the Ivory Coast and Senegal but it still won't be easy!

[Walcott\'s Wonderkids]

African Nations Cup Final 2008

So the Final was a repeat of a group stage game. Importantly for Mali, Michael Essien was suspended for the Final for Ghana and my captain and midfield lynchpin Mahamadou Diarra was back from his suspension in the semi final game.

It was a fairly even start to the game, but then Ghana started to become the better of the 2 sides and after half an hour took the lead from a corner on the right.

Into the 2nd half and we started to pile on the pressure and started to play the ball more direct but it looked as if we were never going to get an equaliser. Then, in the 89th minute Kanoute found some space free on the left and the ball was played through to him. Kanoute ran in on goal, rounded the keeper and tucked the ball home to the despair of the home fans.

However Ghana had a couple of chances to win it in injury time, my keeper coming off his line well to make crucial blocks.

Into extra time and the game took on a more cautious approach as both teams tired. With 5 minutes of extra time remaining and penalties looking likely, Mali won a corner down the left. The ball was crossed in and my central defender flicked his header towards goal.... it hit the bar and bounced down into the 6 yard box.... Kanoute reacted quickly.... and smacked the ball into the net!!!! \o/ \o/ \o/

Ghana had nothing really to offer in the last 5 minutes and as the full time whistle went there was a huge cheer from a tiny corner of the Ghanian stadium... Mali had won the African Nations Cup 2008!





Kanoute came to the fore at the right time and shared the highest scorers trophy with Eto'o on 6 goals.

We scored 15 goals during the tournament, of which 8 came from corners - 4 more than anyone else!

[PaulHartman71]

well done WW

Now for the World Cup

[Razer82]

Congratulations on the African Nations win WW - lets hope you can maintain the form going into the World Cup qualifiers.

[Walcott\'s Wonderkids]

well done WW

Now for the World Cup

Haha yeah - now for the actual point of me starting a game with Mali, let's start the challenge!




Note: 1st time I've ever won the African Nations Cup on any FM. Admittedly it's probably one of the first times I've tried to but still.

[DodgeeD]

I tried my hand at international management in Africa with Sierra Leone when I was doing MadWoodster's International Challenge and I must say qualifying for the World Cup is tough - there is really no room for error with only the top side going throuıgh. Then again, Mali are miles better than Sierra Leone so it should be much more straightforward.

I start back at work tomorrow so I may start this then as it's a game where I can holiday through to the next match while I pretend to look busy. Maybe I'll have a crack with Uzbekistan - they were close to qualifying for 2006 (denied controversially against Bahrain iirc)

[MikaelS]

I think I'll give this a shot. Its been a long time since I've managed a national side and I think Dafuge's challenge could do with a rest

[MikaelS]

So this is my profile. I've taken upon me the challenge of Iceland:

[MikaelS]

Hm could someone explain what the expectations mean?

Expectations

[PaulHartman71]

Good Luck MikaelS

[PaulHartman71]

Hm could someone explain what the expectations mean?

Expectations

don't get beaten, too badly

[MikaelS]

don't get beaten, too badly

daaaamn. I hope I get drawn into an easy group then!

[PaulHartman71]

don't be sad, you have Eidur Gudjohnson (sp)

[MikaelS]

So the draw for the qualifying for WC 2010:



Not too bad I think.

[MikaelS]

don't be sad, you have Eidur Gudjohnson (sp)

True. He is a lethal striker. Hopefully the rest of the team can keep up

[PaulHartman71]

Could have got worse, a 2 wins in either of the 4 games with NI and Swiss, and a good run in the other games could get you in the play-offs

[MikaelS]

Yeah. Germany will cruise the group but I should be able to give a fight against NI and Switzerland.

[DanTheMan]

Say 'Hello' to the new Macedonia manager... The once famous America Striker Mr. Dan TheMan

http://s374.photobucket.com/albums/o...ManProfile.png

Here's hoping Pandev can single handedly guide me to glory.

[PaulHartman71]

In the OP i've now done a code so people can see who's doing the challenge/completed it, i've only put in users that have provided at least one 'match report' or 'screenshot'

[DanTheMan]

Not the best start

At least it can't get any worse

[PaulHartman71]

Good Luck aab, and it could be worse DanTheMan, you could have not scored

[Walcott\'s Wonderkids]

btw, after Mali's African Nations Cup victory they are up to 19th in the world rankings!!!


Good luck to those who have recently taken up the challenge.

[aaberdeenn]

I've actually now decided against Guinea. I'm going to choose a European side instead.

[PaulHartman71]

19th in the World Rankings!

The way you're going WW, the other Nations wont be laughing and embarrassed of you, they'll be scared of you!

[PaulHartman71]

say hello to the new manager of Cyprus, Jeremy English

[Walcott\'s Wonderkids]

19th in the World Rankings!

The way you're going WW, the other Nations wont be laughing and embarrassed of you, they'll be scared of you!

Due to the failings of European teams, make that... 16th in April 2008!

[DanTheMan]

Hello, new manager of Cyprus, Mr. 'Jeremy English'

Good Luck Paul

###

Not too bad a showing in my second game in charge...

[Razer82]

Due to the failings of European teams, make that... 16th in April 2008!

You should have no problems making the World Cup if you're that good a team.

[PaulHartman71]

First game in charge of Cyprus is San Marino, a near certain win \o/

[O\'Hara_fan]

Friendly Matches:

12/09/07 : Cuba (H) : 1-1
Goalscorer: Saeed Khamis

A dissapointing start really, we had the most possesion and shots. But couldn't put them away.

----

Then we faced Vietnam in the WCQ Asia 1st Round 1st Leg



Solid performance. Better team on the whole

----

Friendly
13/10/07 : Malaysia (A) : 1-3
Goalscorers : Subait Khater (2) ; Mohammed Qasim

----

Our Second leg tie against Vietnam went very well indeed



Vietnam struggled really, I suppose its because they are 154th and we are 89th. Though we progressed with an impressive 4-0 Aggregate victory

----

However not so pretty is the groups. We have been drawn against Iran, Uzbekistan and Jordan



Other notable groups include, erm, none really. All seem like walkovers, China and Australia in the same group perhaps?

----

17/11/07 : Iran (A) : 2-0
Goalscorers : None

One word for it, poor.

----

21/11/07 : Vietnam (H) : 3-0
Goalscorers : Ismael Matar ; Saeed Khamis (2)

We met Vietnam this time for a friendly, once again a comfortable victory

----

Elsewhere at 9th December, the only other qualifying is in the South America. Brazil, Argentina, Chilie and Uruguay have set the early pace after 4 games. Paraguay are amazingly last with 1 point.

[PaulHartman71]

Well not the best of starts, but this can only pump the team up more for future matches!

[DanTheMan]

Looks like I've found my striker - Pandev has been absolutely awful!

[apchivers]

Finished the European Qualifiers and finished 4th, including some pretty good results

Fixtures (2007) http://img402.imageshack.us/my.php?i...ixturesxo3.jpg

Table http://img527.imageshack.us/my.php?i...ixturesbn6.jpg

Will post again when 2010 world cup qualifiers are drawn

[Walcott\'s Wonderkids]

You should have no problems making the World Cup if you're that good a team.

Well I've still got to be able to beat Ivory Coast and Senegal, which isn't the easiest task ever.