SEMARLUUNDIK PREMARLIGAEN – 2023/24 PREVIEW – PART TWOFC YORK:Manager: Marten Moller;
Captain: Jonathan Melsen, DC;
Star player: Jonathan Marcssen, ST
Starting XI (4-4-2): Marcus Nash; Jamar Homans, Jonathan Melsen, Jacob Ansah, Kurtis Ashton-Brown; Adren Muller, Jonathan Lindgren, Jamar Martin-Romeo, Armano Dalstrom; Jonathan Marcssen, Jacob Mikkelmarkt
Preview: Current manager Marten Moller has pleased fans by showing immense faith in the club’s undeniably talented academy setup, with several youngsters pushing for first team places. One of those bound to start is right-back Kurtis Ashton-Brown, younger brother of Semarland national team strength and conditioning coach Karmelo. There are other incredibly talented youngsters coming through too, including centre-back Malik Outwood-North, midfielders Prince Osei-Beckton and Marc Brigstad, and attackers Dequimay Knowles and Reiss Nti-Bonso (younger brother of Eikborg’s Eric). Captain Jonathan Melsen is a rock at the back and they have bolstered their squad with the signings of Marcus Nash, Jamar Homans, Jacob Ansah and Jacob Mikkelmarkt, plus the likes of Sander Jacobsen who impressed in Polaaskan last season.
FRANSBORG SET NJILKAER:Manager: Mads Christiansen;
Captain: Deonte Fretwell (EFL), DC;
Star player: Fabian Padron (OSR), MC
Starting XI (4-2-3-1): Sander Frostad (PIS); Linus Eriksen, Mark Eikrem, Deontre Fretwell (EFL), Reto Janssen; Rio Mbule, Fabian Padron (OSR); De’ron Campbell (OSR), Per Enevoldsen, Serge Mavila; Glen Stephens (SCH)
Preview: Historically a mid-table club in the old Premarligaen, Fransborg are yet another team that have transferred over the seasons. With a booming academy setup and several high quality international players, including Eastfielder Deonte Fretwell, Osarian Fabian Padron and Schottian Glen Stephens there’s no reason for Fransborg to not challenge for a Globe Cup spot. They haven’t been that busy in the transfer window, only signing former FC Nuholm attacker Demarai Graeme and young attackers Marc Poulsen and Joakim Moller but they’ve negotiated several new contracts for some of their academy prospects – goalkeeper Nathan Baxter, Aquillian left back Jamar O’Connor, midfielders Rio Mbule, Soren Karlstadt, Rohdell Caidon and Ekenedilichukwu Nwankwo, Echani winger Sait Joaquin and striker Dio Longa-Mbira all extending their contracts for another few seasons in East Semarland.
JANSBERG LAGUNA:Manager: Mikkel Fernstrom;
Captain: Valentino Huxstrom, DC:
Star player: Trayvon Wilson (ESH), MC
Starting XI (4-3-3): Tunji Nelstad; Rasmus Huxmark, Valentino Huxstrom, Kwame Frimpong, Blessing Gatyeni; Trayvon Wilson (ESH), Andre Hutton, Latrell Stevenson; Nelson Diangana, Emmanuel Akuffo, Thore Hernansson
Preview: Often seen as FC Jansberg’s smaller (and perhaps to their fans, irrelevant), local rivals, Jansberg Laguna usually play attractive football and have a reputation for signing released academy players – the likes of Tunji Nelstad and Rasmus Huxmark (FC Nuholm), Valentino Huxstrom (Eikborg Club), Emmanuel Akuffo (Sporting Matrolvik) and Thore Hernansson (Krsthaven) all key members of the starting lineup over the seasons. This season they splashed the cash on an exciting marquee signing also known as Eshan U21 midfielder Trayvon Wilson to replace the outgoing Jarle Rammsen. The midfield trio of Wilson, vice-captain Andre Hutton and Latrell Stevenson combine precise, pinpoint passing, creative and a sometimes dynamic style of play to aid the front three.
KANGEMARK SPORT:Manager: Yoann Sakho;
Captain: Aidan Martyn (NPH), DC;
Star player: Jonjo Jacobsen, MC
Starting XI (4-4-2): Marc Enevoldsen; Kristo Aalmkjaer, Aidan Martyn (NPH), Petr Berube (QUE), Valentin Modise; Marc Lindor, Jorgen Lindt, Jonjo Jacobsen, Adel Nzonzi; Erik Moss, Adetokun Oshoffa
Preview: Boasting an undeniably underrated side, Kangemark definitely have a team able to contest for a Globe Cup spot. They are lucky enough to have an outstanding academy too, with players such as Kwame Annan, Ikassai Donnell, Jahmal Sammut, Lamont Marshall, Kamal Enriksen and Devante Matthias pushing through. Several members of their starting lineup are academy product themselves, including Marc Enevoldsen, Petr Berube and Valentin Modise (who represented Semarland at AOCAF 51). Manager Yoann Sakho is another incredibly talented for his age, and has a solid backroom team including Euran Martin Smith as goalkeeping coach and former Semarland U21 tactical coach Makari Nataina.
KRSTHAVEN:Manager: Patrik Karlstrom (PIS);
Captain: Martin Marquez (VLD), GK;
Star player: Amani Chimbonda, DC
Starting XI (4-2-3-1): Martin Marquez (VLD); Artur Johansen-Solveig (PIS), Amani Chimbonda, Gorri Zabarte (EQS), Mateusz Yatskaya (PIS); Dieudonne Labonne, Yohannes Melbourne; Marcel Mbonne, Sergio Mora (OSR), Jerome Monroe (OSR); Leron Warwick (AQL)
Preview: Traditionally one of the stronger teams in Semarland, much like FC Jansberg they haven’t endured the success expected of them in LigAnaia. Polarian manager Patrik Karlstrom is doing well in keeping up Semar ideas of bringing youngsters through, with Amani Chimbonda, Dieudonne Labonne, Yohannes Melbourne, Marcel Mbonne and soon goalkeeper Martin Valbuena key players in the starting lineup. One weakness is the striker position – Leron Warwick isn’t always consistent in getting 20+ goals, Amos Nkuna-Ybangwa took a while to settle in, Javier Encarnacion and Mario Riggio are both fairly inexperienced and Niko Kekkonen is on the wrong side of 33. Pre-season saw young Osarian winger Jerome John feature in the striker position where he notched four goals in seven games – he could may well be the solution to their striker problems in the long run. In other news they welcomed back Mrevish winger Divock Varela, who spent the last few seasons at FC Kolberg.
MOLSBIK ARKJET:Manager: Martin Adnansen;
Captain: Carl Lindstrom, DC;
Star player: Marco Puntoriero (OSR), ST
Starting XI (3-3-4): Kasengu Kidiaba (SEM/SJG); Carl Lindstrom, Diedrich Frostmarris (NPH/APX), Jakob Cornwall (MBT); Artemiusz Gabrelovic (PIS), Lika Faratamu (OSR), Okera Nlundulu; Devante Mabaywu, Marco Puntoriero (OSR), Renato Corrientes (SJG), Abdiou (TSA)
Preview: Former Krsthaven manager Martin Adnansen has vastly improved the Molsbik Arkjet squad, building a potentially title-challenging squad. Playing in a quite experimental 3-3-4 formation, it features a scary attack comprised of Semarland NT fringe winger Devante Mabaywu, one of Osarius’ highest goalscorers Marco Puntoriero, Guayabelense national team member Renato Corrientes and Sari winger Abdiou – ably backed up by the likes of former NT winger Olle Pranich and promising academy striker Femi Odubajo.
SORENSEN PARK RANGERS:Manager: Pascal N’kala-N’kala;
Captain: Mpilo Modise, DL/DC;
Star player: Johan Martins, AMC
Starting XI (4-3-3): Janne Mtiliga; Mpilo Modise, Johan Karlsson, Knut Nordstrom, Moses Taiwu; Adnan Jonsson, Bosco Mavila, Johan Martins; Pierre Mavuba, Armando Clarebridge, Lasse Cone
Preview: The newest team in the Premarligaen (in terms of where they were founded), Sorensen Park Rangers have rose meteorically from a new team in the Semarland-Lindmark league to finishing in the top six in last season’s LigAnaia: R49 and now in the top flight. They’ve made several good signings in former FC Jansberg academy goalkeeper Janne Mtiliga, strikers Armando Clarebridge and Lasse Cone and former Copenbrok Klub striker Nathan Mbutu. Former Adjurgen youngster Johan Martins is by far their most superior midfield talent, with former Krsthaven and Fransborg set Njilkaer respectively Adnan Jonsson and Bosco Mavila solid midfield partners. Captain Mpilo Modise, formerly of FC Kolberg, can play in the left or centre in defence and former FC Jansberg duo Johan Karlsson and Knut Nordstrom are a popular choice at centre-back.
SPORTING MATROLVIK:Manager: Christian Eik;
Captain: Nicolas Herrera (OSR), DC;
Star player: Jesper Korsmo (PIS)
Starting XI (4-4-2): Mako Holstad; Marcel Cirocco (OSR), Nicolas Herrera (OSR), Nathaniel Simeone, Elias Truelsen (PIS); Drew Spence (OSR), Jesper Korsmo (PIS), Markus Kalle, Kalil Ibsen; Deonte Bradley (EFL), Miroslav Elden (PIS)
Preview: Manager Christian Eik boasts a squad with a great depth and a good academy, but they were disappointed to lose young attacking midfielder Emmanuel Lomboto to San Jose Guayabal side Turin FC for £5M. They fortunately kept onto young prospects Orick Kasangi, Narlin Mbangi, Thierry Mkoko, Torsten Karlstadt and Steffen den Haxenstrom who were all rewarded with new four year deals (except Kasangi got five). Other youngsters, such as Raheem Boateng, George Magonzi (Eshan), Karmelo Boateng-Adu, Tosin Adeyemi and Bhekumbuso Hambashe were all involved with the first team at some point and will look to follow in the footsteps of academy graduates such as Jamar Wilkinson, Valentin Rammsen and Seckou Dia.
SPORTING SAINT ADRENSBURG:Manager: Cortell Carrasco;
Captain: Ezio Battaglia (OSR), DC;
Star player: Devane Marylebone, GK
Starting XI (4-3-3): Devane Marylebone; Remy Nkulukutu, Ezio Battaglia (OSR), Kwabena Nasha, Jamar West (AQL); Dieumerci Tshibola, Aurelio Battaglia (OSR), Faustino Trujilo (OSR); Nathan Callaghan (OSR), Rees Sorensen-Brown, Caleb Callaghan (OSR)
Preview: Cortell Carrasco, manager of SSA for the last two years, is an associate of FC Nuholm manager Kadell Stevens so likely plays a similar style of attractive football using a blend of academy youngsters and experienced international players. Playing in a 4-3-3 formation Carrasco has the option of two strike forces – Osarian twins Nathan and Caleb Callaghan plus Rees Sorensen-Brown, or former FC Nuholm duo Mathias Kristensen and Lars Enevoldsen and former Krsthaven striker Kwame Boakye-Yiadom, who scored 15 goals on loan at Polaa side RSK Nunaat last season. In terms of their academy, Danny Boateng is tipped as the next big thing with bright futures likely for Marcos Sevenoaks, Martell Wilkinson, Ibrahim Mensah and Asamoah Akuffo.
SPORTING SOLSHOLM:Manager: Devante Cortez;
Captain: Sodiq Adebayo, MC;
Star player: Kanye Nzonzi, GK
Starting XI (4-3-3): Kanye Nzonzi; ThankGod Segun, Tamerlane Kapadze (ISK), Nathaniel Thorbourne, Jamar Bentgate; Andre Carlstadt, Sodiq Adebayo, Jens Kasa (PAS); Ruggiero Delacroix (MRT), Jose Luis Batekopika (MRT), Jordan Graeme
Preview: Manager Cortez and assistant Isaac Mirallas were both rewarded with new five year deals after impressing in the R49 and building up a squad in the last few seasons capable of achieving a mid-table Premarligaen finish. Semarland fringe trio Jamar Bentgate, Andre Carlstadt and captain Sodiq Adebayo, eccentric goalkeeper Kanye Nzonzi, ex-Krsthaven youngster Nathaniel Thorbourne, Iskandervale captain Tamerlane Kapadze and Mertian duo Ruggiero Delacroix and Jose Luis Batekopika are expected to be key players as academy players such as Schottic duo John Ferry and Gerald Hoffmann, Dushane Rose, Jemal Blackshaw, Richard Assubonteng and Carmelo Karl push through.