New coach Mani Pasdar overseeing training.
Falcons weathering stormy skies
After a tumultuous couple of months, opened by the surprise indictment of longtime manager Abd al-Uzza Farsakh on charges of embezzlement and money-laundering, the Falcons seem to have cobbled together a slightly more than token effort at snatching the coveted Copa D'Aeia, sprucing up an aging, lackluster squad with some much needed new blood and bringing in Qalehi dynamo Mani Pasdar on a five year contract. That Fahran, a country in the throes of a grueling, year-long civil war, can field a team at all is no small miracle. It took months of often tense collaboration between FFF officials, the NURR, and the NSC to set aside the time and resources needed to assemble and train a viable squad. This process was complicated by two recent tragedies: the death of veteran striker Ahmad Mekki in an airstrike back on May 5th and the maiming of center attacking midfielder Mohammed Shohat, who lost his left leg to an IED at the beginning of this year.
These losses, together with the recent slew of corruption scandals, had been characterized as the death knell of Fahrani football by many fans, but Pasdar and his assistant manager, the indefatigable Yasser Senan, have toiled wearily to kindle the hopes of millions across the war-torn country. What's more, footballers, young and old, have rushed to fan the flames, offering to play without any monetary compensation and proclaiming a message of hope and peace. As captain Ghailene Halliche told Al-Tathir yesterday, "We have to play. We owe it to Ahmad and Mohammed, and to everyone who believes the sun won't shine again. We owe it to them to speak through our actions, to say all hope is not lost, to say that we're stronger together than divided, that peace has a chance."
Pasdar, well-known for his flamboyant personality and uncanny ability to pick out talent, has made several exciting additions to the Fahrani side; including: Dahror United wonder-kid Mahmadu Baboukkar and Tirsana SC starlet Sufian El Tamera. He's also preserved the spirit of past squads, retaining big names like Ghailene Halliche, Usem Zeroual, and Alemseged Abraha. On a less positive note, the FFF has struggled consistently to acquire and allocate funds for adequate training grounds, new kits, or adequate salaries for players, managing to recycle older uniforms and scrounge up enough to cover travel expenses. The side that arrived in Romellea two weeks ago looked jet-lagged, disheveled, and beaten down, but, if their optimistic smiles and pluck are anything to go by, nobody should count the Falcons out just yet.
Squad Analysis
DEFENSE: The Falcons' defense is lackluster and rusty compared to many of the others sides stepping onto the field this Copa, with most of the players returning from older, poorly performing squads, such as Mohammed Dualeh and Alemseged Abraha, or being green lads recruited from local club teams, such as Fasika Girna and Abdullahi Farah. The real strength in the back three comes from the colorful Ghailene Halliche, who has made a considerable splash over the years due to his leadership qualities and sporting persona. He received a fine in club play last season for allegedly making an obscene gesture at a fan who had thrown a bottle onto the pitch. All in all, Fahran's defense is one of its weaker aspects, and we'll consider it lucky if big name sides don't punch holes through it like Asuran cheese.
MIDFIELD: Things look only marginally better in the midfield with hotshot play-makers and facilitators like Salim Dauenhauer, Nordin Oumazzine, and Usem Zeroual expected to make a positive showing. Their performances in club play over the last couple seasons have been dynamic and innovative, and all three have been scouted by more established clubs from abroad. Nonetheless, Fahran still wants for consistency and cohesion in midfield roles, and players often behave more as individuals than a team. All in all, we can hope for a middling performance at best, though Dauenhauer might yet surprise us.
ATTACK: There's an old adage that says the best defense is a good offense, and fans will be praying that's the truth given the quality of the youngsters Masdar has brought aboard for this Copa campaign. Sufian El Tamera, the Sumeira FC starlet known for his pace and dribbling, turned down several offers that would have seen him leave the club that finished second in the domestic league this year and his recruitment to the national team has spawned more than a little buzz among Fahran's notorious hooligans. The real attraction, however, is Mahmadu Baboukkar, the Dahrzor United wonder-kid, who stole the hearts of two countries with his flair and finishing ability over the course of two seasons. Shouts of "Baboukkar is fire! Your defense is scared!" have been heard in pubs throughout Romellea even in the run-up to the competition. These are slightly more wholesome than the cries of "Halliche will shag your missus" that resulted in bans last go around, and they send a stronger message. The Falcons are here to compete, now just drink and get into brawls. Amessan Ferrodja is a stout, sturdy player who can cross just passably enough to get the job done and he seems to have cultivated a strong partnership with Baboukkar, Dauenhauer, and El Tamera in the last few months. While not as strong as the starting lineup, the bench looks stronger than it has since the 1980's.
CONCLUSION: Fahran is in summation as middling team with the potential to surprise even the big names, especially when on the attacks. We're expecting Pasdar to dabble in an energetic, counter-attacking brand of football that has been used to minimal effect against superior sides in the past. With all the new blood and a bit of good luck, this time the tactics might just pay off.
Group Analysis
RENNEQUE: Les Manchots, despite the cuddly connotations of their nickname, are the team to beat in Group H. Head honcho Dídac Barot has put together a robust defensive minded side centered around goalkeeper Pròsper Puerto, captain and midfielder Sinchi, and a solid if not outright formidable string of defenders comprising veterans like Camille Brazier and Arnau Urgeles. The contrast of two differing styles between squads of ostensibly equal skill will make this one of the most compelling matches in the group. Prediction: Renneque to win 1-0.
TIMARBIA: Ezekiel Adamo's men, the ostentatiously named Warriors of Minnara, are an inexperienced, scrappy side with dim hopes of actually lifting the Copa despite their fierceness on the attack and their fighting spirit. We're looking forward to a quality game of attacking football from both sides when the Falcons meet the more or less unknown squad from Timarbia. Prediction: Fahrn to win 3-1.
LIBERIMERY: Predicted to be the weakest squad in Group H, Liberimery has yet to post a roster or even announce a squad for this year's Copa. The side from Vestrim has no genuine history of doing much beyond serving as cannon fodder for middling teams as well. Prediction: Fahran to win 2-0.
TOTAL PREDICTION: The Falcons are well placed to advanced beyond the group stages at this Copa, with Renneque serving as the principal hurdle to a first place finish in the group. Notably, Group H is one of the weakest recorded, not just this year but in tournament history. We're projecting a second place finish beyond Renneque, albeit with a comfortable lead over both Timarbia and Liberimery.