QUALIFYING REVIEW: EURA ROMP HOME TO SECURE WORLD CUP 84 QUALIFICATION
Difficult group at finals awaits after Eura top qualifying charts
Report by our Euran international team correspondent Isabel Haynes
Following the debacle that was qualification for the 83rd World Cup, it was reasonable to expect there might be a reaction from Eura's players. After beating Apox 4-3 in a friendly to mark James Palmisano's 100th cap, that reaction was a series of flawless performances to qualify for the 84th World Cup unbeaten, with eighteen wins and two draws - the best record of any team at the qualification stage. We've looked back at the campaign, game by game.
Geisenfried 0–2 Eura
Geisenfried are one of the longest competing nations in world football to hail from Atlantian Oceania. Traveling away to them was a tough opener for Eura, who rose to the challenge admirably. A strong team muscled its way past the hosts and dominated the game from the start. Brian Bond set out an early case to be the key player of the tournament for his country with a sensational opening goal, a half volley from all of 20 yards. Then Anthony Townsend made sure of the victory with a low shot in the final minutes as Geisenfried chased an equaliser.
Eura 1–0 Damukuni
Damukuni were second seeds in the group and therefore beating them at home was a key task for Eura to secure qualification. At first it was a struggle and the home side were blown open once, saved only by Kevin Belgrave making an instinctive last minute save in a one on one against Jiah Leeds. As time passed Eura grew into the game and asserted control, eventually taking the lead when Bond was clumsily fouled in the box by a distraught Jorie Stenhalter. Bond stepped up and did the business from the spot, and Eura subsequently saw the game out.
Tornado Queendom 3–4 Eura
Eura had defended well until this point but in their third match things went pear shaped. The back line struggled, in particular Dean Steele who had only recently been promoted to first choice centreback. Luckily Eura's attacking options overwhelmed the Queendom. A third goal in three games for Bond, a headed beauty from Charles Roberts and an Anthony Townsend free kick gave Eura three goals, and then Liam Armstrong stabbed home from close range to win it.
Eura 6–2 Togonistan
Visitors Togonistan had to endure a torrid start in Bastion when they conceded after just three minutes, cut to pieces by Eura's ruthless attacking play before Rhys Griffiths stroked home an easy finish. Moira Woakes piled on the pain with a second ten minutes later, and then Bond had another, a memorable lateral volley from just inside the box after the away team failed to effectively clear a corner. Eura let in a goal subsequently and another just after half time only to put the contest to be when Bond scored his second, again from the penalty spot. Dion Underwood then came off the bench to add a fifth - a classic counterattack opportunity he has scored from so many times - and put himself into the coveted club of Eurans who have scored 100 international goals. Fellow substitute Oscar Coltrane then made it six with a late tap in.
Noooooooooooo 1–4 Eura
The most amusingly named team in the group found themselves comprehensively outmatched by Eura who played a rotated side. Underwood found the net again early before John Fletcher and Damion Bowman added further goals. A consolation goal for the home team was an irritation, but compensated for somewhat by a stunning fourth off the bench for Morgan Fox, drilled home from all of 25 yards.
Eura 5–0 Andromeda Island Group
In a surprising move Michael Brandon chose to field a relatively strong team against the unranked Andromeda Island Group, a move that paid dividends. Bond racked up a brace in the early stages, then Townsend was was on the scoresheet again, and close to half time Bond completed his hattrick with a powerful shot past Rachel Medrano. The game was effectively over from there as a contest. Eura subsequently lowered the intensity and easily held possession for much of the second half. There was still time for a fifth, finished clinically by Frank Bevan.
Gor Kebab 0–6 Eura
By this stage of qualifying it was becoming obvious that a collapse on the scale of the last tournament's qualifying cycle was not on the cards. This clarity was reinforced by Eura's crushing victory over Gor Kebab. A second string Euran team dominated the home side from start to finish. John Fletcher, Dion Underwood, Morgan Fox and Freddie Wright all got on the scoresheet, but the memorable contribution came from Damion Bowman who scored two sublime solo efforts either side of half time.
Eura 2–2 Reçueçn
Seven wins on the trot had pumped up Eura's confidence. At some point they would have to be brought back down to earth. Recuecn are one of the most promising sides in international football. It was only recently that they pushed Eura hard in a World Cup 83 group game, losing narrowly 4-3. They traveled to Eura with the intention of getting at least a point and did so thanks to goals by defender Oliver Spencer and a stunning solo effort from new Marketville signing Per Tegeler, whipped around Belgrave from a narrow angle outside the box. Luckily for Eura they were able to avert defeat despite an underwhelming performance. Bond, of course, supplied the first goal, but an equaliser came from an unlikely source - Harvey Blake, who leapt like a salmon to reach and head in Townsend's late free kick.
Beepee 1–3 Eura
Eura's winning run was resumed against Beepee, although only after Michael Brandon was left infuriated by his side going behind early to a disputed penalty. Scott Coles saw red for the first time in his international career. However Eura overcame the limitations of being down to ten men to win thanks to goals from Armstrong, Bond and Woakes.
Eura 4–3 Mkabia
This narrow win was marred by a nasty injury to Freddie Wright in the second half, leading to an unprecedented fifteen minutes of stoppage time. Wright had opened the scoring earlier, followed by Bowman and Fox. Mamadouba Diawara's long range shot had kept Mkabia in it, until the Leopard's were able to bring themselves level via Issa Aduama's boot. Eura avoided a shock thanks to an unusual phenomenon, that of a first touch on debut goal. Tommy Sutton was the lucky scorer, bundling in an Oscar Coltrane free kick and celebrating jubilantly.
Eura 5–0 Geisenfried
The second half of qualifying began with a bang as Eura blew away Geisenfried in the return tie. Bond put away his second hattrick of qualifying as he continued to demonstrate that he is, at least, in the conversation for title of best striker in the multiverse. Woakes scored a surreal goal, slicing in from range with what was clearly meant to be a cross field switch that the Geisenfried goalkeeper completely misjudged. The fifth goal was scored by the ever consistent Underwood, still thriving even in his backup role, zipping past two defenders to chip the goalkeeper and complete the rout.
Damukuni 0–1 Eura
Damukuni were once again hard to beat but this time Eura were on top throughout the game. Eventually the pressure told in a game of few chances, Monica Rowland once again providing a decisive breakthrough with a glanced header from Townsend's corner.
Eura 1–0 Tornado Queendom
As in the last game, Eura had relatively few chances against Tornado Queendom, perhaps slowing down to preserve the fitness of their players during a grueling mid-season schedule. The visitors offered very little going forward and were beaten in the end by a tidy Rhys Griffiths finish after he was put through on goal by Coles marvelous through ball.
Togonistan 0–3 Eura
Oscar Coltrane might not start many games for Eura now, yet when he does he adds an undeniable X-factor to Eura's creative ability. He assisted the first two goals in this match, providing Underwood an easy finish for the first with a delightful through ball, before setting up Bond for the second after dribbling past two defenders and unselfishly cutting the ball across the keeper for Bond to tap in. He then scored the third himself, lifting the ball over two sprawling defenders to finish off a move that Armstrong should have scored himself, only to hit the post moments before.
Eura 3–1 Noooooooooooo
Liam Armstrong made up for his miss ahead of the third goal in the last game by giving Eura the lead here, converting Rowland's innocuous pass at the edge of the box into a ripping top right hand corner belter. Griffiths then stuck again, and although Nooo...you get the picture, the away side got a goal back, Eura were able to hold on without much further difficulty. Damion Bowman continued to impress and added yet another goal to ensure victory late on.
Andromeda Island Group 1–2 Eura
This opponent offered a much sterner challenge than they had in the home tie, stifling Eura's hold on possession and opportunities to create chances in the first half. Unfortunately for them Abby Salliewhite's indiscipline and resulting red card for a second yellow in the 57th minute cost them dearly. Bond opened the scoring a minute later, scoring a simple header from Griffiths cross. Bond scored again late on to seal it - a 41st international goal in only his 50th cap.
Eura 5–0 Gor Kebab
It wasn't quite the 6-0 of the corresponding fixture. Nevertheless, Eura saw off Gor Kebab with little struggle. Bond scored the opener - again! - which calmed any nerves. Qualification was now in the bag. John Fletcher scored two goals with his head, Woakes added another, and Fox added a fifth.
Reçueçn 1–1 Eura
Like the previous match Recuecn were a formidable opponent for Eura and they will be proud to have been the only team to avoid double defeat against Eura, let alone avoid defeat at all. This match was fascinating from a defensive perspective as both sides put in the best shift they could, however it presented few chances. To their mutual frustration, both teams scored their only shot on target. Woakes gave Eura the lead with a deflected effort, and then Franky Adams equalised with a deflected shot of their own. Both team's bad luck cancelled each other out.
Eura 6–2 Beepee
In the final home game of qualifying Eura were on top form against Beepee, Bond and Underwood both scoring twice, before Fletcher and Griffiths wrapped up.
Mkabia 2–3 Eura
In the final game Eura rotated their side comprehensively with qualification already secured. Freddie Wright was unimpressive on his return from injury, but given how bad it had been most were just glad to see him back on the pitch for Eura after he'd been reluctant to come back to the fold, focusing on domestic football since recovering months earlier. Fletcher, Fox and Coltrane made sure there were no slip ups as Eura ended qualifying with yet another win.
Final Qualifying Group 13 Table
Group 13 Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 Eura 20 18 2 0 67 19 +48 56
2 Reçueçn 20 10 6 4 26 17 +9 36
3 Damukuni 20 10 4 6 43 31 +12 34
4 Noooooooooooo 20 7 6 7 34 37 −3 27
5 Tornado Queendom 20 8 3 9 34 33 +1 27
6 Beepee 20 6 6 8 27 32 −5 24
7 Andromeda Island Group 20 6 6 8 39 46 −7 24
8 Gor Kebab 20 7 3 10 21 36 −15 24
9 Togonistan 20 6 5 9 21 29 −8 23
10 Geisenfried 20 6 3 11 22 36 −14 21
11 Mkabia 20 2 4 14 27 45 −18 10