Mikal Posted August 20, 2012 Share Posted August 20, 2012 Good luck with Benfica! How have they done in recent years? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
deltablue Posted August 20, 2012 Share Posted August 20, 2012 Have fun there. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nobby_McDonald Posted August 20, 2012 Share Posted August 20, 2012 Enjoy Portugal Cerud. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
B.W.G Posted August 20, 2012 Share Posted August 20, 2012 Good luck with Benfica Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRL88 Posted August 20, 2012 Share Posted August 20, 2012 Very nice move Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cerud Posted August 21, 2012 Author Share Posted August 21, 2012 Good luck with Benfica! How have they done in recent years? Benfica last won the league in 2012 and have finished in either 2nd of 3rd place since then. They won the Europa League and the UEFA Super Cup in 2013 as well. Have fun there. Enjoy Portugal Cerud. Good luck with Benfica Very nice move Thanks all! I've never managed in Portugal before, but Benfica should be a fun club to do it with. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jason the Yank Posted August 21, 2012 Share Posted August 21, 2012 Thanks, Mikal. The top 3 automatically qualify. The 4th place finisher goes into the Hex, a playoff between the CONCACAF 4th place finisher and lower finishers from Oceania, Asia, and South America. There's a quick 4 nation playoff and the winner qualifies. Incorrect! The hex is the final group stage in CONCACAF, short for hexagonal, so named because there are 6 teams. The playoff is 2 separate 2-legged competitions. For 2014, it's the 5th place team in Asia against the 5th place team from South America, and the 4th place team from North America against the first place team from Oceania. The 2 winners go to the World Cup. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cerud Posted August 21, 2012 Author Share Posted August 21, 2012 Incorrect!The hex is the final group stage in CONCACAF, short for hexagonal, so named because there are 6 teams. The playoff is 2 separate 2-legged competitions. For 2014, it's the 5th place team in Asia against the 5th place team from South America, and the 4th place team from North America against the first place team from Oceania. The 2 winners go to the World Cup. Indeed, you're right Jason the Yank. The Hex is short for hexagonal, which is synonymous with the 4th Phase of the CONCACAF Qualifiers. As for the intercontinental playoff, the four teams are drawn into pairs. Each pair plays one another home and away, with the two winning nations going ahead. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
iHeadHunta x Posted August 21, 2012 Share Posted August 21, 2012 Good luck with Benfica! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dexter_Morgan Posted August 21, 2012 Share Posted August 21, 2012 Good luck at Benfica cerud. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ron6632 Posted August 21, 2012 Share Posted August 21, 2012 Superb stuff in Holland Good luck with Benfica Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cerud Posted August 21, 2012 Author Share Posted August 21, 2012 Good luck with Benfica! Good luck at Benfica cerud. Superb stuff in HollandGood luck with Benfica Thanks guys! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cerud Posted August 21, 2012 Author Share Posted August 21, 2012 CONCACAF Gold Cup 2017 11 July 2017 Group C Guatemala 2 - 4 Canada Our first match in the 2017 Gold Cup was a good one. Guatemala is the easiest nation in our group and so a win was important. Both strikers contributed 2 goals apiece to solidify the win. 15 July 2017 Group C Canada 5 - 0 Honduras Honduras is a Canadian rival in the world of football and a consistent performer. We were in for a tough match...or so I thought. Our first goal came from a brilliant run by Hattrell in the 1st minute. From there, it was the Canada show. Honduras started to get chippy and were given a few yellow cards and a red one for their efforts. This has qualified us out of our group with a match against the United States still left to play. The Americans have qualified as well, so our match will be for bragging rights and little more. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRL88 Posted August 21, 2012 Share Posted August 21, 2012 Two nice wins with Canada . Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AK22 Posted August 21, 2012 Share Posted August 21, 2012 Well done on qualifying- a great win over Honduras (one of my bogey teams )! Good luck with Benfica too Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
deltablue Posted August 21, 2012 Share Posted August 21, 2012 Great stuff with Canada. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cerud Posted August 22, 2012 Author Share Posted August 22, 2012 Two nice wins with Canada . Cheers, SRL88! Well done on qualifying- a great win over Honduras (one of my bogey teams )!Good luck with Benfica too Thanks, AK22. Honduras can be a tough team, but this match was all Canada Great stuff with Canada. Thanks, deltablue! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cerud Posted August 22, 2012 Author Share Posted August 22, 2012 CONCACAF Gold Cup 2017 18 July 2017 Group C Canada 2 - 0 United States of America A fairly even match that look destined for a draw. However, Jackson, everpresent, snuck in behind the defensive line for a cross and took the lead in the 76th minute. The Americans tried to hit back to definitely took over the match, but we were able to hit on a counter and secure the win with Teibert's first even international goal. And so, with the group stage done, we end up as follows: Canada - 9 pts. United States - 6 pts. Honduras - 1 pt. Guatemala - 1 pt. Looks like only us and the United States move on. The Quarter Final draw is this... El Salvador v. Jamaica Mexico v. Panama Costa Rica v. United States of America Curaçao v. Canada We were very happy with that draw as it should be an easy win. 23 July 2017 Quarter Final Curaçao 0 - 4 Canada We took command of the match and racked up 4 goals in the first half to secure the win. The second half was a bit slower as I didn't want anyone getting hurt for the next match. It'll be a big one. The semi final draw is as follows: Jamaica v. Mexico Canada v. United States The Americans will want to redeem themselves from their earlier loss against us. We'll need to be prepared. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulHartman71 Posted August 22, 2012 Share Posted August 22, 2012 I've legit never heard of Curacao but nice win nonetheless Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jason the Yank Posted August 22, 2012 Share Posted August 22, 2012 Indeed, you're right Jason the Yank. You could say that for many things. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cerud Posted August 22, 2012 Author Share Posted August 22, 2012 CONCACAF Gold Cup 2017 27 July 2017 Semi Final Canada 1p - 1 United States of America The match against the United States for the semis was nervewracking. We went up by a goal early, but the Americans tied it all up in the second half. Extra time solved nothing so it went down to penalties, 7 shooters in total for each side. In the end, we rose victorious over our southern neighbours once again. 30 July 2017 Final Jamaica 1 - 6 Canada Jamaica was a fairly heavy favourite going into this match. However, we began well, having the majority of control and all the shot for the first 10 minutes. Then, luck struck. A Jamaican player did a horrible tackle and got a straight red card for his troubles. From there, it was all Canada. Within another 10 minutes, we had the lead and went on to score 5 more after that. Canada wins it's second ever Gold Cup! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cerud Posted August 22, 2012 Author Share Posted August 22, 2012 31 July 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup 2017 The last Gold Cup, I was managing Costa Rica and we made the Final only to lose to Mexico. This time, I win with Canada. Feels pretty good. The Results Group A: Costa Rica, Panama, El Salvador, Bahamas Group B: Mexico, Jamaica, Curaçao, Cuba Group C: Canada, United States, Honduras, Guatemala The Awards CONCACAF Gold Cup Golden Boot - David Cristallini - 1st Place CONCACAF Gold Cup Best Player - Keven Aleman - 1st Place CONCACAF Gold Cup Dream Team - Bryce Alderson (D C), Keven Aleman (M C), Russell Teibert (M L), David Cristallini (ST) Managerial Changes The managers on Honduras, Cuba, and the Bahamas have all left their positions. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rancer890 Posted August 22, 2012 Share Posted August 22, 2012 Great work Cerud on the Gold Cup win. Good luck in the Confed Cup later on. Shocking Jamaica beat Mexico. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dexter_Morgan Posted August 22, 2012 Share Posted August 22, 2012 Congratulations on the Gold Cup cerud Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ashton321 Posted August 22, 2012 Share Posted August 22, 2012 Congrats on the cup mate good luck with Benfica Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
B.W.G Posted August 22, 2012 Share Posted August 22, 2012 Congrats on winning the Gold Cup Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
deltablue Posted August 22, 2012 Share Posted August 22, 2012 Very well done. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikal Posted August 22, 2012 Share Posted August 22, 2012 Good cup win there. Bet you was loving the Jamaica/Mexico result! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cerud Posted August 22, 2012 Author Share Posted August 22, 2012 Great work Cerud on the Gold Cup win. Good luck in the Confed Cup later on. Shocking Jamaica beat Mexico. The Confed CUp won't be for a few years now as the 2017 one was just before the Gold Cup. Probably won't be around then Congratulations on the Gold Cup cerud Thanks, Dexter Morgan! Congrats on the cup mate good luck with Benfica Cheers, ashton321. Nice to see a new poster! Congrats on winning the Gold Cup Very well done. Good cup win there. Bet you was loving the Jamaica/Mexico result! Thanks all. Yeah, the Mexico-Jamaica match was first and I got to see the score before I played against the United States. I knew that if we won, we had a great chance. The penalty shootout almost killed me! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRL88 Posted August 22, 2012 Share Posted August 22, 2012 Great work lifting the Gold Cup . Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cerud Posted August 22, 2012 Author Share Posted August 22, 2012 2017-2018 End of Pre-Season Benfica - Liga ZON SAGRES The Matches The friendly matches were already scheduled before I arrived, so I decided to keep them the same. France - Championnat National - Red Star Football Club 93 - won 5-2 Germany - 3. Fußball-Liga - SV Babelsberg 03 - won 5-0 Greece - Football League - GSS Panionios - won 7-0 Greece - Superleague - GS Ergotelis - won 2-0 Portugal - Liga ZON SAGRES - Belenenses - won 7-0 The Players Squad | Transfers - There hasn't been much movement in the squad as I didn't have much of a transfer budget. I was able to bring in one youngster from Heerenveen that had come up through their youth ranks and I feel can grow into a consistent midfielder. Simone Pepe - M/AM RL - I'm weak on the wings and brining in Pepe on a season long loan should help with cover in both of those areas. Nick van Egmond - M/AM C - Brought in from sc Heerenveen, I believe this young man has a future, especially if he continues to improve as he was under me in the Netherlands. Pre-Season Thoughts The squad was very good already, which makes sense given how Benfica have consistently been in the top 3 in Liga ZON SAGRES every year. My goal is to bring them back to the top of those 3 and success in Europe. It begins now. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cerud Posted August 22, 2012 Author Share Posted August 22, 2012 Great work lifting the Gold Cup . Thanks, SRL88 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cerud Posted August 22, 2012 Author Share Posted August 22, 2012 CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers 16 August 2017 4th Phase Cuba 0 - 3 Canada The second half of the Hex has begun and we're up against Cuba. A very simple match that never gave us a problem. The Hex The standings after 6 games are: Mexico - 18 pts. Jamaica - 15 pts. Canada - 10 pts. United States of America - 7 pts. Cuba - 3 pts. Bahamas - 0 pts. Mexico has now qualified, the only nation so far. I also just had this come through the inbox... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRL88 Posted August 22, 2012 Share Posted August 22, 2012 I didnt realise Canada had changed their flag. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cerud Posted August 22, 2012 Author Share Posted August 22, 2012 I didnt realise Canada had changed their flag. Yikes! Fixed now Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cerud Posted August 22, 2012 Author Share Posted August 22, 2012 August 2017 Update Benfica - Liga ZON SAGRES Liga ZON SAGRES My beginning month in Portugal was kind of a mixed bag. We started great with a solid win against Maritimo. However, our next performance was laughable. We went down 3-0 in the first half. The score was at least semi respectable at the end, but it was never a match we should have lost. UEFA Europa League The Europa League start was the same as our league play. Brilliant first match; horrible second match. I'm hoping this club stops the Jekyll and Hyde routine before it seriously hurts us. The Standings I'm not sure why, but when I move clubs and introduce new tactical play, it takes a good 5-6 months before they are fully fluid. Haven't these players been playing this sport since they were about 4 years old? Shouldn't they have at least a cursory knowledge of basic tactics? It's like teaching a kid how to ride a bike every summer because they completely forgot over the winter. My dream...players with brains. Probably too much to ask. Still, it's only two matches into the season and we have time to move. We will have a couple of domestic cups starting up soon, so our schedule will get pretty busy, especially if we handle the Europa League well and make the group stage. I'm hoping for the group stages; it would be a huge disappointment to go out earlier. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cerud Posted August 23, 2012 Author Share Posted August 23, 2012 2017-2018 UEFA Europa League Group Stage The draw for the Group Stage has happened. Group A: Bordeaux (FRA), Wassland-Beveren (BEL), Dnipro (UKR), Newcastle (ENG) Group B: Partizan (SRB), H. Tel-Aviv (ISR), Vitesse (NED), Lech (POL) Group C: Željezničar (BIH), Nacional da Madeira (POR), Dynamo Kiev (UKR), Ajax (NED) Group D: Kuban (RUS), Sampdoria (ITA), Stuttgart (GER), Rangers (SCO) Group E: Hannover (GER), SK Sturm Graz (AUT), Fenerbahçe (TUR), Valencia (ESP) Group F: AZ (NED), FC Red Bull Salzburg (AUT), Karpaty (UKR), Tottenham (ENG) Group G: Torino (ITA), Toulouse (FRA), Villareal (ESP), Metalist (UKR) Group H: Young Boys (SUI), Fiorentina (ITA), Legia (POL), Osasuna (ESP) Group I: Rapid Buc. (ROM), AEK (GRE), Basel (SUI), Benfica (POR) Group J: Rubin (RUS), Lyon (FRA), Roda JC (NED), Palermo (ITA) Group K: Genk (BEL), Nürnberg (GER), Celtic (SCO), Sevilla (ESP) Group L: PSV (NED), CSKA Moscow (RUS), Esberg fB (DEN), Zürich (SUI) I think we have a decent group to qualify from but my lack of knowledge of European football may be giving me a false sense of confidence. I think we should be fine. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jason the Yank Posted August 23, 2012 Share Posted August 23, 2012 I'm not sure why, but when I move clubs and introduce new tactical play, it takes a good 5-6 months before they are fully fluid. Haven't these players been playing this sport since they were about 4 years old? Shouldn't they have at least a cursory knowledge of basic tactics? Yeah, I've noticed that too. Even 4-4-2 HOOF! is a mystery to them when you arrive. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cerud Posted August 23, 2012 Author Share Posted August 23, 2012 Yeah, I've noticed that too. Even 4-4-2 HOOF! is a mystery to them when you arrive. I often imagine a new manager walking onto the pitch, "Alright boys, let's play some football!" To which they reply, "Football? Oh! That's what this ball is for! Wow, have I been wrong all these 20+ years..." Morons... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cerud Posted August 23, 2012 Author Share Posted August 23, 2012 CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers 9 September 2017 4th Phase Canada 4 - 2 United States of America After the United States scored in the 1st minute, I got worried. However, we were able to match their level of play and go into the half only down 1-2. We scored early in the half and I was hoping to hold onto at least a tie. We did better than that. On a side note, the United States fired their manager immediately after this match. They're hired former Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard to rebuild the national side. 13 September 2017 4th Phase Jamaica 0 - 1 Canada After we demolished Jamaica 6-1 in the Gold Cup final, I knew that they were out for payback. We controlled the play in the first half, but neither side was able to break the other down. I made a few timely subs late in the second half and it paid off. A red card at the 90 minute mark meant we had to hold on for a few tenuous minutes, but we secured the important win. The Hex The standings after 8 games are: Mexico - 24 pts. Canada - 16 pts. Jamaica - 15 pts. United States of America - 10 pts. Cuba - 4 pts. Bahamas - 1 pts. Mexico has now qualified, the only nation so far. Both Canada and Jamaica have at least made the intercontinental playoff. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cerud Posted August 23, 2012 Author Share Posted August 23, 2012 September 2017 Update Benfica - Liga ZON SAGRES Liga ZON SAGRES Now we're playing as we should! Our 4 wins earned me the Manager of the Month award, which is nice, since that doesn't exist in the Netherlands. The win against Sporting CP was especially good given that they are another of the Big Three of Portugal and a fierce rival. The Standings It's what should be expected in this league. FC Porto, Sporting CP, and us are all leading the pack. However, the no goals against against Porto means that when we finally do come up against them, it should be an interesting match! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cerud Posted August 23, 2012 Author Share Posted August 23, 2012 2017-2018 UEFA Europa League Group Stage Our first match was home against AEK, a nice way to begin the group. It was simple enough; the Greeks took an early lead but we never really in the game. Once we tied up in the 11th minute, they just fell apart. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRL88 Posted August 23, 2012 Share Posted August 23, 2012 Not a bad Europa League group in all honesty. There will be some tricky ties but nothing you wont be able to handle. Nice start in the league to. Edit: Nice win over AEK . Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
deltablue Posted August 23, 2012 Share Posted August 23, 2012 Very good start to Benfica life. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
B.W.G Posted August 23, 2012 Share Posted August 23, 2012 Good start to life at Benfica,although seeing Porto's defence is quite worrying Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ron6632 Posted August 23, 2012 Share Posted August 23, 2012 Looking good so far. Hopefully the first game against Porto is at home Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikal Posted August 23, 2012 Share Posted August 23, 2012 Very nice start with Benfica, Porto were always going to be the team to beat! I assume they've had the lions share of title wins recently? Good opener in Europe as well. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
deltablue Posted August 23, 2012 Share Posted August 23, 2012 Oh yes, you also put the American flag in twice for your win over them. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AK22 Posted August 23, 2012 Share Posted August 23, 2012 Brilliant in the Gold Cup, that's really helped your world ranking. WC qualifying going very well too Perhaps there's a subliminal message with all those Star-Spangled Banners on display... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rancer890 Posted August 23, 2012 Share Posted August 23, 2012 Did your players refuse to go on the pitch against the States because of a flag mishap? And oh dear, flag-gate happened at home. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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