Sargossa - 'The Corsairs'
The Sargossan national side is experiencing something of a purple patch, following up a runner’s up spot at the Copa Rushmori with a run to the last sixteen of World Cup 81. A run which saw them send world number two Farfadillis home and then push eventual winners Vilita right to the brink, before losing out by the odd goal in seven. The recent Copa gave the coaching staff an opportunity to see fringe players in action as they look to revitalise an attack that has wondered on to the wrong side of thirty.
Head Coach
Rodrigo Defederico
Former international midfielder who starred in the SuperLiga, before plying his trade in Astograth. A former coach of the Olympic side who led hometown club Dunas Del Sol to the Copa Sargossa final in his first full season in charge. Has led the Corsairs to second and fourth place finishes in the Copa Rushmori and is looking for a third straight World Cup qualification.
Backroom Staff
Assistant Head Coach: Raúl Churín
Defensive Coach: Guillermo Lucena
Attacking Coach: Alejandro Tapia
Goalkeeping Coach: Armando Abad
Fitness Coach: Mario Sánchez
Team Doctor: Dr Carla Segura
Talent
GK: 1. Sergio Vega (30) – Dínamo Maturín
GK: 13. Carlos Ríos (29) – Sportivo Soluca
GK: 25. Roberto Penedo (23) – Dunas Del Sol
Vega and Ríos provide the international experience but it’s the youngster Penedo, given his league debut by Rodrigo Defederico when in charge of Dunas, who is set to be given the nod after an eventful Copa Rushmori and another solid league campaign.
DR: 2. Alonzo Zevallos (26) – Ciudad Soluca
DRC: 5. José Guerrero (29) – Ciudad Soluca
DC: 6. Alex González (28) – Oakstone (Eura)
DL: 3. Saúl Escribano (23) – Sportivo Soluca
DLC: 12. Fabián Parra (26) – Dínamo Maturín
DRC: 14. Enrique Muñoz (25) – Sporting San Marquez
DL: 19. Germán Montero (30) – Dínamo Maturín
DC: 21: Jesús Venegas (27) – Sportivo Soluca
Seemingly you don’t get a look in as a SuperLiga centreback unless you happen to clear six foot so expect an imposing wall of darker blue arrayed ahead of the keeper. Alex González is a classy ball playing central defender in the traditional Gozan mould and is will continue to sit at the centre of the back three. A move to Euran football can only benefit him and the defence as a whole. That’s certainly the hope, given the side’s recent propensity to leak goals. Muñoz has emerged as a defender par excellence domestically and is expected to edge out the long serving José Guerrero. Parra will likely occupy the third berth but he is being pushed hard by the reliable Jesús Venegas. Montero and Zevallos provide first choice options if wing backs are deployed or if the coach reverts to a back four. Although Zevallos attacking thrust has often seen him used on the right of midfield.
MC: 4. Sergio Espina (28) – Alianza Jucaro
AMR: 7. Diego Puebla (26) – El Nacional
MC: 8. Alejandro Vecino (35) – Dínamo Maturín
AML: 11. Carlos Álvarez (29) – Porto Alegro Azul
AMRC: 15. Mariano Carballar (26) – Sportivo Soluca
MC: 16. César Goyoso (23) – Sporting San Marquez
DMC: 18. Luís Vazquez (27) – Sportivo Cordova
DMC: 22. Ignacio Navarro (31) – Sporting San Marquez
AMLC: 24. Alfredo Valenzuela (27) – Dunas Del Sol
Alejandro Vecino hasn’t quite called it a day yet but he’s likely to be used sparingly and, as such, leaves a considerable hole in the heart of the side. Rafael Bustamanté’s failure to impress at the Copa in Mytanija sees the former heir apparent out of contention entirely. Instead it’s César Goyoso who will partner captain Sergio Espina in the centre of the park. Valenzuela provides nice balance on the left but faces competition from the pacy yet erratic Carlos Álvarez. Vazquez and Navarro, two midfield battlers in a traditional Sargossan mould, provide more defensive minded options and Carballar will challenge Alonzo Zevallos for a place on the right.
FLC: 9. Miguel Ángel Berganza (26) – El Nacional
FRLC: 10. Miguel Marí (32) – Dínamo Maturín
FC: 17. Fabián Guzmán (25) – Sporting San Marquez
FRC: 20. Matías Cáceres (28) – Ciudad Soluca
FL: 23. Andrés Saavedra (25) – Estrella Torreón
FC: 26. Tomas Murillo (24) – Alianza Jucaro
Much of The Corsairs’ recent success had stemmed from the fluid offensive play provided by the attacking trident of Iván Mayoral, Miguel Marí and Matías Cáceres. But with Mayoral’s international retirement and Marí no spring chicken either an injection of fresh blood was needed. Fabián Guzmán, a usual impact sub in the last campaign, will replace Mayoral as the centre ‘point’ and the domestic form of Miguel Ángel Berganza should see him start too. Saavedra provides a more conventional wide option on the left.
Style
Defederico credits former Sargossan great Ernesto Farias for his own tactical approach, a 3-4-3 system with a high defensive line and an emphasis on pressing and harrying the opposition into a mistake. He is also far more attack minded than his predecessor and his players are encouraged to get the ball from front to back at a rapid pace. Long balls are consider anathema, with even the goalkeeper encouraged to slide a pass to the defender rather than hoofing it up field. The system is relatively fluid, with 5-3-2, 3-4-1-2 and 5-4-1 all used to some degree, depending on the circumstances and opposition.
The SuperLiga is quite a physical league so challenges can often be described as 'uncompromising' and cards are pretty common. Gamesmanship, while never encouraged, is also not entirely uncommon. But diving is considered particularly stigmatic so Sargossan players are unlikely to be found doing it.
Style Modifier = (+3)
Kit
Courtesy of ediraf
Venues
Estadio Generalissimo Joaquín Delgado
City: Soluca
Capacity: 108,879
Tenants: Ciudad Soluca, Sportivo Soluca
Opponent(s): Pasarga / Squornshelan Remnant States
The centrepiece of a major beautification development in the capital, the stadium sits within the Parque De Los Vencedores and alongside the Corazal River. Designed by Nethertopian architect Gert Naamloos and part financed by two SuperLiga clubs, the Sargossan government and Starblaydi sportswear giants ediraf it is a truly magnificent sporting arena. The Estadio Generalissimo Joaquín Delgado, as the ediraf Arena was rechristened when the naming rights deal expired, is the epitome of a modern football stadium. Consequently, it is the national side’s most commonly used venue. Unfortunately, the glamourous surroundings are marred somewhat by the Soluca crowds’ reputation for being both fickle and moody.
Independienté
City: Goza
Capacity: 119,354
Tenants: El Nacional
Opponent(s): United States of Devonta
The very antithesis to the modern Estadio Generalissimo Joaquín Delgado, and revelling in that fact. The internal facilities may have been kept relatively up to date at the Independienté but little has changed at the vast open bowl since its construction. The nation’s largest sporting venue and one that prides itself on the genuine carnival atmosphere produced on matchdays.
Ciudad Deportiva
City: Maturín
Capacity: 52,000
Tenants: Dínamo Maturín
Opponent(s): Crystalline Caverns
Although the name has come to refer to the stadium alone the Ciudad Deportiva is actually a whole site devoted to sporting excellence. Constructed as part of a government drive to boast sport, the site is also home to the national Track and Field Centre of Excellence, an aquatic centre, basketball and volleyball facilities and a state-of-the-art sport science clinic. The stadium itself is an impressive venue that is regularly voted as the top matchday experience by fans in the SuperLiga. The Sargossan record there too is very strong, having dropped points only twice in the seventeen matches played in Maturín over the years.
Estadio Silva
City: San Marquez
Capacity: 62,543
Tenants: Sporting San Marquez
Opponent(s): North Prarie
Like the Independienté the Estadio Silva is one of the older venues used by the national side. Set within one of the poorer districts of the eclectic southern city of San Marquez, in amongst the brightly coloured favelas and street vendors, a trip to the stadium is more a cultural experience than a sporting one for the foreign visitor. Some famous nations have taken to the Estadio Silva turf in the past, names such as Sorthern Northland, Candelaria And Marquez and Cassadaigua.
Bonilla Arena
City: Jucaro
Capacity: 74,475
Tenants: Alianza Jucaro
Opponent(s): Najaf
The quintessential rich man’s play thing, Alianza Jucaro are the nearly men of Sargossan domestic football. Bankrolled by the mega-wealthy Bonilla family the club have won three national cup competitions in recent years but have never claimed the league title they so crave. While the Bonillas have thrown money at the playing staff they’ve also invested heavily in infrastructure, including the stadium that bears their name. Set in the South Quays district of the port city, right on the waters of the Bay of Carrasco, it’s an imposing venue for visiting sides.
Estadio Del Sol
City: Dunas
Capacity: 31,359
Tenants: Dunas Del Sol
Opponent(s): Sorrentopia
The resort city of Dunas is a popular haunt for Sargossans and tourists alike, with its good weather, cheap booze and its waterfront of garish attractions. It’s an image the locals aren’t overly fond of which makes their local football team, the city’s other nationally recognised landmark, a source of much pride. One of the smaller venues used in this World Cup cycle, the Estadio Del Sol is located away from the neon glare of the strips nestled, as it is, in the quieter surrounds of the old town. Two of the previous five matches held in Dunas have seen Sargossa edge seven goal thrillers.
Petro Dome
City: Mercada
Capacity: 42,511
Tenants: Petro Mercada
Opponent(s): Gutulia
In a city so synonymous with Petro National, the Sargossan national oil and gas company, it’s no surprise to find both the local football team and the stadium in which they play blazoned with the Petro name. Oil wealth has yet to equal success on the pitch for the Incan side but that wealth may have played some part in the city replacing island rivals Torreón in the World Cup rotation two years ago.
El Torrigal
City: Torreón
Capacity: 30,000
Tenants: Estrella Torreón
Opponent(s): Fevhader
Controversially dropped from hosting duties during the last World Cup cycle, one of the nation's oldest and most picturesque venues returns this time around. Nestled in the mountain fastness of Torreón, high amongst the Chalaco Mountains, El Torrigal is the smallest of the venues but one in which Sargossa enjoys a formidable record. In the ten previous fixtures held in the University city the Corsairs have won eight and drawn two.
Permissions
If my opponent RP's first they can:
Choose my goalscorers: Please do
Godmod Scoring Events: Yes
RP injuries to my players: Yes (within reason)
Godmod injuries to my players: No
Hand out Yellow cards to my players: Yes
Hand out Red cards to my players: Yes
Godmod Other Events: Yes. Just no killing anyone.