EURAN OCEANIA TERRITORIES
"The Expats"Euran Oceania Football Federation
AOCAF 61 SquadNational IntroductionKit: Blue with combination livery of Euran gold and Syndicatian white. Alternative kit is the same colours are Syndicatian or "Revolutionaries" green.
Stadium: Flynn Arena, 96,500
Style Mod: +4The Incorporated States of Euran Oceania Territories is a parliamentary federal dominion of Eura, formed of the Euran zone of the former Inevitable Syndicate and the Whittorian Islands. It has a population of around forty million people which is quickly rising, making it a beacon of diversity home to Syndicatians, Whittorian refugees, Euran migrants, Apoxians, Audioslavians, Samebans and many others. It has possibly the world's largest artificial crater, which dominates the landscape west of what is now a rebuilt Fligsive, the capital of this new entity. Its home stadium is the the Flynn Arena, where Eura beat Polar Islandstates 4-2 in the famous 66th World Cup final. Few would have predicted that the colours of red, blue and gold would become permanent there but its happened, and the stadium is now back in good condition after an expensive refit to return it to the 96,500 capacity it held previously.
Previously a wooden stadium, the current iteration of the Flynn Arena was rebuilt after a great fire destroyed the stadium during a game between Fligsive FC and Magnaeus City. Nowadays, it's a little more robust, having been the subject of many refurbishment projects over the years. The stadium was easily reachable on the Fligsive Metro before the violent overthrow of the Corvidae regime and the associated disaster in Fligsive. It now sports a combination of the old paint job as well as Euran blue and gold while the local club Fligsive FC are still in existence despite drawing lower crowds after the Mertagne exodus. Though they did not play in the hastily cobbled together amateur EOTLeague, they are the dominant side in the new professional EOFL.
Euran Oceania Territories formed a national football team not long after the founding of the political entity, a project conjured up by the Euran government Ministry of Sport to imbue a sense of cohesion among the diverse population of EOT. They played a series of friendlies against other "Eurasphere" sides from Endemia and Rushmore in a lengthy state subsidised tour. Their first games were defeats against Daera, Itor and the Ferguson Islands, before an unexpected 4-3 victory against Helving, despite their Euraleague star Scott Barnes scoring a hat trick.
They then entered the 50th AOCAF full of excitement despite having a mostly amateur team, including serving military personnel, but were promptly demolished in the group stages by several teams. Now, with the citizenship laws relaxed to allow the growth of the Territories, the "Underdogs" as they have come to call themselves were suddenly confident that they might be able to pull off a shock or two. Their first manager was of top class pedigree - Tolgus Tregajorran, a footballing hero in Apox who was well known on the international scene.
Tregajorran managed to persuade some former Apoxian internationals, playing in Eura and with no international allegiance following the temporary dismemberment of Apoxian professional football, to sign the relevant papers and make the surprise switch to EOT, as well as Euran's and other international exiles. After several years of bit part competition EOT competed in the World Cup qualifiers for the first time and in turn the Baptism of Fire, after the Sameban national team withdrew from the Endemian International Sporting Agreement and international football.
EOT performed poorly at the Baptism of Fire, going out at the group stage, but put on a respectable showing in their qualifying group for the 80th World Cup. Tregajorran's unexpected departure and a chaotic period followed with Rhys West as manager, who was soon sacked over an off-the-pitch indiscretion. It ended with the controversial appointment of Euran footballing legend and cult icon Skorji Oslograd halfway through World Cup 81 qualifying. Immediately applying Oslograd's "Skorjiball" approach - best summarised as an extremely aggressive and fluid attacking game interrupted sporadically by the manager doing something inappropriate - the team secured some noteworthy results but remained very much an underdog competitor reliant on an aging core within its squad.
Oslograd's dream is to turn them into the living embodiment of "the way of the warrior" and to qualify for the World Cup. His first AOCAF was the first tournament where Olsograd was able to demonstrate his own approach to the game in full but the results were mixed. Then he led the side into World Cup 82 qualifying, but a dreadful start to the campaign snuffed out any hopes, although a later revival ensured a semi-respectable finish. But the team did lose a bit of its soul, playing more conservatively than previously, a trend that Oslograd reversed at AOCAF LVIII. The Expats excited fans with their performances and took the scalp of Valanora, easily the biggest victory in the young teams history before exiting in the knockouts against Banija.
As a result the squad went into qualifiers for World Cup 83 and the following AOCAF largely unchanged, only to disappoint again, and then again at World Cup 84 and the 76th Cup of Harmony. Several retirements and the ageing of players left the squad looking weak for amidst rumours that Oslograd would quit, with his mind turned to helping grow the domestic game in the Oceania Territories - the launch of a new domestic league having now occurred. Oslograd, now 56, quashed these rumours by opting to extend his existing contract and undertaking some of the most radical changes to the team since its formation.
Despite an above expectations performance at AOCAF 60, including a memorable 4-3 win over Audioslavia, it all came apart for the Expats in qualifying for the 85th World Cup and the 77th Cup of Harmony where EOT were routinely humiliated and left both tournaments at the earliest stage in terrible form, a huge step backwards on previous attempts at qualifying relative to expectations. The young dominion's footballing pride, the player's reputations and Oslograd's entire philosophy were being openly queried by the international media - Oslograd's headline-grabbing theatrics had come back to bite him.
Following that disastrous campaign Oslograd has embarked on the most radical overhaul of the Expats squad since the arrival of the original "Expat" contingent led by Karl Cotrell and David Cooke, chucking out a whole group of players deemed "past it" and bringing in unproven talent from EOT's brand new EOFL. Several players have retired and many more have been dropped. The formation has changed again too, abandoning three at the back and now resembling a 5-4-1, but with both fullbacks lumped forward and only two strikers, making it a kind of horror movie version of a 3-5-2.
This is a hell of a gamble by Oslograd who for the first time in his tenure faces a serious threat of the sack. In the past he was perceived as being too big to fail, especially given his popularity in the Territories and back in Eura, and his excellent reputation as a player and early in his management career. Now he is increasingly becoming more of a meme than a manager and has put the EOFF in the red with his antics - this AOCAF, the 86th World Cup qualifying campaign and (probably) the 78th Cup of Harmony are tournaments where Skorji Oslograd simply must deliver.
The SquadShirt number. Name - Age - Position - Caps - Goals - Club (Nation)Goalkeepers1. Charlie Ross - 23 - GK - Bakermouth
13. Steve Ellis – 25 – GK – Oslograd Academy
28. Tammy Barton - 32 - GK - Fligsive FC
23 year old Bakermouth keeper Charlie Ross is one of the Territories best young prospects. That’s quite a remarkable feat when you start most games in a World Cup campaign where the team conceded 58 goals. 58! It would be harsh to blame Ross though – had former first choice Tammy Barton been in goal it might have been double that. Still, he is inexperienced and naïve like all younger keepers, and needs time to grow. Barton is now relegated to third choice as, for the first time, the Territories have a third keeper to choose from; Steve Ellis comes in, uncapped and straight in as the second choice keeper.
Defenders2. Marvin Walsh - 25 - RB - Holdenberg City (Eura)
3. Hans Cabel - 22 - LB - Brigham (Eura)
4. Freddie Law – 30 - CB - Carsby (Eura)
5. Kurt Strong - 33 - CB - Revolutionaries (Eura)
6. Jason Potts - 25 - CB - Ulsa (Eura)
15. Timwise Gerduns - 32 - RB - Revolutionaries (Eura)
19. Michael Ford – 21 – CB – Bakermouth
21. Jacob Hayden - 22 - LB - Fligsive FC
23. Hailey Parkes (F) – 21 – RB – Oslograd Academy
27. Baily Davison – 30 – CB – Burgess FC
ReservesJack Ream - 31 - RB - Fligsive FC
Ernie Lynch – 27 – CB – AFC Whittorians
Jesus Moreno – 32 – LB – Dangerford (Eura)
Patrick Spencer - 25 - CB - New Bastion
The defence have a lot to answer for after the complete nightmare they experienced in the last World Cup qualifiers and Cup of Harmony. Many reasons were speculated on for the regular capitulation of the most talented and experienced area of the team; Euran-born Gold League players who don’t care about EOT turning up for the sponsorship money, Gerduns and Strong declining with age, and most importantly of all Oslograd’s tactical experiment of three at the back proving to be a catastrophe so far.
Oslograd seems to have publicly decided the first two of those causes are the problem, and privately the third though he wouldn’t admit it. To address the alleged laziness of some of the Euraleague players, all of them – not just the defenders – were taken on a “morale tour”, where Oslograd forced them to work at a potato waffle factory for two weeks without pay. Reportedly Jason Potts was found to be an excellent factory worker, but more importantly broke down in tears and acceded to Oslograd’s demand never to half-arse a performance for him again. He was not alone.
The decline of Gerduns and Strong with age (who are the best defenders in the team) has been addressed by subjecting the two to an MMA match in Oslograd’s private fighting ring to decide who should hold on to a starting place. Despite Gerdun’s guile and persistence, Strong’s power and superior strength won out, meaning he retains his starting place while Marvin Walsh replaces Gerduns, deservedly so if you compare their club form. Finally, there is the tactics. Unlike the other two measures Oslograd did not announce this publicly. However the press have found out pretty easily from training ground drills that Oslograd is now employing five defenders rather than three, albeit with the reintroduced full backs playing as wingbacks.
There is more change in terms of personnel aside from the other differences to previous squads. Hans Cabel is now the first choice left back by virtue of playing regularly in Eura despite Jacob Hayden’s hugely impressive form for Fligsive FC. Jack Ream and Patrick Spencer are dropped altogether after looking hopeless when they played in the recent World Cup and Cup of Harmony campaigns. They are replaced by the young Hailey Parkes, who is one of three call-ups looking to become the first female Expat to win a cap, and Burgess FC hard-man Baily Davison. Danny Lawrence has retired from international duty after falling out of favour and is replaced by 21 year old Michael Ford, who Oslograd claims is the reincarnation of ancient King of Bastion, Julian IV. No, we don’t get it either.
Midfielders7. Peter Chadwick - 35 - CAM - Fligsive FC
8. Jake Clark – 25 – CM – Blades ex Magnaeus
10. Joel Conway - 28 - RW - Rozelle (Brenecia)
11. Kasey Fuller - 25 - LW - Bastion (Eura)
16. Nolberto Dravon – 20 - RW - Ulsa (Eura)
20. James Newton – 28 – LM – Blades ex Magnaeus
22. Amelia Byrne (F) – 22 – RW – Hyford City
24. Tom Mitchell – 24 – CM – Auto Sinclair
25. George Richards - 27 - CDM - Callodown (Eura)
26. Taylor Williams (F) – 21 – CM – Club Verde
ReservesIan Tauton – 22 – LW – Bastion Lions (Eura)
Peter Brooks - 32 - CM - AFC Whittorians
Nathan Harding - 21 - CAM - Bakermouth
Mark Little - 29 - RW - Fligsive FC
Joe Irmine - 22 - CM – Crater
Severe cuts have been made in midfield which is where Oslograd is reportedly most unhappy with recent performances, in particular with the lack of quality depth in the midfield, their inability to create goals when missing one of Chadwick, Fuller or Conway, and their defensive fragility. For that reason it is mainly the second string players that have suffered the chop; Peter Brooks, Nathan Harding, Mark Little and Joe Irmine are all dropped. Harding and Irmine’s age means they will likely get back into the team at some point but there can be no guarantees for the older Little and Brooks despite their formidable EOFL records.
When you take into account the retirement of Louie McKenzie from international duty there were now five vacancies to be filled. Oslograd looked to the EOFL for replacements showing the benefit of professionalising EOT’s league structure, even though we are only a few seasons in. In came Jake Clark, James Newton, Amelia Byrne, Tom Mitchell and Taylor Williams. Newton is the oldest and has been supremely impressive in EOFL, while Jake Clark is in his mid-twenties but is plenty experienced. Byrne, Mitchell and Williams are all rawer – less EOFL experience, but plenty of potential, and in the seasons they have played so far they have been very good.
Clark is fortunate enough to have been promoted straight into the first team while the out of form George Richards drops to the bench despite being EOT’s most experienced defensive midfielder, while Clark is more of a box to box player. Nolberto Dravon has also moved up the order to take on a bigger role. This is now an unusually youthful midfield for the Expats and it’s hard to know what to expect of them. What is known is that despite the complete overhaul of the rotation and backup options the core trio of Chadwick, Fuller and Conway remain irreplaceable and will start as many games as possible.
Forwards9. Pierre-Louis Le Tonnelier - 30 - ST - Farrenton Athletic (Eura)
12. Garret Ramsey - 29 - ST - Ezriquay United FC (Baker Park)
14. Justin Quibble - 21 - ST - New Bastion
17. Charlie Rowe – 20 – ST – Burgess FC
18. Tom Duffy - 32 - CF – Newrook City (Nephara)
ReservesUlysses Zimmer – 33 – ST – Fligsive FC
Eve Reynolds (F) – 22 – ST – KT Itsasontziak
Oliver Leith – 25 – ST – Judgetown
Paul Hooper - 29 - ST – Dartmoor (Eura)
The Expats continue to be wholly reliant on Pierre-Louis Le Tonnelier up front whose flair, personality and skill continue to make him a fan favourite. Without the Farrenton Athletic striker it’s hard to see where the goals would come from. The abrupt formation change from three forwards to one means Le Tonnelier will now take on an even bigger burden of responsibility, with the numbers up front being sacrificed for a stronger midfield. Garret Ramsey has maybe lost the wonderboy shine in Oslograd’s eyes as he approaches 30, but he stays in the starting line-up due to his work rate and uncanny ability to score strange goals at useful moments.
Tom Duffy has a similar attitude to Le Tonnelier in terms of not training properly and treating his Expats career as a bit of a laugh. However he doesn’t deliver the goods in the same way, barely scoring in recent campaigns, and so he has been unceremoniously demoted within the squad to fifth choice striker. Oslograd publicly labelled him a “lazy shit” and maybe that will put a rocket up Duffy to prove the unorthodox manager wrong – it can’t be good for the 32 year old’s ego that before his legs have even gone he’s been put below two inexperienced EOFL strikers in the pecking order.
Dartmoor striker Paul Hooper has been dropped altogether having played dreadfully in his few appearances for the Expats. He is replaced by Charlie Rowe, who along with Justin Quibble forms an interesting pair of talented strikers from EOFL, one at Burgess FC and the other New Bastion. Quibble has a handful of caps already while Rowe is yet to play for EOT – it’s likely that Oslograd will throw these young prospects in at the deep end at this AOCAF to test their mettle.
Preferred starting lineupDespite the absolute trainwreck that was World Cup qualifying, the Expats stick with their 3-4-3. If they are losing and need to score, they tend to stick with that. If they need to defend a lead Oslograd tends to be rather all or nothing, and will throw on the most defensive formation possible at short notice.GK - 1. C Ross
RCB - 4. F Law
CB - 5. K Strong
LCB - 6. J Potts
RWB – 2. M Walsh
LWB – 3. H Cabel
RCM – 8. J Clark
LCM - 7. P Chadwick
RAM - 10. J Conway
LAM - 11. K Fuller
ST - 9. P-L Le Tonnelier
ResponsibilitiesManager: Skorji Oslograd
Head Coach: Skorji Oslograd
Father figure, spiritual guru, sexual counsel: Skorji Oslograd
Captain: Pierre-Louis Le Tonnelier
Vice-Captain: Kurt Strong
Free kicks: Peter Chadwick (Direct right foot), Pierre-Louis Le Tonnelier (Direct left foot), Joel Conway (Indirect right foot), Hans Cabel (Indirect left foot)
Corners: Peter Chadwick (Right inswinging), Pierre-Louis Le Tonnelier (Left inswinging)
Penalties: 1. Peter Chadwick 2. Pierre-Louis Le Tonnelier 3. Hans Cabel 4. Joel Conway 5. Jake Clark
Manager's Chosen One: Garret Ramsey – but maybe not for long
Reality's Chosen One: Pierre-Louis Le Tonnelier
Best hair: Joel Conway
Worst sense of humour: Jason Potts
Best MMA fighter: Kurt Strong
Least likely to win a beauty contest: Freddie Law
Most likely to stick it to the historic Euran patriarchy: Amelia Byrne
Least likely to stick it to anything: Justin Quibble
Most likely to be found down the pub and/or be drunk while playing: Pierre-Louis Le Tonnelier
Most likely to do something utterly inappropriate, criminal or generally unhinged: Skorji Oslograd