Flavovespia’s 8-1 win over Hispinas was a record breaker, Flavovespia’s biggest international victory and most scored in one game by Flavovespia. On an individual level, Scott Coleman’s 5 goals scored in one game is an international record, and will surely be quite hard to beat.
Before kick-off, there were a few shocks at the line-up. Steven Hall, captain and often considered one of the top Flavovespian players, had been dropped to the bench, Robert Totten starting instead. There were no reported injury concerns, so it looked like Alan Young was going for form over perceived talent. Either way, it could’ve been a very controversial call. Jonathan Feld was also benched, Kieron Player coming on to start as a central midfielder.
Flavovespia started with a flash. Not even 3 minutes in, and Robert Totten played the ball into the feet of Scott Coleman. Coleman held off the challenge of Guilla Ledesma, and fired hard and low towards goal. Natalio Londono wasn’t able to cover the shot, and it flew into the goal. 1-0 to Flavovespia early on, and exactly the sort of start they’d hope for.
11 minutes down, and the second goal for Flavovespia. David Blythe found space down the wing, evading Gurutze Aranaz to whip a ball into the cross. Ramon Martin got to it ahead of any defender, and headed it with some force well beyond Londono and into the back of the net. The lead was doubled, and Flavovespia were making a good start.
The 13th minute was an unlucky one for Hispinas. Almost straight from the kick-off, possession was lost, and David Lyons mounted an attack down the left wing. He crossed in early, towards Coleman and Martin. Chequil Puma got there first, but all he did was head the ball past his own keeper Londono and into the net. His own goal was in front of the few thousand or so Hispinas fans who’d travelled to Flavovespia, who less than a quarter-hour gone, saw their side fall 3 goals behind without reply.
Hispinas, after the early shock seemed to be able to compose themselves somewhat. It’d be a long way back into the game, but they at least were able to stay somewhat competitive on the pitch, if not on the scoresheet. Twice Ozeano Amunategui had shots in the first half, although both ended up off target. Plenty of Flavovespians had chances, including a rather opportunistic 35 metre effort from Kieron Player, but it remained 3-0 for much of the first half.
However on the stroke of half-time, a flashpoint occurred on, then off the pitch. Robert Totten was too quick for Cordovan Chia, and as Totten broke forward, he was taken out by a late challenge by Chequil Puma on the edge of the box. Totten was slow to his feet, and the referee didn’t hesitate to go to the back pocket and pull out a red card, and also pointed to the spot. A few players on the pitch, in particular Kieron Player and David Clark on the Flavovespian side had strong words. The referee was over at the video screen to check the red card and penalty decision. During the viewing, a Hispinas coach encroached the area, to confront the referee, and was promptly shown a red card. After the decision was confirmed, another Hispinas coach crossed the sideline to confront the referee and Flavovespian bench at the same time it seemed. This drew the ire of some Flavovespian coaches and players, causing an angry war of words. The second Hispinas coach saw red and on the Flavovespian side, coach Niall Mitchell and defender Alexander May received yellow cards for being a bit too involved in the fracas.
After the delay, Scott Coleman lined up to take the penalty. Londono guessed correctly, but couldn’t dive quickly enough to stop the ball going in. 4-0 now to Flavovespia, as the half-time whistle blew. Whilst few Flavovespians assume victory is assured in any game before the final whistle, a one man advantage and a four goal lead meant it did look very likely.
Off at half time was Robert Totten, the foul seemingly leaving him needing more than a 15 minute break to treat. In his place came Christopher Ace, playing as a central attacking midfielder for a chance. Only 90 seconds or so had elapsed in the second half, before Flavovespia’s 5th goal. James King’s long ball through was into the path of Scott Coleman. A missed tackle meant he had a clear run to goal. Londono closed the angle down, only for Coleman to chip the ball over the Hispinas goalkeeper and in. A hat-trick for Coleman, his form had been patchy in these qualifiers, but he was on a hot streak in this game.
Hispinas’s game plan, already precarious before the red card, was now completely in tatters. With just 10 on the pitch now, they struggled to ever gain possession, and when they did, there were far too many yellow shirts ahead of them. Flavovespia’s 6th goal came from plenty of passes, eventually leading to a gap. Coleman found the gap, found the angle to shoot, and beat Londono. 6-0 now, this was turning into a rout for Flavovespia, in a qualifying campaign where up to this point, they were a bit under the weather.
With 5 minutes to go, Scott Coleman added his 5th of the game. Christopher Ace drifted out wide from a central position, pulling a defender out with him. Ace had his shot parried away by Londono, but Coleman was there on the rebound to tap it into the net. 7-0 now, a scoreline the likes of which Flavovespia had never seen before.
Gorka Uralde made a rare attempt forward for Hispinas in the 88th minute. He was able to get the ball into the box, evading Scott Vaughan. Peppi Palmero managed to get in ahead of Tony Gardner, and fired it in, past David Meehan. It was little more than a consolation goal, but it was something for Hispinas to take back with them. The fans still behind the goal appreciated it at least.
That still didn’t finish off the scoring. In injury time, Christopher Ace beat the Hispinas foot race to a long pass by David Clark. One on one with Londono, he beat the goalkeeper this time, to finish off the scoring, and get his first of the qualifiers. Ace would also particularly enjoy an international goal at his club’s home ground, Saints Park. It was 8-1, with practically the last kick of the game. Flavovespia have well and truly dominated this game, it truly was a record breaking performance.
A match that started with the talk of who wasn’t on the pitch, it was the Flavovespians on the pitch that will be in the record books, likely for a while yet. The kerfuffle on the touchline, and conceding a late goal were maybe the smallest of blights on a game that was otherwise what Flavovespia needed and then some. Of course, win by 1 or win by 7, it’s still only 3 points either way. Flavovespia travel to Nacaltora next, who themselves are still looking for any sort of points. The team know that this 8-1 victory won’t mean as much in the long run, if they can’t get a result in Nacaltora, despite the odds. The qualifiers may have turned a corner, but qualification is still a long way down a winding path for now.
Flavovespia won the final game of the first half of qualifying, 0-2 in Nacaltora. The hosts continue to struggle at the foot of Group 3, as Flavovespia hope that they’ve sowed the seeds of recovery in this qualifying campaign.
Only one change was made to the starting line up from the 8-1 win over Hispinas, and it was an enforced one. Robert Totten was still out injured after the challenge he received in the game, leading to a recall for Steven Hall. The captain was benched for the last game, which raised some eyebrows, but he was now back in the side, albeit in less than ideal circumstances.
Just 2 minutes into the game, the first notable incident occurred. It was Nacaltora with the first attack, with Shivan Wingelaar whipping in a cross. Tony Gardner got his head to it, just as Raymond Carels got there. There was a clash of heads, with Gardner coming off far worse. Carels was clear to continue on, but Gardner was dazed, as he exited the game in the opening minutes. In his place came Daniel Lansdell, to make his first ever international appearance.
A quarter hour down, and James King had a corner, following a blocked shot from Scott Coleman. The ball was swung in towards the penalty spot. Daniel Lansdell held off his marker to rise up and head the ball at goal. Isaac Truchon could only watch it fly past his outstretched arm, and into the back of the net. Daniel Lansdell, in his first appearance for Flavovespia had a debut goal, an impressive feat for any centre back. The early goal for Flavovespia would also go some way to handling any lingering nerves.
Flavovespia were playing with more of a spring in their step after that first goal. Nacaltora had hoped to keep it close for as long as possible, but they once again found themselves in the familiar position of being behind in a game. There were more openings appearing in their defence. Ramon Martin was blocked from having a great shot at goal by a perfectly timed sliding tackle, despite his protests for a penalty. Scott Coleman twice had Isaac Truchon get his hands on a well driven shot, if not for his efforts it likely would’ve been 0-2, 0-3 or maybe even more. Nacaltora struggled to mount much of an attack at all in the first half, eventually registering no shots on target for the first 45 minutes. At half time it was 0-1, not comfortable on the scoreline, but Flavovespia did look good on the pitch.
The second half was relatively slow to begin with, Flavovespia looked to extend the lead, but couldn’t quite find the right opening, Nacaltora doing well to clear their lines after any attack. On the hour mark it was the hosts who came close to equalising with the first big chance of the half. Fernando van Donselaar sent in a good pass for Raymond Carels. Carels shot from the edge of the box, under pressure from Lansdell. The shot beat Meehan, but flashed a little wide of the post. A good chance for the hosts, but just not quite good enough to equalise.
Unfortunately for the hosts, their missed opportunity was soon met by the second for Flavovespia. Just as they were building confidence, they were caught napping. David Lyons was given too much space down the left wing, and he was left with few defenders in his way, and Coleman, Martin and Hall all pushing forward. Hall was the one who got into the most space, as he received the pass from Lyons. He teed up the ball, before a fierce curling shot. It was very well played, Truchon had little chance at a save, and it was 0-2 to Flavovespia. Steven Hall now had his 50th international goal, that milestone complete, and after his recent benching, he now looked a renewed force in the squad.
The second goal seemingly sunk the belief of the Nacaltora team, once again they were looking at another defeat. In the latter stages, they struggled to find the momentum to break down Flavovespia. Of course with Flavovespia 2 goals up, they were more than content to just see out the win, despite some supporters calling for more attack. Mark Paul and Matthew Cope both came on as late substitues for Scott Coleman and Ramon Martin, a combination of resting starters and giving some bench players a try out. Neither was able to find the net, with Truchon a bright spark for Nacaltora in this game.
In the end, the game finished 0-2 to Flavovespia. It won’t go down in the record books as a classic match, or as dominant as the 8-1 win over Hispinas, but nevertheless it was a solid performance all around for Flavovespia. As for Nacaltora, they unfortunately have to face the reality of finishing the first half of qualifying with a “perfect” 0-0-9 record. Flavovespia end the first half of qualifying in 5th place, with a 4-2-3 record, 14 points and +7 goal difference. Results against the Pot 7-10 teams have been exactly what Flavovespia would’ve wanted, a perfect 4-0-0 record. However, the 0-2-3 against Pot 1-6 sides has been the disappointment of the qualifiers so far, even just 1 win out of those five games would’ve put Flavovespia in striking distance of the Top 2 after 9 games. To have a chance at their maiden World Cup appearance, 0-2-3 must be improved on in the qualifiers. In particular reducing losses will be vital, to avoid conceding a lot of ground and tiebreaker advantages to nation in the hunt for the Top 2.
Flavovespia will start the second half of qualifying in Central Shaneville. They currently have 2 wins at home and a 3-0-6 record overall. Home advantage will be theirs in this match, and but for a late mistake could’ve grabbed a point in Flavovespia on the opening day. No points so far against any Pot 1-6 side is a record they’ll want to break, meanwhile Flavovespia will want to keep up a winning streak and a perfect record against Pot 7-10 sides. Then Flavovespia host Cassadaigua in the capital, Waldster. Some may argue it’s a “free hit” for Flavovespia, any points unexpectedly picked up against the top seed are a boost to qualifying, with only Acronius and Busoga Islands taking a point off them so far. However Cassadaigua have a perfect record on their travels, and will be fighting hard to see that record through to the end of qualifiers. It’ll be a tough match in the capital, but if Flavovespia do somehow find a way to avoid defeat, it could mark a real turnaround.